MORE INCENTIVES FOR BIOFUEL R&D SAYS ANGARA

MANILA, October 5, 2012-During the recent Department of Energy (DOE) budget hearing, Senator Edgardo J. Angara renewed his call for more support for research and development (R&D) on  alternative fuels, eyeing it as a new economic venture for the country. 

Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, spoke in response to the DOE saying that they affiliate their biofuel programs with state universities and colleges (SUCs) depending on the resources within their region.

"We have to provide incentives, monetary if necessary to existing SUCs especially when we are facing problems with sources of biofuel in the country.  These SUCs can provide us with R&D and a more focused approach in solving problems," said Angara. 

He explained that one of the many problems is the perennial battle between food and non-food biofuel producers. 

The veteran lawmaker continued,"If the government will support us in our efforts, we can convince producers to dedicate more of their energy in producing biofuel thus increasing the country's biofuel supply by 5 percent like the DOE suggested."  

Noting that biodiesel and biofuels are priced at a premium level compared to fossil fuels like gasoline, Angara explained that the country can consider exporting to markets in Brazil, India, China and Canada if excess supply is generated.  

DOE Sec. Jose Rene Almendras admitted that the awarding of incentives for R&D stopped a few years ago. 

Angara concluded, "There is a need for government to intensify efforts especially on R& D on biofuel. This is crucial since we need to encourage producers with incentives to address high initial cost of producing and inventing devices for production of biofuel. "

Angara, who is also Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), authored the Biofuels Act of 2006 (RA 9367) and the Renewable Energy Law (RA 9513). (Rikka Sotto w/ Anna Amores)

Legarda Underscores Filipino Teachers’ Multifaceted Role as World Celebrates Teachers’ Day

MANILA, October 5, 2012-Senator Loren Legarda underscored the multifaceted role of Filipino teachers as countries worldwide celebrate World Teachers’ Day today.

“Our teachers are primarily the second parents of our children. But they have fulfilled other roles in our society. Our teachers are the most reliable and dedicated public servants. They are being constantly called upon by officials of the local and national government to assist in various civic activities which contribute to the welfare of the community and the country, most notable of which is when they perform their functions during election period, and assist the National Statistics Office in gathering data even in the remotest places,” Legarda stressed.

The Senator noted that as educators, Filipino teachers already have a load of work as based on statistics of Department of Education for school year 2010-2011, more than 615,000 teachers are serving over 21 million primary and secondary students.

“As we pay tribute to our teachers, I stress once more the need to pursue the changes we eagerly want for our teachers because despite their significant contributions to the country, teachers, especially those in public schools, remain among the lowest paid government workers,” she pointed out.

“Teachers are considered the heart of our educational system, heralded as the molders of our children’s future, and among the most prized leaders of the country. It is only fitting that they be respected, protected, and given the privileges that they deserve including better compensation packages and other benefits,” Legarda said.

Legarda is the author of Senate Bill 10 of the Magna Carta of Teachers and Non-Teaching Personnel Act. This proposed measure seeks to ensure teachers and non-teaching personnel the security of tenure, timely payment of their salaries on a monthly basis regardless of semestral or summer vacations, annual salary adjustment to mitigate the effects of inflation, and gratuity benefits for those who retire before reaching the compulsory retirement age of 60.

P-Noy to witness oath taking, proclamation of LP bets in Pampanga today

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga October 5, 2012-President Benigno Aquino III will witness today the oath taking and proclamation of Liberal Party (LP) 2013 midterm election bets in Pampanga at Heroes Hall in City of San Fernando.

 

The oath taking will be administered by Transportation and Communications Secretary and acting LP President Joseph Emilio Abaya.

 

Prior to the event, Aquino will inspect the on-going construction of the nearby school building of City College of San Fernando that will be completed by the end of October.

 

 

The P100 million edifice has four-floors and will accommodate students taking tertiary degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Business Administration, and Information Technology.

 

The Chief Executive shall likewise be briefed on three other major projects of the city government of San Fernando namely Lazatin Fly-Over, Sagip-Ilog, and Tail Dike Breaching and Re-Channeling of Gugu Creek.

 

One of the oldest political parties in the Philippines, LP was founded on January 19, 1946 by former President Manuel Roxas.

 

Roxas formed it from what was once the “Liberal Wing” of the old Nacionalista Party.

 

Three more LP members would later be elected President:  Elpidio Quirino, Diosdado Macapagal and Aquino.

 

Two other former Chief Executives of the land came from the ranks of LP, being former members of the Party that chose to follow a different path and joined Nacionalista- Ramon Magsaysay and Ferdinand Marcos. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)