Drilon: SC verdict on RH law "urgently needed"

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon urged the Supreme Court to finally render a judgment on the Reproductive Health Act case, arguing that the prolonged debacle on the law has“stymied government efforts addressing the need for much-needed maternal and infant care throughout the nation.”  

“More than 14 months since the historic passage of the reproductive health law, the government’s hands are still tied when it comes to attending fully to the needs for maternal care of millions of mothers, most especially those living in the far-flung areas who barely had access to health services,” said Drilon.  

The Senate chief said the highest court’s ruling on the constitutionality of the law “is vital in freeing the government to act on maternal deaths and other health complications affecting women, wives and mothers in the country.”

“The implementation of the RH law has been hanged in a state of limbo pending a court decision, leaving the government temporarily incapacitated on its legitimate goal of removing the stumbling blocks to providing maximum maternal and infant care throughout the country,” Drilon explained.

He noted that addressing maternal deaths is a commitment under the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, where the country is woefully lagging behind.

“Whatever the verdict of the Supreme Court, only then will be the government freed to either continue with the RH law, or proceed to formulate another national policy on this issue,” he then added.

However, Drilon said that as he is calling for increased decisiveness by the high court, he also concurs on the issue with fellow Congressional leaders, such as House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who had earlier called on the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutionality of the RH law.

“The fact that the RH bill underwent more than thirteen years’ worth of debates, studies and consultations before it was approved is an undeniable proof that its passage went through an arduous and highly-publicized process, where it was subjected to the full rigors of the Philippine legislative system, and where all views –whether for or against its passage- were fully observed and taken into account,” Drilon said.
 
The RH Law was passed by the 15thCongress in December 2012, and at the same month was signed into law by President Aquino. However, its constitutionality was brought to the Supreme Court, who in March 2013 issued a status quo ante order against the law. 

Ecija’s oldest private university turns 68

CABANATUAN CITY – Nueva Ecija’s first-ever private university has turned 68th, surviving through roller-coaster years, including a turbulent past year which saw a sitting president taking an indefinite leave of absence amid graft allegations.

          The Methodist-run Wesleyan University of the Philippines observed its 68^th founding anniversary at its Main Campus along Mabini Extension through a six-day festivity which kicked off last February 10 with a thanksgiving and worship service, motorcade, film showing and the opening of college booths and tiangge.

          WUP president Pacifico Aniag said this year’s anniversary rites, which have as its theme : “Sustaining Excellence at 68,” were also marked by medical and dental mission, blood-letting, the “my teacher and I got talent” competitions, jingle and digital photography competitions, the search for Mr. and Miss Wesleyan 2014, beach volleyball tournament, sportsfest, the Run for Kids 2014 fun run and the Grand Alumni homecoming Saturday.

          Aniag, a former three-term provincial board member of Bulacan, said this year’s festivities represent a high-water mark for the university which has been offering high-quality education for the past 68 years.

He said WUP has become synonymous with lofty academic standards, broad course offerings, highly competent faculty and personnel, wide range of facilities and excellent record of community service.

          Described as a non-stock, non-profit, Methodist-related but non-sectarian institution, WUP started in 1946 as the Philippine Wesleyan College (PWC) after it was founded by a group of Methodist religious and lay persons who saw the need to provide Novo Ecijanos the opportunity to receive college education without going to Manila.

          In 1978, it was granted university status and renamed WUP, in the process becoming the first private university in the province in recognition of its role as a credible institution of higher learning in the province.

          In 2009, WUP was given a five-year autonomous status by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched), thus, becoming the first and only autonomous private university in the province. With the accolade, WUP also joined the elite list of best private universities in the country.

The festivities also came at a time when the university was on a transition from a potential leadership crisis owing to a power struggle involving factions loyal to his predecessor and the Board of Trustees (BOT).

