AFP Turnover P300k Donations to Sagip Kapamilya Foundation

Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines turned over today, January 6, over P300,000 in cash donations raised through various charity projects facilitated by the AFP’s Northern Luzon Command.

The total amount was handed over to Sagip Kapamilya Foundation thru Ms Tina Monzon-Palma in a ceremony held at the GHQ Conference Room here.

The series of fund raising projects started immediately after the attack on Zamboanga City last September. The first project, which is the crafting of furnitures out of uprooted trees due to typhoon Santi, was hatched in a command conference in NOLCOM presided by Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.

A few weeks after the Zamboanga incident came the earthquake in Bohol; then on the early part of November, Typhoon Yolanda devastated parts of Visayas. It was also agreed that several fundraising activities will be done to help our people in the south even as central Luzon was also hit by typhoon Santi.

Hundreds of uprooted trees ranging from decades old Acacia and Mahogany and other trees like Gemelina were gathered and crafted into dining sets, TV racks, cabinets and other furniture by soldiers of NOLCOM.

The auction of said items was held on December 16 and was met with enthusiasm from the local folks. Even before the actual selling, all the furniture sets have already been reserved and sold due to the overwhelming support of the people and different stakeholders who want to help our countrymen in Zamboanga, Bohol, Samar and Leyte.

The Golf for a Cause and Firing Tournament was held on Dec 18. The two tournaments were attended mostly by military personnel and businessmen from Central and Northern Luzon and National Capital Region who committed their support for the fundraising projects for calamity victims.

The Enduro Challenge and Battle of the Bands concert for a cause was held on Dec 20 which was participated in by different local bands who pledged support for the fundraising activity for our people in the south.

Sagip Kapamilya was chosen due to the stable partnership of the AFP and ABSCBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation and the long list of joint projects which were undergone in this partnership specially the school building projects of Sagip Kapamilya under the Program "Gusto Kong Mag-aral" where engineering equipment and expertise comes from the AFP while construction materials is being provided by Sagip Kapamilya and the labor force consist of Bayanihan of local populace and soldiers.

The partnership on school building projects was started in 2011 with the then AFP National Development Support Command and Sagip Kapamilya. The first school constructed in this partnership is the two-classroom schoolbuilding in Brgy Yunot, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro which benefitted the Hanunuo Tribe.

In 2011 alone Sagip Kapamilya in partnership with the AFP constructed a total of 124 classrooms nationwide including the 50 classrooms in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan which were constructed after typhoon Sendong. In 2012 a total of 86 more classrooms nationwide were constructed under this partnership.

In 2013, in Northern and central Luzon area a total of 27 school buildings were constructed under this partnership.

Right now, three more schoolbuildings are being constructed. These schoolbuildings are also designed to be utilized as evacuation centers during calamities.

DBM must publicize agencies’ ‘promissory notes’

MANILA-Now that the 2014 national budget has been signed into law, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto wants the Budget department to publicize the “promissory notes” agencies have issued in exchange for receiving taxpayer’s money.

Among the  “performance guarantees” embedded in the national budget are “the maximum seven minute response time of firemen to distress calls and a 25 percent increase in the number of police patrols,” Recto said.

He said the most important feature of the P2.268 trillion spending measure is not the scrapping of the Special Allotment Release Order as fund release document but “the matching of countable outputs with every peso received.”

“Spending is now linked to performance benchmarks. The peso sign now comes with a performance guarantee. And these guarantees are part and parcel of the budget,” he said.

Recto described the 2014 national budget, which President Aquino signed as Republic Act 10633 last Dec. 20, as “having gone micro by detailing what an agency must deliver.”

He cited as an example the “written vow” of the Philippine National Police to pursue with earnest the minimum 629,258 crime investigations it will conduct this year and to “increase by 25 percent its number of foot and mobile patrols.” 

In the case of the Bureau of Fire Protection, its budget says it will have a five- to seven-minute response time to 87 percent of the 5,185 distress calls it expects to get in 2014, Recto said.

One particular interest to Metro Manilans, Recto said, is if the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be able to deliver on its promise of an average travel speed of 29 kilometers per hour on the 197 kilometers of roads under its jurisdiction.  

The MMDA has also pledged a maximum 15-minute response time to 90 percent of traffic obstruction. For this year, it has a budget of P2.65 billion, a P1.2 billion increase from last year’s P1.48 billion.

