Expert says joint explorations could be a legal trap

MANILA-As seabed resources are often seen as the source of conflicts in disputed waters, joint exploration and development between the disputing countries is often proposed as a win-win solution or at least a confidence-building measure.

However, Dr. Yoichiro Sato of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, asserts that actual practices in South and East China Seas reveal that joint exploration and development proposals are not only economically motivated, but also made with intentions to set a legal precedence to advance the country’s claim to the disputed water. As such, they too are the manifestations of the conflicts, rather than solutions to the conflicts.

Earlier, China has sought a joint exploration with the Philippines as “a practical approach in resolving the maritime dispute”. But the Philippines has taken a guarded approach to the proposal as a joint exploration on the contested waters could just be a legal and diplomatic trap.

Sato will speak at a roundtable discussion organized by the Angara Centre for Law and Economics titled "What Is to Be Done? Resolving Maritime Disputes in Southeast Asia" on December 5 at the Marriott Hotel, Resorts World Manila.

Former Senator Edgardo J. Angara, who recently ended two decades of notable service as a Philippine legislator, will serve as keynote speaker in the forum. A former UP president, Angara led the creation of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP-IMLOS), a highly specialized academic research institution based in the UP Law Center devoted to maritime affairs.

Other featured speakers include Donald Emmerson of Stanford University, Shen Dingli of Fudan University in China, Ian Storey of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, and Professor Harry Roque of the University of the Philippines.

The forum and roundtable discussions will be moderated by Prof. John Nye of George Mason University, Executive Director of the Angara Centre.

The event is sponsored by Asia United Bank.

Legarda to Share Phl Experience in Closing Gender Gap at Global Forum in Brussels

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda is President Benigno Aquino III’s representative at the Women in Parliaments - Global Forum Annual Summit and will receive, on behalf of the Filipino people, the prestigious Award for Leadership on Closing the Gender Gap (Winner by Region: Southeast Asia) at awarding ceremonies that will be held on November 27, 2013 at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (celebrated every 25th of November), Legarda will be in Brussels to share with women parliamentarians the Philippine experience in fighting for women’s rights and closing gender gap.

“Foremost, we wish to share our initiatives on giving Filipino women equal opportunities in all sectors of society, upholding women’s rights, and eliminating violence against women and girls,” she said.

“We also wish to send to other countries the Filipino nation’s deep gratitude for all they have given to us in support of our recovery efforts in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda. With their help, we can more quickly rebuild our communities,” she added. 

The Philippines has a multitude of laws for the protection of women and Legarda authored and sponsored many of these including the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (RA 9262); the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710); the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) and its strengthened version (RA 10364); and the Domestic Workers Act (RA 10361).

“Our message is clear: we must provide women the needed support to have the confidence to lead efforts to improve our communities and take initiatives that will contribute to the nation’s progress as well as to global development,” said Legarda.

The Senator will also meet with EU parliamentarians and EU Commissioners on the sidelines of the Conference and join the Filipino community in Brussels for the Bayanihan for Typhoon Yolanda event.

DOLE confers Tripartite Certificate on Labor Standards to 11 CL firms

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-A total of 11 firms in Central Luzon became the first recipients of the Tripartite Certificate of Compliance on Labor Standards (TCCLS) given by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

 

Recipients were Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club from Bataan, Chun Chiang Enterprises Manufacturing Company from Bataan, International Wiring Systems Philippines Corporation from Tarlac, Mekeni Food Corporation from Pampanga, ON Semiconductor SSMP Philippines Corporation from Tarlac, Petron Freeport Corporation from Subic Bay Freeport, Petron San Fernando Depot from Pampanga, Pharmatechnical Laboratory Inc. from Bulacan, Subic EnerZone from Subic Bay Freeport, Trust International Paper Corporation from Pampanga, and Essilor Manufacturing Philippines from Bataan.

 

“TCCLS is given to companies which show commitment and exemplary adherence to provisions on General Labor Standards, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, the Child Labor Law under Republic Act 9231, industrial peace, and enterprise stability and competitiveness,” DOLE Regional Director Raymundo Agravante said.

