Manila next venue for global conference of parliamentarians

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 17, 2011-In line with the Aquino administration's current flagship program of anti-corruption, Senator Edgardo J. Angara said that the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) has chosen Manila as the venue of its next global conference in February 2013.

Angara, who is the founding president of Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC) is the only Asian representative who presides over a session of the 4th Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption held on Saturday in the Mexican capital.

The Philippine Senate and the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC) will jointly host this biennial global gathering which will be attended by over 500 members of parliament from 50 countries worldwide.

GOPAC is the only parliamentary network with the singular focus on combating corruption. There are currently over 900 members of GOPAC, representing over 90 countries in all the regions of the world.

Dr. Nasser Al Sane of Kuwait was re-elected president of GOPAC while Senator Edgardo J. Angara was elected vice president.

In 2005, Angara was the driving force behind the establishment of SEAPAC and is a member of the Executive Board of the Ottawa, Canada-based GOPAC.

The Senator said that to achieving good governance and fighting corruption can be strengthened by building networks among institutions, saying that the key ingredient is International cooperation. “Just as corruption transcends borders, so too must we fight it on a transnational level,” he said.

Angara led the passage of major anti-corruption laws including the Government E-Procurement Law and creation of the Office of the Ombudsman in the Philippines where he pushes for the Political Party and Campaign Finance Reform bill that will transform political parties into public institutions and maintain transparency activities. (Jason de Asis)

Senator Edgardo J. Angara presides over a session of the 4th Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption held on Saturday in the Mexican capital. With him are fellow members of Parliament (L-R) Senator Ricardo Garcia Camacho of Mexico, Dr. Nasser Al Sane of Kuwait, John Williams and Roy Cullen of Canada, and Christiane Vienne of Belgium. (Jason de Asis)

Text messages that sparks reign of terror in the Phl under investigation

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 16, 2011-Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., chair of the public service urged the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to exert all efforts to identify the source that sparked reign of terror in the spread of the malicious text messages that caused panic to the public where the Senate asked why the NTC cannot effectively address to identify such kind of malicious text messages that spread all over the Philippines.

“It was a hoax intended to put the citizenry in panic and bad light,” Revilla said, adding that he advised the public not to believe in rumor mongers and gossips regarding the meltdown at Fukuyama or some other places in Japan, and on the radiation threatening to affect other places like the Philippines.

He furthered that the NTC informed the Senate that they do not have the capability to specifically identify the people doing this counterproductive rumor-mongering and what they can do is merely deactivate the SIM cards used because they do not have a database showing to whom the SIM cards are issued, at least for prepaid SIM cards.

“Babalik tayo sa usapin ng SIM card registration na tinatalakay at pinag-aaralan ngayon ng Senado sa pamamagitan ng Senate Committee on Public Services na aking pinamumunuan,” Revilla said.

He said that there is a need to strike a balance between privacy and public interest issues where he personally believes that these people must be held accountable, adding that we must empower our agencies particularly the NTC.

Revilla urged the public to exercise caution when receiving text communications from unknown senders for the meantime.

Meanwhile, Senator Pia S. Cayetano, chairs of health and demography committee also advised the public not to panic over hoax text messages circulating this week spreading rumors that deadly radiation from earthquake-stricken nuclear plants in Japan had already reached Philippine territory and is directly threatening the health and safety of the Filipinos.

“These are purely baseless information that radiation and acid rain allegedly caused by the nuclear plant incidents in Japan that reached the country; thus the people should remain calm and vigilant by staying abreast of news developments,” Cayetano said, advising the public to refer to the proper authorities like the Department of Health (DOH), DOST, PAG-ASA, and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) which regularly reported through media if there is an information received in doubts.

“Let us use instant messaging technology to share useful information only and not to contribute to social anxiety by forwarding unscientific and baseless rumors,” she said.

Relative to this, Justice Secretary Laila de Lima directed the National Bureau of Investigation to identify the culprit as soon as possible in the spreading of prank text messages. “The source of the text messages could be held liable for committing crimes against public order under Article 155, Chapter 5 of the Revised Penal Code,” de Lima said, saying that we should not underestimate the consequences of false texts and false alarms and can have injurious consequences and therefore must be taken seriously. “Actions must be taken seriously,” she furthered.