Recto that the beauty of requiring these “promissory notes” is that “big ticket items get itemized.”

“In the case of the Department of Public Works and Highways, its budget says 1,022 gravel roads will be paved, while 605 kilometers of national roads will be built.  The Department of Agriculture has also indicated that it will repair 1,500 kilometers of farm roads,” Recto said.

Another major recipient of funds for 2014, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, has attached a menu of targets to its budget. In addition to the beneficiaries of its “mega P62.6 billion” cash transfer program, it will be serving meals to 2,568,811 schoolchildren next year.

On the part of the Department of Education, it has pledged an 84 percent National Achievement Test passing rate for 12.56 million secondary school students.

Over at the Department of Health (DOH), the hospitals it directly operates have pegged a target of 106,000 surgeries. The DOH has a budget of P80.8 billion for 2014, or almost a P30 billion jump from what it got last year.

Another government hospital, the Philippine Heart Center, has promised a three percent mortality rate from cardiac surgeries.

Even defense agencies are not exempted from revealing what is expected of them.

“The Army has given the assurance that 90 percent of its 176 tactical battalions can be made combat-ready within one hour upon receipt of orders from higher authorities,” he said.

“This is the response time the people would expect from them the next time a calamity will hit the country,” Recto said.

As to documents, the Land Registration Authority said it will be able to release 666,283 land titles while the Department of Foreign Affairs said it can issue 3,418,000 pieces of passports and other consular documents.

Recto said that under the national budget, Land Transportation Office is obliged to make public the number of days it would take to release a car license plate.

The Departmet of Transportation and Communications has also vowed to inspect 100,000 land transport franchise holders and to impose penalties on violations discovered. It has pledged to increase rail speed to an average 48 kilometers per hour.

Recto urged the Department of Budget Management to ensure that agencies comply with their promises.  “If this will be done, then we are assured of a higher rate of return on public money spent.” 

Legarda Echoes DOH Call to Clear Trash in Disaster-Hit Areas; Reiterates Call for Waste Management Law Implementation

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today echoed the call of the Department of Health (DOH) to immediately finish the clean-up of garbage and other debris in Yolanda-affected areas to prevent diseases.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, noted the DOH’s warning that the uncollected garbage in areas hit by typhoon Yolanda may attract bacteria-carrying organisms that could bring diseases.

“This is yet another challenge in our post-disaster management strategies. We cannot place lives at risk again due to the health hazards posed by piles of garbage lying on the streets of areas affected by the super typhoon. Solid waste management should always be central in our recovery and rehabilitation plans,” said Legarda as she also reiterated her call for strict implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (R.A. 9003), which she authored.

The Senator said that implementing an effective solid waste management plan in typhoon-hit areas could be less challenging if LGUs have already been faithfully implementing the law.

“It would be easier to manage waste materials after disasters if we already practice waste segregation, recycling, composting, processing, and treatment. Solid waste management should be part of every household’s daily routine and every community’s development plan,” Legarda stressed.

“Our citizens must demand that their local government implement a genuine solid waste management system in accordance with the law. This is within their right since LGUs are primarily responsible for implementing RA 9003. Segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level for biodegradable, compostable and reusable waste and the municipality or city is responsible for collecting non-recyclable materials and special waste,” she added.

“We also have to learn personal responsibility for our own garbage and choose the right items that can be recycled. When solid waste management has become a part of our life, we lessen the factors that contribute to aggravating disasters and the management of post-disaster waste would likewise be less difficult,” Legarda concluded.

OWWA holds Financial Literacy Seminar for OFW and their families in Central Luzon

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) concluded 2013 with a financial literacy seminar for 278 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families in Central Luzon.

 

“The two-day undertaking, which coincided with the observance of OFW Family Day, is part of our on-going commitment to help our OFWs and their families learn about the financial issues that affect their day-to-day lives,” OWWA Regional Director Maria Lourdes Reyes said.

 

“Our aim is to help dependents learn how to measure and manage the money their OFW relatives make and develop an appreciation and value to what they work hard for. It also intends to teach the OFW family the need and options of saving, holding and making additional money and help them plan, create a personal mission and set a time-line for their accomplishment,” Reyes added.

