President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo turned-over on Friday a P10-million check to newly-installed Butil Party list Congressman Agapito H. Guanlao for the establishment of waste recovery facilities in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Pampanga that would convert solid wastes into organic fertilizers for use of Butil farmer-members
In her speech marking the celebration of Farmers Month this month, the President told Guanlao to sponsor a bill in Congress extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law before it expires next month.
She also asked Guanlao to initiate a proposal before Congress goes on a recess declaring May 15, the feast of St. Isidoro Labrador, patron saint of farmers, as Farmers Day.
The check for the solid waste recovering facilities was the President’s “Buena mano” for Guanlao, the second Butil party list representative in Congress.
The President expressed her gratitude to the farmers for their support and vowed that old irrigation systems in the area would be rehabilitated. In addition, new small irrigation and water supply systems would be built to benefit the farmers.
A staunch advocate of environmental protection, the President also batted strongly for the adoption of measures that would help mitigate climate change and global warming.
She said the number one cause of climate change is gasoline, which is why my government is doing everything possible to find new energy sources such as biomass that farmers can produce.
Another is methane from solid waste, adding that Filipinos must practice zero waste management by segregating solid wastes and recycling those that can be recycled and processing biodegradable wastes through the MRF.
She said the MRF costs anywhere from P200,000 to P2 million.
The President said that instead of increasing subsidies for farm inputs—like fertilizers and pesticides and seeds, “I deem it better to increase the palay procurement of the National Food Authority.”
“So, from just 33,000 metric tons of palay that NFA used to buy from farmers at P17 a kilo, I ordered the NFA to buy one million metric tons also at P17 a kilo,” she said.
Aside from hundreds of farmers and members of cooperatives, those who attended the Farmers Day celebration at Paskuhan Village were Congressmen Aurelio Gonzales (3rd district of Pampanga), Leonila Chavez and Guanlao of the Butil party lists, Agriculture Undersecretary Jesus Emmmanuel Paras; Jenny Ducut of the Energy Regulatory Commission; and Minalin Mayor Flores.
Butil Party leaders thank PGMA for her support to farmers
Hundreds of farmers and cooperatives members showed up Friday at the Paskuhan Village in San Fernando, Pampanga to thank President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for all her support and assistance to the farmer sector.
Led by Butil Party List Reps. Leonila Chavez and Agapito Guanlao, the farmers said they showed up not to ask for more favors from the President but to express their gratitude for all the past favors she gave them like the strengthening of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) to ably serve the insurance needs of farmers especially during storms and other calamities.
They said the President has also ordered that the premium being paid by farmers to the PCIC be reduced from 8.48 percent to 6 percent. The PCIC insures the production loans of farmers in case of crop losses from calamities like droughts or storms or other reasons beyond their control.
Cong. Chavez said the President has repeatedly shown her concern for the plight of the farmers by supporting Butil’s numerous programs for livelihood, education and health.
The Nueva Ecija-based congressman said on May 15, her province—which supplies three months’ worth of rice consumed by Metro Manila--- will start its harvest for the main season crop, which she said is expected to be a lot bigger than previous year, barring any untoward episodes.
Chavez said farmers need more driers to keep their harvested crops dry and of good quality so they won’t be forced to sell them at very low prices to traders at once. A drier normally costs over P500,000.
She also said that she would propose to the President the creation of a National Apex Bank to oversee operations of all cooperative rural banks (CRB) to ensure that they are able to manage their businesses well, in accordance with operating guidelines, and prevent more CRBs from going bankrupt.
She said from 52 CRBs in the previous years, there are only 43 left now and “their bleeding must be stopped so that farmers will be assured of a steady source of loans for their farm production and livelihood endeavors.”
PGMA warns Pampanga officials of massive flooding unless global warming is mitigated
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday warned barangay officials and local executives of Porac and adjoining towns of Pampanga of massive flooding if global warming is not arrested.
The President added, “If our temperature would heat up by another 2 degrees Celsius—and we have now reached 1.2 degrees -- Porac, Macabebe, Minalin and other towns of Pampanga; Navotas, Malabon, Manila and Bulacan will be under floodwaters.”
The President said all barangays must now target to reduce the solid waste being dumped in sanitary landfills.
