Forum to tackle repercussions of divorce

MANILA, July 10, 2011—A seminar on the issue of divorce will be held this month to educate the public on the repercussions of creating a culture of divorce in the country.

Organized by Pro-life Philippines Foundation, Inc. the half-day forum is titled “Let No Man Put Asunder: Uncovering the Culture of Divorce.”

Resource speaker is Atty. Aurea “Jo” Imbong, a pro-life lawyer and legal counsel of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

Imbong will speak on the history of divorce, its conflict with human and divine laws, and its possible consequences to the status of the Filipino family.

After divorce has become legal in Malta, a Catholic nation in the Mediterranean, women advocates renewed the call to pass a law on divorce in the Philippines. The Committee on Revision of Laws in the House of Representatives has revived the discussion on the issue aimed on making divorce become legal in the country.

The seminar is scheduled on July 16, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at the St. Joseph Retreat House Conference Room in Sampaloc, Manila.

The forum has a registration fee of P300.00 that covers one snack, one seminar kit, and a certificate of participation signed by the organizers.

Interested participants may call in for reservations or more information at 733-7027; at telefax 734-9425; or text 0919-2337783; or email at life@prolife.org.ph. (CBCPNews)

NIA UPRIIS’ division chief awarded best irrigation manager for 2010

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, July 10, 2011-A multi-titled division manager of the National Irrigation Administration’s Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems, the operator of the giant Pantabangan Dam, has been adjudged as the most outstanding frontline irrigation manager for 2010 by an evaluation committee of the agency.

Josephine Salazar, UPRIIS division 3 manager, was conferred the prestigious award by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel during awarding ceremonies at the agency’s central office in Quezon City during its 48^th anniversary recently.

The Personnel Reward And Incentives System Evaluation committee chaired by senior deputy administrator Antonio Galvez cited Salazar for her “exemplary leadership” by taking the lead in achieving the highest record in physical and financial performance in the management and operation of UPRIIS Division 3 among the 49 irrigation management offices and national systems.

It added that her stewardship of the division resulted in water delivery, increased productivity and sustained corporate viability, contributing to the government’s food sufficiency program.

Division 3, which Salazar started managing in 2008, posted a net income of P40.42 million in 2010, from P32.8 million in 2009 and P14 million in 2008. For the first semester of 2011, it has posted a net income of P50 million.

Division 3 also posted a viability index of 2.24 percent, from 1.33 percent in 2008.

It was the second consecutive yearly award received by Salazar who, in 2009, also emerged as most outstanding irrigation management officer, best irrigation service fee (ISF) provider also in 2009, ISF top grosser for 2010 of P73.19 million, highest ISF back account collection for 2010 (P14.39 mllion).    

Salazar’s division was also given the best managed frontline irrigation service award. It was also recognized as most viable IMO for 2010 and best maintained division.

Also given citations as outstanding frontline irrigation managers of the year for 2010 were UPRIIS operations manager Reynaldo Puno, District 2 manager Joselito Mangunay and Division 5 manager Eugenio Conde Jr. (Jason de Asis)

Cebu prelate named CBCP president

MANILA, July 9, 2011- The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines elected Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma as its President during the 103rd Plenary Assembly held at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center this city.

According to the CBCP Statutes, Palma will take position as the new CBCP President on December 1, 2011. 

He will succeed Tandag Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar, who did not seek reelection.

Coming from the Archdiocese of Jaro in Iloilo, Palma was ordained to the priesthood on August 21, 1976 and named Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu on November 28, 1997. At age 47, he was ordained to the episcopacy and named bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog on January 13, 1999.

He became Archbishop of Palo on March 18, 2006 and later appointed Archbishop of Cebu on October 15, 2010.

Elected new CBCP Vice President is Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

Dumaguete Bishop John Du was elected Treasurer succeeding Cubao Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco.

