Kaugnay Media Defense Corps to establish local chapters at the 7th ID’s areas of assignment

BALER, Aurora -- The 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division (ID) of the Philippine Army based in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija is now on the move to organize local chapters of the Kaugnay Media Defense Corps Inc. (KMDCI) in their area of responsibility to serve as the conscience of the community focusing on the local needs and the windows of the world through information dissemination of the soldiers’ activities.

Army Capt. Mark Anthony B. Ruelos, 7th ID spokesperson, said the first target of this move is the local media in the province of Aurora wherein officers of the KMDCI have already made a courtesy call on the 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion, Philippine Army Chief Lt. Col. Joey A. Escanillas, to set up officers of the KMDCI Aurora Chapter on March 27 and Baler Mayor Nelianto C. Bihasa.

It is expected that during the gatherings, the local media will also discuss acceptance of writers from cyber media and members of campus journalism.

Escanillas expressed full support for the plan and lauded the KMDCI, informing that he has already a plan to put up the 56th IB, Philippine Army media press corps before and will now come into reality with the support of the 7th ID personnel and media.

Ruelos said that the KMDCI was established purposely to strengthen the relationship between the military and media.

“We have seen in the past that the military was not able to fully utilize the power of media, especially in informing the public. The current thrust of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is winning the peace, and the media play vital role in informing the general public about the plans, activities and significant accomplishments of the AFP,” Ruelos said.

With the establishment of KMDCI within the area of operation of 7th ID, he said that informing the public is now easier and the relationship between the media and the military is now strengthened through constant dialogue and sharing of information to the public.

He, however, stressed that the 7th ID will continue to perform its mandate in securing the land and serving the people.

“This will be the direct line of communication for news and information about our soldiers in every battalion and it is important for us for having an access to current events and up-to-date information has value in giving the truest information to the public in general circulations. With the help of the media, people will be aware of the various events of the soldiers where I belong,” Ruelos said.

After the election of the KMDCI–Aurora Chapter, the group will conduct an executive board meeting to discuss projects and programs to be implemented for the whole year.

KMDCI was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dated Nov. 30, 2014 signed by lawyer Richard R. Laus, acting director.

The KMDCI will cover the 7th Infantry Division’s 702nd brigade area of responsibility (AOR) in La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, 1st to 5th districts of Pangasinan, Cordillera Administration Region (CAR) -- Tubo, Abra and Municipalities of 6th district of Pangasinan – San Miguel, Santa Maria, Asingan, Rosales, Tayug and Balungao) and the 703rd Brigade AOR in Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, municipalities of Dinapigue, Isabela and municipalities under 6th district of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, San Quintin, Natividad and Umingan), whole of Region 1 and parts of Region 2.

The Kaugnay Infantry Division’s area of responsibility represents varied cultures and geographical make-up covering 15 provinces, 23 cities, 253 municipalities composed of 6,797 barangays and inhabited by 14,890,738 people.

The first president of KMDCI is Ronald Madrid Leander of GMA 7 from San Luis town and the incumbent president is Joy Franklin Gonzales of Tarlac province. (Jason de Asis, Philippines News Agency)

Rice production in Papua New Guinea is now possible with SL-8 rice varieties

LA PAZ, Tarlac--Rice production in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is now possible with the introduction of SL-8 hybrid rice varieties.

According to Henry Lim Bon Liong, chairman of SL Agritech Corp. (SLAC), it was proven that SL-8 hybrid rice varieties could be well grown in PNG, in contrast to local producers’ belief that rice could not be produced in big volume in that country due to the soil condition that is not suited to rice.

Before the introduction of the SL-8 hybrid rice varieties, the PNG government imports an average of 150,000 tons yearly which costs them K700 or approximately Php12.5 billion as attested by statistician Stephen Mombi, Independent State of Papua New Guinea (ISPNG) Deputy Secretary for Agriculture.

Decades ago, efforts were exerted by various government and private sectors to upgrade rice production in PNG but did not succeed.

