Archive for October, 2008
Written by anyajulia on 29 October 2008
Leaders who attended the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing praised President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s management style and visionary economic programs.
Especially in insulating the Philippine economy from the roller-coaster global forces, said Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza .
According to Dureza, the President’s economic programs are now being replicated in other countries shaken by the US economic meltdown.
They particularly took notice on the president’s program on EVAT, which have greatly benefited the poor.
Dureza accompanied the President in her five-day visit to China for the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing of 45 leaders of Asian and European countries. (PIA/Bohol)
Tags: 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), ASEM leaders, economic programs, management style, PGMA, praise
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Written by anyajulia on 29 October 2008
North Cotabato second district Representative Bernardo Piñol, Jr. gave a thumbs down to prolong peace talks.
According to Piñol, it drains government coffers and will not solve the Mindanao conflict.
He believes that pouring all efforts in developing agriculture is the solution to this century-old problem.
He also stressed that the Muslims shall be allowed to hold on to their lands.
Piñol is prioritizing agriculture for the first five years and after this, get into the construction of infrastructures for another five years and third priority list is other structures such as barangay halls.
The North Cotabato solon went on to mention his support to high value crops namely rubber, oil palm, coconut, coffee and cacao. (PIA/Bohol)
Tags: North Cotabato, prolong peace talks., Representative Bernardo Piñol Jr., second district, thumbs down
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Written by anyajulia on 28 October 2008
Leaders of Asian and European nations have called on developed countries to make good their commitment to allocate 0.7 % of their gross national income (GNI) by 2015 for official development assistance.
This is in order to raise the effectiveness of foreign aid to developing nations.
In a seven-page “Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Development” at the end of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM-7) summit in Beijing, the world leaders, including President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, reaffirmed their “commitment to establishing a genuine global partnership for development cooperation.
They also stress the “leading role of the United Nations in coordinating international development cooperation and building the international consensus on sustainable development matters.”
To emphasize the primary responsibility of each nation to achieve its own development, complemented by an enabling international environment for development, they called on developed countries to increase resources for development and fulfill the commitment of achieving the overall target of using 0.7% of their gross national income (GNI) by 2015. (PIA/Bohol)
Tags: 2015, allocate 0.7 %, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM-7), gross national income (GNI), Leaders of Asian and European nations, official development assistance
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Written by anyajulia on 28 October 2008
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, together with 44 other leaders from Asia and Europe who participated in the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting in Beijing, China; adopted the “Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Development.”
The world leaders met to discuss measures that will strengthen further their partnership as well as issues of common interest.
This year’s summit was focused on the current financial crisis, food security, climate change and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Leaders, in adopting the Beijing Declaration, agreed that sustainable development is the solution to all these concerns. (PIA/Bohol)
Tags: 7th Asia-Europe Meeting, Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Development, climate change, Europe, financial crisis, food security, leaders from Asia, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
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Written by anyajulia on 28 October 2008
EKSKLUSIBO nga pautang nga may gamay lang nga interes ngadto sa Overseas Foreign Workers nga gumawasay apan nag-sagubang sa taas nga gastohan alangs a placement fees.
Kini maoy gipalabang human sa ikatulo nga pagbasa sa Ubos Balay Balaoranan ning bag-o lamang.
Aang House Bill 161 gilantaw nga makatabang ug dako sa mga OFWs kinsa gitawag nag mga bag-ong bayani.
Ubos sa balaodnon, ang usa ka OFW mga may valido nga kontrata segun sa napamatud-an sa Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) makahuwam ug P50,000 gikan sa Overseas Worker and Welfare Administration (OWWA) agi ug tabang sa banay sa OFW sa unang mga buwan nga sila dili una makapadala sa kwarta sa gibiyaang banay.
Ang pahuwam, iagi sa bangko ug bayran sa 12 ka binuwan nga data-data ug kini napailawom sa loan redemption insurance sa Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). (PIA/rachiu)
Tags: 000, debts, Overseas Foreign Workers, Overseas Worker and Welfare Administration (OWWA), P50, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), placement fees
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Written by anyajulia on 27 October 2008
The Department of Science and Technology(DOST) held their 4th Visayas Science and Technology Fair in Island City Mall in October 22-26, 2008 with its theme, “Making Science Work for You”. The DOST Secretary, Dr. Estrella F. Alabastro, graced the opening ceremony in the ICM Activity Center.
Different agencies and regional clusters of DOST from different parts of the country comprised the said event. There were the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), Science and Education Institute (SEI), Philipine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) among others. The ASTI is the center that initiated the Bayanihan Linux OS under the Open Source Group. Bayanihan Linux version 5.0 is soon to be available and it shall have two editions: one is catered for government and private offices while another is for educational institutions.
Tags: 4th Visayas Science and Technology Fair, Department of Science and Technology(DOST), theme, “Making Science Work for You”
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Written by anyajulia on 27 October 2008
THE ball now is in the hands of the city legislators who could be instrumental in the final resolution of the nagging city drainage problem, Governor Erico Aumentado reported Friday in his weekly program.
