NIA to undertake 715 irrigation projects in 2014-- Maranan

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija-Administrator Claro V. Maranan of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) yesterday said the irrigation agency is targeting to implement 715 irrigation projects next year in line with his seven-point development agenda anchored on the fast-tracking of big-ticket projects which have been delayed in past administrations.

          Speaking during the Christmas Party of officers and employees of the NIA regional office in Central Luzon in Barangay    Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan at noon here yesterday, Maranan said they are speeding up the bidding process for NIA projects so that these could be started right away.

          He said that by the end of this month, bidding for all proposed projects in 2012 will have been finished. "In 2014, we have 715 projects of which 200 have already been bid out," he said."

          The NIA chief presided over the turn-over of four back hoes and multi-cabs to irrigators' associations. The heavy equipment and vehicles were pet projects of NIA Region 3 director Reynaldo Puno.

          With him here were NIA assistant administrator Dexter Patrocinio, Puno, Department of Agriculture regional director Andrew Villacorta and managers Angel Miguel of the Pampanga-Bataan irrigation management office (Pam-Bat IMO), Lauro Ballesteros of the Tarlac-Zambales (Tarzam) IMO and Bulacan-Nueva Ecija (Bane) IMO officer-in-charge Virgilio Ilao.  

          The fast-tracking of NIA projects is part of the seven-point development agenda Maranan conceptualized and formulated as the guiding principles of his administration. This, he said,  serves as the roadmap and immediate course of action on various aspects of organizational and operational performance.

          These are (1) rapid and efficient delivery of irrigation projects, (2) accurate reporting and monitoring system, (3) organizational reforms and process innovations, (4) corporate financial stability, (5) empowerment and continuous learning for employees, (6) comprehensive plan on climate change adaptation and (7) stronger commitment to farmers and other stakeholders.

          The first of the seven-point agenda was believed adopted by Maranan to avoid project delays which were believed to have triggered the replacement of his predecessor, former administrator Antonio Nangel.

        

       It would be recalled that President Aquino scolded Nangel during the agency's 50th anniversary celebrations last June 25 for failing to implement the Balog-Balog Irrigation Project in his home province of Tarlac.  

          

          Maranan said as part of his vision for fast-tracked irrigation projects, the 17 various regional offices may directly implement and undertake projects worth P100 million and below to decentralize the process.

          

          At the same time, Maranan said they have identified 160 potential sites for the putting up of mini-hydro power projects, of which 120 have been found to be feasible.

        

        He said NIA is entering into a joint venture agreement with the private sector for these projects. (Manny Galvez)

Memorandum of Understanding on Tilapia Culture in Floating Bamboo Net Cage Signed

Mgen Hernando DCA Iriberri, Commander 7ID together with Col Ronald C Villanueva, Chief of Staff 7ID and Regional Director Remedios E. Ongtangco BFAR RO3 signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Tilapia Culture in Floating Bamboo Net Cage at Kaugnay Clubhouse.

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The 7^th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division headed by Maj. Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri AFP and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office 3 (BFAR RO3) led by its Regional Director Remedios E. Ongtangco signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Kaugnay Officers Clubhouse on December 03, 2013.

The MOU between the 7ID and BFAR – 3 is in line with the Department of Agriculture-Department of National Defense-Armed Forces of the Philippines (DA-DND-AFP) Livelihood Development Programs in selected military reservations throughout the country.

The implementation of the Culture of Tilapia in Floating Net Cage project at Pahingahan Dam in Fort Magsaysay is just one of the many livelihood projects being undertaken at the vast land of Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (FMMR) where soldiers of 7ID are the primary beneficiaries to these noble endeavors.

        “We are very happy to have been extended assistance coming from our partner agency (BFAR RO3) for their Project “Culture of Tilapia in Floating Bamboo Net Cages-A Technology Demonstration Project”. It will surely enhance the livelihood of 7ID troopers.” Maj Gen Iriberri said. 

7ID, nagsagawa ng blood letting, tree planting

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija-Nagsagawa kamakailan ng blood letting at tree planting ang 7^th Infantry Division (7ID) ng Philippine Army bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng ika-78 anibersaryo ng Armed Forces of the Philippines ngayong buwan.