Earlier, a reign of terror spread to the public in the country regarding the radiation meltdown in Japan and circulating advised to the people that they should stay indoors and to wear raincoats if they go outdoors and apply Betadine liquid in their neck to fight radiation.

The said hoax was clarified by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that there is no immediate danger in the country and advised the public not to believe in these rumors spreading like wildfire through text messages, emails, internet and other means of communication.

The DOST also advised the public to stop forwarding messages so as not to sow panic among the people, saying that the DOST is committed to bring accurate, reliable, and timely information regarding the Fukushima event and its possible effect to the Philippines. (Jason de Asis)

Legarda lauded the Senate 3rd reading approval of Phl-Japan Agreement on technical cooperation

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 16, 2011-Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations lauded the approval of the Senate on third reading regarding the Philippine-Japan Agreement on Technical Cooperation (ATC) where she reported that this would bring multitude of benefits to the country.

“The government has limited resources toward promoting sustainable development where we had a myriad concerns and endless economic challenges,” she said, adding that Japan is the Philippines top source of official development assistance (ODA) which finances the country where it accounted for 36% or about US$3.46 billion of the total loan commitments in 2009.

Japan ODA is a technical cooperation aimed to support the country’s development through (1) training programs in Japan; (2) the dispatch of technical cooperation experts to the Philippines to impart technical knowledge and skills to various agencies; (3) provision of equipment and materials; and (4) the conduct of development studies.

Japan is the instrument that reduces administrative burdens and helps synergize the technical assistance in the country where the magnitude and extent of Japan’s technical cooperation projects over the years underscored the importance of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation with them.

The Agreement will replace the redundant process of having to periodically exchange Note Verbales for each and every Technical Cooperation Project between Japan and the Philippines where it contains the provisions on tax exemptions, immunities, and privileges of Japanese experts dispatched here in the Philippines.

On the basis of a duly-established framework for cooperation development, it is a partnership, donor and recipient countries need to cooperate where the ATC lends emphasis in our role to the recipient country like the Philippines that is charged with directing our development agenda and assuming responsibilities as well; thus, this measure signals an even stronger and meaningful cooperation with Japan. (Jason de Asis)

NIA assured Pantabangan Dam can withstand Intensity 10 quake

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, March 16, 2011-The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) assured yesterday that the country’s largest dam that supplies irrigation to over 100,000 hectares of farmlands in Central Luzon, can withstand a powerful earthquake even one that is stronger than the Intensity 9 tremor that triggered a tsunami in Japan.

NIA administrator Antonio Nangel said that the giant Pantabangan Dam which was the first single largest infrastructure ever accomplished by the government can survive in an Intensity 10 earthquake.

Nangel said that the Pantabangan Dam which is an earthen dam was so designed and constructed to withstand powerful earthquakes.

“It was sturdily built. And since it is an earth dam, it has flexibility so we see no problem. In fact, it can survive even an Intensity 10 earthquake,” he said.

Nangel came up with the assurance after some quarters raised fears some of the country’s dams might not be able to survive powerful tremors similar, if not powerful, to the one that hit Japan which killed thousands of people.

Nangel was once operations manager of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems, the country’s largest national irrigation system which administratively supervised the operations of the Pantabangan Dam.

The dam was built in 1971 by an all-Filipino consortium of engineers and completed in August 1974, 17 months ahead of schedule at a cost of P800 million at that time, including $34 million loan from the World Bank. The structure is located at the center of the Carranglan, Pantabangan and Pampanga Rivers.

The dam consists of two zoned-earth filled dams – the main dam and the Aya Dam. Its 8,420-hectare reservoir area has a water storage capacity of 1.75 billion cubic meters for irrigation and power generation. Its watershed area covers 90,900 hectares.

Aside from irrigation, the dam also provides flood control, water supply for domestic and industrial purposes, fish conservation and tourism.

Nangel said that to illustrate its readiness to survive a powerful earthquake, the dam withstood the July 16, 1990 killer quake with no damage to its reservoir area and other structures. “Even if there was a faultline in Digdig (in nearby Carranglan), there was never any ill effects on the operations of the Pantabangan Dam back then,” he said.

