PCCI names Tarlac as ‘Most Business Friendly’ province for second straight year

TARLAC CITY-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has named Tarlac as the “Most Business Friendly” province in the entire archipelago for the second straight year.

 

“PCCI based the award on five criteria namely trade, investments and tourism promotions; public-private partnership; micro, small and medium enterprises development; quality management system, innovations and human resource development; and inter-local government relations,” Provincial Media Affairs Office chief Arvin Cabalu disclosed.

 

Tarlac defeated national finalists Isabela, Camarines Sur, Bulacan, and La Union.

 

In a statement, Governor Victor Yap thanked PCCI for recognizing his administration’s efforts and the province’s achievements anew during the past 12 months.

 

“This is an award that is dedicated for the people of Tarlac province for without their full cooperation and support to my administration’s programs and projects, this award will never be realized,” Yap said.

 

In relation, PCCI-Tarlac was likewise named as best chamber in the entire country.

 

Chapter president Deogracias Baron received the recognition in behalf of the group. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

PRO3 GEARS UP FOR “ALL SAINTS’ AND ALL SOULS’ DAY 2013”

Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga –After the successful turned out of barangay election, Police Regional Office 3 under the leadership of its Regional Director, PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA, RD, PRO3 is still on its toes as the same state of security preparedness is being continued to address security and public safety concerns in the entire region in the observance of the All Saints’ and Souls’ Day in consonance with “IMPLAN 77/2013” (All Saints’ and Souls’ Day 2013).

 

PCSUPT PETRASANTA stamped his directives to all City/Provincial Directors from the different Police Provincial/City Police Offices to continuously conduct police focused operations and sustain the level of alertness and vigilance displayed during elections and on other forthcoming holiday activities. Likewise, security inspections and police presence are further intensified in all bus terminals and places of convergence. Stringent anti-criminality information drive is also being carried out in barangays and commercial business areas as one of its pro-active measures to complement its operations.

 

As early as October 27, 2013, Police Assistance Desk were put in place for purposes of election, it shall be converted into Police Assistance Hubs in full force to cover all cemeteries and transport terminals, not only to ensure public safety and order, but also to provide public assistance to missing persons particularly children and elderly; and those who will experience health problems cause by sudden change in temperature due to sudden influx of cemetery goers, this is in collaboration with other agencies and volunteer organizations. This will be complemented by carpeted deployment of Motorist Assistance Hubs in major thoroughfares and secondary roads in the region starting October 31, 2013 round the clock.

 

Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams/Barangay Tanods are also deputized by the PNP to assist in the implementation of IMPLAN KALULUWA as a left behind force together with the police to patrol residential areas, business establishments and economic key points to thwart criminality, while practicing catholic community are away spending the day in the cemetery to commemorate their departed loved ones and at the same time rekindle ties with relatives taking time-off during holiday.

Drilon’s PDAF utilization from 2010-2013 totals P293-M

MANILA-The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) data show that Senate President Franklin M. Drilon has been prudent in his use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) since he came back to the Senate in 2010 and that not a single centavo of his PDAF went to bogus non-government organizations.

According to the DBM website (www.dbm.gov.ph), a total of P293 million worth of projects has been released to the Senate Chief, way below the P600 million he was supposed to avail from the DBM from the years 2010 to 2013. Senators are entitled to P200 million PDAF a year.

“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, I am releasing all my PDAF availments since 2010. I had no PDAF releases during previous years. I was not given a single peso in 2005 and 2006,” he said. “These can be accessed through the website of the Department of Budget and Management.”

“The DBM, all along, has been publishing data on the PDAF allocation of all members of Congress in its website. The DBM data show that I have not fully availed the PDAF allotted to me from 2010 to 2013. In fact, I have only utilized 48.83 percent of the PDAF allotted to me for projects from 2010 to 2013,” emphasized Drilon.    

He stressed, “What is more important here is that the record shows that no single centavo of the PDAF allotted to me as a senator went to bogus non-government organizations.”

The biggest amount of the PDAF allocated to Drilon, amounting P153.35 million, was spent for various infrastructure programs which was directly implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Contrary to claims of my detractors, the budget I requested under the PDAF for the construction of priority infrastructure was managed by the DPWH. I had no hand in the actual project implementation and in choosing the contractors. That is a job of the DPWH,” pointed outDrilon.