 

Sinabi ni 7ID Public Affairs Officer Captain Mark Anthony Ruelos na layunin ng blood letting, na may temang “Dugo Pandugtong Buhay Alay ng Kaugnay sa Mamamayan”, na makakolekta ng 40,000 cc na dugo.

 

Naging katuwang rito ng dibisyon ang Philippine Red Cross- Nueva Ecija chapter.

 

Samantala, may 3,500 fruit at non-fruit bearing trees naman ang itinanim sa loob ng kampo sa aktibidad na pinamagatang “Punong Mag-Kaugnay Pangsagip sa Kalikasan.” (Camille C. Nagaño)

Farmer groups condemn Tadeco land grabbing in Hacienda Luisita

The regional farmers group Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (Amgl, Farmers’ Alliance in Central Luzon), the provincial group Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Tarlak (Amt) and Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala, Farm workers’ Alliance in Hacienda Luisita) condemned the latest land grabbing measures of the Cojuangco-Aquino family, through their controlled firm Tarlac Development Corp. (Tadeco) and president Benigno Simeon (BS) “Noynoy” Aquino’s utilization of government resources for his family’s benefits.  Tadeco personnels bulldozed about 10 hectares of farm lands at barangay Balete, cultivated by Ambala members, amidst the deployment of military forces belonging to the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (3rd Mech) of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).

“We have expected this kind of abuse years before the Supreme Court ordered the distribution of Hacienda Luisita lands.  The Cojuangco-Aquino family has no plan of giving up the lands as they schemed to profit by selling them to businesses while government forces serve as their private security guards to keep off protests from farm workers,” Joseph Canlas said, Amgl chairperson.

The groups asserted that since Hacienda Luisita Inc., was established in 1989 as a form of the stock-distribution option (sdo) provisioned by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), the farm workers who worked on the 6,435-hectare sugarlandia plunged to deep poverty and debt, while the Cojuangco-Aquino family enjoyed extravagant and pampered lives.  This system of social injustice pushed the farm workers to launch the massive strike on November 6, 2004, when the Cojuangco-Aquinos conspired with the despised Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government to obtain an “assumption of jurisdiction” (aj) order from former labor secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas.  The aj then served as a license for the infamous “Hacienda Luisita massacre” on November 16 which killed 7 farm workers and wounded 121, 32 of which by gunshot wounds.

Ambala reported that on December 12, Tadeco personnels and security guards bulldozed farms at barangay Balete, including the 6-hectare rice lands to be harvested on December 20.  Land reform advocates, Hacienda Luisita Peasant Supporters Network (Hlpsn) took photographs of the Tadeco operation destroying crop cultivated by Ambala farm workers.  A signboard was set-up stating “development soon to rise,” backdropped by tall buildings similar to commercial business districts in Metro Manila.

“Since Noynoy Aquino took the presidency, genuine land reform in Hacienda Luisita was doomed.  With all the state-machineries such as the Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR), police and military, and other gov’t agencies, the Cojuangco-Aquino family was determined to keep control over the vast lands of Hacienda Luisita,” Canlas said. 

Amgl said that DAR unjustly implemented CARP Extension with “Reforms” (CARPer) that was never mentioned in the Supreme Court decision. Amgl claimed that by implementing CARPer, the interests of the Cojuangco-Aquino family were protected: as the lands covered shrinked to 4,099-hectares, benefiting the Cojuangco-Aquinos allowing them to sell the lands excluded; DAR generated a list of 6,212 farm worker beneficiaries (fwbs) including names that are illegitimate according to Ambala; DAR officials held a “raffle” giving out certificate of land ownership awards (cloa) which was illegal and unreasonable; fwbs were coerced to sign an application to puchase and farmers’ undertaking (apfu) agreement, which the beneficiary would be criminalized on failure to pay amortization; and sugar block farming is promoted by DAR for the lands to be chained to the Cojuangco-Aquinos sugar business.

The groups said that Hacienda Luisita continues to be militarized, which they asserted as part of BS Aquino’s program, Oplan Bayanihan, to intimidate farm workers and foil their protests.  The deployment of the military paved way for Tadeco’s fencing of about 500 hectares of land at barangay Balete and Cutcut that evicted farm workers from their cultivated lands as part of their “bungkalan” (cultivation) campaign.

“It is very clear that BS Aquino is a traitor to the Hacienda Luisita farm workers.  His schemes through DAR and gov’t forces are all for the protection of his family’s interests.  He and his family are drooling over the potential profits of selling vast lands in Hacienda Luisita,” Canlas said.

