Palace urged to add .3 M seniors in pension program

MANILA-Government was told to enroll more sick and poor elderly in the social pension program for indigent seniors as the current program only covers 77 year olds and above.

The call was made by Sen. Ralph Recto who wants the number of senior citizen pensioners increased to 770,804 next year from this year’s 479,080.

The increase will allow those in the 65- to 76-year-old category to be included in the program for the first time since the law authorizing the grant of the stipend was passed 4 years ago, Recto said.

An estimate made by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which administers the program, said that 274,804 seniors in the 70 to 76 years old age bracket will be enrolled together with 16,920 in the 65 to 69 age bracket once the number of beneficiaries is raised to 770,804.

Adding almost 300,000 “senior pensioners” will, however, increase the program’s budget from P2.87 billion this year to P4.62 billion next year, Recto admitted.

But Recto said that the additional P1.75 billion can be easily absorbed in the P2.6 trillion “indicative budget ceiling” of the 2015 budget, the preparation of which is now in full blast in the executive branch.

“I think there is budget space for the amount needed to expand the beneficiary base of the senior pension program,” Recto said.

He said that government should start reducing its backlog of commitments under Republic Act 9994, which expands benefits senior citizens are entitled to.

While a 2012 census by the DSWD had identified 1,315,584 poor 60 year olds and above who could qualify for the P500 monthly pension, the government has so far limited its grant to seniors who are 77 years old and above.

“Overall, there is a 5-billion-peso funding gap. We can reduce this gradually by bringing more seniors into the fold of the program,” Recto said.

RA 9994 defines an “indigent senior citizen” who may qualify for the P500 monthly social pension as someone 60 years old and above who is “frail, sickly, or with disability, and without pension or permanent source of income, compensation or financial assistance from his relatives to support his needs.”

In its "National Household Targeting" census, the DSWD included other economic, social, health, housing information to better identify the indigents truly deserving of the pension. 

POLICE ARRESTED 2 FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS

CAMP OLIVAS, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga- Under the directives of PCSupt Raul D Petrasanta , Regional Director, Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) to all his City/Provincial Directors to to eradicate the proliferation of illegal drugs in the region and map out stricter security measures and triple their efforts in trimming down crime incidents within their respective areas of responsibilities thru the conduct of intensified police focused operations and implementation of  search warrants and  warrants of arrest as well,  two (2) drug pushers were toppled during a buy bust operation and a hand grenade was confiscated during the Implementation of Search Warrant in the afternoon of March 20, 2014.

            Based on reports that reached this Office, on said date, joint elements of Police Intelligence Branch-Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office/PAIDSOTG, Carranglan Police Station and NECIDT3 conducted Buy-Bust operation at Sitio Kamanggahan Brgy. Joson, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija which resulted to the arrest of the: Randy Vitug y Carasco a.k.a Randy , a resident of Brgy. Joson, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija and Joseph SUMANDE y Dela Cruz a.k.a Atcho, a resident of Sitio Bucot Brgy Tambo Adorable, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.

 

            Confiscated from the suspects were the following: one (1) piece Heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected Shabu  and one (1) piece Five Hundred Peso Bill with serial number DR956327 with markings “RV’’ used as marked money.

 

            After the Buy-Bust operation, the Search Warrant was implemented against Randy Vitug y Carrasco a.k.a Randy. which resulted to the confiscation of the following:  One (1) pc. Fragmentation Hand Grenade; one (1) pc.inside holster for Cal. 45; one (1) pc. outside holster for Cal. 45; two (2) pcs. heat- sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected Shabu; one (1) pc. digital weighing scale; three (3) pcs. Lighter; three (3) pcs. scissors; one (1) pc. Tooter tube; seven (7) pcs. Aluminum foil; one (1) pc. Improvised burner; twenty five (25) pcs. Transparent plastic sachet with suspected shabu residue; one (1) pc. Plastic spoon; one (1) pack transparent plastic sachet; one (1) pc. Improvised crusher (Pandurog).

