Author Archive
Written by anyajulia on 29 December 2009
At least 12 bodies were found in the wreckage of the MV Catalyn B that was sitting upright on the sea floor at the mouth of Manila Bay, according to a civilian volunteer that conducted a deep-sea dive on the site Monday.
The wooden-hulled ferry sank after it smashed into a steel-hulled fishing vessel on Christmas Eve three nautical miles from Limbones Island off Maragondon, Cavite.
The bodies of the rest of the 24 people missing may be trapped inside still-unopened cabins of Catalyn B, said the Coast Guard spokesperson, Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo.
The discovery of the bodies came as two Coast Guard officers at the Calapan City port, who allowed the MV Baleno 9 to sail, were relieved to give way to the investigation of the ship’s sinking.
The roll-on, roll-of vessel capsized off Isla Verde on the night of Dec. 26, killing at least six of its 124 passengers and crew.
Diver Matthew Caldwell, a captain of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, said Catalyn B was 67 meters (221 feet) below the surface, a depth out of reach of scuba divers.
The vessel was in a “perfectly upright” position, with its bow “severely damaged.” Initial investigation showed that Catalyn B and Anatalia failed to follow nautical right-of-way rules. The Coast Guard chief, Admiral Alfredo Tamayo said the bodies that Caldwell saw would not yet be added to the list of fatalities. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Headlines, National News | No Comments »
Written by anyajulia on 29 December 2009
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose “Lito” Atienza Jr. announced his resignation from the Cabinet. This is to focus on his bid to reclaim the top post in Manila.
Atienza also challenged other government officials running for elective posts, including senators, to quit out of “delicadeza”. He further adds that he was relinquishing his post despite a recent Supreme Court ruling, saying government officials seeking elective posts did not need to resign.
Atienza, who served as environment secretary for two years and five months, said he told President Macapagal-Arroyo about his plan to resign some two weeks ago.
Atienza, incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim and former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Avelino Razon are running for mayor of Manila in next year’s election. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Headlines, National News | No Comments »
Written by anyajulia on 29 December 2009
According to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, most Filipinos welcome the New Year with hope rather than fear.
Eighty-nine percent of those interviewed by the SWS from Decembr 5 to December 10 expressed hope for 2010, while 11 percent said they harbored fear for the coming year.
Hope for the New Year among Filipinos reached its highest at 95 percent in December 2002 and posted its lowest at 81 percent in December 2004, according to the SWS.
Hope for the New Year remained high in all areas in the country: 90 percent in Luzon outside Manila, 88 percent in the Visayas, and 87 percent in both Metro Manila and Mindanao. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Features, Headlines | No Comments »
Written by anyajulia on 28 December 2009
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo orders a thorough investigation on vessels’ collision involving a passenger ferry and a fishing vessel on Christmas Eve.
Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the President ordered the suspension of operations of the San Nicolas Shipping, which operates the wooden-hulled ferry M/V Catalyn B, and the steel-hulled fishing vessel F/V Anatalia, pending the investigation being undertaken by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
As of Saturday afternoon, there were three confirmed dead, 24 missing, and 46 survivors. (PIA)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Headlines, National News | No Comments »
Written by anyajulia on 28 December 2009
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s last 2009 Cabinet meeting is scheduled on December 29 at Baguio City, tackling issues on economic and security measures, and illegal drugs.
Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the meeting of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Cabinet group will tackle the latest developments in the global recession and its impact on the country, to be followed by the presentation of Finance Secretary Margarito Teves on the administration’s 2010 fiscal program.
This will be followed by the meeting of the Cabinet cluster on national security. The agenda of the cluster is particularly long, as it will tackle various security issues including the latest developments in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in connection with the Nov. 23 Maguindanao massacre, and the status of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (PIA)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Headlines, National News | No Comments »
Written by anyajulia on 28 December 2009
This coming December 30, the nation celebrates the 113th anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal with the theme “Kabayanihan ni Rizal: Daluyan ng Kagitingan at Pagkakaisa.”