Amgl said that the plan of the Cojuangco-Aquino family to convert lands in Hacienda Luisita was driven by the recent projects in the region such as the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (Sctex) and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (Tplex).  Tplex recently opened to motorists from Tarlac city to Gerona town.  Amgl said that agricultural lands in Tarlac range to P1.3 million to P5 to P6 million per hectare, thus, lands in Hacienda Luisita surrounded by McArthur highway, Sctex and Tplex are definitely to jack up prices.  These projects are part of the Metro-Luzon Urban Beltway (Mlub) project in the region which is part of the W-Growth Corridor development plan, began during the Macapagal-Arroyo administration, continued by the BS Aquino government.

“Thus, a mere 500-hectare graded land in Hacienda Luisita would range to about P650 million to P3 billion, money which the Cojuangco-Aquino family is insane about.  This is the very reason why the Cojuangco-Aquino family would bring down the heavens just to profit from the lands,” Canlas said.

In response, Amgl called on farm workers of Hacienda Luisita to push on their bungkalan campaign.  The bungkalan campaign covered a maximum of 2,000-hectares since 2005, cultivated with rice, vegetables and fruit crops.  The campaign concretely gave the poor farm workers a source on income which is far more superior than being laborers of Hacienda Luisita, Inc. under the sdo scheme.

“We call on farm workers, led by Ambala to advance the Hacienda Luisita-wide bungkalan campaign.  It is a moral and just cause for the lands to be benefited by those who labored on it and not serve the interest of the parasitic landlord class such as the Cojuangco-Aquinos.  Local changes in Hacienda Luisita, accomplished by the peasant class through cultivation is a contribution to the regional and national struggle to effect fundamental reforms.  Real development is the upliftment of the socio-economic well-being of the people and not the sheer construction of high-rise buildings and malls,” Canlas called. 

Drilon: Social preparation for informal settlers key to success of relocation programs

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said today that he has tapped multisectoral organizations to ensure the welfare of about 1,000 families relocated to a new housing project in Bgy. Lanit at Jaro, Iloilo, who were residing as informal settlers along the banks of the Iloilo River.
 
A coalition of government agencies, non-government organizations and corporate social responsibility groups were invited by Drilon to facilitate the planned “multisectoral social preparation” of the said housing units.

“We have tapped among others the City government of Iloilo, the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation (GK), and the Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDT) to spearhead a multisector group responsible for the different needs of this newly-organized community,” Drilon pointed out.

He explained that the multisectoral initiative set for the housing projects in Brgy.Lanit provides “a workable way where relocated settlers are given help to gradually adjust, adapt and assimilate to their new neighborhood, thus discouraging them from the practice of informal settling.”

Drilon said that the multisector group “could be expected to provide the necessary organizational and economic capital to stimulate community organization and economic opportunities, to help transform those living as informal settlers before to members of a truly productive community.”

According to Drilon, the social preparation process properly addresses the need for relocation programs to “foster social empowerment and productivity.”

“The provision of housing units alone would not solve the problem of poverty and lack of support affecting every informal settler. Any effective plan then would need to strike at the socio-economic roots of the problem,” Drilon stressed, adding that the Gawad Kalinga would be a big help in this endeavor given its remarkable track record as a community mobilizer.

The Senate chief also emphasized that the country’s public housing and relocation programs should extend to the delivery of relevant social services, which enable self-sufficiency and economic normalcy among relocated informal settlers.

Drilon lastly said that the coordinated social preparation process they are currently undertaking could be studied and emulated as part of the country’s official housing and anti-poverty strategy.

PNP-PRO 3 begins security preparations for APEC 2015

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga-Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Regional Office 3 has began its security preparations for the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders summit and related ministerial and sub-ministerial meetings in 2015.

 

“Together with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of National Defense, we had an ocular inspection and coordination meeting with officials of sites that are likely to host namely Clark Freeport, Subic Freeport and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac town in Bataan,” PNP Regional Director PCSUPT. Raul Petrasanta said.

 

“Las Casas is primarily eyed as a possible site for the activity of the spouses of visiting heads of state and government while the leaders summit is ongoing,” Petrasanta added.