The amount includes the P32.5 million to fund his school building program nationwide which was coursed through the Filipino Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a recognized non-government organization under the General Appropriations Act, he noted.

“The Filipino Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a recognized non-government organization and definitely, it’s not fake. It has been my partner since 2002 and to date, we were able to build about 1,600 classrooms nationwide which helped in the government’s effort to close the problem on classroom shortages,” emphasized Drilon. 

The senator likewise spent P81.65 million for the medical assistance needs of indigent families nationwide coursed through the Department of Health-attached hospitals.

In 2013, Drilon allotted P1.5 million to the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center. Last year, he allocated P79 million for financial assistance indigent patients seeking treatment at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (P42.5 million), University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (P21 million), Philippine Heart Center (P7.5 million), Western Visayas Regional Hospital (P3 million), Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (P2 million), Philippine Children’s Medical Center (P2 million), West Visayas State University Medical Center (P1.15 million), and Bicol Medical Center (P500,000).

Aside from the P21 million allotted to the PGH for medical assistance to indigent patients,Drilon also allocated P50 million to PGH charged against his 2010 PDAF for the upgrading and renovation of the dilapidated operating rooms, including acquisition of medical equipment.

Likewise, Drilon assigned additional P5 million to the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) charged against his 2012 PDAF for the renovation of a dilapidated PHC Cardiovascular Sciences Division to provide a better health service.

In 2011, Drilon allotted P500,000 for the construction of a rural health center in San Jose, Camarines Sur.

On the DAP allocation, Drilon said he will await the DBM to comply with the instruction of the President for it to disclose fund allocation under DAP.

“The DBM will publish the DAP allocation like what it has been doing in the case of the PDAF. All allocations made under DAP will be made available by the DBM including those requested by lawmakers,” he said.

Drilon said a big chunk of fund releases under DAP that he requested from the DBM were used for infrastructure projects in Iloilo which is seeking to host the Asia Pacific Economic Conference ministerial meeting in 2015.

“I can account for every peso that was allotted to me under the PDAF or DAP. I do not have a history of malfeasance and misuse of government funds. I am sure that that not a single centavo was channeled to bogus non-government,” he said.

Table. Summary of PDAF Allocation of Drilon (2010-2013)

Items of Expenditure	2013	2012	2011	2010	2010-2013
Nationwide School Building Program		32,500,000			32,500,000
Infrastructure	41,000,000	61,850,000	18,000,000		120,850,000
Financial Assistance to Indigent Patients in Government Hospitals	1,500,000	79,650,000	500,000		81,650,000
Social Services (DSWD)	2,000,000		1,000,000		3,000,000
Renovation of Phil. Heart Center and PGH		5,000,000		50,000,000	55,000,000
Total	44,500,000	179,000,000	19,500,000	50,000,000	293,000,000

Note: To access data on Drilon’s PDAF, follow this link:

http://pdaf.dbm.gov.ph/index.php?r=Site/Upperhouse_breakdown/legislatorId/475/fy/2010

Drilon thanked by Iloilo mayors, philanthropists, solon for major Iloilo projects

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon expressed gratitude to those who continue to support him amid the barrage of negative propaganda hurled against him.

“I am deeply grateful for the support of various individuals and sectors in spite of efforts of my detractors to malign me through a highly-funded media vilification campaign,” said Drilon.

“Their testimonials recognize the fact that the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allotted to me for projects and programs were spent properly and contrary to claims of my detractors, not a single centavo of these funds was channeled to bogus non-government organizations or ghost projects,” emphasized Drilon.  

The League of Municipalities in the Philippines’ Iloilo chapter declared its “unwavering support” for Drilon through a resolution passed recently.

In its resolution, the LMP-Iloilo said it continues to believe in the integrity of Senate President Franklin Drilon.

“Despite his unblemished record in public service, he is being criticized by noisy political mercenaries who are out to spread misinformation and half-truths,” said Barotac Viejo Mayor Niel “Beng” Tupas III.

Likewise, a volunteer group along with Rep. Arcadio Gorriceta of 2^nd District of Iloilo thanks Drilon in a public manifesto, citing his vital contributions to the development of major projects in the province.