Liong said that PNG government officials were first hesitant to try hybrid rice varieties because of their beliefs that it is more practical to import rice rather than to produce locally.

The SLAC introduced first the SL-8H, SL-12H and SL-18H varieties in Village Garden Ltd. based in PNG and recorded good performance in Gabadi, the district in the capital of Port Moresby.

The first variety planted was SL-18H in November 2014 then SL-12H in January this year and SL-8H last February. It was the first known commercial rice production in that country.

Before the shipment of the seeds, SLAC technical consultant, Dr. Frisco Malabanan made an ocular inspection of the soil and the climatic conditions of Gabadi and reached a conclusion that the soil and climatic conditions were suited well and appropriate for rice production.

In the pilot site, dry land preparation without harrowing was introduced by Village Garden executive director Philip Davies. The practice is not common in the Philippines.

Instead of pre-germinated seeds which are directly sown, spreader was used instead of transplanting.

In the Philippines this is locally known as “sabog-tanim”, an approach similar to rain-fed rice system, Liong said.

In the absence of reservoirs such as dams or small water impounding projects (SWIPs), water pumps were installed in the nearby river banks and sprinklers where used to address the lack of irrigation water.

The practice save 74.5% of freshwater compared to paddy rice.

Noteworthy, was even without using any organic or inorganic fertilizers and pesticides throughout the cropping period, reducing further production cost and making rice farming more profitable.

At present, the PNG government is eyeing at least 160,000 hectares in arable land for massive rice production.

Joseph Yopiyopi, a parliament member from the East Sepik has offered 60,000 hectares of land in his district while another 100,000 hectares in the Belmeru area in the Gulf Province are being considered.


An initial 1,000-hectare area has been eyed and considered by business conglomerate in PNG to plant SL-8 hybrid varieties. (PNA)

15 'Aspins' on rigid training as tracking dogs

BALER, Aurora - Fifteen “Aspins” short for Asong Pinoy or stray dog, sometimes known as “Askal” or Asong Kalye in this capital town of Aurora are now undergoing rigid training to become working dogs, according to top military official.

Lt. Col. Joey A. Escanillas, battalion commander of 56^th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion, Philippine Army, said the military is now on their way in giving the best training to their local dogs to become productive professional dogs working in many scent-related jobs, from tracking to search and rescue if possible.

“These dogs will be honed by their combat tracking skills and long exposure to military activities,” Escanillas said, adding that the “askal/aspin” are being trained by their army handlers for tracking and finding lost humans or other animals, as well as demonstrating the extremely high level of scent capability that dogs possess.

“Six to eight months old of our dogs are on their way in training to further demonstrate their natural abilities and to recognize and follow human scent. Tracking has always been an essential skill for dogs to survive in the wild, through hunting and tracking down potential prey,” he said.

Escanillas said that through the training of dogs, the soldiers will become passionate for the love and care of their own pets and develop their own tactics to work together in the military activities.

The dogs are distributed to the individual soldiers serving as the pet’s handlers and will generally give the proper trainings.

Patience is the most important part of the training, to tolerate waiting, delay, or frustration without becoming agitated or upset, to be able to control emotions or impulses and proceed calmly when faced with difficulties with dogs.

“Knowing the different kinds of breeds may help in some way but recognizing the exact breed of dog is not really important. No matter what size or type of dog the individual owns or utilized in military operation, it is necessary to give the dog plenty of clear rules and leadership in its daily life,” he explained.

Aside from the "aspins/askals,", Escanillas admitted they have well-trained imported “Labrador Retriever” and “Belgian Malinois” that also work in the battalion as explosive detector dogs.

The tasks are tracking down alive/dead individuals, recovering evidence from a crime scene and finding explosives.

Escanillas has been assigned at the Philippine Army (PA) supervising the training of canines (K9s) for two years and three months as commanding officer of the K9 Battalion before his post as the battalion commander of the 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion, Philippine Army covering the provinces of Aurora and Quirino, the towns of Bongabon in Nueva Ecija and Dinapigue in Isabela and portions of Alfonso Castaneda in Nueva Vizcaya.