“In fact, we must just maintain our landfills and not add more landfills,” the President emphasized during the briefing conducted by Presidential Adviser for Global Warming and Climate Change Heherson Alvarez.
“We must target zero basura (garbage),” the President stressed, adding that from hereon, each barangay must have a materials recovery facility (MRF) to produce charcoal briquettes which can be used by farmers as organic fertilizer.”
She also ordered the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) to make sure to produce information materials that will push for environment-friendly practices, including the setting up of MRF in all barangays, and every home recycling its own garbage.
The President made a strong pitch against adding more landfills and dumping more solid waste into these landfills since they produce methane gas which is 20 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
She also called for the establishment of more bio-reactors, bio-digesters and even plastic-melting plants to produce plastic tiles that are durable and which can also help reduce solid waste. Plastic tiles are now being used in Boracay, Olongapo City, Los Banos and Trece Martires.
Another briefing conducted by Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jose Mari Gerochi revealed that the investment in MRF and plastic-melting plants costing P369,000 could be recovered in about two years.
PGMA breaks ground for P5-billion condo project in Pampanga
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday broke ground for the P5-billion condominium development project of Jang Won Real Estate Development Inc. in Angeles City.
Occupying 122,444 sq.m., the River Castel Condominium and JW International Academy will have 994 residential units complete with amenities like language school, driving range, commercial building, hospital, bookstore, internet café, restaurants, family karaoke, café, spa and sauna, laundry, hair salon and pharmacy, all within 12-hectare property.
Jang Won said the condominium project will generate an initial 1,000 jobs during the start of construction alone, and benefit not just Koreans and other foreigners living in the Philippines but also Filipinos.
The language school will help Koreans and expats fulfill their dream of providing education for their children while the central medical center and convention center will provide doctors and volunteers to help the elderly and others needing medical attention.
Before visiting the Jang Won project, the President inspected the Porac Exit of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
Later, she attended the thanksgiving mass and fellowship on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Guagua Rural Bank at the Holiday Inn Resort Hotel at the Clark Economic Zone.
RP remains free of Influenza A/H1N1, WHO praises ASEAN response to new virus
No sign of Influenza A/H1N1 virus.
As of Friday, Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde said that the country has zero case of Influenza AH1N1 though they have 17 persons under observation.
Thirteen of the cases have tested negative and were discharged.
The remaining persons under observation were quarantined at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Asian Doctors Hospital and in a hospital in Cagayan De Oro.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) lauded efforts of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and some neighboring countries to prevent the spread of H1N1.
WHO Western Pacific Regional Director Dr. Shin Young Soo said ASEAN responded well when the virus broke through the American and European continents by activating surveillance systems and creating protocols for care and treatments.
He made the statement during the ASEAN health ministers’ meeting in Bangkok chaired by Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.
Before he left for Thailand, Duque explained that the meeting intends not just to compare notes among and between countries but to achieve consensus on how the region will deal with H1N1 virus.
Team PACQUIAO passes flu screening; DOH advices champ to stick to social distancing
The Department of Health assured the public that World boxing champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and his company passed flu screening when they arrived from the US Friday morning.
“All of them have been found negative for fever and other flu-like symptoms,” the DOH said in a statement.
DOH reported that Pacquiao and his entourage went through the protocol for all incoming passengers when they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.
“The group of Manny Pacquiao passed through thermal scanning and was asked to submit properly filled-up Health Checklist forms to detect influenza-like illness and symptoms that could mimic A/H1N1 influenza,” the DOH statement said
Apart from the screening, DOH said Pacquiao and his entourage “were given the Health Alert Notice to guide them on proper social distancing, cough etiquette, hand hygiene and other key preventive measures to minimize the possibility of passing on the virus to others.”
Although Pacquiao and company passed the screening, DOH clarified that, “it is still possible for them to harbor the virus at the incubation stage where fever and other symptoms can still be absent.”
Thus, DOH urged Pacquaio and his entourage to “observe strict social distancing, self-quarantine and self-monitoring of symptoms over a period of five days upon arrival to the country” based on the recommendation of the local World Health Organization.
Social distancing means no kissing, no hugging and no hand shaking.