 

Apart from financial literacy, OWWA has also conducted last year trainings on entrepreneurial development, values re-orientation and organizational development in partnership with Family Welfare Offices and OFW Family Circles. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Bataan Industrial Peace Council holds first general assembly

BALANGA CITY, Bataan-Around 90 management and labor representatives in the hotel and restaurant, construction and education sectors recently attended the first general assembly of the Bataan Industrial Peace Council (BIPC).

 

BIPC is regarded as the mother council of the provincial tripartite councils of the mentioned sectors.

 

During the occasion, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Assistant Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio gave an overview of Department Order 115-11 otherwise known as the “Guidelines on the Implementation of the Incentivizing Compliance Program (ICP)” with emphasis on the Tripartite Certificate of Compliance to Labor Standards.

 

“Gone are the days when firms perceive us like police officers going after those with violations on labor standards. We are (now) here introducing a developmental approach, through the ICP, which will benefit both management and labor in terms of productivity and competitiveness,” Panlilio said. 

 

The Labor agency official noted that the ICP gives due recognition to companies which strongly promote the culture of voluntary compliance to core labor standards and occupational safety and health standards.

 

Moreover, DOLE Provincial Director Leilani Reynoso and other staff from the Bataan Field Office gave lectures on Productivity, Republic Act 9231 otherwise known as Child Labor Law, and Workers Rights and Benefits.

 

The activity culminated with the election of officers for period 2014-2016 where Reynoso was voted Chairman along with Mia Edith Gabriel of Abelline Manpower Services as Vice Chair for Management, Joven Gadiano of Universal Weavers as Vice Chair for Labor, Ethel Grace Ramos of Bataan Christian School as Secretary (Management), Nida Valderama of Mitsumi as Secretary (Labor), Doriz Dichoso of Dong-In as Treasurer (Management), Rosario Gaza of Dunlop as Treasurer (Labor), Jhune Lopez of Seashore Restaurant as Auditor (Management), Bernard Cuenco of Asia Pro Cooperative as Auditor (Labor), Jovy Cuberos of Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club as Public Relations Officer (Management), and Eduardo Meneses of BFG as Public Relations Officer (Labor).

 

Chosen as members of the Board of Directors were Slyvia Tolentino of Jollibee and Jerome Bantog of Crown Royale Hotel representing the Hotel and Restaurant Tripartite Council, Victor Quezon of Polymervic Construction representing the Construction Industrial Tripartite Council, and Antonina Abella of KIDS Garden Learning Center and Eden Caribo of the Orani United Methodist Ecumenical School representing the Education Industrial Tripartite Council. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

TPLEX management to begin collecting fees on January 6

TARLAC CITY Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC), through its subsidiary and toll road concessionaire Private Infra Development Corporation, Inc. (PIDC), will begin to collect fees in the Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui stretch of the 88.85-kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) on Monday, January 6.

 

In a statement, PIDC said “tariff in Tarlac City to Victoria part (8.66km) are P30 for Class 1, P76 for Class 2 and P91 for Class 3 vehicles,”

 

“Moreover, fees from Victoria to Gerona (8.017km) are P28 for Class 1, P70 for Class 2 and P84 for Class 3. Rates for Tarlac City to Gerona (16.777km), on the other hand, are P58 for Class 1, P145 for Class 2 and P175 for Class 3,” it added.

 

President Benigno Aquino III formally opened TPLEX last December 23 via an inaugural drive-trough in its Paniqui exit in Tarlac.

 

That portion brings to 23 kilometers the total length of the TPLEX that is operational following the opening of the 17-kilometer Phase 1A from Tarlac City to Victoria, Pura, then Gerona initially for free to the public.

 

At present, PIDC is working on the 27-kilometer stretch from Paniqui to Moncada in Tarlac then Carmen in Pangasinan including the construction of the 950-meter Agno viaduct.

 

PIDC eyes an April 2014 completion of this section, ahead of its December 2014 estimate.

 

By then, the two-hour travel time from Tarlac to Carmen will be cut to only 30 minutes.

 

Moreover, the remaining 25.83-kilometer part from Urdaneta, Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union will be completed by 2015.

 

From end-to-end, TPLEX will traverse 17 towns and two cities in the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union and Nueva Ecija.

 

It connects the Northern and Central provinces of Luzon to Metro Manila via the North Luzon and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressways.

 

Originally designed as a two-lane road, SMC decided to upgrade the infrastructure to four lanes to ensure road safety and in anticipation of future traffic growth.