The assembly also elected Msgr. Joselito Asis, then assistant secretary general and assistant treasurer, as Secretary General succeeding Msgr. Juanito Figura who will now return to the Archdiocese of Jaro. (CBCPNews)

53 to 100 million Pinoy Domestic workers to give protection by ILO-Trillanes

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, July 9, 2011-Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV said that there are about 53 to 100 million Pinoy workers abroad who will be given protection as agreed in the recent ILO Convention 189 where he has filed resolution commending the ILO Convention 189, or the Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention.

“It was a major victory for the millions of Filipino and foreign domestic workers who take on this job abroad,” Trillanes said.

Trillanes  lauded the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for spearheading an initiative that led to the adoption by the International Labor Organization (ILO) of the landmark treaty giving protection to millions of domestic workers across the world and also congratulated DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz and DOLE Undersecretary Hans Leo G. Cacdac, the First Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Workers of ILO, for leading the effort that has resulted to the landmark convention.

He said that the landmark treaty recognizes domestic work as work and not a form of slavery and requires member-countries of the ILO to take steps to protect domestic workers and end their abuses, explaining that the new Convention will provide protection and labor standards to Filipino domestic workers worldwide as well as the world’s domestic workers.

“The convention 189 ensures that our domestic workers will surely enjoy freedom of association and can exercise their right to collective bargaining where this mandates governments to identify and to eliminate any legislative or administrative restrictions or other obstacles to the rights of domestic workers,” Trillanes said.

Last June 16 2011, the Convention was approved during the 100th International Labor Conference of the Geneva-based organization. (Jason de Asis) 

NIA eyes rehab of .52-M hectares Phl irrigation systems

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, July 9, 2011-National Irrigation Administrator Antonio Nangel revealed that the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has bared its own six-year irrigation roadmap to support the government’s Rice Self Sufficiency Roadmap (RSSR) program, anchored principally on the restoration and rehabilitation of 525,017 hectares of non-functional irrigation systems all over the country.

Nangel said that the prioritization of non-functional irrigation systems, classified as national irrigation systems (NIS) and communal irrigation systems (CIS) is in line with the RSSR formulated by the Department of Agriculture under the leadership of Secretary Proceso Alcala which has been supported by President Aquino.

“An initial P30 billion to be sourced from allocations under the General Appropriations Act and loans will be used to finance up to 2013 the rehab and restoration of NIS and CIS nationwide,” Nangel said.

NIS involves systems with serviceable areas of 1,000 hectares and above, among which are the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System which operates the Pantabangan Dam, the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System which supervises the Magat Dam and the Angat-Maasim Irrigation System which manages the Angat Dam.

CIS refers to smaller systems that irrigate less than 1,000 hectares.

Nangel said of the NIA’s total budget of P92.7 billion up to 2016, 68 percent will be allocated for the first three years in which the agency is targeting 2.8 million metric tons of the total incremental palay production from new and restored serviceable areas. This represents 36 percent of the 4.88 million metric tons of the total targeted incremental production.

“For the first three years, NIA expects to generate 166,671 hectares of new serviceable areas, restore 102,612 hectares of inactive serviceable areas and rehabilitate 181,787 hectares of active serviceable areas,” Nangel said, adding that the NIA will be spending an average of P250,000 per  hectare for area generation, some P120,000 per hectare for area restoration and P90,000 per hectare for area rehab.

Aside from focusing on increasing the serviceable area, irrigated area and cropping intensity, the NIA will also embark on promotion of rice-intensifying cropping pattern to increase palay output.

Nangel said NIA will prioritize short-gestation projects fast-track irrigated area roll-out and promote crop yield-enhancing farming system to expand the serviceable area. “This will adopt water saving irrigation methods, including controlled irrigation practices,” Nangel added.

Regarding NIA priority projects up to 2016 in support of the DA’s RSSR, Nangel said that the agency is spending P12.7 billion for agency projects in 2011, P30 billion in 2012, P20 billion in 2013, P15 billion in 2014, P10 billion in 2015 and P5 billion by 2016.

This will be utilized to generate 286,262 hectares, restore 166,130 hectares and rehabilitate 358,887 hectares by 2016. Of the targeted generated areas, some 27,130 hectares are expected to be realized this year;  74,140 has. in 2012; 65,401 has. in 2013; 56,575 has. in 2014; 41,428 has. in 2015 and 14,221 has. in 2016.