The 56th IB’s area of responsibility is an ardous task in which the areas represent varied cultures and geographical make-up covering 17 municipalities composed of 320 barangays and inhabited by almost half a million people – 450,274 to be exact. (Jason de Asis, Philippines News Agency)

Legarda on Improving DRR Legislation: Strengthen Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) is one area where legislation for disaster risk reduction (DRR) can be improved.

Legarda, who was a panelist for the Parliamentary Meeting on Governance and Legislation for DRR organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), said that legislation for MHEWS will make a difference in reducing disaster risks and building the resilience of nations and communities.

“We need to effectively reduce disaster risk as it becomes more complex given the increasing frequency, intensity and uncertainty of extreme hazard events. A more holistic and integrated approach to early warning is needed. This approach entails the provision of impact-based forecasts and risk-informed warnings through multi-hazard early warning systems,” she said.

The Senator, who is also a UNISDR Champion, explained that multi-hazard early warning systems inform the people of the potential impacts of impending natural hazards, the risks on their lives and livelihoods, and the action they should take.

“This approach promotes public awareness and understanding of impacts and risks from natural hazards, and guides the people and sectors at risk in making decisions and taking early actions. Legislation in strengthening MHEWS could ensure that early warning services reach the ‘last mile’ such as the most remote and vulnerable populations, providing them with timely, meaningful and actionable warning information,” Legarda stressed.

She further explained that legislation could help close the gaps in coordination among stakeholders, inadequate public awareness and participation, and insufficient political and financial support.

Furthermore, legislation on MHEWS could ensure that early warning services of hydro-meteorological services are authoritative, science-based, risk-informed, operational round-the-clock, and made available to and actionable by the people, groups and sectors at risk.

“Times do change. Disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity and are significantly impeding progress towards sustainable development. We cannot be content with what we have now, we have to do more and that is what we aim here in Sendai as we adopt a new DRR framework that will help nations and communities reduce existing risks and prevent the creation of new risks. Legislators have a significant role. Legislators should be effective game changers in building disaster resilience,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Co-chairs High Level Dialogue on Women’s Leadership in DRR at UN Conference in Sendai

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said she will urge participants of the 3^rd United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) to place gender equality and women empowerment at the heart of the Post-2015 Framework for DRR as she co-chairs a high level forum on women’s leadership in DRR.

Legarda, UNISDR Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, will co-chair the High Level Multi-stakeholder Partnership Dialogue on Mobilising Women’s Leadership in DRR with Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs Sanae Takaichi. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will deliver the keynote speech for the said forum.

  

“Through this forum, we want to be able to contribute to making the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction a document that would not only urge nations to mobilize women’s leadership in DRR, but also guide them on how this commitment could be effectively carried out,” Legarda said. As co-chair, Legarda will summarize the forum’s discussion points in a set of recommendations.

The Senator stressed that stereotypical gender roles have no place in the critical fight against disaster risk and climate change.

“It is time we take action by putting women at the forefront of disaster risk reduction efforts. Women are not victims. They constitute a formidable ‘first line of defense’ against disaster risks. We must acknowledge their capacity to get involved, decide, take action, and lead,” she said.

Legarda, a three-term Philippine senator who sponsored the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and authored the Climate Change Act of 2009, as well as several laws on women empowerment, explained that by empowering and allowing women to become part of disaster risk reduction and management efforts, we address the risks they face.

She added that the Post-2015 framework to the Hyogo Framework for Action should be “a tool towards a dramatic shift in the degree and scope of women’s involvement in climate change and disaster risk reduction efforts—from the quiet but steady work they perform at their communities, women should move into the frontlines of delivering decisive action towards a sustainable and resilient planet.”

The High Level Multi-stakeholder Partnership Dialogue on Mobilising Women’s Leadership in DRR will be held on 14 March 2015. Panel members include Tarja Halonen, Former President of Finland; Emiko Okuyama, Mayor of Sendai; Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for Budget and Human 
Resources; Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP); Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); and Adi Vasulevu Merewalasi of FemLINKPACIFIC, a Pacific Islands regional feminist media network based in Fiji.