 

Once completed, it will cut travel time from Tarlac to La Union to only an hour from the present three and a half hours. (Shane F. Velasco)

Retired Full Pledge Colonel, Held for Indiscriminate Firing in Aurora

BALER, Aurora-Elements of Baler Municipal Police Station responded to the reported indiscriminate firing at Purok 6, Barangay Buhangin in this town at around 10:20 PM, Saturday, December 28, 2013, and arrested retired colonel Adolfo Dela Torre, a former member of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The suspect was responsible for indiscriminately firing of a gun into the air three times which caused panic among his neighbors, who in turn reported the incident to the authorities.

Confiscated from him was a one (1) cal. 45 with markings Federal IL, USA, 1911 A-1 with Serial Number 500719, one (1) magazine with five (5) ammunitions and during the crime scene search the team recovered one (1) empty cartridge.

The Recovered pieces of evidence were brought to Aurora Crime Laboratory Office for examinations while suspect is now under the custody of Baler Police Station for proper disposition.

Dela Torres’ case of Violation of PD 1866 as Amended by RA 8294 and Unlawful Discharge of Firearms charges were already filed in court this afternoon against him. (Jason de Asis)

CLMA-Aurora Chapter New Prexy Calls for Unity and Prayer

BALER, Aurora-DZJO “Spirit” FM 101.7 mhz Admin Officer/Newscaster Rey Fernando, in his capacity as the new president of the Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA)-Aurora Chapter, called on his colleagues for a deeper spirituality based on the bible and for unity prayer against corruption.

In a cellphone interview, Fernando said that corruption in business and in politics must be eradicated if not minimize, urging the CLMA members to be united through prayer, discernment and concerted action to renew the social and political fabric of the people in Aurora, media and the country.

“Many of them and/or perhaps the majority of the corrupt people in politics and in business are notorious to violence, lack of proper discernment and the likes,” he explained.

In his speech in a broad day light at Pedervera Beach Resort, following his election as the new prexy of the CLMA, Fernando expressed his heartfelt thanks to all of his colleagues who voted him.

“This is really an overwhelming sign of trust and confidence,” he said, promising that he will continue what the organization has started in the province and in Central Luzon.

“I will also work for the organization and with you in the year 2014 and want to win your confidence too.  I know the great responsibility of the President. This makes me humble. I want to lead the CLMA-Aurora Chapter according to my motto: Prayer and Unity in Diversity. It would mean that I will do my very best efforts to balance all the different best interests of the organization,” Fernando pointed-out.

“In every activity that we would like to implement, I want to listen and to enter into an on-going dialogue with all of you. You should know that my door, my ears, and my heart are always open for you,” he said.

With 100% votes, Fernando will Chair the CLMA-Aurora Chapter next year after the oath taking of the chapter officers of all media personalities from their respective provinces in Central Luzon at Philrice in Nueva Ecija on January 10, 2014.

Fernandos’ triumph marked a landslide victory in the CLMA election. The new officers are Ferdinand Pascual-Vice President for Print (BWBW FM Radyo TV Baler), Ronaldo Ramos-Vice President for Broadcast (DZJO FM), Nestor Molina-Secretary (DWBW FM Radyo TV Baler), Richard Baoy-Treasurer (DWBW Radyo TV Baler), George Balbero-Auditor (DZJO FM), Wilma Villareal-Business Manager (DWBW FM Radyo TV Baler) and Frederick Paulo-Marshall (DWBW FM Radyo TV Baler). The Board of Director are Jason de Asis (CMN/Bagong Aurora Website ng Bayan), Ronald Leander (GMA7), Amador Ramos (DZJO FM), Norberto Cruz (Bagong Aurora), Larry Marco (Radyo Natin FM), Richard Serquena (DWBW FM Radyo TV Baler) and Leonilo Beltran (TV5). The CLMA members present are Jonathan Querijero (DZJO FM), Arnel Turzar (DZJO FM), Sheryll Santa Maria (DZJO FM), Rodrigo Javar (DZJO FM), Eddie Rebueno (DZJO FM/KABALIKAT CIVICOM), Ernie Rebueno (DZJO FM) and Joseph Molina (DZJO FM).

The election period started from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon. The conduct of election was facilitated by CLMA Regional President Ronald Madrid Leander. (Jason de Asis)

PNP-PRO3 raids illegal firecracker factory

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga- Through the continuous efforts of the Philippine National Police to enforce laws that will help reduce the casualty figures due to firecrackers as well as confiscate illegal fireworks and pyrotechnics, Police Regional Office 3 under the leadership of PCSupt Raul D Petrasanta, PRO3, is currently conducting series of inspections/raids among firecracker manufacturers/warehouses and stores within the region especially in Bulacan.