The 1990 tremor, listed at Intensity 7.7 in the open-ended Richster Scale, however, considerably affected the natural flow in the downstream portions of the Pantabangan Dam at the Digdig and Talavera rivers, considerably reducing the service area of the Talavera River Irrigation System from 6,000 hectares to only 500 hectares.

Nangel said the UPRIIS’ dam and reservoir division, led by engineer Fred Tuquero, is supervising the maintenance and upkeep of the dam to ensure its structural soundness and safety as well as monitor and regulate the release of water from its reservoir. (Jason de Asis)

Casiguran police sergeant raps two complaints at the Ombudsman and trial Court

CASIGURAN, Aurora, March 16, 2011-A Casiguran police sergeant is now facing formal complaint before the office of the ombudsman and Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Atty. Juliet M. Isidro Reyes.

The complainant was Salvador Tesorero, 35 years old and a resident of barangay Bianoan in this town who filed the charges to Atty. Reyes against SPO1 Danilo Mendoza who was assigned in a PNP checkpoint at the said barangay.

The complainant stated in his affidavit that last November 1, 2010 Sergeant Mendoza was allegedly drunk when the mauling incident happened. Suspect used rattan (yantok) and thereby batted him on his feet, eyes and in the different parts of the body while Rico Puno, 26 years old was tied by handcuff more or less 11:30 pm to 12 midnight who was the star witness of the police abuses.

Tesorero stated that he was injured and could not walk after the incident where he immediately went to the nearest hospital for medical check-up.

An administrative case-Grave Misconduct and Less Serious Physical Injuries- were filed at the Ombudsman and PAO while the suspect Mendoza was asked to answer the complaints charged against the police.

The authorities said that Mendoza is in floating status facing the charges and once proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt he will be in prison for not less than 6 years aside from the administrative and/or criminal case he is facing and the culprit must prove that he is innocent in the case filed against him. (Arnel Turzar, DZJO FM, CMN-Baler, Aurora)

Consultation on the proposed postponement of ARMM 2011 election needed

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 15, 2011-Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr., chairman of the Senate committee on local government, urged Malacanang to establish first the true sentiments of the villagers living at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on the proposed postponement of the scheduled elections in 2011 where he said that a consultation should be conducted first in the areas of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Marawi City.

Marcos reminded the Palace officials that the deferment of the August 8, 2011 elections in the ARMM should first clearly establish the true sentiments of the people of ARMM regarding the Palace's bill seeking to postpone elections to 2013 and appointing Officers-in-charge (OIC's) in the interim.

The Senator emphasized that the administration must avoid being seen as imposing their own demands particularly in a region whose acronym begins with the word 'autonomous' making the proposed postponement and subsequent appointments of OIC's an irony if not an outright affront to what is core to the charter itself, adding that the 'autonomy' status of that region must give due respect to in the deliberations regarding the elections scheduled for August of this year.

Prior to this, Marcos advised the government’s plan to appoint OICs who shall sit in the meantime until the synchronized elections in 2013 and the postponement of the ARMM August elections this year saying that it is complicated to be understood by the citizenry.

In the view that barangay officials had to have a fresh mandate from the people, Marcos said that the Palace had last year just rejected calls for the postponement of the barangay elections; thus, it was logical that ARMM elections should also be allowed to proceed so that the brothers and sisters in ARMM could freely choose their leaders.

He said that local officials told him that the ARMM villagers would not recognize officials who were just appointed that would cause a great deal of confusion and might deteriorate into a complete political chaos in the place, explaining that appointing officials violates the principle of the mandates of public officials who are supposed to be elected.

Marcos believed that the best way to cleanse political mess is election, an honest, straightforward and clean election then we can be guaranteed that those who will sit in power shall in fact have been chosen by their own constituency. (Jason de Asis)

Disaster preparedness needed in the country

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 15, 2011-Senator Edgardo J. Angara Yesterday expressed his concern over the disaster preparedness of the Philippines resulting to more than 2,000 dead from the massive 8.9 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last Friday where it set off tsunami alerts in 53 different areas in the Pacific, including the Eastern seaboard of the Philippines and the people living near the coastlines were evacuated to higher ground until the risk of being hit by a tsunami passed.