 

Apart from the Philippines, other members of APEC include Australia, Brunei Darrusalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, United States, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia and Vietnam. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Drilon donates bancas to Yolanda-affected fishermen

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon facilitated today the donation of a fleet of motorized fishing bancas to members of fishing communities affected by super typhoon Yolanda, in a ceremonial turnover held in the coastal town of Concepcion in Iloilo.

Drilon, an Iloilo native, has raised a P2 million fund to purchase 100 motorized fishing bancas for Iloilo’s numerous coastal fisherfolk, whose bancas and fishing equipment were lost when typhoon Yolanda struck the Visayan region.

The beneficiaries would come from the coastal towns of Concepcion, Estancia and Carles which were badly hit by the recent typhoon. The town of Estancia also suffered from an oil spill.   

Drilon was joined by provincial officials led by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor in personally turning over the initial ten motorized bancas to their recipients, with the rest of the fleet to be distributed soonest by the local government. 

The Ilonggo senator explained that the donation was spurred by his visit to the province following the typhoon’s exit.

“In my previous visit, I saw for myself how the calamity destroyed the means of livelihood for so many of the affected citizens – especially those fisherfolk in the coastal towns whose means of living were completely swept away,” Drilon noted.

Drilon said that in municipalities like Concepcion, “thousands of bancas were destroyed by the storm, 80% of which were motor bancas much valued by the fishermen that used them.”        

“Thus I felt it was necessary to raise a fund from my personal savings, along with donations from some of my partner organizations, with which we were able to buy motorized boats,” he then added.

Drilon said that he hopes the donation, in its own way, would give the recipient fishermen "a decent start to get themselves and their families back on their feet, after the tragedies that fell upon them.”

The Senate chief also said that he would look at the possibility of using Senate savings to procure more boats for fishermen in other affected provinces, including Leyte and Samar.

"We will try to find a way for the Senate to donate to those areas that still very much need our aid and commitment, particularly the coastal towns in Leyte and Samar,” the senator then said. 

Legarda: 2014 National Budget Promotes Climate Mitigation and Disaster Prevention

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that the 2014 proposed national budget has been crafted to ensure that programs on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation are given due importance and priority in the national agenda.

“For the very first time since the enactment of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Law in 2010, the fund allocated for its implementation will now be called the NDRRM Fund. It was previously called the Calamity Fund and therefore the focus was on response and rehabilitation. With this paradigm shift, we can now use the fund for pre-disaster activities,” said Legarda, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, during the bicameral conference committee meeting on the proposed 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and Environment and Natural Resources, added that the proposed 2014 GAA contains a special provision on disaster risk reduction particularly on the implementation of infrastructure projects.

The special provision indicates that the government will not undertake infrastructure and development projects in protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act, as well as in identified danger zones.

“Ang ibig pong sabihin ay hindi gagamitin ang pondo ng gobyerno sa mga proyekto na makakasira sa mga protected area na kinikilalang sakop ng NIPAS Law, at maging sa mga vulnerable area o danger zone ayon na rin sa pagsusuri ng Mines and Geosciences Bureau. Ibig sabihin, hindi magtatayo ng barangay hall, school building, classroom at anumang imprastraktura na ginagamit ang pondo ng gobyerno sa mga lugar na maguguho o matatabunan sa panahon ng bagyo at iba pang kalamidad,” the Senator stressed.

“I am happy because although belatedly, we all realize now that pre-disaster activities, mitigation, disaster prevention and preparedness are relevant to our development agenda and that a vital component of building our nation’s resilience is a climate-sensitive and disaster risk reduction-proofed budget,” said Legarda.

NLEX MANAGEMENT REKINDLES WORKING TIES WITH PRO3

Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga-North Luzon Expressway managers operating under the Tollways Management Corporation (TMC) meets Police Regional Office 3, Regional Director, PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA with selected staff officers in the morning of December 9, 2013.

The meeting was meant to discuss and re-asses the current security and safety posture along the 84 kilometers North Luzon Expressway which serves as the main gateway to Central Luzon and to the farthest North.

TMC President and CEO, Mr. Ramoncito S Fernandez invited the Regional Director and party to their state of the art Traffic Control Room which serves as the heart and soul of the general operations of NLEX. Also presented were the man power, communication assets; vehicles for law enforcement, engineering, maintenance and repair; and emergency response, other out- source services, to include its NLIGTAS project which aims to provide on-line real-time traffic situation and advisory. Mr. Fernandez also discussed the future expansion project of NLEX and its planned interconnection with SLEX.