 

The joint elements of Bulacan PPO Intelligence Brach, Bocaue Municipal Police Station and Provincial Public Safety Company raided an illegal firecracker/pyrotechnics manufacturer located at  Sitio Daang Riles, Brgy Bundukan, Bocaue, Bulacan which resulted in the seizure of large quantities of chemicals and finished and unfinished pyrotechnics and firecrackers yesterday at 10 o'clock in the morning.

 

Nine (9) persons were arrested and brought to Bulacan Provincial Police Office for filing of appropriate charges for Violation of Republic Act 7183 “An Act regulating the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.”

 

Petrasanta reiterated his reminder to the public to refrain from using prohibited firecrackers to avoid any untoward incident during the celebration of New Year.

Ecija vice mayor held up; loses P50K to robbers

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–A municipal vice mayor in Nueva Ecija lost P50,000 to two unidentified hold-up men who took away his cash he just withdrew from an ATM (automated teller machine) here the day before Christmas Day, police reported. 

         

            Police Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves, provincial police director, identified the victim as Vice Mayor Emmanuel Manuel of Gen. Natividad, Nueva Ecija.

          

         The unidentified holdup men pulled off the heist at around 8:45 am last December 24 along the Maharlika Highway, Barangay Dicarma here.

          

         Manuel told police that he just withdrew cash at the ATM booth of the Philippine National Bank in Barangay Sangitan then drove his Toyota Tamaraw FX bearing license plate TRT-378 on his way home when it encountered engine trouble.

 As he was about to step out of his car, the suspects suddenly appeared and declared the hold-up at gunpoint.

They then carted away his bag containing P50,000 worth of cash and fled towards the north direction aboard a black motorcycle. (Manny Galvez) 

Maranan forms “Task Force Pablo,” earmarks P500 M for rehab works in 4 regions

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija-Administrator Claro V.  Maranan of the National Irrigation Administration has formed “Task Force Pablo” (TFP) and earmarked P500 million to fast-track rehabilitation works in four regions of Mindanao.

In a memorandum, Maranan named Felix Razo, NIA senior deputy administrator, as head of the  task force which flew yesterday to Region 11 in Davao City for a four-day inspection of Pablo-related irrigation projects.

          Razo’s team is also composed of Florentino R. David, internal audit services department manager; internal control officers Teresita G. Pantalla and Mary Jean P. Estefanio and systems management division senior engineer Maria Gracia A. Ramos.

          Maranan directed the task force to conduct audit on the implementation of restoration and rehabilitation works of all projects funded under the Typhoon Pablo Fund. The audit will cover procurement up to contract administration.

          For the restoration works, an initial amount of P500 million has been released for damaged irrigation facilities in Regions 10 to 13.

          As part of the administrative reforms being instituted at NIA, Maranan said four irrigation management officers will be reshuffled.

On December 29, Maranan will meet with farmers for their feedback on issues involving irrigation and the agency.

          The creation of the task force was in line with the seven-point development agenda of Maranan outlining the agency’s course of action on

various aspects of organizational and operational performance.

          This is aimed at achieving the following: 1) provide creative and speedy solutions to the urgent problems confronting NIA; 2) rally support of employees and officers in carrying out the reform agenda and 3) document the program for future reference as a learning organization committed to continuing improvement. 

          Maranan explained that his program is consistent with President Aquino’s vision to turn the country into a nation of transformational leaders, a government dedicated to honing and mobilizing people’s skills and energies as well as the responsible harnessing of natural resources, and the value for excellence and integrity. (Manny Galvez)

P70 thousand Lost in Oasis Resort Christmas Robbery Incident

BALER, Aurora-Some P70,000 worth of valuables were lost before Christmas eve in a reported robbery incident in Oasis Resort located at Sitio Bukodtangi, Barangay Sabang, Baler, Aurora.

The incident happened at the said place around 7:30 p.m. inside the apartment occupied by the family of Ramiel Buenavista y Valenzuela, 37 years old and a salesman.

The police said that last December 25, 2013 at about 1:00 a.m. the elements of Baler Police Station received a report from Ramiel informing that a robbery incident transpired at the said place.