 

“This is the first level seal of good housekeeping issued to enrolled establishments per DOLE Department Order No. 115-A Series of 2012,” Agravante added.

 

TCCLS is a requirement to qualify for the Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) and Child Labor-Free Establishment (CLFE) and DOLE Secretary’s Labor Law Compliance Awards as well as to the highest distinction, the Tripartite Seal of Excellence (TSE).

 

“The Secretary’s Award can be acquired when the TCCLS, GKK, and CLFE are obtained by an establishment. I am confident that our eleven awardees will continuously work hand in hand with the DOLE to achieve this feat,” Agravante said.

 

Officials and members of Central Luzon’s Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (RTIPC) selected the winners through a tripartite audit process, on-site validation, and assessment. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

NOLCOM eyes use of its camps as evacuation centers during calamities

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City-Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) is eyeing the utilization of its Army, Air Force, and Naval camps as evacuation centers during calamities.

 

“Learning from the experiences of four strong tropical disturbances that directly hit our area of responsibility (AOR) this year namely Labuyo, Maring, Odette, and Santi as well as from Super Typhoon Yolanda, I realized that our camps can serve as temporary shelters of survivors since we have big spaces and are far from flooded and landslide places,” NOLCOM Commander Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said.

 

“Instead of airlifting or transferring them to neighboring towns or provinces because their houses and even designated evacuation centers had been severely damaged, why not let them stay in military camps where they will not only be given food but medical treatment as well? I will direct all of my commanders up to the battalion level to be prepared to accept evacuees. We will ask funds for this,” Catapang added.

 

“Camp Aquino and Fort Magsaysay alone can each accommodate up to 200 families while clearing operations and early recovery efforts are ongoing,” the military unified command chief pointed out.

 

Meanwhile, Catapang disclosed that they are currently making furniture out of trees in Camp Aquino that were downed by typhoon Santi last month.

 

Proceeds from the sale of such items would go to the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda, Central Visayas earthquake, and Zamboanga siege.

 

NOLCOM consists of the Army’s 5^th and 7^th Infantry Divisions, which are based in Isabela and Nueva Ecija respectively; Naval Forces Northern Luzon, which is based in La Union; and the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Tactical Operations Groups of the 1^st Air Division of the Air Force. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Army’s 24IB holds successful intel operation vs NPA remnants in Zambales

CANDELARIA, Zambales-The 24^th Infantry Battalion (24IB) of the Philippine Army was recently commended by the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) for a successful intelligence operation against remnants of PNS Tarzam of the New People’s Army (NPA) in barangay Pinagrealan in Candelaria, Zambales.

 

Under the leadership of Captain Ramon Rayala and 1^st Lieutenant Wilson Usman Jr., the November 18 operations led to the recovery of two M16-A1 rifles, assorted military items, communication equipment, and subversive documents.

 

“This showed the importance of military intelligence operations in gathering accurate information and cooperation with the residents against the NPA remnants,” NOLCOM Commander Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said.

 

“This bespeaks well of 24IB’s adherence to what is expected of a soldier as specified in my Command guidance Kawal ay Disiplinado, Bawal Abusado Dapat Asintado that resulted in zero collateral damage and casualty on our troops and civilians in the community,” Catapang added. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Drilon: Rehab fund totals P55.4 billion in 2014

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon assured today that at least P55.4 billion will be made available to government in 2014 for its relief and long-term rehabilitation efforts on areas hit by recent calamities particularly super typhoon "Yolanda".

"In view of the considerable loss of life and property in several disaster-stricken parts of the country, a calamity response fund amounting to a total of P55.4 billion will be handed at the government’s disposal to perk up its capacity to respond sufficiently and fast to immediate needs of victims of past disastrous events," said Drilon.

The proposed P55.4-billion rehabilitation fund will be sourced from the unobligated funds in the 2013 national budget, unused 2013 Priority Development Assistance Fund which was recently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court and the 2014 national budget.

Drilon explained the House and Senate agreed to pass a P14.6-billion supplemental budget where the source will be the unutilized PDAF and a joint resolution extending for one more fiscal year the validity of calamity-related funds in the current budget amounting to P20.8 billion which remain unobligated by the end of the year.