PCUSPT RAUL D PETRASANTA recommended during the discussion that the CCTV camera installed at the teller’s booth be reoriented or relocated in order to capture not only the image of the teller which serves the purpose of the management monitoring, but also to capture the image of the driver in aid to PRO3’s anti-criminality measures.

At the end of the meeting, TMC President and CEO lionized PRO 3 for its continued support in all NLEX undertakings particularly on law enforcement. Laterally, PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA cogently assured the Tollways Management Corporation, of PRO3’s total and reinvigorated support.

Tension mars ABC polls in NE town as 2 barangay chiefs resist arrest

SAN ANTONIO, Nueva Ecija – Tension marred the elections for the municipal presidency of the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) in this town when two barangay chairmen resisted lawmen trying to arrest them, sparking a commotion and prompting a walk-out by six of their colleagues here Monday.

          The incident broke out at around 8 am Monday when lawmen from the San Antonio police served the warrants for the arrest of barangay chairmen Anacoreta Santos of Barangay San Jose and Roy Juliano of Barangay Sta. Barbara for the crimes of murder and frustrated murder and grave threat, respectively.

          The two barangay officials who, police said were in hiding for several days, finally surfaced at the Sangguniang Bayan session hall where the ABC polls were to be held when accosted by the lawmen.

          At the time the lawmen came in, 16 barangay chairmen were already inside the hall to take part in the elections.

Aside from Santos and Juliano, they were barangay chairmen Sonny Garces of Sto. Cristo, Pablo Torres (Hulo), Jojo Pomeda (Panabingan), Celia Cayman (Maugat), Sally Mendoza (Buliran), Rainier Umali (Lawang Kupang), Ome Macatunao (Tikiw) and Pepe Gante (Cama Juan), all allies of Mayor Antonino Lustre; and Tuque Zapata (Poblacion), Amang Carpio (Luyos), Turne Miranda (Sta. Cruz), Ojie Dionisio (Papaya), Eddie Ostanes (San Francisco) and Arcie Cruz (San Mariano), who were all supporters of Lustre’s rival, ex-mayor Arvin Salonga.

          

Chief Inspector Marcelino Veneracion, police chief, said they were merely obeying lawful orders by the court. “We just implemented the warrants of arrest issued by the court, nothing else. Our actions had nothing to do with the elections,” he said.

          Earlier, provincial police director Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves issued a memorandum ordering Veneracion to enforce the twin court orders for the arrest of the two barangay executives.

          Santos’ arrest was ordered by Gapan City Regional Trial Court Branch 35 Judge Mildred Villaroman for murder and frustrated murder. No bail was recommended for the murder case while a bail bond of P200,000 was recommended for the frustrated murder case.

          Juliano’s arrest was ordered by San Antonio Municipal Trial Court Judge Voltaire Venturina for grave threats with recommended bail of P6,000.

          Lustre said Juliano is also serving a 60-day preventive suspension for abuse of authority and gross misconduct slapped on him by the Sangguniang Bayan for allegedly verbally abusing and driving away people from the barangay hall.

          Vice Mayor Jose Balagtas said Juliano’s suspension took effect just last December 5 after the SB conducted the investigation and the issues have already been “joined,” meaning he was asked to explain his side.   

          Balagtas explained the suspension - which will last up to February 3, 2014 - was meant to prevent Juliano from using the powers of his office to intimidate witnesses and influence the outcome of the investigation.

Surrounded by their supporters, the two barangay officials however, resisted their arrest.

          Lawyer Arnold Castro, legal counsel of the two, confronted the arresting lawmen and said the warrants should have been served after the elections.

          The stand-off lasted for three hours, prompting Nieves to dispatch operatives of the provincial public safety company (PPSC) to rush to the scene to carry out the arrest.      

The 20-man PPSC team, led by Inspector Joey Cabating, succeeded in convincing the two barangay officials to go with them, but not after Zapata’s group walked out of the session hall. They were detained at the police stockade.

          The elections went on with Garces getting elected as ABC president.

          Veneracion defended the presence of Cabating’s group, saying an augmentation force was necessary to ensure that the arrests of the two were peaceful and orderly.