Nangel said that for the five-year period, the targeted harvested areas will be 16,917,211 hectares broken down into 8,058,210 for the wet season; 7,687,630 has. for the dry season and 1,171,371 has. for the third crop.  

“Our country has 30 million hectares of agricultural lands of which 3,126,340 hectares are potential irrigable area based on the 3 percent slope criteria. Of the 3,126,340 hectares, NIA has developed 49 percent or 1,542,668 hectares involving 767,006 hectares for NIS, some 558,333 hectares for CIS and 217,329 hectares for private irrigation systems,” Nangel said.

He explained that the government also has identified 1,584,232 hectares in remaining potential areas to be developed. (Jason de Asis)

Bishop warns of unrest over Hacienda Luisita row

MANILA, July 8, 2011-The Aquino government could face a turbulent time of domestic unrest and challenges if it will remain silent on the disputed Hacienda Luisita, a Catholic bishop said. 

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo gave the toughly worded warning Friday and called on President Benigno Aquino III to act on the issue based on what is just and lawful.

“Rural unrest could break out in the absence of genuine implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with extension and reform (CARPer) Law,” Pabillo said in a press conference.

“He, and his advisers, should also bear in mind that the issue of land lies at the heart of the current peace process,” he said.

Pabillo said there is no room for neutrality when agrarian reform is concerned and when what is at stake is the plight of the farmers.

He challenged Aquino to prove his sincerity for the poor by siding with the farmers of Hacienda Luisita, a 6,453-hectare sugar plantation in Tarlac owned by the family the president’s family.

“We call on President Aquino’s leadership to seize the chance presented by the tragic SC ruling. As Chief Executive, he cannot continue washing his hands on this issue,” Pabillo said.

Pabillo, head of the National Secretariat for Social Action of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, stressed that land distribution is “the only path” towards justice and economic sustainability.

Pabillo said that as chief executive, Aquino cannot continue “washing his hands” on the issue.

“What kind of presidency does he hope to offer this country if he cannot even make his own family relinquish its stranglehold on properties that in the first place were acquired through government resources?” he said.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court (SC) revoked the stock distribution option (SDO) first offered by the Hacienda Luisita, Inc. (HLI) management.

Under the SDO, farm workers were given the option to acquire shares of stocks instead of gaining land ownerships.

The high court, however, ordered the Department of Agrarian Reform to hold another referendum among farm-workers to determine their choice between stocks or parcels of land.

The issue now lies in Aquino’s hands, according to Pabillo.

He said it is well within Aquino’s power to order DAR to distribute the land according to the spirit and conditions of the agrarian reform law.

“The integrity of his social contract is clouded in doubts and mistrust until he finally learns to give precedence to the poor through social justice,” he said. (CBCPNews)

Aurora rebel returnee’s village to rise in Maria Aurora town

Photo left: Ltc Decapia, Right: Gov. Angara-Castillo 

CALABUANAN, Baler, Aurora, July 8, 2011-Ltc Kurt A. Decapia, Battalion Commander of the 48^th Infantry Batallion, Philippine Army revealed yesterday here that Aurora Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Maria Aurora Mayor Ariel Bitong is now seeking for the place for the rebels who returned to the uphold of the law.

“I am very thankful to Gov. Angara-Castillo for her continuous support to Army troopers,” Decapia said, explaining that Angara-Castillo wanted a village for the former rebels in Maria Aurora town where there is free house and lot for them, schools, day care centers, chapels, health centers among others to mention a few of her plan for the former rebels.

Decapia said that 18 former New People’s Army (NPA) were awarded P50,000 worth livelihood assistance each with a total of P900,000 from the Social Integration Program (SIP) of the government at the governor’s conference hall at the Capitol during the peace and order council meeting last June 28, 2011.

“Actually, they were 21 NPA to be awarded the cash money but only 18 among them attended,” Decapia said, explaining that the cash money totaled to P1,050,000 if the other 3 are present during that time.