          Aniag’s predecessor was facing corruption allegations and was given a graceful exit by the BOT by allowing him to go on an indefinite leave. The Board later named Aniag as new president to steer the school to new heights.

          Aniag said the school has gone a long way, with its student population now at 8,200. Of these, some 5,700 are college students while 1,500 are primary and secondary students. It also has 1,000 students at its extension campus in Maria Aurora, Aurora.

          Aniag said the students from the Cushman campus have been availing of the school’s state-of-the-art facilities that include the university hospital, library, auditorium and chapel, computer center, radio station, function hall, food court, the Wesley Park and Plaza Acacia among others.   

          WUP has eight colleges offering 17 baccalaureate degrees. The colleges are arts and sciences, business and accountancy, education, engineering, computer studies, criminal justice education, hotel restaurant and institution management and nursing and allied medical sciences.

          These colleges offer bachelor of science degrees in arts, accountancy, accounting technology, business administration, secondary education, elementary education, social work, electronics engineering, computer engineering, information technology, criminology, hotel and restaurant management, tourism management, nursing, physical therapy, medical technology and radiation technology.

          It also hands over a diploma for midwifery courses.

          For its graduate school, WUP has a doctorate degree in education and business administration and masteral degrees in education, sociology, business administration, nursing and criminal justice education. – Manny Galvez 

Octogenarian murder witness murdered on Valentine’s Day in NE

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – An octogenarian witness in a murder case 18 years ago was shot dead right on Valentine’s Day by a long assassin in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, three days before he was to take the witness stand against an accused in the case.

          Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves, provincial police director, identified the victim as Alfredo Manawis, 82, of Purok Sampaguita, Barangay Calabasa, Gabaldon.

          The killing was perpetrated at around 12:30 pm Friday when Manawis, a widower, was watching television inside his house.

          Senior Inspector Rodolfo Racho, Gabaldon police chief, said the suspect shot him point-blank in the head in an unknown firearm then fled towards the south direction in nearby Dingalan, Aurora aboard an unlicensed black Mio Yamaha motorcycle.

          Racho said the gunman was described as 5’ 8” in height, medium built, wearing long sleeves, maong pants and a ball cap.

Manawis was rushed to the Gabaldon Community Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Racho said the killing may have been triggered by the murder case involving a certain Apolinario Lazaro who was shot dead on February 20,1996. Lazaro’s nephew Orlando Lazaro Jr. was tagged for the killing which motive was reportedly due to a land dispute.

Orlando was later detained at the provincial jail in Barangay Caalibangbangan this city in connection with the crime.

SP01 Arnold B Barrogo, officer-on-case,  said Manawis is a witness in Apolinario’s killing. He said Manawis was to take the witness stand on Monday to testify  against Orlando.

He added that Orlando was also being linked to the September 20,2012 killing of Apolinario’s brother Feliciano. – Manny Galvez

Ecija fun run for victims of sex abuse, ‘Yolanda’ lures 1,000 runners

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – A fun run organized by the students’ organization of the Wesleyan University of the Philippines to raise funds for victims of sexual abuse and those displaced by typhoon “Yolanda” kicked off before dawn here yesterday, participated in by 1,000 runners.

Dubbed “Run for Kids 2014,” the event started at 4 am at Plaza Acacia inside the Cushman Campus of the WUP - Nueva Ecija’s oldest private university - along Mabini Extension here.

The run-for-a-cause activity was organized by the university’s supreme student council (SSC) led by its president Juan Rolando Dizon, the event’s overall chairman and council vice president and co-project head Amira Panginen.

Ian Javier, council secretary and project head, said the 1,000 participants came from all walks of life, the youngest of whom was a seven-year-old kid. The event was categorized into three, one involving a three-kilometer run, another for five kilometers and the third for a distance of 10 kilometers.

The 5km run was for runners 12 years and above while the 10kkm for adults. The first placer stands to receive P2,000 plus medal, the second placer P1,500 and the third P1,000.