           

            The arrested suspects were brought to Carranglan Police Station for proper disposition. However, one of the arrested suspect Joseph Sumande has an existing Alias Warrant of Arrest for the crime of Slight Physical Injuries with CC Nr. 13-13 issued by Hon Rixon M. Garoy, MTC Judge, San Leonardo, NE dated February 13, 2014.

NIA exec decries demolition job as power struggle rocks agency

MANILA-A senior official of the National Irrigation Administration yesterday decried the alleged demolition job supposedly orchestrated by lower-level agency officials to besmirch her reputation and that of her politician-husband as power struggle continues to rock the agency.

          Deputy administrator for finance and management Lorna Grace Rosario said the alleged corruption implicating her and another NIA official was clearly a smear campaign to destroy her name and that of her husband,  Binmaley, Pangasinan Mayor Simplicio Rosario.

          “It’s pure and simple black propaganda to destroy my name and my husband. They are trying to provoke me,” Rosario said.

          The NIA official identified assistant administrators Vicente Galvez and Virginia Atienza as behind the smear campaign. She said the campaign was apparently well-funded since the NIAEASP has no funds to finance the demolition job.

          Rosario was reacting to an open letter which came out in a national daily yesterday calling on President Aquino to investigate alleged irregularities inside NIA involving her, deputy administrator for engineering and operation Modesto Membreve and Agriculture Undersecretary Antonio Fleta.

          The letter was signed by officials of the NIA Employees Association of the Philippines (NIAEASP), the Association of Regional Directors and Operation Managers (Ardoma), the National Confederation of Irrigators’ Association (NCIA) and the National Federation of Employees of the Department of Agriculture (NAFEDA).

          The concerned officials said they have nothing personal against Fleta and the two other NIA officials but just wanted the irregularities investigated and pending the investigation, that they be relieved from their posts. They claimed the Board has been meddling in the functions of NIA Administrator Claro Maranan.           

Rosario said her accusers have no strong evidence against her. “In fact, the NIA Board of Directors have cleared me of any wrongdoing,” she said.

She said that the issue is politically motivated as a flood of text messages circulated in Binmaley that the wife of the mayor was supposedly involved in irregularities.

Rosario vowed to fight off the allegations against her. “I have to protect my name and that of my family,” she said.

Turning the tables on Galvez and Atienza, Rosario said they are the ones who are corrupt. “Look who’s talking,” she said.

Last month, the NIA Board denied the allegations of its own employees’ association of massive corruption in the agency but nevertheless directed the internal audit services of the agency to look into the allegations.  It described the accusations as “untrue, malicious and unfair.”

Rosario said her accusers were against the reforms they are trying to implement within NIA. She said Galvez and Atienza were disgruntled because they were among those relived from their posts as part of the reforms being undertaken in the agency. – Manny Galvez

JINGGOY TRUSTS THAT THE OMBUDSMAN WILL BE FAIR

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada trusts that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales will be fair to him and to his other colleagues in the Senate in relation to the ongoing investigation on their alleged involvement in the so-called pork barrel scam.

 

Sen. Estrada hopes that the sitting Ombudsman will stay true to her widely-referenced statement in relation to her appearance before the impeachment court where she said she “is impervious to influence.”

 

“I wish that the Ombudsman will not give in to the tremendous pressure and unfair publicity generated by this controversy with extreme prejudice against me and my two colleagues. I also hope that she will not be rushed into making decisions and that she observes the proper legal processes, including the rights of the respondents during preliminary investigation,” Jinggoy said.

 

“We were continuously crucified and demonized in various forums, mass media, cyberspace, including the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. I sincerely hope that the Ombudsman will do better,” he stated.

 

Jinggoy also expressed confidence in the counter-affidavit that he submitted before the Ombudsman, as it already adequately answered the charges levelled against him by his accusers.

 

“I hope that the Ombudsman reads my formal written response to the allegations and finds that truly there is no plunder case or any case to speak of,” Jinggoy asserted.

 

Nevertheless, Sen. Estrada said he is ready for any eventuality, including the unfortunate event that an information be filed before the Sandiganbayan. “I am ready to defend myself. My lawyers are aware of this possibility and they know what to do,” Jinggoy said.