Legarda: DRR Should Be Local, Everybody’s Business

MANILA-Participating at the IPU Parliamentary Meeting on Governance and Legislation for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Senator Loren Legarda today stressed the need to bring DRR down to the local level.

Legarda, UNISDR Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, said that, “as all politics is local, all DRR should be local. We have the building blocks in the model laws that we have enacted. But our laws are nothing but ink on paper if not brought down to the level of the community and if not properly implemented.”

“In response to the priority actions under the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), the Philippines enacted the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law and the Climate Change Law. But ten years after the HFA was adopted, we realize the gaps in implementing our laws. We have yet to make our people fully understand the law; we have yet to effectively manage the risks; we have yet to fully achieve a change in mindset from decades of response orientation to preparedness and risk reduction,” she stressed.

“The paradigm shift must be here and now, and DRR should be everybody’s business—government, private sector, civil society groups, media, local communities and vulnerable sectors,” she added.

The Senator also highlighted the importance of strengthening the link between DRR and climate change adaptation (CCA).

In 2009, Legarda facilitated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and Climate Change Commission (CCC) to strengthen the collaboration of the two agencies towards building resilience and reducing disaster and climate risks.

“This year, 2015, is a critical year for human survival as we adopt a new framework for DRR here in Sendai, agree on sustainable development goals in New York, and commit to a legally binding and ambitious global climate agreement in Paris. We must all act now not just with a sense of urgency, rather with a sense of great emergency. The Philippines has all to gain and nothing to lose in DRR,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda is scheduled to speak today in the afternoon session of the IPU Parliamentary Meeting on Improving Legislation for DRR. The forum was organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) on the occasion of the 3rd UN World Conference on DRR.

DILG holds skills enhancement training for barangay secretaries in Bulacan

MALOLOS CITY -- Around 100 barangay secretaries recently benefitted in the second batch of skills enhancement training given by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Bulacan.

“Participants were oriented on the roles, duties, and responsibilities of barangay secretaries as well as overview of the Katarungang Pambarangay,” DILG Provincial Director Darwin David said.

“They were likewise trained on how to write correspondences and proper recordkeeping,” David added.

Attendees came from Malolos, Angat, Bulakan, Calumpit, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Pandi, Paombong, San Ildefonso, and Obando. (Vinson F. Concepcion)

Health Microinsurance to augment Universal Health Care program

CLARK FREEPORT -- The soon-to-be implemented Health Microinsurance (HMI) shall augment the Universal Health Care (UHC) program of the government, as outlined in the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan (PDP), which safeguards equitable access to healthcare for all Filipinos, particularly the poor.

 

“PDP envisions a National Health Insurance Program that encourages public-private partnerships to respond to the current gaps in healthcare risk protection in the country. PhilHealth provides basic healthcare packages but has not covered medical transport, drugs, and medical supplies outside of the hospital,” Department of Finance-National Credit Council (DOF-NCC) Director Joselito Almario told reporters during the North Luzon Public Consultation on the HMI Policy and Regulatory Framework.

 

According to Department of Health (DOH), 54 percent of the total health expenditure comprised out-of-pocket expenses.

 

“HMI shall augment the UHC program through a viable and sustainable private sector microinsurance industry. It shall respond to the needs and paying capacities of low-income and informal sectors. Products have affordable premiums, the benefits correspond to the risks, and claims settlement is fast,” Almario added.

 

The crafting of the HMI Framework is a collaboration of DOF-NCC, DOH, Insurance Commission, and industry partners with technical support from the German Development Cooperation.

 

Tuesday’s public consultation is the fourth in a series of five after Cebu, Davao, and Laguna.

 

Inputs from the consultations will be collated and reflected in the draft framework with the final version to be launched to the public by second quarter of 2015.