          He said they have been conducting surveillance operations on Santos and Juliano long before their arrests. (Manny Galvez)

Legarda: Strengthen Women’s Role in Peace Building

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today echoed the United Nations’ call to strengthen the role of women in the peace building process and urged the Senate to look into the country’s implementation of the provisions of a UN Security Council Resolution on the issue.

Legarda, in her report to the Senate on the outcome of her official mission to the Women in Parliaments Global Forum - Annual Summit held in Brussels, Belgium on November 27-29, 2013, said that aside from celebrating the Philippines’ triumph in closing the gender gap, the conference also highlighted the need to strengthen the role of women in conflict resolution and the peace building process.

“In the sidelines of the Women in Parliaments Global Forum, I had the chance to meet with Ms. Jody Williams, Chair of the Nobel Women’s Initiative and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, who inspired me to look into the implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in light of the country’s commitments to the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325,” she explained.

UNSCR 1325, adopted on October 31, 2000, primarily acknowledges the significant role of women in conflict prevention and peace building efforts.

As member of the United Nations, the Philippines has the duty to implement the Resolution’s key provisions namely the participation of women in all levels of decision-making; gender-perspective in Secretary-General Reports and Security Council Missions; protection of and respect for human rights of women and girls; gender perspective in conflict processes; and gender perspective in peacekeeping, which ensures government commitment in improving the participation of women in the peace process and addressing sexual violence committed against women in times of armed conflict.

Legarda filed Senate Resolution No. 407 to look into the implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, which provides the baseline in evaluating government efforts in its commitment to implement UNSCR 1325.

“After recording significant achievements in gender equality as noted by the World Economic Forum in its 2013 which ranked it 5th among 135 nations and the 1st in South and South East Asia, the Philippines must fully utilize the potential offered by women in the determination for peaceful and sustainable solutions to armed conflict besetting the country today,” said Legarda.

STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT FRANKLIN M. DRILON ON THE SIGNING OF THE POWER-SHARING ANNEX BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT AND THE MILF

MANILA-Peace is the perfect gift to our brothers and sisters in Mindanao this season. I laud the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for their efforts to make peace and harmony and prosperity – elusive for so many generations – become a reality in our lifetime.

The signing of the power-sharing annex is an affirmation of how substantive discussions based on genuine desire for peace, justice and equality for both sides can overcome even the most difficult and polarizing of obstacles.

The Senate fully supports the completion of all endeavors towards the completion of the peace process in Mindanao, and with these recent successes, remains hopeful to finally be able to end the conflicts which have delayed economic and human developments in the region.

We look forward to seeing and finally scrutinizing the proposed law that will institute the necessary reforms called for in the Agreement. Absolutely, the passage of the Bangsamoro basic law will be given utmost priority in the Senate next year. 

Recto seeks higher tax exemption ceiling for 13th month pay, Christmas bonuses

MANILA-Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto has filed a measure seeking to increase the cap imposed by law on the amount of 13^th Month Pay, Christmas bonus and other benefits exempted from income tax.

Present laws exclude the mandated 13th Month Pay and the Christmas bonus from the coverage of income taxes, but only up to the extent of P30,000. Any amount in excess forms part of an individual’s gross income and therefore subject to the operation of the National Internal Revenue Code.

In filing Senate Bill No. 256, Recto wants the exclusion raised to P75,000, explaining that the present ceiling was set by a law enacted almost 20 years ago.

“We owe it to the people to amend laws that tend to be more repressive rather than be beneficial to the people. In this bill, we intend to breathe life again to the spirit of the law that, during the time of its passage, intended to allow the people to enjoy more of their hard-earned money,” the senator said.

Recto said his proposal is premised on the fact that the prevailing conditions in 1994 – the year Republic Act No. 7833 or the statute that imposed the P30,000 cap was enacted – no longer apply to present circumstances.

“At that time, the lowest monthly basic salary for government employees (Salary Grade 1, Step 1) was P2,800 and that of the President of the Philippines (Salary Grade 33) was at P25,000,” he said.

At present, he added, the basic salaries have been adjusted such that SG-1 Step 1 now stands at P9,000 and SG-33 is at P120,000.

To bolster his position, Recto said that the National Tax Research Center (NTRC) and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) peg the exemption ceiling estimates as of 2011 at P72,000 and P75,000, respectively, if adjustments for inflation were reckoned from 1994.