Drilon noted that initiatives towards the immediate enactment of the proposals are already underway and will hopefully be approved in the coming weeks before the Congress adjourns on December 21.

“The Senate and the House of Representatives will file a joint resolution extending the validity of the P 20.8-billion calamity fund in the 2013 budget for an another year, while the Bureau of Treasury has already issued a certification for the P14.6-billion supplemental budget to be sourced from the unused 2013 PDAF, thereby making them both available for this proposed calamity response fund,” said Drilon.   

Once approved, together, these funds will be joined by the previously proposed P20-billion rehabilitation and reconstruction fund under the 2014 national budget, thus the amount of P55.4 billion, he added.

The Senate chief noted the P55.4 billion is on top of the regular appropriations for calamity and quick response funds under the proposed P2.268-trillion national budget for 2014.        

“The President has already assured us of his complete support for the urgent passage of these proposed measures, which he will certify as urgent,” he added.     

With such a significant amount of funding to be handed at the government’s disposal, Drilon said the government will be fully equipped to rebuild the provinces ravaged by the calamities.

"The intended beneficiaries of these funds are those whose lives, homes and livelihood have been severely damaged by the recent calamities. We owe them our most urgent and prudent response," Drilon emphasized.

The rehabilitation funds will be used mostly to rehabilitate and repair various infrastructure including school building and heritage structure that were destroyed by the past disasters including super typhoon Yolanda that wrought havoc in Central Visayas particularly Leyte, the typhoon Santi and Labuyo that hit Luzon, the siege in Zamboanga City, and as well as the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu provinces. 

Mcdo to give SPES jobs to 362 students in CL this 2014

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-A total of 362 poor but deserving college and vocational students in Central Luzon will be given an opportunity to work for McDonald’s next year under the government’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

 

“Of the 362 pledges, 210 will be allotted to company-owned branches while the remainder for franchised branches which shall be evenly distributed in two batches from March-June and July-October,” Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Raymundo Agravante disclosed.

 

Participating company-owned branches are Bocaue, Sta. Maria, Bulacan State University-Malolos Campus, and South Supermarket-Malolos in Bulacan; Romulo, Town Center, Motorway, and Capas in Tarlac; Cabanatuan I-Joson and Pacific Mall in Nueva Ecija; and Dau, Royal Clark, San Fernando-Dolores Junction, Angeles 2-AUF, Angeles 3-CM Recto, and Maimpis in Pampanga.

 

Moreover, participating franchise-owned branches are Sto. Rosario-Angeles, Nepo Quad, Fields Avenue, SM Clark, San Fernando Bayan, Olongapo-Gapan Road, and SM Pampanga in Pampanga; Rizal, Magsaysay, and Harbor Point in Zambales, and Gateway.

 

“We’d like to plan for 2014 for the continuous adoption of DOLE’s SPES program at McDonalds in order to provide more opportunities for poor but deserving students here in Central Luzon. We adopted this program because just like DOLE, and Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), we believe in the idea that education is the key for nation-building and the success of an individual,” McDonald’s Human Resource director Rebecca Roselada said.

 

This year, 22 out of 98 SPES beneficiaries across the region that were assigned to 16 McDonald’s company-owned branches and 11 out of 42 deployed in two franchise branches were given probationary employment.

 

Screening for both old and new aspirants will be on January and February for first batch and May and June for the second batch.

 

SPES is a law-mandated program that seeks to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by enlisting them during summer and/or Christmas vacations.

 

Provincial, Municipal and City PESOs select the students based on the required qualifications as to age, grades, income, and other pertinent documents.

 

In order to qualify, a student must at least be 18 years old but not more than 25 years old.

 

Also, the combined net income after tax of his/her parents, including his/her income if any, does not exceed the latest annual poverty threshold level for a family of six as determined and provided by the National Economic and Development Authority and he/she must have obtained passing grades in the last school term attended.

 

The salaries of the students are in accordance to the prescribed minimum wage wherein DOLE shoulders 40 percent while the remaining 60 percent comes from participating companies and local government units.