Photo show Ltc Decapia and Mr. Jason de Asis in white T-shirt.

Decapia did not specify why the 3 could not make it to attend on the peace and order council meeting to receive the reward, however, he said that there are 12 former rebels whose papers are still on process to give the same amount for their livelihood.

Decapia said that these former rebels already created their own cooperatives to make sure that their livelihood assistance will surely be productive and sustainable.

“They already established “People’s Advocacy for Collaboration and Empowerment (PEACE) credit cooperative who chaired by Ariel Catipon as the chairman of the board,” Decapia said, manifesting that the provincial government is sincere in helping former members of the NPA to start a new life, living in a healthy lives and peaceful means.

Decapia reiterated that the provincial government of Aurora will provide a housing project that will initially provide shelter to at least forty (40) beneficiaries targeted to start on October this year which envisioned as a self sustaining community with schools, health center and livelihood in order for the beneficiaries to have a better life as Angara-Castillo relayed to Decapia.

“The government has always opened its door for the peaceful returns of the NPA. This is an example of our genuine efforts in helping former rebels,” Decapia said.

“We are always encouraging members of the NPA to return to the folds of the law peacefully but we are also always ready to protect the people if they try to destroy the peace and stability of the entire province,” Decapia said, adding that a lot of infrastructure development and increase in economic and tourism activity are now felt as the effect of “Insurgency Free Aurora”. (Jason de Asis)

Bishops to return donated SUVs to PCSO

MANILA, Philippines, July 7, 2011- Catholic bishops who received sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from a state-owned lottery said they are returning them back to the agency.

Among them is Butuan Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos who got a P1.629 million-worth Mitsubishi Montero from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in 2009.

“I don’t see any problem with that. I am riding a very old vehicle within the diocese itself. I could even ride a small vehicle if it is necessary. It will not really be a problem,” Pueblos said.

The bishop said he is also willing to attend the ongoing Senate investigation into the alleged anomalous transactions by the PCSO during the Arroyo administration.

“Yes, I would even like to make a privilege speech in Senate,” he said. “It’s a character assassination what they did to me and because of this I have also in sort of to defend myself.”

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said he is willing to return the P1.225 million Mitsubishi Estrada that his diocese bought using the financial aid they received from the PCSO in 2009.

“If they want to get it, it’s ready. We can return it to them,” Jumoad said.

Jumoad reiterated that the pick-up utility vehicle is being used not as his personal car but for medical and relief operations in Basilan.

The present PCSO administration said an audit showed that at least 6.9 million in charity funds were used to buy vehicles upon the request of some bishops.

Such donations, it said, violate a law prohibiting the use of government money for religious purposes.

Bishops Deogracias Iñiguez of Kalookan and Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon agree that the vehicles should given back to the PCSO to finally put an end to the controversy.

“Just return the vehicles to put an end to this issue. Not doing so will only fuel speculations,” said Iñiguez.

“Return all these vehicles to PNoy (President Aquino). They’ll make it appear that the bishops personally used those vehicles when the bishops didn’t,” Bastes said.

The Aquino administration earlier said they are leaving the decision to the bishops whether or not to return the vehicles.

But Malacañang defended the PCSO expose saying that it is only doing its job of promoting transparency in their search for truth.

Other bishops who received budget for buying an SUV are Archbishops Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato, Romulo Valles of Zamboanga, Ernesto Salgado ofNueva Segovia, Bishops Rodolfo Beltran of Bontoc-Lagawe, and Leopoldo Jaucian of Abra. (CBCP News)

3 dead bodies found in an empty lot in Bulacan

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan, July 7, 2011-Police Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez reported that three bodies believed to be victims of summary killings were discovered here Wednesday in an empty lot at Citta Subdivision, Barangay Gaya-gaya.

The cadavers bounded and staffed in carton boxes were found in an empty lot, saying that the two corpses also had tattoos of the “Sputnik” street gang.

The residents in the place thought that the three boxes lying in the grassy lot contained abandoned appliances.

“Whoever dumped the still unidentified bodies deliberately made the boxes look like they held nothing but trash,” Hernandez said, noting that the victims bore no knife or gunshot wounds, and appeared to have been strangled.