Furthermore, the measure also provides that the ceiling of P75,000 shall be adjusted to its present value using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as published by the National Statistics Office (NSO) three years after the measure’s enactment and every three years thereafter.

If passed into law, Recto said the increase in the tax exemption ceiling would translate to a higher take home pay for employees in the private and government sectors alike, particularly during the Christmas season, when the 13^th Month Pay and other bonuses are usually released.

“It is of paramount importance that our laws be responsive to the needs of the people. An increase in the ceiling of the 13^th Month Pay and other benefits to be exempted from income tax is one of the reliefs the people need during these hard times,” the senator said.

CPLA Integration Finally Reached Its Closure

GAMU, Isabela–Today, the last batch of the CPLA integrees marches on their graduation ceremony  that signifies the closure of the integration component of the CPLA peace process. These one hundred fifty-eight (158) strong CPLA sons and daughters completed their training and had pledged allegiance to the AFP in service of the Filipino people. With the collaboration of the different government agencies- Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process, AFP and PNP and with the support of all stakeholders in the government and civilian sectors, the Integration component of the peace process for the CPLA has finally come to an end.  The beneficiaries of the integration program surrendered 152 firearms of different calibers as part of the DDR process.

The peace process started when then President Corazon Aquino and FrCondradoBalweg, representing the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army, respectively, signed the peace agreementor the “Sipat”. Stalled for more than two decades, the “Sipat” has been experiencing rough processesfor about 27 years. However, today, through the over all supervision  of Sec Deles of OPAPP and the initiatives of  the AFP, specifically the 5ID, and with strong support from the PNP and other stakeholders, the integration component of the peace process finally ended. This yielded a  successful disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation (DDR) process for the former members of the CPLA. For a period of less than a year, 403 firearms were already surrendered by our CPLA brothers to the 5^th Infantry Division under the leadership of MGEN JOEL P IBANEZ. Moreover, since 2002, the AFP had already accepted a total of 668 integrees from CPLA, 448 of which were integrated only this year - a very important accomplishment for the Division in its efforts to finally close the integration process.

GEN EMMANUEL T BAUTISTA  AFP, the CSAFP, is the guest of honor and speaker during the final rites of the integration process. He encouraged the new soldiers to uphold the institution and help in attaining peace and unity in the Cordillera. Likewise, Atty. Maria Cleofe Gettie C Sandoval, the Undersecretary for Programs of OPAPP, one of the inspirational speakers,also gave the graduates some advises for peace, progress and prosperity.

As new soldiers of the Philippine Army, these graduates will serve as catalyst for change in order to sustain  peace in the Cordillera region. This will help the government insulate the cordilleran communities from groups that will threaten the peace and progress in the area. In this memorable ceremony witnessed by the CPLA elders, local officials and parents of the new soldiers, one parent could not hold her feelings and said, “I finally saw my son proudly marching in the tune of the cordilleran native song played by the 5ID Band, and I am speechless and overjoyed- I am now assured of a bright future for these young men and women- thank you 5 Infantry Division”.

Development and progress in the Cordillera will soon be realized if every Cordilleran learns to fight for the real cause – peace, progress and  prosperity. The 5^th Infantry Division promised to sustain the gains of peace. This accomplishment will add another laurel to the “Daang Matuwid” of President Benigno Aquino-the realization of his peace program for the CPLA.

A commander’s legacy: To bolster NOLCOM’s thrust

TARLAC CITY-To be remembered, one shall act upon something worth remembering – a living legacy.

Five months after assuming his post as the new chief of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has put the unified command’s thrust in his top priorities.

Giving emphasis to NOLCOM’s adherence, Catapang has continuously strengthened its battle cry, “Kawal ay disiplinado. Bawal Abusado. Dapat asintado” to cement his term’s legacy.

This statement, noted Catapang, shall serve as a guide of the armed forces on how shall they behave, deliver and grow in the military profession.

“This guidance was disseminated down to our lower Air Force, Army, and Naval units. This simple, clear and concise statement has deeper meaning, which greatly affects the entire profession of men and women in uniform,” he said.

Anchored on the genuine purpose of military service, the conception of Disiplinado, Abusado and Asintado is significant in realizing NOLCOM’s mission and vision.

“Disiplinado” refers to traits and characters that must be depicted by the troops inside and outside the camp.