Firm begins construction of San Fernando’s first ‘green hotel’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-Hilcres Consolidated Corporation has begun construction of its Best Western Bendix Hotel, which is billed as the city of San Fernando’s first “green hotel.”

 

“The 46-room building, which is located in McArthur Highway in barangay Dolores, opens this January. It will utilize solar-assisted technologies and water harvesting facilities,” firm Chief Executive Officer Rion Patawaran disclosed.

 

“This supports our environmental protection and preservation advocacy and the city government’s quest to boost tourism investments,” City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago said.

 

The three-star international standard Best Western Bendix is the first recipient of the business tax incentive prescribed by City Ordinance No.2011-020 otherwise known as the Investment Incentive Code.

 

Based on its agreement with the investments board, 60 percent of employees of the hotel will be residents of the city. (Rosa Bianca R. Pamintuan)

NOLCOM, kinilala ang mga naiaambag ng mga mamamahayag sa Gitnang Luzon

LUNGSOD NG CABANATUAN, Nueva Ecija-Nagsagawa nitong Huwebes ng Media Fellowship ang Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) ng Armed Forces of the Philippines bilang pagkilala sa mga naiaambag ng mga mamamahayag sa pagpapalawak ng kanilang mga programa at proyekto.

 

 

Ayon kay NOLCOM Commander Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., mahalaga ang komunikasyon upang maipaabot at gawing bukas sa taumbayan ang kanilang mga plano, anunsiyo at programa.

 

 

Pinangunahan ni Catapang ang tree-planting at fun shoot kasama ang mga mamamahayag sa rehiyon.

 

 

Ipinasilip din sa mga nagsidalo ang inipong mga troso na sinira ng Bagyong Santi na ginagawang kasangkapan at kanilang ibinebenta sa halagang dalawa hanggang apat na libong piso.

 

 

Sinabi ni Catapang na ang perang malilikom mula dito ay ibabahagi sa mga survivors ng bagyong Yolanda at lindol sa Visayas.

 

 

Bukod pa dito ay pinaplano din ng NOLCOM na magsagawa ng mga fund raising events gaya ng shootfest at golf for a cause. (Camille C. Nagaño)

Baler, nagsilbing host ng 2013 Palarong Panlalawigan ng Aurora

BALER, Aurora-Daan-daang kabataan na nasa elementarya at sekundarya ang lumahok sa katatapos na 2013 Palarong Panlalawigan ng Aurora na isinagawa sa bayan ng Baler.

 

Sa kanyang mensahae, sinabi ni Governor Gerardo Noveras na maging daan sana ang patimpalak sa pagkakaisa hindi lamang ng mga manlalaro kundi maging ng lahat na nanunungkulan sa pamahalaan.

 

Naglaban-laban ang mga delegado mula Baler, San Luis, Maria Aurora, Dipaculao, at Dilasag sa athletics, basketball, baseball, volleyball, sepak takraw, swimming, karate, boxing, at badminton.

 

Hindi nakapagpadala ng delegasyon ang tatlong bayang sinalanta ng bagyong Labuyo noong Agosto: Dinalungan, Casiguran, at Dingalan.

 

Ang mga nagwagi ang magiging pambato ng probinsya sa idaraos na Central Luzon Regional Athletic Meet sa susunod na taon. (Jojo S. Libranda)

Red tide alert remains up in Bataan - BFAR

BALANGA CITY, Bataan-The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is still appealing to the public to refrain from gathering and eating shellfish from seven towns and one city along the coastal waters of Bataan as red tide toxin, which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning remains present in the area.

 

 

Affected by the ban are the municipalities of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Abucay, Samal, and Orani and the city of Balanga.

 

 

“Based on the latest shellfish bulletin issued last November 19, the current red tide toxin level in shellfish samples collected from the coastal waters of Bataan is still significantly higher to the 60g STXg/100g tolerable limit,” BFAR Central Luzon information officer Lanie Lamyong said.