Drilon: Bangsamoro signing crucial for peace not only in Philippines, but in entire ASEAN

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Army general wants Fort Magsaysay included in BCDA master plan

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The leadership of the Army’s 7^th Infantry Division housed inside this military reservation is proposing that the camp be covered by the development plans of the Bases Conversion Development Authority which is crafting a master plan for military camps in the country.

          Brig. Gen. Vic Castro, acting 7^th ID commanding general, said that the reservation, originally spanning 73,000 hectares but is now down to only 45,837 hectares, is not covered by the master plan of the BCDA.

          “I hope that this camp be included in the base development plan of the BCDA so that its development can be fast-tracked,” Castro said.

          He said if that is the case, the military reservation – located 20 kilometers apart from Cabanatuan City and the provincial capital Palayan City - can become a hub for economic activities given its vast potentials.

          Castro made the proposal even as the BCDA has earmarked P120 million for a master plan for the partial development of Camp Aguinaldo and other military camps.

          BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said they are talking with the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces in securing the survey and title for the lands as well as preparing the master plan where it needs to invest in infrastructure in the long-term and the various camps into revenue-generating projects that would provide funding for the modernization of the military.

          The BCDA is mandated to transform former military bases into alternative productive civilian use.

          Among those being considered for sale, lease or upgrading by the BCDA are the 33,220-hectare Camp Peralta in Capiz, the 1,925-hectare Camp O’Donnel in Tarlac and the 42,000-hectare Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon, all owned by the AFP.

          The goal is to help modernize these camps, which have idle or unused areas that could be tapped fro either redevelopment for mixed-use purposes or to create livelihood in the countryside, particularly for camps located in the provinces.  

          Castro said the reservation, which houses the general headquarters of the 7^th ID covering 13 provinces in Luzon, was visited recently by DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo to look into possible economic opportunities inside the camp.

          “We are open to future projects here at Fort Magsaysay,” he said, adding that initially, projects on tap include the setting up of a 3,000-hectare bamboo plantation and plantation for jathropa.

          Castro  said one of the key components of the development of the camp is its conversion into a premier tourism destination. He said the provincial government of Nueva Ecija led by Gov. Aurelio Umali and its provincial tourism office has pledged to help in its promotion as a tourist spot in the province.

          During the term of then-commanding general and now Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) commanding general, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, he proposed various activities to enhance tourism inside the camp among them wall climbing, trekking, hiking, mountain biking, camping, motocross riding, 4x4 offroad-driving, horseback-riding and water sports activities such scuba diving, wind surfing, jet skiing, beach volleyball and parasailing in the camp’s coastal areas in Dingalan, Aurora.              

          Among the reservation’s tourist attractions are the historic Aquino-Diokno shrine, the Heroes Memorial, the Pahingahan complex, the golf course, the Kaugnay clubhouse, the Mount Taclang Damulag and the camp airfield.

          The shrine was where President Aquino’s late father, former senator Benigno “Ninoy6” Aquino and ex-senator Jose Diokno were placed under solitary confinement from March 12 to April 11,1973 after nearly six months of detention in Fort Bonifacio. – Manny Galvez   

FM continues to shrink, is now down to half of original size

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – This military reservation, home of the Army’s 7^th Infantry Division, continues to shrink in size and is now down to almost one-half of its original size owing to the issuance of various presidential proclamations and the intrusion of thousands of informal settlers.

          Brig. Gen. Vic Castro, acting 7^th ID commanding general, told a press briefing that the reservation is now down to 45,837 hectares from a high of 73,000 when it was first established pursuant to Presidential Decree 237 on December 19,1955.

          Castro said they are now looking into various ways and means to somehow recover and retain its land area amid the different proclamations, claims and other issues confronting the military reservation.

          “We are now looking into the different proclamations, directives and reviewing them. Of course there are areas we can no longer recover. And we refer other claims to the Office of the SolGen (Solicitor General),” he said.

          He said their goal at present is to be able to undertake maximum utilization of the areas spanning the reservation amid the various claims and counter-claims.

          Captain Robert Reyes, division adjutant, said some other areas have already been segregated as settlement for victims of the Mt. Pinatubo eruptions involving 3,100 hectares in a sitio in the municipality of Laur.