Secretary Francisco T. Duque III appealed Wednesday to Pacquiao to postpone any motorcade or victory party within the five day period after arrival as part of adhering to the recommended social distancing.
He made the appeal after consulting WHO Country Representative Soe Nyut-U on how to deal with the Pacquiao homecoming.
“There is already an established human to human transmission with third generation spread in the US specifically in Los Angeles where Mr. Pacquiao and his entourage stayed. In this case, there is already sustained community spread in the US. The entourage of Mr. Pacquiao is not a small group and they come from different parts of the country,” said the statement of Dr. Soe as read by Secretary Duque in a press conference in Malacanang.
Meanwhile, palace official said moving the national day of celebration for Pacman from Friday to Monday was part of social distancing.
“We cannot take it way from the ‘pambansang kamao’ that after a great victory, he would want to come home (immediately). Manny also feels safer at home than anywhere else. That’s something we should be proud of… In fairness to Manny, he followed all procedures and we appreciate that,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said.
Remonde added that “we cannot take it against him if gusto niya magsimba sa (if he likes to attend mass at the church in) Quiapo,” adding that Pacquiao, being a “true-blue Catholic,” would want to pay homage in thanksgiving for his amazing win in Las Vegas#
Palace rolling out the carpet for Pacman
A grand welcome awaits boxing icon Manny Pacquiao when he makes an appearance at Malacanang next week.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Friday that the palace appreciates the patience and consideration the boxing champion and his retinue demonstrated in observance of the proper protocol related to the raging H1N1 virus issue.
“So when we celebrate Manny’s victory next Monday (May 11), let us take the opportunity to thank God for all the other good news that gladdens our hearts and fortifies us to carry on with the tasks of nation-building,” Remonde said.
The palace luncheon for Pacman was scheduled at 11 a.m.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita will meet and escort Pacquiao to the main lobby with honor guards lining both sides.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will bestow honors on Pacquiao at the Rizal Hall of the Palace, with ES Ermita reading the awards proclamation.
“We too can compete and win on any playing field of our own choosing, provided we set our minds and hearts to it, work hard and persevere, and unite and rally behind our heroes and our leaders.” Remonde added.
DOH advice to travelers and the public
It is prudent for all incoming passengers to limit social contact and monitor their health status, especially if they come from affected countries. Note that the onset of fever and other flu-like symptoms that can manifest within 10 days of being exposed to a potential carrier of the A/H1N1 virus.
Should anyone feel any symptoms of Influenza A H1N1, they are advised to immediately consult a doctor. All hospitals and other health personnel should report suspected cases of Influenza A H1N1 to the DOH Hotline at telephone numbers 711-1001 or 711-1002.
We maintain that there is still no travel restriction to any affected country. Nonetheless, we are strongly advising the public to reconsider their trips unless extremely necessary.
We also recommend the following personal protective measures:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• Wash hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing/sneezing.
• Alcohol-based sanitizers are also equally effective, and
• Avoid close contact with sick persons
Worldwide, the World Health Organization and the United States Center for Disease Control have already reported 2,371 cases with 44 deaths from 24 countries. These countries include: Austria, Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Germany, Hong Kong (China), Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, South Korea, Switzerland, UK, USA, Guatemala, Sweden, and Poland.
NDCC mobilizes resources to expedite assistance to affected provinces
The National Disaster Coordinating Council is completing damage reports from areas ravaged by Typhoon Emong.
As of 5 pm, Friday, NDCC facilitated the release of 450 sacks of rice for Anda and Bolinao in Pangasinan.
The Philippine Coast Guard suspended the operation of inter-island ships below gross 1,000 tonnage except for boats with bigger tonnage.
The 24th Philippine Army Infantry Brigade and units from the Philippine National Police participated in the clearing and rescue operations in Bolinao, Pangasinan while the 501st Brigade assisted in moving out obstructions in the Asupilo-Kiangan Ifugao Boundary.
Remonde: RP has blessings other than the Paquiao conquest
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said there is continued growth in bank loans despite the global recession, momentum on the stock market is building up and more OFW remittances in the coming months.
Remonde said the President’s diplomatic breakthroughs during her recent trips to Egypt and Syria were also worth celebrating.