Angara said that the Philippines is fortunate to have not been severely affected by this catastrophe which crippled Japan despite all their measures to safeguard the people and the infrastructure.

“What if we are not so lucky next time,” Angara asked, saying that the Philippines is not nearly as prepared facing such kind of disaster where the “Natural Disaster Hotspots: A Global Risk Analysis”, a joint study by the Columbia University’s Earth Institute and the World Bank Hazard Management Unit reported that the Philippines is a high-risk area in drought, earthquakes, floods, landslides, storms, and volcano eruptions as the primary indicators combined with mortality and economic loss to establish the risk level for a particular region.

“It was no surprise that the Philippines was classified like that, since we have seen our fair share of calamities and natural disasters which seem to happen more frequently in recent years,” Angara said, saying that the country was hitstruck more than two dozen typhoons a year which rank high in the storm, floods and landslide categories where our archipelago is also part of the Ring of Fire in the Pacific area with several active volcanoes scattered throughout the country.

“The country is among the top 20 worldwide when it comes to emergency loans due to catastrophe,” Angara added, where he believes that there is a need to become more proactive at this point in time and have to establish preventive measures instead of waiting for the next natural disaster that hit the country then scrambling for the right response.

“Knowledge and better preparation facing the disaster will lead the citizenry to lessen casualty,” he said.

Meanwhile, there are more than 80 thousand villagers who were retrieved for radiation threat 20 kilometer exclusion zone away from the Fukushima nuclear power plants for their safety, following the explosion in the place which resulted to 11 casualty and 1 critical in Japan. (Jason de Asis)

Senate approves two bills for 2011 career executive system act and decriminalizing vagrancy

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 15, 2011-The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the two bills for career executive system act (CASA) of 2011 and bill decriminalizing vagrancy.

Senate bill number 2671 otherwise known as CASA is designed for effective, efficient and responsible administration of government officials and seek to strengthen the bureaucracy by professionalizing the ranks of government managers and executives.

           

Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, who authored the bill along with Senator Bong Revilla said that the passage of the measure would help minimize political appointments and ensure that all government officials are eligible under the Civil Service Law.

Trillanes furthered that this measure will ensure that our civil servants will follow the principles of merit and fitness in the government and will insulate the Career Executive System and Career Executive Service Board (CESB) from political interference and encourage the professionalization of our government managers and executives.

“CESB is a policy-making body responsible for the development, training and administration of civil managers and executives and was formed to create a continuing pool of well-selected development-oriented career administrators,” Trillanes said, adding that it will be transferred to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) from the wings of the Office of the President, a step seen to curb political accommodations under the bill.

With the CSC being the central personnel agency of the government, the Senator explained that the bill will provide harmonization to the policies, rules and regulations pertaining to government personnel, saying that the legislation would also ensure that civil service officials will be prescribed a fixed tour of duty of three years during which they cannot be transferred to other offices or positions without consent of the CSC.

                       

“The civil servant serves as the government backbone,” Trillanes said, stressing that to install a system which would ensure merit and fitness among our government employees regardless of rank is required.

Meanwhile, the bill decriminalizing vagrancy, a proposal Trillanes co-sponsored with five other senators was also put forward to remove vagrancy as a criminal offense in the Revised Penal Code because it has become a common excuse for law enforcers to detain, arrest or bring to the police station any person the police don’t have sufficient reasons to arrest or those with no specific crime to charged with under Senate bill number 2726 which authored by Senator Chiz Escudero, chairman of the committee on justice and human rights. (Jason de Asis)

Japan killer earthquake and tsunami nixes Phl recommendation from Legarda and Angara

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 14, 2011-In the recent and seventh strongest record of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan and worldwide tsunami warnings, Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, urged the government for the immediate evaluation of the structural integrity of critical infrastructure in the country while Senator Edgardo J. Angara recommended to fast-track the creation of the Disaster Science and Management Center that will focus drive to achieve a level of national disaster preparedness that would make the country better equipped to face natural calamities.

Legarda said that natural hazards like earth quake and tsunami are inevitable but can be lessened if there is sound preparation and ensure that all structure are safe and not a poor built infrastructure, buildings in inappropriate places, inadequate design and materials specification, and shortcuts in construction; thus, Legarda recommended that the government must ensure that all critical infrastructure, especially bridges, schools, hospitals and other infrastructures are earthquake-proof through the conduct of a nationwide structural evaluation of all schools and hospitals and by retrofitting these structures to allow them to withstand destructive earthquakes.  