 

Apart from health, the same team is working on Microinsurance for agriculture and climate change. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

NIA INKS MOA WITH MWSS & NPC TO REHAB BUSTOS DAM

MANILA-NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, NPC Chairman Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita, and MWSS Administrator Gerardo A.I. Esquivel led the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the rehabilitation of the Angat Afterbay Regulator Dam (also known as Bustos Dam) at the MWSS Headquarters in Quezon City.

This project aims to rehabilitate the dam and its appurtenant structures to prevent further damages, improve irrigation service delivery and cropping intensity in the service area, and to serve as flood control during rainy season. The rehab covers the replacement of 6 bays rubber gates; improvement of apron, training walls, and gates; improvement of main canals, laterals, and other structures; and improvement of operations and maintenance and support services.

As stipulated in the MOA, MWSS will provide the Php1-B funding to cover the project implementation and will maximize the project to ensure domestic water supply. On the other hand, NPC will utilize the project to sustain its power generation capacity.

The Bustos Dam is operated by the NIA Angat-Maasim River Irrigation System (AMRIS) in Region 3. AMRIS serves a total of 31,485 hectares benefitting 23,708 rice farmers in 16 municipalities in Bulacan and 4 municipalities in Pampanga.

Also present during the MOA signing are NIA-Region 3 Manager Josephine B. Salazar and NWRB Deputy Executive Director Jorge M. Estioko.

Legarda: Intensify DRR Programs to Address PHL’s Increased Exposure to Disaster Risks

MANILA-Citing a recent study that showed Philippine cities are most exposed to natural hazards, Senator Loren Legarda today renewed her call for strengthened disaster risk reduction programs in the country.

Legarda, United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, said national and local government leaders should address the factors that aggravate disaster risks and build resilience to reduce the effects of exposure of communities to natural hazards.

“Many studies have already cited the Philippines as among the most vulnerable to natural hazards. The country’s geographical location makes it prone to natural hazards, which can be addressed by building resilience. But the unfortunate truth is that aside from the country’s physical attributes, other factors such as poor urban governance, vulnerable rural livelihoods, and continuing ecosystems decline have made disaster risks more prevalent in our communities,” the Senator explained.

The 5th annual Natural Hazards Risk Atlas (NHRA) assessed the natural hazard exposure of over 1,300 cities around the world and found that of the 100 cities with the greatest exposure to natural hazards, 21 are located in the Philippines; and of the top 10, eight are Philippine cities, including Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley (2nd), Lucena, Quezon (3rd), Manila (4th), San Fernando, Pampanga (5th) and Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija (6th).

“Disasters as an enemy are becoming more enigmatic and formidable. It is no longer business as usual. The situation calls for a multi-hazard approach for early warning system anchored on close coordination among hazard warning agencies,” Legarda said.

“Our local government units (LGUs) must step up as well. They should plan well and invest public resources wisely with reducing disaster risk as a goal; promote a culture of safety and resilience engaging all stakeholders and sectors; raise awareness of disaster and climate risk at community and family level; and improve local early warning and community preparedness systems,” she added.

The Senator said that disaster risks could be reduced if national and local governments adhere to the five DRR priorities contained in the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), namely, to (1) make DRR a priority in national and local levels; (2) know the risks and enhance early warning; (3) build understanding and awareness; (4) reduce the underlying risk factors; and (5) strengthen disaster preparedness and response at all levels. 

The HFA, a global blueprint for disaster risk reduction efforts with a ten-year plan, was adopted in 2005 during the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.

“In the upcoming 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) in Sendai, Japan, nations would adopt a new post-2015 DRR priority action framework. The Philippine experience, including its vulnerability to natural hazards, strengths and ongoing DRR programs, as well as best practices, are valuable inputs that we must share to make the successor framework an effective DRR blueprint for the next decade,” Legarda said.

“We head towards Sendai with a global perspective, with the realization that even if there are countries that are more vulnerable, we are all exposed to natural hazards. Beyond our respective countries, the world must act more swiftly, more wisely, and more decisively to reduce disaster risks more effectively,” she stressed.