This means that a responsible military man and woman shall be disciplined, initiative-driven, service-oriented, intelligent, progressive, likeable, innovative, nature friendly, agile, dedicated and obedient.

Moreover, “Abusado” summarizes schemes on how the armed forces can effectively execute their functions during operations.

As instructed, they are to avoid indiscriminate firing, suppress enemy fires, identify priority targets, negate distraction and maintain focus, trade speed for accuracy, apply fire and maneuver, deliver maximum effect and ensure a “one shot-one casualty” action.

“Asintado”, on the other hand, pertains to wrongdoings armed forces shall stay away from.

These include being drunkards, womanizers and arrogant; use of prohibited drugs; and involvement in gambling, extrajudicial killings and human rights violations. (Lorie Gene C. Cruz)

Ailing, aging NE bachelor gets wish for medical treatment after 3 years

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–After three long and agonizing years, 55-year-old bachelor Juanito Esteban finally got his wish for medical treatment for a still undisclosed illness.

          Esteban, of Barangay Caimito, will soon undergo surgery for a lump which grew in his left hip, through the assistance of Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas and the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC).

          Esteban, accompanied by his elder sister Corazon Deregla, went to the Caimito Elementary School gymnasium here yesterday morning for the medical and dental mission jointly sponsored by the city government, the CGHMC and the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association (PCCA), Inc.

          The half-day medical activity benefited 1,000 residents from 19 barangays in this city.

          Esteban, who was lying in a stretcher, said he first noticed the lump in 2010 which caused him severe pain. It gradually grew, growing the size of a baseball. Because of the ailment, he could no longer walk.

          Deregla said his brother, the third in a brood of eight, sleeps by his side, in pain. “He eats and sleeps in excruciating pain always,” she said.

          Johnson Dy, director of the CGHMC observed that Esteban’s feet have turned yellow, indicating that blood is no longer circulating in his body.

          Dy and Maria Gracia Jiongco, CGHMC deputy administrator, told Cuevas they would have Esteban examined and operated at the CGHMC.

Cuevas and her husband, businessman Vince, will assist in shouldering the operation. I’ll support you all the way. I won’t neglect you,” Cuevas told Esteban.

          The 33-man medical and dental team led by Jiongco and Dy consist of four pediatricians, five physicians, four dentists, four nurses and a crew of 14.     The group also distributed assorted medicines to local folk.

          Jiongco said their group has already conducted at least 30 medical and dental missions in various parts of the country this year. From November 25-27, they went to Tacloban to provide assistance to 1,300 victims of typhoon Yolanda. 

          The PCCA, headed by its president, Dr. James Dy, is an active organization serving as umbrella of various organizations that include the CGHMC and involved in several socio-civic activities providing aid in areas where people underwent tragedies brought by natural calamities.

          For several years, PCCA organizations also got involved in relief operations in far-flung areas such as Bohol, Davao, Northern Samar and Tuguegarao.                  

          Aside from Jiongco and Dy, the medical team here include director Robert Yang, Dr. Jose Mari de Jesus, Dr. Leila Karen Nagal, Dr. Charles Erwin Cabus, Dr. Leighnette Geronimo, Dr. Maria Aloiza Hadloc, Dr. Dara Diana Relleve, Dr. Nico Ong, Dr. Jomar Silvestre and Dr. Roger Tiangco; dentists Eloisa Ferrer, Linda Corpuz, Olga Francia and Malu Calano, nurses Cherry May Almarez, Shane Mendoza, Lariza Javier and Olivia Leonardo and staffmembers Cocoi Hombrebuano, Melicia Barroga, Armine Navarette, Vilma Dy, Reymund Petrocinio, Shynee Calahat, Roberto Pangilinan, Mary Ann Pacheco, Beth Ngo, Jerry Dy, Zsha Tabirao,  Ony Bago Jimhar Kallong, Leonilo Agus, Linda Alvarez and Rubilyn Argonido.

Among the medicines given out were analgesic/antipyretic, anti-asthma, antibiotics, mucolytic, anti-diabetic, nasal decongestants, anti-histamine, pain reliever, anti-helmintic, anti-diarrheal, hematinic, eye irritation, anti-spasmodic, anti-coagulant, anti-hypertensive, cough and cold remedies, ear antiseptic, electrolyte replenisher, vertigo, anti-tubercular, topical preparation and vitamins. (Manny Galvez)