Earlier, witnesses revealed that on Tuesday evening a white car was parked by the area where the bodies were discovered the next morning while the authorities also found an abandoned motorcycle nearby with plate number UIZ-6643.

Police investigators said that the victims may not have been residents of the area, saying that the motorcycle recovered was registered outside of Bulacan, and a bank book found on one of the bodies had an address in Marikina. (Jason de Asis)

Legarda bats for the urgent upgrading of Phl drainage systems

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, July 6, 2011-Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the senate committee on climate change lamented the recent flash floods that resulted to the lost of at least 30 lives in Davao City, saying that the lack of drainage system upgrades and other long-term remedies to waterway congestion exacerbates destructive floods in metropolitan areas.

To prevent floods in congested urban zones, primarily in Metro Manila where heavy rainfall immediately flooded main thoroughfares yesterday, Legarda urged the government for the long-term investments for the upgrading of the Philippine drainage system.

Legarda explained that the upgrading of drainage systems entails increasing the capacity of drainage systems to hold and flush out more water, in response to increasing rain landfall and rising sea levels, saying that the present capacity of the Metro Manila drainage and flood control systems is said to be less than 50%.

“Streets undergo major clean-ups after a flood, but the underground pipes clogged with garbage and other debris from the floods was typically neglected; thus, there is a need to ensure that we direct resources in cleaning up creeks and waterways that are central to our flood prevention strategy,” Legarda said.

“The recent warning from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that the country has to expect 12 to 15 more typhoons before the year ends should be pre-empted,” Legarda furthered, explaining that the different levels of government are better equipped to prepare for these typhoons with improved early warning systems and evacuation protocols.

“There is a need to finally turn the public eye for a comprehensive long-term solutions in the upgrading of the country’s drainage system and flood control plans as the next steps in climate change adaptation since typhoons are expected to hit the country in higher intensity,” Legarda said.

The Senator pointed out that the flood prevention outlays are small amounts to shell out seeing that they save the government and people huge amount of money when natural hazards strike, explaining that climate change adaptation tools are investments, not costs.

“I note Department of Public Works and Highway’s efforts to review an effective flood control infrastructure that would significantly diminish floods in parts of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces that destroy public infrastructures, housing, and livelihoods, costing us millions of pesos each time, let alone causing tragic loss of human life,” Legarda said; thus, the benefits from flood control projects tremendously exceed the costs in building them, adding that the strategies for climate change adaptation exist.

“Once again, I urge Local Government Units and agencies under the executive department to responsibly allot funds for long-term measures that would ultimately save pesos as well as precious lives,” Legarda ended. (Jason de Asis)

Only the guilty would consider search for the truth about corruption-Lacson

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, July 6, 2011-Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said Wednesday that only the guilty would consider searching for the truth about corruption a waste of time where he brushed off Negros Occidental Representative Ignacio Arroyo Jr.'s claim that reopening the Jose Pidal account will be a shameless and monumental waste of time.

Lacson said that the search for truth about corruption and misuse and abuse of public funds will never be a waste of time and resources. Only those who support such shenanigans are themselves guilty of committing those acts will say so, adding that if going after crooks in government, especially those who take advantage of public funds, is a waste of time, I'd still spend a lifetime pursuing it.

Earlier, Lacson said he may have evidence disproving the claim of Representative Arroyo - a brother of former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo - that he owns the “Jose Pidal” accounts.

Rep. Arroyo is now a colleague of his sister-in-law, former President Gloria Arroyo, in the House of Representatives.

In 2003, Lacson delivered a privilege speech where he linked the then First Gentleman to the “Jose Pidal” bank accounts, which documents showed were used for laundering money.

While the then First Gentleman denied the allegations, now Rep. Arroyo came forward and claimed that he was the owner of the bank accounts.

On Tuesday, Rep. Arroyo said in a statement that a Senate probe had been conducted but no wrongdoing on our part was proven. “Why should Senator Lacson waste time on another replay? For media mileage,” he was quoted as saying.