In the latest coordination meeting held early this week, City Mayor Dan Lim and Governor Aumentado finally agree that the public works department’s to turn over of the facility to the city would be a key to the solution of the problem.
Mayor Lim has stood his ground in his previous position asking for the immediate turn-over of the facility so the city can have the jurisdiction over it.
The facility turn-over is also hoped to finally end the buck-passing by local officials and authorities over who has got the responsibility on the constant flooding at the low-lying portions of the CPG North Avenue.
The environment department has plugged the exit canals of the drainage when it learned that the storm drains is also used as sewerage outlet by some city establishments.
The buck-passing started when the environment department’s local office wanted the public works to unplug the connections allowed by the contractor’s consultants. The consultants on the other hand reasoned out that they just adhered to the request of their clients.
Local district engineers said they have no hand in the project because it’s implemented in the national level. They also reasoned that the local government has the responsibility to un-tap.
Over the imbroglio, residents affected by the floodings have asked for fast resolution on the issue.
With the recent development, according to the governor, DPWH undersecretary Manuel Bonoan agrees to the request of the facility turn over to the city government with some conditions.
DPWH however wants that the city would also officially request the transfer of responsibilities, including the operation and maintenance of the facility.
The governor bared that Capitol has written to the city legislative council and the city Mayor about the need to come up with a formal resolution to this effect.
Over the developments too, the Bohol head sees a silver lining behind the problem as 28 of the more than 30 establishments named with illegal connections have asked for technical help in disconnecting their taps.
At this, the DPWH has sought to maximize road maintenance funds by ensuring the setting up of more drainage facilities.
DPWH Sec. Hermogenes Ebdane has ordered men in the field to ensure that foreign-assisted projects prioritize the construction of drainage facilities including line canals and cross drains along national roads all over the country.
Ebdane has identified the absence of drainage facilities as a primary cause of fast road deterioration due to water seepage and flood waters.
Line canals and cross drains allow rain water along the national roads to freely flow towards natural waterways such as creeks or rivers.
Ebdane said the drainage will not only prevent flooding but would also prolong lifespan of roads that will redound to saving funds by decreasing maintenance work.
The public works secretary also ordered all district engineers to go on site and strictly monitor the construction of the drainage facilities, as well as to ensure that all national roads along congested metropolis are kept passable at all times. (rachiu/PIA)
Tags: city legislators, Department of Public Works and Highways, drainage turn-over
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Written by anyajulia on 27 October 2008
EAGERLY awaiting deliberations of the recently wrapped-up Pamilihang Panlalawigan search by the evaluation team, Catigbian residents hope to finally bag the “best market award” this year.
Mayor Roberto Salinas however stressed that it is the unrelenting effort to dispense better service to the people that should an, but winning the provincial feat may come as a huge bonus.
Ranked only second to modern public market in Ubay in 2006, Catigbian pulled one ace off its sleeves when it edged the provincial winner in the regional competitions of that same year.
Bagging the region’s 3rd best market after Bayawan City in Negros and Pardo in Cebu, Catigbian now hopes their public market can finally be recognized as Bohol’s best, a huge feat for a public market that was constructed a few years after the war.
The provincial plum is a version of the Pambansang Pamilihan Search conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bohol this year.
It is set to motivate public and private run markets to comply with trade rules including price tags, weights and measurements regulations and safety and quality standards, said DTI’s Concordia Erano, in a phone interview recently.
This year, the Bohol search only includes 11 markets, DTI sources said.
Evaluated together with Catigbian in this year’s search for Bohol’s best public markets were Jagna, Guindulman, Ubay, Talibon, Carmen, Inabanga, Tubigon, Loon, Antequera and Tagbilaran City, Erano enumerated.
In Catigbian, market Administrator and assistant municipal treasurer Cresilda Rulida said the town has not ceased innovating its public market since they earned the regional award in 2006.
The administration under Mayor Roberto Salinas has put in the market a better drainage system and revamped the market’s drainage culverts to assure the efficient and unimpeded flow of liquid wastes, further eliminating foul odor, Rulida shared.
The market gathered as much asP1.7M in revenues in 2006 and P1.4 M in 2007, despite the fact that the town livestock income was separately computed in 2007 following its independent operations, municipal records revealed.
In 2007, the town livestock center also netted about P.5M, Information officer Ardissa Estavilla said. (PIA/rachiu)
Tags: Antequera, Bohol best market feat, Carmen, Catigbian, Guindulman, Inabanga, Jagna, Loon, Pamilihang Panlalawigan search, Tagbilaran City, Talibon, Tubigon, Ubay
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Written by anyajulia on 27 October 2008
FINALLY going back to the basics, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through Secretary Lito Atienza is into re-thinking the bamboo as a miracle solution to environmental degradation, climate change and lack of crafts material.
Also called the miracle grass, the bamboo has been a major indigenous construction material and is now a favorite native accent in home interiors, not to mention its countless use in handicrafts.