On the 30th day of December yearly, the whole nation observes the death anniversary of the great national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This is to commemorate the nationalism and martyrdom of Rizal. For this reason, December 30 is declared a national non-working holiday. Another reason for the said celebration is perhaps to bring the Filipinos together as they immortalize Rizal and his significance in contemporary times.
The National Organizing Committee headed by the National Historical Institute, has prepared Rizal Day events and activities in designated regions and cities of the country.
One of the features of the commemorative rites is the launching of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Jose Rizal.
The 4th Rizal National Festival of Excellence will be re-launched in time for the 150th Birth Anniversary of Jose Rizal on June 19, 2011. (PIA)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Headlines, Major Events, National News | No Comments »
Written by anyajulia on 28 December 2009
As the the New Year celebration approaches, the Department of Health (DOH), together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) reiterated the call to “Iwas Paputok” campaign.
Oplan Iwas Paputok discourages the use of firecrackers to welcome 2010 and introduces the Fourmula against the dangers of firecrackers.
According to the Department of Health, there are four formulas that the public must remember to make sure that they will meet the New Year happily and free from harm.
The first formula is to Say No to Fireworks and Firecrackers. Use innovative ways to create noise. If a person is hurt because of firecrackers, the wound must immediately be washed with clean water and mild soap, is the second DOH fourmula. The third formula is never to pick up firecrackers which have not exploded. The fourth fourmula is not to fire guns during the New Year.
The PNP is closely addressing the indiscriminate firing of guns, and preventing the sale of prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechniques. (PIA)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Headlines, National News | No Comments »
Written by anyajulia on 28 December 2009
The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) has just opened its 2010 search for Outstanding Teachers. The search is to honor the country’s ten educators who have served as role models to their students and inspired them to follow a path of excellence.
The annual search is supported by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and carries the theme “Discovering Everyday Heroes in Education”.
This is open to all elementary, secondary and higher education teachers in both public and private schools. A Filipino citizen, he/she must be actively teaching in the country for the last ten years.
Deadline for submission of nominations forms to the MBFI Secretariat or at any Metrobank branch is on February 15, 2010.
Search official nominations forms, guidelines and brochures are available in all Metrobank branches, DepEd and CHED regional and division offices nationwide. The forms may also be downloaded at http://www.mbfoundation.org.ph or http://www.mbfisot.multiply.com. (PIA)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Headlines, National News | No Comments »
Written by anyajulia on 28 December 2009
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has said that the Philippines can further protect its natural systems and ecological processes by implementing progressive environmental laws.
Among the laws are the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Renewable Energy Act, the Bio-Fuels Act, the National Integrated Protected Areas Act, the Fisheries Code, and most recently, the Climate Change Act.
The United Nations (UN) reported that the Philippines is one of the top twelve countries at the greatest risk from climate change. In fact, the country topped the list of nations most in danger of facing more frequent and more intense storms as the impact of climate change intensifies.
In view of this fact and despite the country’s low carbon footprint, President Arroyo has committed at the Copenhagen climate change summit to implement the laws and to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the country by 20 percent to be one with other countries in meeting the harsh impacts of climate change and avert a global climate crisis. (OPS/PIA)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Headlines, National News | No Comments »
Written by anyajulia on 23 December 2009
The Department of Education’s health initiative, the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP), has been recognized as one of the world’s best practices in primary health care among school children.
The award was bestowed by the Global South-South Development Expo, a United Nations-wide annual event.
The EHCP combines high impact and evidence-based interventions in a simple and cost effective package to improve health and development of primary school children.
EHCP seeks to reduce the incidence of diarrhea by 30-40%, bring down respiratory infections by 20-30%, and cut worm infections by 50%. This program is expected to increase school attendance by 20% and improve academic performance. (DepEd)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Headlines, National News | No Comments »
Written by anyajulia on 23 December 2009
The Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has entered into an agreement with the to hasten the titling of sites continuously occupied by public schools nationwide.
DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus and DPWH Secretary Victor Domingo recently signed an agreement to facilitate the prompt issuance of clearances required for the titling process.
The titling of public schools will protect public schools from encroachment, segregation, illegal occupation, and adverse claims of ownership by other individuals or parties. (DepEd)
Click here for full article.
Posted in Headlines, Major Events, National News | No Comments »