“What is truly shameless and monumental is the Arroyos’ reign of manipulation, fraud and deceit,” Lacson said, adding that contrary to Iggy's claim, there was no closure in the Jose Pidal probe because it was swept under the rug by his persistent invoking of his right to privacy. (Jason de Asis)

Lacson revealed 2009 P105 million probe helicopters sold to PNP

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, July 5, 2011-Senator Panfilo M. Lacson revealed that he has a copy of documents indicating that the Arroyos were the former owners of the helicopters which were forcibly sold and priced as brand-new to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for P105 million last 2009, saying that the sale of the choppers may make the Arroyos along with all those who took part in the sale prime candidates for a plunder case as the amount involved exceeded P50 million.

Lacson exposed that the initial findings would indicate that the previous and original owners of the pre-owned, yet sold as brand-new light police operational helicopters are the Arroyos. While it's bad enough that the two units were overpriced and therefore grossly disadvantageous to the government, passing them off as brand-new smacks of brazen deceit and utmost bad faith.

Lacson had initiated an investigation into alleged misrepresentations in the P105-million purchase of light operational helicopters by the Philippine National Police's elite Special Action Force (SAF); thus, the Senator together with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Teofisto Guingona III have filed Senate Resolution 518 to take a closer look at the acquisition of the Light Police Operational Helicopters (LPOHs) from Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corp. (MAPTRA).

Lacson said that while the PNP officials involved in the deal were complicit partners, they are the least to blame in this anomalous transaction, saying that the first couple was so powerful at that time that ramming the used helicopters down the throat of the police was easy and effortless.

He said that since the proceeds could exceed the P50-million threshold in a series of acts, those liable are candidates for a plunder case under the country’s existing laws.

Earlier, the PNP Negotiation Committee recommended the award of the contract to MAPTRA for one Robinson R44 Raven II and two Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters last July 9, 2009.

But it was later learned that MAPTRA had been engaged in the business only in June 2009. Also, it was learned the supposedly new choppers were pre-owned as far back as March 2004. (Jason de Asis)

Kids drowned in Bulacan, Pampanga, Aurora and Zambales

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, June 28, 2011-Police authorities reported that death toll has risen in central Luzon due to typhoon Falcon; the victims were identified as Ranny Bernardo of Sto. Nino, Hagonoy Bulacan, Marlon Jay Musni from Sta. Cruz,  Mexico, Pampanga, and Fedelito Muana Jr. from East Bajac-bajac, Olongapo City, Zambales and April Rose Caruluan of Baler, Aurora.

Authorities stated that the latest victim was Musni, the one who was drowned in the creek of Pampanga rice field says police investigators led by PO3 Jonathan Barcelon. Musni was 15 years old, 3^rd year high school student and a residence of Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Mexico, Pampanga and reportedly catching cricket (kamaru) together with his four (4) cousins at the flooded rice field when Musni accidentally slipped and fell down into the water irrigation around nine Saturday morning.

Due to the strong current, the victim was swept to the culvert box of the creek and as of this writings the victim could not be located while search and rescue operation is still going on.

In Aurora province, Baler police authorities reported that at around eight o’clock in the morning, Reyman Caruluan, legal age and his daughter April Rose Caruluan, 15 years old, other data unknown were crossing Tirong River when April Rose was carried away by the strong current of the river.

Search and rescue operation was still on-going. As of this report said victim is still missing.

It was reported that there were over 7,100 families or 34,000 persons were still in evacuation centers here in central Luzon.

Safe Kids Philippines, the Philippine Life Saving Society and the Department of Health entitled,” “Child drowning in the Philippines: The silent killer speaks” revealed that drowning is now the second leading cause of death among children outnumbering deaths from serious diseases such as tuberculosis, diarrhea, malnutrition, cancer and meningitis. (Jason de Asis)

Legarda warned Phl officials for effective Dam water release in the country

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, June 27, 2011-To maintain strict vigilance as heavy rains continue to pour, leading to the overflowing of several dams and rivers in the country, Senator Loren Legarda calls for effective early warning system for Dam water release as she warned local government officials and government agencies to the possible bad effects of it if mistaken.