“Even on the health front, we continue to be spared from the global outbreak of H1N1 virus,” Remonde added.
Palace looking forward to clean elections on 2010
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will have to conduct an independent and clean elections in 2010, whether the balloting is fully automated or not, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Friday.
Remonde said Malacañang remains optimistic that the voting will be automated in a historic shift from the country’s manual voting system.
He pointed out that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law last March the P11.3-billion supplemental budget, indicating that funding the full automation of the election should not be a problem to ensure honest, efficient, and credible polls next year.
Remonde said this is in keeping with the President’s commitment to modernize the country’s electoral process through automation, a landmark democratic exercise that would do away with the tedious manual count.
“The Palace has already set the directions, the law has already been passed, and under the law it is the Comelec that will have to implement it,” he said.
The bidding for the P11.3-billion poll automation project has failed, but the poll body is trying all possible means to remedy the situation.
An appeal from the bidders or a negotiated contract for the poll automation has been bruited about as a possible last recourse in choosing the provider of the 80,000 automation machines to be used in the 2010 elections.
Remonde said the Palace would not meddle in the affairs of the Comelec, a constitutional body, in the poll automation issue.
“We do not want to interfere with the affairs of an independent constitutional body,” Remonde said.
Palace condemns slaying of Sulu PNP commander, 3 others
Malacañang condemned on Friday the killing of the Sulu police provincial commander and three of his aides.
“We strongly condemn the treacherous killing of our provincial commander in Sulu, a Tausug, which normally is unthinkable that it can happen in the hands of his fellow tribesmen,” Press Secretary Remonde said, “we (Malacanang) have immediately directed the Director General of the PNP, Secretary of the DILG, AFP Chief of Staff, and Secretary of National Defense to immediately apply reasonable force to stop similar threat that took place in Sulu.”
Senior Supt. Julasirim Kasim and his men were ambushed Thursday in Maimbung town while checking police deployment.
Others killed in the ambush were Kasim’s younger brother Rosalin, Senior Police Officer 3 Asbi Jammahari and a certain SPO 3 Abdurajan.
Kasim’s younger brother was a civilian volunteer
Four members of the Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed by authorities during the pursuit operations.
Reports said the late Kasim is deeply involved in the recovery of Italian Red Cross worker Eugenio Vagni and in the operation against the bandits.
Palace affirms dismissal of 2 cops for non-appearance in drug litigations
Malacanang has affirmed the dismissal by Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Jesus Versoza of two policemen for repeated failures to attend court hearings of drug cases, resulting in the dismissal of the charges.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita identified the two dismissed policemen as Police Offices 2 (PO2) Marlon Fernandez and Alfred Pastor Jr.
Ermita said Malacanang has also directed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP to fast-track the resolution of all pending against policemen for failure to attend court hearings of illegal drug charges.
Ermita said he has also asked the PNP to furnish Malacanang regular updates on police delinquency in drug-related cases which has been identified as the primary reason why no big-time drug traffickers are convicted.
The policemen -- all based in Metro Manila -- were ordered dismissed late last month by Verzosa after an investigation showed they habitually failed to show up and testify in court in connection with several drug-related cases.
The Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2001 provides that, criminal charges must also be filed against policemen for their failure to appear in court.
“The PNP is confident that the designated disciplinary authorities can resolve the other pending cases in the soonest possible time,” Bartolome said.
The PNP initially reported that some 100 police officers failed to attend court hearings over a period of two years.
Palace, CBCP, Solons holding dialogues on extension of agrarian reform law
Malacañang has been holding dialogues with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the country’s lawmakers to ensure the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) which expires next month, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Friday.
Remonde said that Malacañang, the church and Congress will also take into consideration the reported advice of the World Bank (WB) for a two-year moratorium on the CARP extension law.
“Our policy-makers should look into that very closely. It has to be taken into consideration. We take the advice of international bodies like the World Bank seriously but we will not be bound by them if the consensus is that they are not in the best interest of our people,” Remonde said.
“The Palace, CBCP and the leaderships of the Senate and the House of Representatives have been holding dialogues on this. We hope that this (CARP law extension which was certified by the President as urgent to address the plight of the farmers) will be passed before its expiration,” Remonde said.