          “These 3,100 hectares are now the subject of a review and we need further study,” he said.

          Reyes said that the situation is worsened by the proliferation of informal settlers. He said they are proposing for two relocation sites to house the informal settlers who have grown to 15,000 individuals.

          The presence of these informal settlers have been setting back efforts to fully develop the reservation.

          Castro said that they are planning to turn portions of the reservation into a vast area for agriculture production, including 3,000 hectares for bamboo plantation.

A proposed land use plan also intends to set up a logistics center, an economic and industrial zone, eco-tourism area, reforestation area, a plantation area for fruit-bearing and non-fruit bearing trees, a livestock and vegetable area and 240 hectares for the proposed transfer of the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa to this camp.

Also being eyed is the construction of a hangar/warehouse for stockpiling of relief goods and other rescue support.

The proposed site for the NBP is in Barangay Nazareth, Gen. Tinio town.

On April 10,2013, then-commanding general and now Northern Luzon (Nolcom) commanding general, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang and Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Bucayu surveyed three possible sites for the NBP, two in Nazareth and one in Canantong, Laur.

“These are just proposals at this point but we intend to pursue them if we can,” Castro said. – Manny Galvez

Law enforcers urged to create Facebook page of wanted criminals

MANILA-Law enforcement agencies should create a Facebook account which features the country’s thousands of wanted persons to forewarn the public and seek their help in bringing these fugitives to justice.

“Uploading the pictures and profiles of these wanted criminals on FB is easy and free. It is not that complicated,” Sen. Ralph Recto, who made the proposal, said.

Recto said agencies like the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency should start tapping social media as powerful tool in informing the people of the identities of fugitives from the law.

Even the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Recto added, can create a Facebook page showing the list, faces, and last known addresses of illegal recruiters who have been issued judicial warrants of arrest.

“It’s not just Facebook, there’s also Twitter. If we can Instagram the mug shots of wanted persons, the better.  We can also post in Youtube the footage of their capers which have been caught on cam,” Recto said, in batting for the online posting of a rogues’ gallery in various social media sites.

In the case of Facebook, in which the Philippines was ranked 8^th globally in 2012 in number of users, it provides a portal where a netizen can view “what notorious criminals look like and what they do.”   

“Two years ago, there were already 27,720,300 Facebook users. On this site alone, you already have a big audience ready to receive, share the information you want disseminated,” Recto said.

“Social media can aid in the arrest of a serial child rapist, for example. If properly tapped, it can make the arm of the law longer,” Recto said.

Recto said government can only involve the citizenry in community policing if they are informed in advance of what and who to look out for.

“Nalalaman lang natin ang mga hitsura ng ‘sangkaterbang gapos gangs, carjacking syndicates, at naglipanang martilyo gangs kung sila’y nakabiktima at nahuli na,” Recto said.

“Parating after incident ang information. Kung kelan may nabiktima na ang isang sindikato na matatagal ng pinaghahanap, saka pa lang ipapakita ang kanilang mga litratro. Bakit hindi permanenteng i-paskil sa isang site ‘yan para anumang oras pwedeng silipin,” the senator said.

Instead of keeping these photo albums of wanted criminals in police precincts, they should be brought out in the open, he said.

Although some law enforcement websites do feature “wanted” notices, these are limited to the most wanted persons, Recto said.  

“Minsan nga ‘yung Top 10 lang. Sa Pilipinas, sa dami ng outstanding arrest warrants for serious crimes, ‘di hamak na libo-libo ang mga ito. What we need is a comprehensive registry,” Recto said.

He also observed that public notification of wanted persons is done through the old wanted posters which are “few and far between.”

“Mas marami pang karatula ng lipat bahay at tubero ang ating nakikita,” he said.

While he is pushing for the Internet posting of profiles of wanted criminals, Recto said utmost care must be done in their online publication.

“Data must be triple-checked, verified, peer-reviewed, carefully examined, and panel-approved before they are posted online. There must be sanctions for posting erroneous information. And a person who was wrongfully included in the wanted list should be financially compensated if only to deter carelessness,” he said.