“We have to act now and consult structural engineers and asses the vulnerability of structures to strong tremors and to institute immediate measures to strengthen parts that will be found weak to avoid collapse in our homes and offices, shopping malls and public buildings are able to withstand strong earthquakes,” Legarda said, explaining that sound engineering practices is the best protection against earthquakes.

Back to Angara, he said that the creation of Disaster Science Management Center (DSMC) is a project of the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology, and Engineering (COMSTE) primed to become a regional training center for disaster preparedness.

“This will be an innovative center that harnesses the experiences of nations used to deal with disasters and not be the run of the mill, classroom-lecture type of learning like Japan, that will help teach their hard earned lessons to our LGU’s and those of other countries,” Angara said, adding that the DSMC announced that that Sentinel Asia, an international project of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has appointed Manila Observatory as a Data Analysis Node (DAN).    

To support disaster management in the Asia-Pacific Region by applying and promoting Remote Sensing and WEB-GIS technologies among its partners is the aim of Sentinel Asia while the Manila Observatory (MO) partnered with COMSTE in the planning and development of the DSMC.

The MO has been appointed as a Data Analysis Node, the Manila Observatory will provide analysis and interpretation of satellite data in aid of disaster management in the Philippine’s and the Asia-Pacific Region.

“The availability of satellite data will boost the capabilities of the DSMC to better understand the mechanics of managing disasters with the cooperation of neighboring countries that have experienced similar storms and natural calamities as the Philippines,” Angara said, who chairs of the COMSTE.

He said that MO maintains research programs in Geomatics, Regional Climate Systems, Solid Earth Dynamics, Space Weather and Air Quality while the Observatory promotes the advancement of science-based decision support systems in aid of climate change mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Earlier, a joint research by Columbia University and World Bank entitled ‘Natural Disaster Hotspots: A Global Risk Analysis’, which identifies countries where the Philippines was pegged as one of the riskiest countries in the world for six (6) major natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, floods, drought, and cyclones. (Jason de Asis)


Video Courtesy from Associated Press “Hundreds Killed in Tsunami After 8.9 Japan Quake” March 11, 2011. A ferocious tsunami spawned by one of the largest earthquakes on record slammed Japan's eastern coast Friday, killing hundreds of people as it swept away ships, cars and homes (March 11). (Associated Press)

Angara urged the government for nationwide survival training

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 13, 2011-In response to the massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan last Friday which resulted to floods, fires, huge explosions and worldwide tsunamis, Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged the government for a nationwide information campaign and called for survival training for the citizenry on emergency measures and protocols if there were disasters and calamities to prevent.

Angara, chair of the Senate committee on Science and Technology said that Japan has the most advanced technology to safeguard their country but casualties and terrible damages could not be avoided due to the devastated killer earthquake and tsunami strikes where he compared the Philippines is nowhere near as efficient in Japan in case of disaster response, saying that we must be better equipped to face these kinds of natural disasters which we are no strangers to.

Angara said that while the country might not be able to match other countries in terms of technology and equipment, there is a need to take measures to protect the Filipinos as our most valuable resources.

Japan have created disaster proof infrastructure and acquired advanced monitoring equipment that is massive and expensive undertaking which are not economically feasible in the future but the most important is to prepare the general public for these calamities for proper training for search and rescue efforts, educate each and every individual on what to do in case of catastrophe, where to go, what numbers to call, how to establish communication with family, and a basic knowledge of first aid.

The survival training included the preparation of a survival kit, containing basic necessities like non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, batteries and a mini-radio, flashlight, candles and waterproof matches.

The Senator believes that information campaign is needed to teach the public for the survival training and should be launched at the soonest time possible for their safety. (Jason de Asis)

Trillanes meets Samahang Magdalo Luzon chapters in Baguio City

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 13, 2011-Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV heads the Samahang Magdalo convened Samahang Magdalo Luzon Chapters in its second leg of consultation with members across the country in Baguio City Lion’s Club where at least 20 chapters from Luzon from the provinces of Ilocos, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet and Baguio.

