NIA strengthens partnership with Bugkalot Tribe

NIA, Quezon City – The recent meeting between the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), LGU officials,  and the Bugkalot Confederation on December 3, 2014 ended with a positive note as Dr. Florencio F. Padernal took on the lead in clearing the path to resolve issues regarding the tribe’s claims.

Two major issues raised by the tribe, led by Mayor of Nagtipunan, Quirino and Bugkalot Chieftain Rosario K. Camma, include the percentage share of the tribe from the gross income derived from CalEnergy Power Plant’s power generation and at least 10% environmental release from the dam weirs from Casecnan and Taan Rivers.

According to a statement from the Bugkalot Confederation dated November 18, 2014, the 10% environmental water release from dam weirs required as per NWRB Resolution 01-0901 dated September 24, 2001 was ignored resulting to the drying up of the Casecnan and Taan rivers thus affecting the aquatic resources of the rivers and sacrificing the livelihood of many Bugkalot tribesmen.

Nueva Vizcaya Lone District Representative Carlos M. Padilla added that the the most expensive fish in the country, the ludong, started to disappear in the Casecnan River. “All the water goes to Casecnan in Nueva Ecija affecting other localities and creating ‘social problems’ that push the people to seek help from local politicians,” he added.

To address the issues, Dr. Padernal pushed that a timeline of events be prepared and submitted before the year ends to retrace the history of the issues between NIA, CalEnergy, CMIPP, and the Bugkalot tribe. He tapped the NCIP to submit and collate the documents related to the issue to establish an objective history.

Also, the NIA Administrator emphasized on the importance of a convergence meeting among the agencies concerned and stakeholders in January 2015 to create a comprehensive and doable action plan that will address the issues on the project.

Abakada Party-list Representative Jonathan dela Cruz expressed his gratitude to Dr. Padernal for the initiatives that will be undertaken by the agency in line with the concerns of the Bugkalot tribe.

Also present in the meeting were Jerry Pasigian and Robert Cabarroguis of the Bugkalot Confederation; Percy Brawner and Atty. Petronilo Dubadeb of NCIP; and other NIA officials.

NIA Central Office, Quezon City – Dr. Florencio F. Padernal led NIA officials in meeting with the Bugkalot Confederation on December 3, 2014 to facilitate the resolution of issues regarding the tribe’s claims pertaining to the implementation of the Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project (CMIPP) in Nueva Ecija. Attending the meeting were NIA Deputy Administrators Estrella E. Icasiano and Erdolfo B. Domingo, Atty. Pepito Padilla of Legal Services, PAIS Manager Pilipina P. Bermudez, CMIPP Manager Alexander Coloma, and Operations Manager Florentino David. Also present were Nueva Vizcaya Lone District Representative Carlos M. Padilla, Abakada Party-list Rep. Jonatahn dela Cruz, Nagtipunan, Quirino Mayor and Bugkalot Chieftain Rosario K. Camma, Jerry Pasigian and Robert Cabarroguis of the Bugkalot Confederation, and Percy Brawner and Atty. Petronio Dubadeb from NCIP.

Legarda Commends F. Sionil Jose

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda honored the contribution of National Artist Francisco Sionil Jose to literature and journalism through a Resolution adopted by the Senate during its session on December 9, 2014.

Legarda authored Senate Resolution 1045 to recognize F. Sionil Jose’s contribution to literature and journalism.

“F. Sionil Jose has been an inspiration to several generations of writers and journalists through his essays, his role as a publisher, his lectures, his iconic bookshop Solidaridad and his founding of the Philippine chapter of the PEN, an international organization of poets, writers and novelists,” said Legarda.

“Cognizant of his artistic and literary genius and for his perseverance to instill national pride through the arts, it is but fitting that F. Sionil Jose, be recognized and honored,” she stressed.

F. Sionil Jose, who turned 90 years old last December 3, is considered as one of the prominent writers in the English language. His works have been translated to twenty-eight (28) languages, including Czech, Indonesian, French, Korean, Russian, Latvian and Dutch.

He has received numerous accolades, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Pablo Neruda Centennial Award, Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres, and the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature, among others.

Senator Loren Legarda honors National Artist Francisco Sionil Jose through Senate Resolution 1045, which recognizes his contribution to literature and journalism and his perseverance to instill national pride through the arts. Also in photo is Mr. Jose’s wife, Teresita.

Senate commends Miss Earth 2014

MANILA-The Senate today adopted a resolution congratulating Jamie Herrell for winning the Miss Earth 2014 competition on November 29, 2014 at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City.

Senate Resolution No. 1039, authored by Senator Lito Lapid, recognized the achievement of Herrell when she won the prestigious title against 83 other candidates from all over the world.

“Nineteen-year old Miss Earth Philippines 2013 title holder Jamie Herrell made the country proud when she won the prestigious Miss Earth crown on November 29, 2014,” the resolution stated.

The Cebuana beauty is the second Filipina to bag the Miss Earth title next to Karla Henry, also a Cebuana, who won in 2008.

Aside from the Miss Earth title, Herrell also took home three special awards namely Miss Earth Hannah’s Beach Resort, Best in Swimsuit and Sun for Miss Earth.

The Miss Earth competition was organized in 2001 to promote environmental awareness and the preservation of the earth.

“By being crowned this years’ most beautiful woman in the planet, Jamie Herrell gave Filipinos unparalleled pride and showed the world the grace and excellence of Filipino beauty,” the resolution said.  (Olive Caunan)

Senate commends national artist F. Sionil Jose

MANILA-The Senate today adopted Senate Resolution No. 1045, commending National Artist Francisco Sionil Jose for his distinguished contribution to literature and journalism.

Senate Resolution No. 1045, introduced by Sen. Loren Legarda, recognized Sionil Jose’s “artistic and literary genius, and his perseverance to instill national pride through the arts.”

Born in Rosales, Pangasinan, on December 3, 1924, Sionil Jose is considered as one of the country’s most prominent writers in the English language, his works having been translated to twenty-two languages, including Czech, Indonesian, French, Korean, Russian, Latvian and Dutch.

He has received numerous accolades, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Pablo Neruda Award, Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres, and the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for literature, among others.

He was bestowed the title of National Artist of the Philippines for Literature in 2001.

“He has been an inspiration to several generations of writers and journalists through his essays, his role as a publisher, his lectures, his iconic bookshop, Solidaridad, and his founding of the Philippine chapter of the PEN, an international organization of poets, writers and novelists,” the Resolution said. (Yvonne Almirañez)