Recto said the police need not commission an IT company to create police notification apps or some security software.

“Bago tayo gumasta ng milyun-milyon dyan, gamitin muna natin kung ano ang libre at kilala na ng tao,” he said.

“Kung meron man tayong gustong i-customize, siguro yung ‘unlike’ button na pwedeng i-click kapag nabasa natin sa Facebook ang curriculum vitae ng isang criminal,” he said. 

JINGGOY REQUESTS COPIES OF COUNTER AFFIDAVITS OF NEW WITNESSES

MANILA-In light of the recent developments including the emergence of new testimonies of Ruby Tuason and Dennis Cunanan, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada shared during the weekly Kapihan sa Senado media conference that he is requesting copies of counter affidavits of the new witnesses in the so-called pork barrel scam.

 

Sen. Estrada formally requested before the Office of the Ombudsman that he be furnished with the sworn affidavits of Mrs. Tuason and Mr. Cunanan, wherein the two respondents who eventually became recruited witnesses of the Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation made certain allegations against the lawmaker with regard to his purported participation in the scam.

 

Jinggoy said that there may be a need to answer and refute the allegations made by the provisional witnesses in their respective affidavits, subsequent to his filing of his own counter affidavit last January.

 

Tuason filed her affidavit before the Office of the Ombudsman last February 9, shortly after her return to the country from the United States.  Cunanan, on the other hand, prepared his sworn statement on February 20 as reported by the media.

 

Sen. Estrada says that he is waiting to be officially provided copies of the said documents, including the Consolidated Reply of the complainant NBI, and that he may issue a formal response before the Ombudsman given the false claims made against him which are not stated in the original charges.

 

“I hope that we will be given the chance by the Ombudsman to examine the evidence and properly respond to the allegations made by the new witnesses,” Jinggoy said.

Drilon welcomes global parliamentarian action on international disputes

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon warmly welcomed the global community of parliamentarians’ initiative to enforce strict adherence to multilateral and international treaties, enabling decisive but peaceful resolution of international disputes.

The Senate leader expressed the country’s gratitude to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) as he formally addressed the parliamentarians from all over the world assembled at the 130th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Governing Council Assembly held from March 16-20, 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland.

As head of the Philippine delegation of legislators, Drilon hailed the creation of the IPU Standing Committee on United Nations (UN) Affairs which will involve parliamentarians in honoring the commitments of their governments in multilateral treaties and international agreements. The committee is intended to be “a productive forum for dialogue in the peaceful settlement of international disputes.”

He said: “The UN has earlier declared that the IPU is an essential partner in the promotion of the rule of law.  We parliamentarians, therefore, must do our utmost best as partners to espouse a rules-based regime as a way of maintaining peace in the world.”

Drilon, who is a member of the IPU Executive Committee, stressed that the IPU can greatly help resolve tension-filled territorial disputes between smaller nations making their case against “geopolitically dominant and influential” nations – and invited attention to Southeast Asia’s maritime contests. 

“Parliamentarians can help create a productive dialogue between the Philippines along with our other Southeast Asian neighbors, and more powerful nations,” he said.

Quoting British leader Margaret Thatcher, he said that lawmakers throughout the world must “remain vigilant against those who seek to replace the rule of law with the rule of force.” He emphasized that world peace can be maintained when “parliamentarians do their utmost best to espouse rules-based systems of governance.”   

His statements came after renewed strong messages by China to the Philippine government, regarding contested locations such as the Ayungin and Panatag (Scarborough) Shoals.   

Drilon expressed confidence on the IPU’s commitment to “peace, the supremacy of law and the protection of democracy”, citing the IPU’s historic relationship with the Philippine legislative branch, which began not long after the country first came under democratic rule – among the first in Asia – in 1898.   

“Our nation has a proud tradition of being a bastion of genuine democracy in Asia – one that has seen so many challenges – but has survived thanks to the strength of our people, and the unwavering support of groups like the IPU that firmly believe in the democratic ideals we all strive for,” he said.  