In the manifesto, Gorriceta and the philanthropists behind the “ONE MEAL PROGRAM” thanked Drilon for “his love and concern to the Ilongos” and lauded him “for promoting development and progress in the province.”

Along with Gorriceta, those who signed the letter include One Meal program chairman and known philanthropist Teresa Chan, and members Pinky Rojo, Baby Porras, Maribel Hailey, and Antonietta Chan, among others.  

The projects made possible through the support of the Senate chief include the Benigno S. Aquino Avenue Widening Project, the Metro Iloilo Radial Road and the Iloilo International Airport.

The new airport is set to “promote economic development and tourism in Western Visayas by making Iloilo accessible to direct international flights,” added Gorriceta.  

Gorriceta and the others also noted the senator’s assistance with the Iloilo River Esplanade and the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project, considered as the first and largest reservoir dam outside of Luzon.

“This will provide bulk water for consumption, irrigation to boost agriculture and hydropower plant to provide electricity for Iloilo,” the group explained.   

The letter also mentions Drilon’s assistance with the development of the two-storey Iloilo Convention Center and the 14.18-kilometer Iloilo Circumferential Road.

The civic group also thanked Drilon for providing the initial funding of the One Meal Program.

“This fund has gone a long way in the successful implementation of our programs intended to promote quality education in depressed barangays by construction of new school buildings, repair of classrooms, donations of books and feeding programs to indigent students,” the group remarked. 

JINGGOY BRINGS MORE AID TO BOHOL

MANILA-As promised, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada returned to the earthquake-hit province of Bohol last Sunday to deliver additional aid and food supplies to the victims.

 

It can be remembered that Sen. Estrada visited Bohol, specifically the municipalities of Sagbayan and Calape last October 20 and pledged to bring more relief to the residents.

 

This time, Sen. Estrada visited the coastal town of Maribojoc, one of the worst hit areas by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake which placed the entire province in a state of calamity. Sen. Estrada was welcomed by Mayor Leoncio Evasco, Jr. and Vice Mayor Fructuoso Redulla, Jr., and was accompanied by Cong. Erico Aumentado.

 

Vice Mayor Redulla says that Sen. Estrada is the first national government official to visit and set foot on their town since the earthquake happened last October 15.

 

A five-member team composed of doctors, a nurse and medical technologists from the Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA which is conducting stress debriefing sessions for the affected families says that seeing national officials on site is a positive development for the morale and overall mental health of the victims.

 

Dr. Mon Martin, a member of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team that is providing psychological intervention to those who experienced the tragedy and to those who lost relatives, properties and livelihood, says that the said visit by Estrada uplifts their spirits, signals to the victims that help and assistance are on the way and this gives them hope.

 

Sen. Estrada spent an afternoon in Maribojoc and visited a total of seven barangays, namely Barangays Dipatlong, Poblacion, Anislag, San Vicente, Lincod, San Roque, and Bayacabac.

 

According to the local disaster relief operations, 20,588 individuals from 4,526 families and 22 barangays were affected by the earthquake. Disaster operations report also show that 1,917 houses were totally damaged, while 1,850 houses were partially damaged. The municipality also recorded 17 casualties and 340 injured.

 

Apart from sacks of rice, canned goods and drinking water, Sen. Estrada also brought boxes of vitamins, antibiotics, and other essential medicine.

 

Before proceeding to Maribojoc, Sen. Estrada paid a courtesy call to the provincial capitol and handed over a two-million peso check from the City of Manila to Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto.

 

The City of Manila led by former President and Mayor Joseph Estrada was represented by his son, Jinggoy, and City Administrator Simeon Garcia, Jr.

 

Administrator Garcia says the financial donation was their way of helping the Boholanos and the local government in its relief operations and immediate rehabilitation.

Village polls in CL generally peaceful says COMELEC

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has declared the conduct of the 2013 barangay elections in Central Luzon as generally peaceful, honest, and orderly.

 

“We are glad to note that elections pushed through in all 3,102 barangays. There are however reports of minor incidents that occurred such as vote buying and illegal distribution of campaign materials,” COMELEC Regional Election Director Rafael Olano disclosed.