At the Third WCDRR, Legarda will participate in the IPU Parliamentary Meeting: Governance and Legislation for DRR (March 13) as speaker for the moderated panel discussion, Improving Legislation for DRR. She will co-chair with Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs Sanae Takaichi the High Level Multi-stakeholder Partnership Dialogue on Mobilising Women’s Leadership in DRR (March 14), and join the TV Panel Debate:Can we expect the private sector to strengthen the resilience of the World’s built environment? (March 15).

Legarda Calls For Increased Protection Of Women, Vulnerable Sectors Against Disasters

MANILA-In observance of the International Women’s Day on March 8, Senator Loren Legarda today reiterated her call for increased protection of women, as well as children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, around the world in emergency situations such as disasters caused by natural hazards.

Legarda, United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, noted that disasters affect about 200 million people all over the world yearly, half of them women or girls whose special needs and concerns are not properly addressed, putting them at greater risk during disasters.

“We recognize that nations are gaining gradual progress in promoting gender equality and women’s rights, but challenges will never go away and in most communities, there are continuing barriers to women empowerment. The vulnerability of women to disasters is among the challenges that must be addressed with urgency,” she stressed.

The Senator underscored the need to ensure the security and well-being of women and girls through gender-sensitive and risk-sensitive development policies, plans and programs which involve women as equal partners in disaster risk reduction planning and humanitarian response.

Legarda also stressed that there are other sectors more vulnerable to disasters, such as children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and indigenous people, whose special concerns must be given proper attention so that they become part of the solution to reduce risks and build resilience.

“These sectors are disproportionately affected by disasters because they have distinct needs that are not sufficiently addressed. But we have to realize that they can also make positive contributions to disaster risk reduction and management if we only give them the necessary support,” she stressed.

Persons with disabilities can be engaged in assessing vulnerabilities, and in establishing effective early warning systems in the communities, together with civil society groups concerned. Meanwhile, the elderly can provide vital information on local risks to health since they are familiar with local history, geography and culture. They can also be sought for advice on response and recovery efforts, owing to their experience and wisdom.

“We should also recognize the role of children and young people in building disaster-resilient communities. When we create an enabling environment for children to witness and practice DRR early on in life, we inculcate in them a level of disaster preparedness that will be passed on to the succeeding generations when they become adults,” Legarda said.

The Senator has filed Senate Bill 2502, which mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development to set up a Children’s Emergency Center in every city or municipality declared under the state of calamity which shall provide the necessary child care services and shall coordinate with the lead agencies to effectively respond to the needs of children in the area.

“When we empower both men women, and capacitate the young and old, persons living with disabilities and ethnic groups, we reduce their vulnerability to disasters. Building resilience should be everybody’s attitude. With this kind of mindset, we can promote the scaling up of existing government programs to rectify the social and economic structures that breed disaster risk and trap the poor and vulnerable citizens in the vicious cycle of risk and poverty,” Legarda concluded.

ANGARA PUSHES FOR PPP TO HASTEN PH’S INFRA DEVELOPMENT

MANILA-In a bid to hasten infrastructure development in the country, Senator Sonny Angara has a filed a bill that seeks to promote and authorize public-private partnerships (PPPs) for the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure facilities and services.

"For the country to build on its recent economic gains and to ensure the proper investment environment in our country, the private sector must be further encouraged to make investments through a modernized and enhanced PPP law," said Angara, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee.

The lawmaker noted that the government has traditionally been in charge of providing and financing infrastructure in the country, but investment requirements had exceeded the capacities of the government, prompting the public sector to enable private participation in infrastructure development.

In the past two decades, a number of services in utilities, transportation, property development and information technology are provided through contractual arrangements such as the build-operate-transfer (BOT).

"The BOT law has been in existence since the 90s. Gains have been made with the passage of this law and yet, the full potential for the synergy of the public and private sectors in improving and expanding the country’s infrastructure, such as our airports and rail systems and even in the building of schools and hospitals, have not been fully taken advantage of," he added.

Angara's Senate Bill 2672 or the PPP Act provides for more liberalized government regulations and procedures to better address the needs and bureaucratic concerns of PPP investors.