Believing that the Philippine Congress best represents the nation’s state of democracy, the Senate chief then said that he and his fellow lawmakers will “strive to ensure the continued relevance of the Congress in the lives of the Filipino people.”

“If Philippine democracy remains vibrant, it is because of our parliamentary institutions’ strong adherence to democratic principles," he stressed.

He then promised that the Philippine government –especially the Senate and the House of Representatives - will continue its “dynamic involvement in the IPU’s unending efforts for representative democracy.”

Meanwhile, Drilon reiterated the Philippine Government and the Filipino people’s sincere gratitude to the global community for their timely relief and assistance and continued support in the rebuilding of the communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

He showed great appreciation to nations such as the Unites States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Norway, Canada, Australia, South Korea and others for their ongoing efforts to “offer comfort to our distressed countrymen amid the suffering and pain, encouraging and inspiring Filipino families and entire communities to rebuild their lives.”

“For all these, the Filipino people are forever grateful for your compassion and generosity,” he said.

The other members of the Philippine delegation are Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Congressman Rodolfo Fariñas, Congressman Isidro Ungab and Congressman Jorge John Banal.

Established in 1889, the IPU is an international organization of 163 members and 10 associate member parliaments, and acts as the focal point for worldwide inter-parliamentary dialogue. It works for “peace and cooperation among peoples, and for the firm establishment of representative democracy across the globe.”

If we spend P2.8 M for a PMA grad, then we should hike benefits of 'Pinoy MD' scholars

MANILA-Senator Ralph Recto today said government should hike its scholarship fund for medical students which at present is a tenth of what it spends to train professional military officers.

“If we are spending P2.8 million to produce one Philippine Military Academy graduate, then perhaps we should increase the scholarship grants we give to aspiring doctors,” Recto said.

For this year, government is allocating P57.5 million for the “Pinoy MD Program”, a scholarship fund the Department of Health administers.

In contrast, the Philippine Military Academy has a 2014 budget of P594 million, which will, however, go up to P775 million, once P175 million in Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund and P5 million in retirement and life insurance premiums are added to it.

“Perhaps we can use the PMA expenditures as guide in increasing our Pinoy MD fund beginning next year,” Recto said. 

“If we’re spending this much for training soldiers to be good in surgical strikes, then we might as well spend near that amount in training people who are good in surgery,” he said.

Recto said under the Pinoy MD program, a scholar receives P147,800 a year  - or an average of P12,333 a month -  in tuition assistance, book and living allowances, and for laboratory and other school fees.

With a semester’s tuition in some Metro Manila medical schools now costing as much as P120,000, then the assistance, though much appreciated, from the Pinoy MD program is only a fraction of what a student needs, Recto said.

In the PMA, a cadet, in addition to free education and board and lodging, gets a basic monthly pay of P27,425 plus P6,300 in allowances as a Probationary 2nd Lieutenant, “emoluments,” Recto stressed, “that the cadet fully deserves.”

From 2010 to 2013, the PMA got P2.438 billion in appropriations from the national government, while producing a total of 862 graduates, or at a per graduate cost of P2.8 million.

But if the expenses incurred by cadets who dropped out will be factored in, then the cost to taxpayers of producing one PMA graduate would go down to about P2.3 million, Recto  said.

“Hopefully this figure can inspire a readjustment of Pinoy MD Scholarship benefits.   The cost of training people who’ll keep us safe must not be far behind from what it costs to train the people who’ll keep us healthy,” he said.

Recto said “many bright students have the brains and the heart to become good doctors but poverty is what’s keeping them from realizing their dreams .”

“If we can only apply the same opportunities that the PMA gives to poor but deserving young men in our Pinoy MD program, then we will be creating a corps of doctors who will serve the people,” he said.

Recto said increasing the Pinoy MD budget, to accommodate more scholars who will be given bigger financial aid, will “create a PMA of a different kind, a Philippine Medical Academy, whose students are being trained, under government sponsorship, in different medical schools.”

“We need more doctors. Our population grows by two million a year; it also is aging. If that is the situation, then this nation must start a tradition of producing a ‘long white line,’” Recto said, referencing the white coats of doctors to the “long grey line” which PMA alumni and cadets are collectively referred to.