 

 

Lamyong reiterated that fishes harvested from the Bataan coastal waters are safe to eat as long as they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking. (Jojo S. Libranda)

Clark Green City, military reservation, tinutulan ng Ayta at mga magsasaka

CLARK, Zambales-Sinusuportahan ng Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (Amgl), Central Luzon Ayta Association (CLAA), Anakpawis Party-list Central Luzon chapter at Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan – Central Luzon) ang paglaban ng mga katutubong Ayta, mga magsasaka at mamamayan ng bayan ng Capas, sa probinsya ng Tarlak laban sa pangangamkam ng lupa at pagpapalayas ng mga pwersa ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), na nakabalangkas sa Republic Act 7227 o Bases Conversion Development Act (BCDA).  Ayon sa CLAA at Amgl, ito ay bunsod ng planong 36,000 ektaryang Clark Green City na sumasaklaw mula sa Capas hanggang sa Clark Freeport Zone sa Angeles city at isinusulong ng gubyernong Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino.  

Sa pangunguna ng Kilusang Nagtatanggol sa Inang Kalikasan (KNIK) mula sa probinsya ng Tarlak at binubuo ng iba’t ibang samahan ng mga katutubong Ayta, magsasaka at residente ng Capas, Bamban at iba pang bayan, malawak nitong tinutulan ang proyektong Clark Green City at ang umiiral na pangangamkam ng lupa at pagpapalayas sa mga Ayta, sa katwirang ito ay saklaw ng military reservation.  Ang KNIK ay pinapangunahan ng mga organisasyong, Pagmimiha Organization, Labayku Organization, Bamban Ayta Tribal Association, Sta. Lucia Manggahan Association, Nagkakaisang Naninirahan ng Sta. Lucia at Koalisyong Makabayan – Tarlak.
 
“Kasalukuyang niyuyurakan ng pwersa ng AFP ang karapatan sa ancestral domain, lupa at kabuhayan ng mga Ayta, magsasaka at residente ng bayan ng Capas para bigyang daan ang proyektong Clark Green City.  Patuloy ang panlilinlang ng militar na ang kalupaan ay bahagi ng military reservation, habang hinahanda ng BCDA ang proyektong Clark Green City, na walang kahulugan kundi ang pribatisasyon, malawakang land use conversion at pagbebenta ng lupa sa dayuhan at lokal na mamumuhunan.  Lantaran din nitong nilabag ang karapatan ng Ayta sa lupang katutubo at ng mga magsasaka sa tunay na reporma sa lupa,” ayon kay Joseph Canlas, tagapangulo ng Amgl.

“Sa bayan ng Capas, umaabot sa 19,972 ekt. lupa ang sinasaklaw ng military reservation na pawang mga lupang katutubo ng Ayta.  Pinalayas at patuloy na inaagawan ng lupa ang mahigit 2,000 pamilyang Ayta mula sa 30 baryo tulad ng Aranguren, O’Donnek, Maruglu, Sta. Lucia, Bueno at Sta. Juliana.  Sinaklaw ito ng military reservation ng Camp O’ Donnel kung saan 370 ekt. ang saklaw ng O’ Donnell Transmitter Station, 1,755 ekt. ng O’ Donnell excepted area, 17,847 ng Crow Valley watershed,” dagdag ni Canlas.

Ayon sa mga grupo, taong 1947 nang saklawin ang mga lupang ninuno ng Ayta bilang military reservation ayon sa Kasunduan para sa Base Militar ng Amerikano at Joint Military Agreement, na sinundan ng Mutual Defense Treaty noong 1951 sa pagitan ng Estados Amerika (US).  Ibunga nito ang pagtatatag ng 23 base militar ng US na sumaklaw sa halos 200,000 ekt. lupa sa buong bansa na umiral hanggang sa kasalukuyan.  Sa rehiyon, ang Camp O’ Donnel sa Capas, Fort Magsaysay sa bayan ng Laur sa probinsya ng Nueva Ecija, Clark Air Base sa Angeles city, Subic Freeport at San Miguel Naval Communication Station sa bayan ng San Antonio, Zambales ang karaniwang pinaglulunsaran ng military exercises ng Balikatan. 