The proposed measure provides for the automatic grant of administrative franchise, license or permit in favor of the winning bidder, subject to the compliance with the requirements of the regulator and payment of appropriate taxes and fees.

SB 2672 likewise aims to protect public interest by ensuring fair and reasonable pricing, timely delivery of quality infrastructure, goods and services, and by requiring full public disclosure of all PPP transactions.

"We must be more transparent and competitive in the process of selecting our private sector partners. We must learn from successful and failed projects in the past, as well as global best practices in PPP," the senator said.

In addition, upon certification and recommendation by the Investment Coordination Committee, and prior consultation with the Department of Interior and Local Government, the President may classify certain projects, such as energy, toll road, mass transit, water, sewerage and such other projects, as "projects of national significance."

All real properties which are directly used for such projects shall be exempt from any and all real property taxes, while all local taxes, fees and charges imposed by a province, city or municipality on the project proponent shall not exceed 50 percent of one percent of gross sales or receipts of the preceding calendar year.

The bill also seeks to institutionalize the PPP Center that will serve as a link between the government and the private sector.

It will be tasked to assist implementing agencies in identifying, developing, promoting, facilitating, monitoring and evaluating PPP projects. It must report to the Office of the President and Congress on the implementation of the PPP programs and projects of the government at the end of each year.

"With the additional incentives provided under our measure, it is our hope that we could attract more potential private investors to help the government fast-track and improve the construction of public infrastructure and services to boost the growth of the Philippine economy," Angara said. 

Senate okays resolution to address power shortage; seeks to amend Bio Fuels Act

MANILA-The Senate has approved on third and final reading a Joint Resolution which would allow President Benigno Aquino III to address any potential power shortage during  the summer.

Senator Serge Osmeña, chair of the Committee on Energy and the sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 12, said the measure would authorize the President to address the projected imbalance of power supply and demand in the Luzon grid, particularly in the months of April and May of this year.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon,  author of the resolution, said that it was important for the country to avert a critical electricity situation due to the expected effects of the El Nino phenomenon, the 2015 Malampaya turnaround and continuing outages of power plants, which could affect both businesses and ordinary homes.

     “If we did not act, then it would have been a great inconvenience and grave disservice to our citizens, especially ordinary Filipinos who will have to endure the summer season without electricity,” he said.  

      Apart from bringing a solution to the foreseen summer outages, Drilon said that the resolution was part of efforts “to establish a clear energy agenda and to address the growing concern over the perceived inability of the country's power sector to keep up with the growing demand that is intricately linked to the Philippine economy's immense economic growth."

      While the average electricity demand was projected at 8,700 MW, Osmeña said, the highest demand of power on the hottest day and hour in April and May would peak at 9,000 megawatts (MW).

“Having 9,000 MW guarantees a brownout since a certain number of power plants break down while some go on scheduled maintenance because no power plant could operate continuously the entire year,” he explained.

Osmeña said the resolution proposed “a more efficient way to solve the power crisis in a much cheaper way” than what the executive department earlier recommended.

He said the President would not be given a blanket authority under the resolution nor would it provide exemptions from existing laws such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.

“The resolution is not mandatory and would enable productions from hydro and gas plants to be tweaked,” Osmeña said.

The House version of the bill included the suspension of pertinent laws, rules and regulation and made it mandatory for self-generating facilities to participate in the Interruptible Load Program (ILP), a provision not found in the Senate version.

Under the ILP, owners of generating sets would be asked to deload from the Luzon Grid and to use their own gensets at certain hours.

Osmeña said the adoption of the ILP would cost consumers a low P7 to P8 per kilowatt an hour as compared to the P35 per kilowatt an hour under a Department of Energy proposal to lease 300 MW in gensets at a cost of P6 billion for two years or P10 million per MW.

“In this manner, up to 1,400 megawatts may be deloaded for a few peaking hours on certain days,” he said.

He said Mindanao and Cebu had adopted the ILP system since 2010 due to the chronic electricity shortages in the areas.