In 2010, there were only 2,682 government doctors to serve a population of 92.3 million, Recto said. 

Legarda: We Should Be Stewards, Not Destroyers of Nature

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today stressed on the responsibility of every citizen to protect the environment, stressing that “we should be stewards, not destroyers of nature.”

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, made the statement after a forest fire, which is believed to be man-made, transpired at the top of Mt. Banahaw, affecting about 10 hectares of forest land.

“It is unfortunate that even our protected areas are not safe from such a tragic event. If the forest fire was indeed man-made, we must condemn and punish such irresponsible acts, ” she said.

“This is a gruesome crime against nature, the species that live in the area, and the resources that we are tasked to conserve. Our responsibility is to protect our forests and undertake further efforts towards reforestation and biodiversity conservation. We must not betray our purpose as stewards of our natural resources. We must be accountable for the environmental impact of our actions,” Legarda added.

The Senator assured that her committee is working on proposed measures, including the National Land Use Act, the Final Forest Limits Act, and the Protected Areas Declaration Act, that will put into place tougher safeguards to protect the country’s natural resources and ensure sustainable development planning.

POLICE RECOVERS CARNAPPED VEHICLE, ARRESTS SUSPECTS

CAMP OLIVAS, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA- Police Regional Office 3 under the leadership of its Regional Director PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA has once again proven that it is stricter in implementing its security measures and tripling its efforts in trimming down crime incidents within their respective areas of responsibilities thru the conduct of intensified police focused operations. Evident to this is the arrest of three suspected persons engaged in carnapping activities during a police operation conducted by elements of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 3  last Friday, March 14, 2014.

 

Based on reports that reached this Office, in the morning of said date, team from the Regional Public Safety Battalion 3 conducted anti-carnapping operation which resulted to the arrest of three (3) unidentified suspects and recovery of one (1) silver 2013 Mitsubishi Adventure bearing plate number WKI 821.

 

The trio who were identified as Edwin Cruz y BALINGIT, driver and a resident of #0262 Purok Uno, Brgy Gatbuca, Calumpit, Bulacan and Jay-Ar WAJE y Torres aka “Joker”, a resident of Purok 5, Brgy Capalangan, Apalit, Pampanga were arrested after illegally selling said vehicle without any pertinent documents for one hundred thousand pesos (Php 100, 000.00) to a police operative who acted as poseur buyer.

While the other suspect identified as Ryan NUQUE y Navarro aka “Kulot”, jobless, and a resident of #0342 Brgy Gatbuca, Calumpit, Bulacan was arrested in a follow-up operation.

 

Coordination was made to the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 3 for verification of said vehicle while appropriate charges were filed against the suspects.     

 

            PCSUPT PETRASANTA lauded the operating troops for a job well done and remarked that PNP PRO3 will continue its unwavering efforts to fight criminality within the region and will keep on reinvigorating its anti-criminality campaigns.   

Legarda Pushes for Greater Investment in Filipino Talent

MANILA-In a bid to further promote the exceptional talent of Filipino artists, Senator Loren Legarda today pushed for greater investment in various performing arts groups.

Legarda said that the government must also support other performing arts organizations, as it does with the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company, which was cited as the Philippine’s national folk dance company through Republic Act No. 8626.

“Performing art is important not only in its process, product, words and rhythm, but also as a way to bring catharsis, social change and democracy. As arts and culture aspire to strengthen communities, remove social barriers, and engage citizens, it is vital that the government supports not just one particular group but several qualified arts groups and organizations,” she explained.

“The country needs to invest in Filipino talent in order to build national identity,” Legarda said.

It is in this light that Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 2170, the proposed Philippine National Performing Art Companies Act, which will give recognition to various performing arts groups in diverse fields such as ballet, contemporary dance, orchestral music, choral music and theatre.

The bill proposes to declare one national ballet/contemporary dance company; national choral ensemble; national orchestra; and national theater group as a Philippine National Performing Arts Company for a period of five years.

These companies will be provided with government support to showcase their works at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and other venues. The groups will also receive government funding, have access to grants, and be allowed to use government facilities.