Dagdag rito, ang BCDA na isinabatas noong 1992 para isapribado at ikumbert ang kalupaan ng mga base militar ang tumayong may kontrol sa military reservation ng Clark, Mabalacat, Bamban at Capas na umaabot sa 33,653 ektarya.  Kasunod ng pribatisasyon ng kalupaan ng Clark at Subic, isinasapribado ang lupang saklaw ng military reservation ng Clark na sumasaklaw mula Angeles city hanggang bayan ng Capas sa Tarlak, karugtong ang Camp O’ Donnell.  Ito ay tinaguriang Clark Green City ng BCDA na sumasaklaw sa 36,000 ekt. lupa, tinatayang nagkakalahaga ng P200 bilyon, at kinopya sa modelong Songdo International Business District sa Korea.  Sa lawak ng proyektong ito, sa kasalukuyan ay inaagawan ng lupang ninuno at pinapalayas ang mga Ayta at nanganganib ang kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka.

Ang proyektong Clark Green City ay nakabalangkas sa pambansang programa ng pangulong BS Aquino na Public-Private Partnership (PPP), kung saan magkukutsabahan ang pribadong sektor at gubyerno para pagkakitaan ang mga likas na yaman ng bansa, tulad ng malalawak na lupa.  Isang matingkad na bahagi nito sa rehiyon ang Metro-Luzon Urban Beltway (MLUB) na binuo ng mga superhighway tulad ng Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx), Central Luzon Expressway (CLEx) at North Luzon East Expressway (NLEx East).  Kasama rin dito ang Capas - Botolan road para bigyang daan ang paghuthot sa likas na yaman ng Tarlak at Zambales. Malinaw na ang proyektong ito ay naglalayong pabilisin ang panghuhuthot ng yaman ng rehiyon, pagkakitaan ang malalawak na lupa at samantalahin ang lakas-paggawa ng masa.  

“Kasabay ng pangangamkam ng lupa at pagpapalayas, tumataas din ang bilang ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa mga katutubong Ayta, mga magsasaka at mamamayan ng Capas. Ilan dito ay pagtatakda ng BCDA at AFP sa mga katutubong Ayta ng hanggangan sa pangangaso at pagsasaka; pagbabakod sa kanilang lupain; pagbabawal ng pagkakaroon ng kagamitan para sa pangangaso; pagbabawal sa mga materyales panggawa ng bahay; pagpapatupad ng curfew; pinagbibintangang mga kasapi o tagasuporta ng New People’s Army (NPA); pagkukumpiska sa kanilang mga trosong pangkabuhayan; pananakit, pagtutok ng mga baril at harasment sa kanila ng mga militar. Gayundin, nakaramdam ng panganib ang mga katutubong Ayta tuwing Balikatan exercises dahil sa walang pakundangang pagbobomba ng sundalong Amerikano at Pilipino. Sa kasalukuyang rehimen, ang lahat ng ito ay nakapakete sa kontra-insurhensyang programang Oplan Bayanihan ni BS Aquino para protektahan ang kanilang interes sa mga proyekto ’’.

“Sa pagpapatupad ng proyektong ito, nagkukutsabahan si BS Aquino at imperyalismong US para kumita ng limpak-limpak na tubo mula sa likas na yaman ng Capas, Bamban, Angeles City, Mabalacat at buong bansa. Sa ganitong kalagayan, lalala ang problema sa kawalan ng lupa sa bansa dulot ng monopolyong kontrol ng lokal at dayuhang mamumunuhan sa malalawak na lupaing agrikultural kasabay ng mga patakarang neo-liberal na kailanma’y hindi nagsilbi sa interes ng mga katutubong Ayta, mga magsasaka at mamamayan sa bansa”, banggit ni Roman Polintan, Tagapangulo, Bayan-CL. 

“Partikular sa Capas, naglalaway si Aquino na tuluyang maapaalis ang mamamayan sa lugar dahil mayaman ito sa manganese, ginto at magnetite. Ayon sa lokal na gubyerno ng Capas, aabot sa 190,000 metriko toneladang mamiminang manganese. Ibig sabihin, kagaya sa Zambales na talamak ang pagmimina ng mga dayuhang korporasyon, awtomatikong mawawalan sila ng lupa, kabuhayan at tirahan, gayundin pagkasira ng likas na yaman na posibleng magdulot ng pagbaha,” dagdag ni Polintan. 