“The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the recent heavy rains were 14 times higher than the daily average recorded every June of the previous years,” Legarda cited, revealing that the continuous heavy rains had led to the overflow of Tullahan and Marikina rivers as well as the La Mesa, Ipo, Binga and Ambuklao dams which reached their spilling level.

Legarda furthered that thousands of families in affected areas were brought to different evacuation centers saying that over 69,000 families in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Bicol Region were affected by Typhoon Falcon. In Marikina alone, at least 25,000 residents near the Marikina River were evacuated.

“We should be reminded of what happened during Pepeng, when waters from the San Roque Dam which was unduly released in the middle of the night. The dam operators, local and government officials must be vigilant in monitoring the situation round-the-clock, ensure that the proper protocols are followed, employ their early warning systems and guarantee the safety of the Filipinos as they are evacuated to safety,” the Senator stressed, adding that the country’s experiences with the typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng and Basyang exposed the country’s lack of an effective weather forecasting and early warning communications systems.

“They are either underutilized or outdated or inadequate to effectively predict typhoons, determine their intensity, and communicate warning to everyone exposed to these hazards,” Legarda said, revealing that the critical gaps in operational, scientific and institutional capacity can lead to increasing the vulnerability of the poorest sectors those living in high-risk areas and whose livelihoods are at the mercy of extreme weather events.

Legarda bats the Department of Energy and the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) to review their planning and operations in light of the science available and to ensure that extreme weather events are taken into consideration in the process.

“The lesson that we encountered two years ago must be reminded so that the dam operators should follow water release protocols,” Legarda said. “Have the dam operators updated their water release protocols?” she asked.

Legarda said that the country’s hydropower systems must be climate-resilient, which entails measures for improved management of our dams linked to reliable weather forecasts and effective early warning systems for communities at risk of floods due to dam water releases.

“As dams reach spilling levels due to heavy rains, it must be ensured by the operators that they do not indiscriminately release dam waters, that the warnings reach the communities that will be affected and that the alerts allow them to respond ahead of time. Meanwhile, our local governments must make sure that flood warnings are heed by the communities,” Legarda concluded.

It could be remembered that last 2009, the Senate Committee on Climate Change conducted a series of public hearings after the onslaught of Ondoy and Pepeng which was chaired by Legarda where they discussed the dam operations and management which waters were released based on outdated protocols, flooding several provinces in Luzon. (Jason de Asis)

Aurora governor lauded by NSWMC for effective waste management

BALER, Aurora, June 26, 2011-Aurora governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo who is a staunch environmental advocate was conferred a recognition by the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) for pushing the implementation of the national government’s solid waste management program here Yesterday.

“Angara-Castillo’s exemplary leadership, performance and contribution in achieving the objectives of Republic Act 9003” or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act in the province serves as a great help in protecting the environment,” Emelita Aguinaldo, NSWMC executive director said.

During the awarding ceremonies at the session hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan yesterday afternoon, the plaque of recognition was handed to Angara-Castillo by Ma. Alma Ferareza, NSWMC senior environmental management specialist. The conferment of the commission’s recognition was one of the highlights of the “Gawad Punong Lalawigan para sa Kapaligiran” (GPLK) rites here.

Angara-Castillo rallied her co-Aurorans to help preserve the province’s dense forest cover, saying that the provincial leadership is singularly focused on protecting and preserving the environment and to maintain the image of Aurora as the province with the largest forest cover in the entire country.

Angara-Castillo gave out P325,000 in cash to individuals and establishments who stood out in the provincial government-initiated incentives program for clean and green advocacies.

The GPLK is the provincial counterpart of the national government’s Gawad Pangulo Para sa Kapaligiran which was implemented then discontinued in 2005 reportedly for lack of funds while the provincial government of Aurora continued the program in line with Angara-Castillo development agenda which include environmental protection.

Traditionally, the GPLK is being held every February but it was moved to June in line with the observance of Environment Month.