 

The election period will still be in effect until November 12 and winning candidates will officially assume office on November 30.

 

Olaño disclosed that figures from the Philippine National Police show that a total of 91 persons have been arrested for violating the gun ban.

 

Some 24,816 positions were up for grabs last Monday in Central Luzon including 3,102 punong barangays and 21,714 kagawads.

 

The region had 19,050 clustered precincts in 2,817 voting centers.

Six million CL residents eligible to vote in today’s barangay polls

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-A total of 6,024,929 residents of Central Luzon are eligible to vote in today’s barangay polls- the third highest in the entire archipelago.

 

“Bulacan has the most number of voters with 1,543,058 followed by Nueva Ecija- 1,413,079; Pampanga- 1,284,984; Tarlac- 722,626; Bataan-469,227; Zambales-459,678; and Aurora-132,297,” Commission on Elections Regional Election Director Rafael Olano disclosed.

 

“Central Luzon has 19,050 clustered precincts in 2,817 voting centers of its 3,102 barangays. 57,150 teachers will serve as members of the Board of Tellers or three per precinct,” Olano added.

 

Some 24,816 positions will be up for grabs consisting of 3,102 punong barangays and 21,714 kagawads.

 

Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier placed 25 villages in Central Luzon under its “1^st priority” watch list.

 

The province of Nueva Ecija topped the list with 10 followed by Bulacan with 9, Tarlac- 3, Pampanga-2, and Aurora-1.

 

“We have considered a lot of things in placing certain barangays under our 1^st priority. This included intense political rivalry, election-related violent incidents in 2007 and 2010, degree of affection relative to the insurgency problem, presence of criminal gangs and gun-for-hire groups in the area, number of loose and not renewed firearms, and presence of partisan armed groups,” PNP Deputy Regional Director for Operations PSSUPT. Manuel Gaerlan.

 

546 villages are under their 2^nd priority while the remaining 2,531 are under their 3^rd priority.

 

“We have formed mediation groups to diffuse any conflict among contending candidates. It is composed of members from religious sectors, academe and informal leaders in the locality,” Gaerlan disclosed.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army has deployed 1,311 troops in Central Luzon to aid around 5,000 police forces in ensuring peaceful village elections.

 

“Since the start of the election period last September 28, we had been supporting PNP in manning over 24,321 checkpoints region wide,” 7th Infantry Division (7ID) Chief Operations Officer Col. Ernesto Torres disclosed.

 

7ID has established a Division Election Monitoring Assistant Center (DEMAC), which is chaired by newly installed chief of staff Colonel Ronald Villanueva, in its headquarters in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija to supervise the preparations and conduct of security operations by the tasked units. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Legarda: Increase Preparedness, Reduce Disasters

Senator Loren Legarda today reiterated the need to shift from reactive efforts to proactive strategies in strengthening the country’s defenses against disasters and climate change.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and on Environment and Natural Resources, reiterated her call for greater focus on disaster prevention following an article by Joe America titled, “The Philippines: The Most Dangerous Land on the Planet”, which was posted on news websites.

“Calamities will happen whether we like it or not, but we can certainly reduce its impacts if we are better prepared. Preparation, not reaction, is the name of the game,” Legarda said.

“The climate change impacts alone have resulted in disasters of unprecedented proportions, causing multiple losses—economic, social, political and even cultural. For the year 2012 alone, the Philippines recorded the highest number of disaster-related deaths in the world with 2,360 deaths; while disaster losses have increased about 18-fold since the 1970s,” the Senator added.

The Senator acknowledged that while the distribution of goods and rehabilitation efforts are vital elements of calamity relief efforts, one cannot diminish the fact that preventing the loss of lives and properties is far more important and strategic.

“We can no longer dismiss the interconnection among the issues of climate change, disasters and poverty. We cannot just build houses for the poor.  We need to make sure they are built in areas that will keep our people away from harm. We cannot just build bridges and roads. We need to build strong and resilient infrastructure in the right place and for the right reasons,” the Senator said. 

Illustrating her point further, the Senator said, “We cannot just coat a leaking pipe with a sealant when what is actually needed is a new and more durable rust-proof pipe that could withstand the next surge of water.”