“Kung kaya’t,  ang mga ipinapangalandakang batas ni BS Aquino para diumano sa interes ng mga katutubong Ayta at mga magsasaka katulad ng Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA), Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPer) ay pawang mga instrumento para sila’y linlangin at agawan ng lupa,” ani Polintan.

“Sa kasalukuyan, aktibong lumalahok ang mamamayan ng Capas, Bamban, Mabalacat at Angeles City para labanan ang kumbersyon ng military reservation para maging bahagi ng Clark Green City at iba pang pagpapalit-gamit nito. Naninindigan na tanging sa sama-samang pagkilos makakamit ang karapatan sa lupa at tuluy-tuloy na pag-akses sa likas na yaman ng lugar”.

“Kaugnay nito, mariing kinokondena at nilalabanan ang mga hakbang ng BCDA at pagbabasura sa RA 7727 o ang Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992. Mariing kinukundena ang panghihimasok ng pwersang Amerikano katulad ng balikatan exercises at rotational Exercises ng US sa bansa na walang ibang interes kundi pagyurak sa pambansang soberanya,” pagtatapos ni Polintan. (AMGL)

Legarda Calls for Debris Management to Prevent Further Disasters From Yolanda Aftermath

MANILA-Two weeks after Typhoon Yolanda pummeled communities in central Philippines, Senator Loren Legarda said that debris management should be given equal importance to prevent further disasters from the storm’s aftermath.

“Along with efforts to provide food, shelter, medicine and new sources of livelihood for the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda should be a debris management system. We need to clear out the debris in devastated communities so that restoring public services and rebuilding communities will be less difficult,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and Environment and Natural Resources.

“We need to remove and clean everything that could possibly bring more harm. There should be proper management of toxic wastes especially from hospitals and factories that have been damaged,” Legarda said. “On the other hand, some wood and steel debris collected could still be recycled," she added.

Legarda said that the government can actually hire the survivors to work on clearing operations through the cash-for-work scheme.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should lead the debris management and they can tap typhoon survivors as workers for the cleaning and clearing operations. We accomplish two goals with this scheme and I am sure this would work because the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has done a similar program for the survivors of Typhoon Pablo in 2012,” she explained.

The Senator noted that early this year, survivors of the 2012 Typhoon Pablo, particularly those in Davao and Compostela Valley, were prioritized to be hired as workers under the DENR’s National Greening Program.

“We have already encouraged the DENR to do this again for the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. This is a good way to start the rehabilitation of disaster-stricken areas and provide psychological upliftment for the survivors,” said Legarda, who is the vice chairperson of the Senate Finance subcommittee that handles the budget of the DENR.

She said that the cash-for-work strategy was also adopted by Indonesia for the survivors of the 2004 tsunami and it proved successful.

Moreover, Legarda called on the government to heed the advice of Mr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, who headed Indonesia’s recovery efforts from the 2004 tsunami.

Among his recommendations is the immediate planning and carrying out of the reconstruction program, which should be well thought out, ensuring that we do not rebuild the risks again.

“Yolanda is the new benchmark for disaster prevention. We always have to make our communities prepared for a supertyphoon as strong as Yolanda. There should be a shift from merely reactive efforts to proactive strategies. We have to prepare our communities to prevent disasters and lessen the need for relief and rehabilitation,” she stressed.

“I urge all LGUs to conduct disaster risk assessments to determine if their barangay is prone to flooding or storm surge, or is underneath a fault line. The results of the risk assessment should be the basis of the LGUs’ disaster risk reduction and management plan, which must include investments in resilient infrastructure. I call on our local leaders to make DRR an integral component of their leadership because powerful and more frequent typhoons are the new normal, and therefore we must build resilient, stronger and better communities,” Legarda concluded.

Police Topples Suspected Carnappers

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-Through the directives of Police Chief Supt. Raul D. Petrasanta, RD, PRO3 to all his City/Provincial Directors to map out stricter security measures and triple their efforts in trimming down crime incidents within their respective areas of responsibilities thru the conduct of intensified police focused operations and implementation of  search warrants and  warrants of arrest,  suspected persons engaged in carnapping activities were toppled during the implementation of search warrant in the morning of November 23, 2013.