Just like what happened in Cebu convention, Trillanes said that the convention serves as an avenue to discuss the concerns of the people and identify possible solutions, as well take the opportunity to personally express gratitude to his supporters

Trillanes said that holding public office is not a one-man show. Hence, it has been his personal policy to pursue participative and consultative leadership by maintaining open communication channels to our constituents.

Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan, as well as other local government officials, church leaders and the local media also met Trillanes.

Last week, Trillanes was also in Cebu City for the Samahang Magdalo’s first convention, which was attended by at least 18 chapters from the Visayas.

The Samahang Magdalo is a socio-civic organization established on November 28, 2008 by Magdalo, a group of reformist officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Jason de Asis)

Legarda warned Philippines after the tsunami in Japan

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 11, 2011-Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the committee on climate change warned the Philippines after tsunami striked in Japan where she expressed her deepest sympathies with the tsunami victims and their families as the nation reflecting similar threats.

The increasing frequency and magnitude of earthquakes highlights the need for early action, saying that there is a need for tsunami alerts to be immediately communicated to a population at risk to ensure evacuation.

The 19 provinces that could be hit by at most one meter tsunami waves between 5pm and 7pm are: Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Quezon, Aurora, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay,Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur.

The Metro-Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 2004 showed that a 7.2 magnitude earthquake could damage 38% of residential buildings.

Such an earthquake could cause 33,500 deaths, additional 18,000 deaths from fire, and 114000 injuries.

We must examine our construction standards, codes and practices before any major earthquake hits Metro-Manila.

“Sa mga mangingisda at mga kanayunan natin sa Eastern Seaboard: Maging alerto sa tsunami.”

“Ito ay malaking along hatid ng malakas na paglindol at pagyanig sa ilalim ng dagat.”

“Ang paglayo ng tubig dagat mula sa dalampasigan ay senyales ng tiyak na parating na tsunami.”

“Ang mga nakatira malapit sa dalampasigang nakaharap sa Pacific Ocean ay dapat lumikas patungo sa mas mataas na lugar.”

“Ano man ang liit ng tsunami, kahit 25 cms ay mapinsala.”

“Ang naganap na tsunami sa Aceh, Indonesia noong Disyembre 2004 ay humigit sa sampung metro ang taas at kumitil ng daan daang libong buhay.”

“Maging mahinahon at maagap.”

“Makinig sa radyo at sa mga may autoridad patungkol sa paglikas o evacuation kung kinakailangan sa inyong kaligtasan.”

The sign is the receding sea water as observed by an 11-year-old British girl who was vacationing with her family in Phuket when the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 struck.

Her entire family evacuated quickly and was saved. She learned the early warning sign at school. (Jason de Asis)

Senate sought repayment scheme for study now pay later programs

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 11, 2011-Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. asked Malacaňang to execute a student-friendly repayment scheme to ensure success of "study now-pay later" program of the government where the Department of Education (DepEd) should carefully study the feasibility programs.

“The government, through the Department of Education (DepEd), should know by now the pitfalls of the student loan program and be able to avoid them by crafting a better repayment scheme that is both efficient and workable whereby students would not be saddled by payment obligations long after graduation,” the Senator said.

Last week, the Senate heard various bills sought to beef up schools financial program particularly by establishing a national student loan program, reiterating that the DepEd should carefully study the feasibility of the measures as well as analyze successful models all over the world.

Marcos cited the experiences in some schools in England and in the United States, whereby students could not timely meet their loan obligations to their schools, such that their delinquencies extended even after they have graduated.

It was revealed in the hearing that the Philippines was no stranger to the phenomenon in the Western countries, since, according to the DepEd, student loan programs presently in use in the Philippines have a dismal repayment rate of 0%, although the rate has recently improved to 4%.

Study-now-pay-later program is a scheme of providing loan or credit to the poor but deserving students who are enrolled in any of the DepEd priority courses in selected education institutions in the Philippines.

Relative to this, Senator Edgardo J. Angara also urged the DepEd for the overhauling of the student loan system in the country, saying that there is a need for the restructuring on it so that we can subsidize the education of our future, professionals, scientists and leaders. (Jason de Asis)