Now seeing the potential of the grass and its market viability, the environment agency asks for more research on other possible uses of bamboo to help expand market potential of this plant.
“Let’s really study bamboo — it’s among the strongest and most resilient plants on earth,” Atienza said during the opening of the three-day National Bamboo Development Forum which Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and its partners are holding at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.
LLDA aims to generate from the forum-updated data on worldwide bamboo resources, industries and markets to get inputs for a national development program for this grass.
Atienza noted bamboo’s characteristics make it an ideal material for construction and watershed rehabilitation including addressing soil erosion.
Bamboo is also eaten as food, made into furniture and handicraft while its extract might be used to cure cough, he continued.
“In China, I even saw clothes made from bamboo,” he recalled.
Atienza also believes the country must hike research on bamboo as this grass thrives nationwide.
“The Philippines is among the few countries where bamboo is adapted to,” he noted.
To help promote studies on bamboo, Atienza said DENR can extend technical assistance to researchers.
“Bamboo can be among major solutions to today’s problems like climate change and environmental degradation,” he said. (PNA/PIA)
Tags: climate change, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), environmental degradation, lack of crafts material, miracle solution, Secretary Lito Atienza, studies on bamboo
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Written by anyajulia on 25 October 2008
NO MATTER how noble the purpose is, government vehicles can not be used by government employees to take an ailing relative to the nearest hospital, even in emergency cases, rules out the government’s Task Force Red Plate.
The Tanodbayan, under Honorable Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez created the task force aimed at ensuring that government vehicles are used in accordance with existing laws.
The task force is the government’s implementing arm in checking abuse despite implemented austerity measures. They spread the dragnet, which widened recently to ensnare abusive employees using government vehicles despite express instructions to cut on fuel consumption in the midst of a fuel crisis.
According to the task force, in no case shall a government employee use a government vehicle to further his private ends, unless he has obtained a permission to do so from the proper authority.
The subject austerity measure also bans government vehicles from fetching children or relatives to and from school, even if it is only along the way to office.
The task force said it is a declared policy that government vehicles should be used solely for the furtherance of official business. The same holds true even in cases where the employee himself answers for the gas of the government vehicle.
In this light, a government vehicle, when not in use can not be brought home and have it put in the private garage, because by general rule, a government vehicle should be put in a garage provided by the agency of the government the vehicle is assigned.
But, by way of exceptions, a government vehicle may be brought home in cases where the agency does not have a garage or where it is more economical to bring home the vehicle, cites the task force on Sec. 361 of the General Auditing and Accounting Manual [e-4], GAAM and Commission on Audit circular 85-55.
Then, unless properly authorized, a government employee may bring a government vehicle to places like markets, restaurants, hotels, resorts, or similar places outside official route.
The driver however should present a mandatory Driver’s Trip Ticket duly accomplished before the vehicle can be used.
The absence of Driver’s Trip Ticket to authorize the use of a government vehicle outside official route, or outside office hours, or on a Sunday or legal holiday or by persons other that those authorized to use them raises prima facie evidence of its private use, the task force said in Section 361[d-1], GAAM; Sec. 2, EO 418. (rachiu/PIA)
Tags: bans, emergencies, government, kins, official use, vehicles
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Written by anyajulia on 24 October 2008
A BOHOLANO missionary priest and 5 others survived an ambush try Saturday, October 18 in Basilan in Mindanao.
Rev. Fr. Felimon “Mon” Libot, a missionary of the Claretian Order hails from Tangacasan Norte, of Loay town here.
He on his way to celebrate the following day’s mass in priest-less Tumahubong town, 97 kilometers away from his base in Isabela City, Basilan when he and his companions were ambushed.
Marine and CAFGU escorts accompanied him Saturday afternoon when a band of 4 armed men fired upon the civilian vehicle they were on, reports from Mindanao said.
While his escorts returned fire, the band of armed men succeeded in wounding at least 4 CAFGUs while Libot and another CAFGU only identified as PFC Nicolas suffered minor injuries said Col. Rustico Guerrero, Commanding Officer of the 1st Marine Brigade.
Libot, a religious missionary is currently the Director of Claret College of Isabela.
Fr. Libot, along with Basilan priests including Bishop Martin Jumoad attended the spiritual needs of the town.
Based on reports, Fr. Libot was traveling via Isabela-Maluso-Sumisip circumferential road and was about 7 kilometers from Tumahubong proper when they were fired upon.
Col. Guerrero added that government troops from the MBLT-10 were sent to track down the armed band, whose identities and motive are still under investigation.
While no identities have been established on the criminals, sources have theorized that factions in the Tumahubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Cooperative (TARBIDC) may have been the culprits.
The TARBIDC engaged a P50 M loan for the cooperatives modernization of the rubber production, a fund allegedly mismanaged.
The conflict among cooperative factions has also been pointed as the cause of unresolved killings and other criminal activities in the area, including the torching of the cooperative administration building. (PIA/rachiu)
Tags: Basilan ambush survivor, Boholano, Claretian, priest, Tumahubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Co
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