The awards cover various categories such as cleanest and greenest municipality (urban and rural), cleanest and greenest barangay (urban and rural), cleanest and greenest school (small elementary school, big elementary school, high school and college/university category), cleanest/greenest church (Catholic and non-Catholic category), cleanest/greenest store/food establishment, cleanest/greenest hotel/recreation center, best office Ecological Solid Waste Management Program implementer (without compound and with compound), best utility ESWMP implementer and special awards as most environment-friendly mayor and most environment-friendly school.

The panel of judges was composed of engineer Cristina dela Cruz, Josephine Leander, Rosanna Querijero, Sherylle Bernadette Natividad, Domingo Gonzales Jr., Geroldo Custodio, Rogelio Baturi, Rommel Lombres, Roderic Torre and Dennis Caanawan. 

Emerging as cleanest and greenest non-Catholic church was the Holy Place Pentecost Church, Inc. based in Dingalan. The HPPCTI, led by its president Ruth G. Sanchez received P5,000 in cash and a plaque.

The HPPCTI, a perennial winner of the yearly search, and which has a congregation in Barangay Caragsacan, Dingalan also maintains outreaches in Barangays Ibuna and Dikapanikian.

Placing second was the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church in Ma. Aurora.

In the Catholic category, the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church in Ma. Aurora topped the list.

Mayor Tito Tubigan was conferred the most environment-friendly mayor while the Bazal Elementary School, Ditumabo ES and the Canili National High School were hailed as most environment-friendly schools.

The other awardees were the municipalities of Baler, Ma. Aurora and San Luis and Casiguran (cleanest and greenest municipality, urban category), and the towns of Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Dingalan and Dilasag (rural category); Barangay Calabuanan, Baler (cleanest and greenest barangay, urban) and Barangays Zone 1, Dinalungan and Mucdol, Dipaculao (rural) as cleanest and greenest barangay.

Adjudged as cleanest and greenest schools (small ES category) were Diome ES, Bazal ES, Estonilo ES, Kadayakan ES and Ramada ES (Ma. Aurora), Mucdol ES and T. Molina ES (Dipaculao) and Paltic ES (Dingalan) and Diagyan ES (Dilasag); San Luis Central School, Dinalungan CS, Ditumabo ES, Baler CS, Casiguran CS, Dipaculao CS, Dilasag CS, Ma. Aurora CS, Dingalan CS and Bianoan ES (big ES category) and Don Mariano Marquez National High School, Juan C. Angara NHS, Canili NHS, Calabuanan NHS (Baler), Mucdol NHS (Dipaculao), Ramada NHS (Ma. Aurora), Dilasag NHS, Lual NHS (Casiguran), St. Patrick Academy (Dingalan) and Mayor Cesario Pimentel NHS (high school category) and Mt. Carmel College (Baler), college/university category;

Bahia de Baler 1, La Cez Foodhaus and Bay’s Inn Restaurant (cleanest and greenest store/establishment); Bahia de Baler 2, Dinadiawan Beach Resort and Lorentess Resort (cleanest and greenest hotel/recreation center); provincial tourism office, governor’s office and provincial administrator’s office and provincial social welfare and development office (best office ESWMP implementer without compound); peace empowerment and advancement center for employment and provincial veterinary office (with compound) ; Rhealyn Santelises, Eufemia Bonifacio, Evelyn Samonte, Adelina Gonzales and Marlyn Valenzuela (best utility ESWMP implementer)

Fourteen heavy-duty grass-cutters imported from Japan were also handed out during the ceremonies.    

The awarding ceremony was graced by Vice Governor Gerardo Noveras and Mayors Arthur Angara (Baler), Tubigan and Ariel Bitong (Ma. Aurora), Philippine Coconut Authority regional manager Dennis Calub,  Alma Ferareza,  Belly Cabeso of the NSWMC, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Luzon regional technical director for research Juliet Tecson, DENR provincial environment and natural resources officer Benjamin Mina, DENR community officers Raul Batang, Alfredo Collado and Jerry Casala and Babes de Luna of the Aurora environment and natural resources office. (Jason de Asis)