The Senator stressed that both the national government and local government units (LGUs) must think long-term and do more for improved urban planning and disaster reduction. “For one, let us look at the enforcement of building standards.  Disaster resilience requires good building standards and effective enforcement.  A land use policy needs to be adopted to improve resiliency of infrastructure and communities. This Congress needs to prioritize these measures,” the Senator said.

She explained that the quality of scientific data available to government agencies and LGUs for predicting and forecasting disasters also requires urgent improvement.

Furthermore, local governments must confront the worsening floods. To do this, LGUs must update their data on flood hazards and vulnerabilities, develop their information base on flood losses, invest in flood protection and mitigation, identify safe land for families to live in and implement the solid waste management law at full speed.

Legarda also called on the conduct of a nationwide structural evaluation of all schools and hospitals and the retrofitting of these structures to allow them to withstand strong temblors. Funding, for these retrofitting efforts, will need to be provided.

“A JICA 2004 study suggested that a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila will claim more than 50,000 lives. What have our agencies, who had access to that information nearly 10 years ago, done to pro-actively address the grim scenario pictured by that study, “ Legarda asked. 

She said that Congress needs to direct full support and funding for disaster reduction and resilience efforts.

“We have seen enough tragedies. Nobody can say we have not been warned.  It is time disaster reduction and resilience efforts are given a fair share of the national budget and serious attention by our government,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda: Build On the Gains of PHL’s Gender Equality Policies

Senator Loren Legarda today said that the country must build on the gains of its gender equality laws by ensuring that both men and women are able to reach their full potential.

Legarda made the statement following the release of the 2013 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which showed that the Philippines ranked fifth in the world and first in Asia Pacific in a survey of nations’ ability to close gender gap.

The WEF measured 136 countries’ gender gap in the areas of economic equality, political participation, health and survival, and educational attainment.

“The results of this report indicate that we have crafted effective laws on gender equality and women empowerment, and the implementation of these policies are improving through the years. We were rank 9 in 2010, 8 in 2011 and 2012, and now we’re number 5 in the Global Gender Gap Index,” said Legarda.

“We must build on our gains and continue to provide equal support to men and women in reaching their full potential as individuals and as citizens participating in nation building,” she added.

Legarda also said that the government must continue to ensure the faithful implementation of Republic Act 9710, the Magna Carta of Women, a law she co-authored, which ensures women are protected from violence and other crisis situations, represented and given role in community decision-making, given equal access to education and employment, and provided with access to comprehensive health services, among other provisions.

“As we strive to empower women, we must likewise encourage them to engage in disaster resilience and climate adaptation efforts as these are among the world’s most pressing concerns today,” she stressed.

  

“We must provide women the needed support to have the confidence to lead and be at the forefront of efforts to improve Filipino communities and take initiatives that will contribute to the nation’s progress,” said Legarda.

Cojuanco Family Give Tribute to AFP

Camp Aquino, Tarlac City - The Cojuanco family base in Tarlac City has invited the joint forces from Armed Forces of The Philippines and Philippine National Police for Thanks Giving Dinner yesterday, October 25, 2013 at Las Hacienda De Luisita, Hacienda Luisita Tarlac City.

The Dinner initiated by Cojuanco family was a tribute to the joint efforts of AFP and PNP during the clearing operations of typhoon "Santi" in different affected areas including the access road going to Subic-Tarlac Express Way and the Luisita commercial complex.

The dinner was organized with the Jose Cojuanco and Sons Organization; Central Azucarera De Tarlac; Luisita Realty Corp; and Luisita Golf and Country Club represented by the former Tarlac Governor, Margarita "ting-ting" Cojuanco, Josephine Guingona Cojuanco, Atty Fernando Cojuanco, Jaime Cojuanco Lopa and Celda Teopaco.

The Commander Northern Luzon Command, Maj Gen Gregorio Pio P Catapang Jr, AFP; commander, 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Brig Gen Irrebire; and Police Provincial Director, PSSupt Alfred Corpuz with almost 250 military and police troops were present during the event.

Maj Gen Catapang said, "Global climate change is the strongest enemy that threatened us, however, the AFP has nothing to do with, but the individual preparation has a big contribution in order to limit the effect of calamities.  in other side, I am proud to see that different forces were hand-in-hand extending support to our affected communities".