Meanwhile, the Senate also approved Senate Bill 2622 on third and final reading today. The measure seeks to exempt power plants from the mandatory implementation of Republic Act No. 9367, otherwise known as the Biofuels Act of 2006.

Osmeña said Senate Bill 2622, which would augment power supply when the Malampaya natural gas experiences supply shortages, would allow natural gas plants to use pure or neat diesel as their alternative fuel.

“The Biofuels Act mandates the use of biodiesel. Pure diesel cannot be utilized anymore anywhere in the Philippines, and since the power plants were built before Congress passed the Biofuels Act in 2006, they are not geared to deal efficiently with biodiesel, which clogs their filters,” he explained.

He cited the Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO), owner of the 1,200 MW Ilijan gas plant, which decreased its production rate from 600 MW to 420 MW, or a difference of 180 MW per power plant, because of its use of biodiesel.

Osmeña said an exemption from the Biofuels Law would allow the Ilijan gas plant to deliver 160 more megawatts.

Osmeña, however, said the exemption has limitations. He said the exemption could only be invoked when (1) there is a supply shortage as determined by the DOE; (2) the pure or neat diesel is an alternative fuel of covered plants; (3)  the use of the pure or neat diesel will solely be for the production of electricity; and (4) the exemption will be only for the duration of the supply shortage.

Osmeña said the Committee on Energy had consulted and coordinated with more than two dozen agencies, groups and parties to come out with alternatives to avert the looming power crisis.

“The intent is to optimize existing assets and to bring down the average cost of electricity for the benefit of the consumers,” he said. (Pilar S. Macrohon)

Senate seeks to replace 45-year old Pharmacy Law

MANILA-The Senate passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2436 or the Philippine Pharmacy Act of 2014 which aims to regulate the practice of pharmacy, integrate the pharmacy profession, and enhance professional competence through mandatory continuing development and research.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, sponsor of the measure, said the proposed measure will replace the outdated Pharmacy Law (Republic Act No. 5921) to standardize pharmacy education, and regulate the registration and licensing of pharmacy graduates.

“Advances in science and technology, particularly changes in the health sector platform, coupled with the rapid expansion of the global economy, have made the 45-year old Pharmacy Law outdated, if not obsolete,” Trillanes said.

           “It is imperative that we update this law to keep the practice of the profession abreast with these developments and to make it relevant to how it is practiced in the country,” he added.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said that the measure was part of efforts to modernize and improve the capacities of different key industries such as the health service, business and agriculture sectors, in light of new challenges faced by the country such as the ASEAN integration slated to begin this year.  

         “We need to ensure that important sectors like the pharmaceutical industry, which directly affect the lives of our countrymen, are not being left behind by their regional and international counterparts in adopting the latest structural innovations and systems that will allow them to provide better services and products,” Drilon said.

Trillanes, chairman of the Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization, said that the bill was intended to equip the pharmacists with the “necessary tools to further improve and maintain our vibrant pharmaceutical industry and provide them with the necessary competitive edge to be able to compete in the international arena.”

Trillanes said the proposed legislation calls for the establishment of a Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy. Under the measure, he said, pharmacists in government service shall receive a starting salary equivalent to Salary Grade 15 under Republic Act No. 6758 or the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989. Those in the private sector, will receive an entry-level salary equivalent to at least 35 percent above the prevailing minimum wage in the National Capital Region.

The Philippine Pharmacy Act of 2014 also sought to integrate pharmacists under one nationally accredited professional organization, according to Trillanes.

He said one provision of the bill was to provide for a foreign reciprocity to allow a foreign-registered pharmacist to practice in the country, provided that his/her country of origin allows Filipino pharmacists to practice within its territorial limits.

           “The enactment of this measure is intended to complement the talent and competence of our professional pharmacists by providing them with an updated regulatory framework. This bill seeks to repeal Republic Act No. 5921 with a new law that is responsive to the current needs and practice of our professional pharmacists,” Trillanes said. (APPLE BUENAVENTURA, PRIB)