Robbers took one (1) unit of Cellphone Galaxy Packet color blue, one (1) wrist watch, fossil brand color combination of gold and silver, one (1) angle grinder and one (1) rooter machine including their native live chicken at the backyard with approximate amount of more or less Seventy Thousand pesos (P70,000.00 php). 

Police said the robbers gained entry by destroying the back wall of the apartment made of coconut lumber and used it as ingress and egress.

The police investigation is still on going to identify the perpetrators. (Jason de Asis)

Merry Christmas to all!

BALER, Aurora-To our dear readers, the Yuletide season offers a meaningful occasion to reflect upon the blessings we received, the lessons that have made us wiser, and the trials that have made us stronger in different aspects.

There are countless definitions of what Christmas is; normally the answer depends on the psycho-sociological and economic status of a person. The Bible is the best source of definition. There is a common adage which runs “it is better to give than to receive;” however for those who belong to the grass root, it is the opposite, it is better to receive because they don’t have anything to give.

The real essence is “Christmas” is giving. One can give without loving while others could love without giving. For Christians who encounter problems, problems are considered challenges and ones these challenges are hurdled, they become better persons. In forgiving, it is no longer an issue as who is right or who is wrong.

It is a question of who loves most and gives the most.

In giving, it is not the value of what you give, it is the sacrifice you shared in giving.

A widow gave her offering of 3 coins eventhough the money would cost her daily sustenance; there is sacrifice on her part. The Pharisees offered almost riches for the poor. But it was not acceptable to God because there is no sacrifice, what more, there is no love; and their offerings came from the tax payers’ blood.

Therefore, there is no greater gift which God gave us in John 3:16, For God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but shall have eternal life.

May we all have a blessed and meaningful Christmas.

KAUGNAY Troops Attends Commission on Human Rights Consultative Meeting

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – Selected soldiers of 7^th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division of Philippine Army attended a day of lectures and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) spearheaded by Commission of Human Rights (CHR) with regard to Security Sector Reform Institutional Framework, held at Hunters Valley Resort, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on December 18, 2013.

            The Officer and Enlisted Personnel from 7^th Civil-Military Operation (G.W.A.P.O.) Battalion, 3^rd Infantry Battalion, and 7^th Infantry Division Human Right Office participated in a one day consultative meeting together with Philippine National Police Region III. 

            The objective of the meeting is to strengthen the Security Sector Reform project that shall initially be aimed at strengthening core security sector’s capacity, organization and institutions to conform to the human rights standards and norms, towards ending impunity, preventing systematic and grave human rights violations, enabling civil oversight. Among the topics discussed were; Behavior of soldiers during combat operations, security threat, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Rule of Engagement (ROE), reasons to established military detachment, respect of ancestral domain.

            The discussion was facilitated by Atty. Glenda Titong, Security Sector Reform consultant, CHR under supervision of Atty. Tifanie Gerona, Executive Assistant, CHR.

            The leadership of “Kaugnay” Division of Philippine Army has been aggressively promoting and strictly implementing its policy on absolute respect of human rights, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Rules of Engagement (ROE) in the performance of its mandate in its area of responsibility.

            The Armed Forces of the Philippines Center for Human Rights Dialogue was established beside the Aquino – Diokno Shrine to cater and serves a venue for dialogues on symposia for human rights issues. It was inaugurated by his Excellency President Benigno S Aquino III last September 21, 2012.    

            The activity is just one of the many activities in connection with Human Rights Consciousness Week  with the theme, Wakasan ang Kawalang Pananagutan, Tiyakin ang Tapat na Pamamahala”.

7ID Welcomes CGPA’s Visit to Fort Magsaysay

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The 7^th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division under the leadership of Maj Gen Hernando DCA Iriberri warmly welcome the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt Gen Noel A Coballes Armed Forces of the Philippines last December 18, 2013.

The Philippine Army Chief, Lt Gen Coballes, is the Guest of Honor and Presiding Officer (GOHAPO) of the Change of Command Ceremony of Commander, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) (SFR(A)) and Assumption of Command Ceremony of Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Philippine Army.

A change of Command Ceremony is a military tradition that present a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another. The passing of colors, standard and insignias from an outgoing commander to an incoming one ensures that the unit and its soldiers is never without official leadership, a continuation of trust, and also signifies an allegiance to the unit’s commander.