 

Joint elements of Baliwag Police Station, Bulacan Police Provincial Safety Company and Regional Highway Patrol Unit 3, Highway Patrol Group, NHQ, Northern Police District and SOCO Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory armed with Search Warrant Nr 4929-13 for Violation of RA 6539 (Anti-Carnapping Act) issued by Hon Judge Fernando T Sagun Jr of National Judicial Region, Quezon City, MM Branch 78 arrested Mark Joseph REYES and Jazmine REYES at their residence at Sampaguita St., BrgyMatang Tubig, Baliwag, Bulacan. However, two other suspects identified as Mac Lester REYES and Veronica REYES who were also residing at said place were not present and are at large.

           

Recovered at their residence were the following: a) one (1) black Honda City sedan, with plate number PEQ- 986; b)one (1) yellow Honda Jazz sedan, with plate number POG-237, which was stolen while parked on May 5, 2013 somewhere in Quezon City;  c) one (1) dark green Honda Civic LXi sedan, with improvised plate number UHT-241 (WBK-159 original plate number); d) one (1) black Honda Civic SIR sedan, with plate number WJA-444; e) one (1) orange Honda Civic SIR sedan, with plate number WEH-570; f)one (1) red Honda Civic two door sedan, with plate number THX-661; g) one (1) white Mitsubishi L300 FB van, with plate number CSV-819; h) one (1) silver Nissan Frontier pick-up, with plate number XKW-497; i) one (1) silver Ford Everest wagon, with plate number XFS-712; j) one (1) dark blue Toyota Land Cruiser wagon, with plate number XGL-403; k) one (1) green Mitsubishi Space Gear wagon, without the plate number XMA-401; l) one (1) maroon Sangyong Musso wagon, with plate number WAA-448; m) one (1) black Kawasaki motorcycle, with plate number RI-1468;n) one (1) black Kawasaki Barako tricycle, with plate number 1525-OH; o) Undocumented assorted parts and accessories of motor vehicles; p) Assorted sophisticated tools used by the suspects in perpetrating the crime of carnapping; q) one (1) replica HP 5.56 rifle; and r)one (1) replica HP AK 47 Rifle firearms.

 

Meanwhile, several victims of carnapping appeared at the area and positively identified their stolen vehicles namely: Thompson Ng Kaion y Veloso, 59 years old, married businessman and a resident of #191 P Tuazon St., Quezon City who positively identified the recovered black Honda Civic SIR sedan, with plate number WJA-444 and orange Honda Civic SIR sedan, with plate number WEH-570 which was taken and carted away while parked infront of his house last November 18, 2013; Benilda Licayan y Cabeso,  50 years old, married, dentist and a resident of #38 B Kanlaon, Quezon City who positively identified the silver Nissan Frontier pick-up, with plate number XKW-497 which was stolen on November 19, 2013, at about 12:20 AM while parked in front of her house wherein said incident was captured by their CCTV surveillance camera; Carlo Louie Faustino y Garcia, 28 years old, single and a resident of # 89 Rizal Ave., West Tapinac, Olongapo City who also positively identified the red Honda Civic two door sedan, with plate number UBK-296 which was replaced by improvised plate number THX-661, the said vehicle was stolen last October 6, 2013 while parked infront of his house; andRoberto Dela Rosa y Yapjoco, 56 years old, Apartment 3, San Juan St., Sto Domingo, Angeles City, Pampanga also identified the silver Ford Everest wagon, with plate number YAA-223, which was also replaced by improvised plate number XFS-712. Said Ford Everest was taken and carted away while parked infront of his house last November 10, 2013.

 

            The search was done in an orderly and peaceful manner with the presence of media practitioners. Arrested suspects and the recovered evidence were brought by the personnel of Highway Patrol Group at Camp Crame, Quezon City for proper disposition and investigation.

                       

            PCSUPT PETRASANTA said that PNP PRO3 will continue its unwavering efforts to fight criminality within the region and will keep on reinvigorating its anti-criminality campaigns.