“First of all would like to greet the Officers, Enlisted Personnel, and the Civilian Employees of the 7^th infantry Division, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all.  The 7ID had been known to its commitment and dedication in its mandate in serving the people in its area of responsibility.  The troops of 7ID had been very cooperative in giving their utmost service in helping the victims of typhoon Santi and typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City.” Lt. Gen. Coballes said.

            “Foundations have been laid for the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR); the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” is now strongly felt by the Filipino people as we have established and is continually establishing partnership with international, national and local leaders and various stakeholders.  In line with the ATR, the Philippine Army will make a directive requiring every soldier to have their own Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK). This will help our troops especially to those assigned in field units to have an immediate response in the absence of Medical Team. Also, the issuance of new Combat Boots called “Field boots” is expected to be given to each soldier this coming 1^st Quarter of the coming year.” Lt. Gen Coballes added.

            “This Yuletide Season may we show sympathy to the victims of calamities by making our Christmas Party Celebration simple and meaningful. Let us try to extend help for our people who are need in deeply. Since Christmas is about giving, let’s try to help them not only thru giving material gifts but also including them in our prayers that they may easily build their communities again.”  The Army Chief ended in his remarks.

Legarda: Filipino Communities Must Learn, Share Lessons from Yolanda

MANILA-Amid the ongoing recovery efforts in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda, Senator Loren Legarda today urged the survivors to learn from the lessons brought by the disaster and share the same to others to be able to build back better communities and ensure resilient recovery.

In her recent meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Legarda, UN Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, stressed that communities anticipated and prepared for Yolanda, but the strength of the typhoon and the devastation it caused showed that much more needs to be done.

“Filipinos are a resilient people. Communities, headed by the local government heads, had taken precautionary measures to avert a disaster, but Yolanda showed more of the underlying risks in our communities. Some local government units have early warning systems, but what we must ensure is that all LGUs must put in place such system,” she explained.

The Senator said that the Philippines is ahead of other countries in terms of being DRR-literate especially with the help of two landmark laws—the Philippine Climate Change Act and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act—both recognized as among the best in the world. These policies, however, still need to be fully operational.

“Some local government units are making good use of these laws. A good example is Former Mayor Al Arquillano of San Franciso, Camotes Island, a UN Sasakawa Awardee. He evacuated residents of a highly vulnerable island ahead of time before Yolanda made landfall, resulting in zero casualties. Other LGUs should be likewise proactive. We cannot achieve full resiliency with piecemeal efforts, with only few communities working towards resilience,” she pointed out.

“We are greatly thankful for the support of the international community, led by the UN. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed solidarity with the Filipino people and has called on donor nations to keep their commitment and strengthen their support to the rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas. As a sign of our deep gratitude, it is fitting and is to our best interest that we work hard towards preventing disasters and strengthening resilience,” said Legarda.

“Let us make good use of the lessons we have learned from Yolanda and share this experience with other nations as we hope for a fruitful outcome of two important global events--the UN Climate Summit in 2014 and the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015,” she concluded.

PNoy leads formal opening of TPLEX today

TARLAC CITY-President Benigno Aquino III will lead today the formal opening of the 88.85-kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) via an inaugural drive-trough in its Paniqui exit in Tarlac.

 

That portion brings to 23 kilometers the total length of the TPLEX that is operational following the opening of the 17-kilometer Phase 1A from Tarlac City to Victoria, Pura, then Gerona initially for free to the public.

 

At present, diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC) through its subsidiary and TPLEX concessionaire- Private Infra Dev Corporation, Inc. (PIDC) is working on the 27-kilometer stretch from Paniqui to Moncada in Tarlac then Carmen in Pangasinan including the construction of the 950-meter Agno viaduct.

 

PIDC eyes an April 2014 completion of this section, ahead of its December 2014 estimate.

 

By then, the two-hour travel time from Tarlac to Carmen will be cut to only 30 minutes.

 

Moreover, the remaining 25.83-kilometer part from Urdaneta, Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union will be completed by 2015.

 

From end-to-end, TPLEX will traverse 17 towns and two cities in the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union and Nueva Ecija.

 

It connects the Northern and Central provinces of Luzon to Metro Manila via the North Luzon and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressways.

 

Originally designed as a two-lane road, SMC decided to upgrade the infrastructure to four lanes to ensure road safety and in anticipation of future traffic growth.

 

Once completed, it will cut travel time from Tarlac to La Union to only an hour. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)