Emmanuel Cleto, SSC adviser, said they expect the fun run to be a resounding success since all the jerseys were almost sold out three days before the actual event.

 Javier said they expect to raise P300,000 from the three events, proceeds of which will go to victims of sexual abuses at the Home for Girls in Palayan City and those affected by Yolanda in Tacloban City.

He said that last year, a similar fun run benefited 30 cancer-stricken children where they were able to procure machine for bone marrow transplant.

The sponsors for the fun run were such firms as SaveMore, Robinson’s, Smart Communications, Jollibee, Kia, BanKo, Towncall, Chevrolet, Peugot, Red Logo, Philippine National Police, Cabanatuan Electric Corp., Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (PJGMRMC), BDO, Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI), Cakeland, NE Pacific, Coffee La Tea, Vicentico’s, 14M, Toyota, Mercury Drug, Manson Drug, M Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier, Gloria Jeans Coffee, Slice & Dice, Blue Copy, Medlinks and Maybank. – Manny Galvez 

Drilon, Angkla Partylist, maritime workers groups, hail quick passage of bill addressing seafarers’ welfare

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, Angkla partylist Rep. Jesulito A. Manalo, and various maritime workers’ groups hailed the Congress for its “decisive legislative action,” following the passage of a bill designating the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to watch over the welfare of 400,000 seafarers across the globe.

“I commend my colleagues from both houses, especially the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization headed by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and and Angkla Rep. Manalo, who painstakingly worked hard to ensure that the bill would be passed without delay,” said Drilon.

Similarly, Drilon and Manalo thanked House Committee on Transportation chairman Rep. Cesar Sarmiento “for showing genuine concern to the thousands of Filipinos who have made their livelihood at the seas of the world."

“Their great prudence and resolve led to the passage of the measure which protects the employment of 80,000 Filipino seafarers based in Europe from losing their jobs,” added Drilon.

Senate Bill 2043 filed by Drilon and House Bill 3766 filed by Manalo were both approved on third and final reading last February 10.

For his part, Manalo said “the bill is of global importance, as it re-affirms the commitment of the Philippines, to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).” The IMO is a United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping, effectively serving as the overall governing body for world maritime affairs.

The European Union (EU) has earlier expressed its inclination to ban Filipino seafarers from EU-flagged vessels due to the country’s continued failure to demonstrate compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, as amended (STCW Convention) –which the bill addresses and rectifies.

Meanwhile, the heads of various maritime institutions have expressed their gratefulness to the Senate President and Angkla Rep. Manalo “for what they consider a landmark event.” 

Capt. Gaudencio Morales, president of Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association, in a statement, stated that they are fully supportive of the bill and are grateful to Manalo and Drilon “in assisting the Filipino seafarers, particularly through proper implementation of the vital provisions of the STCW Convention.”

“We give our wholehearted support to Drilon’s and Angkla’s bill. This will certainly help Filipino seafarers to further advance their knowledge, expertise, and competency,” Capt. Hernando Eusebio, President of the Society of Filipino Ship Captains, said when asked for a comment.

The collective support from Congress and the industry resulted in the swift passage of the parallel bills in both the House of Representatives and Senate. “Once passed, this law ultimately ensures that the Filipinos remain the seafarers of choice in the world and will continue to move the world,” Manalo said.  

“The enactment of this law however, is merely an initial step towards the transformation envisioned by Angkla for the maritime industry,” the first-time lawmaker firmly remarked, “Rest assured that when the law is enacted, ANGKLA will be looking at MARINA more intently and make sure that they see that this is now an opportunity for them to rise up to the challenge of making the lives of our seafarers easier.”

This valentine's day CL farmers plea against “dead heart” of Cojuangco-Aquinos and Ayala Land

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga-The militant regional farmers group Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (Amgl, Farmers' Alliance in Central Luzon) and its affiliate organizations Aguman Dareng Maglalautang Capampangan (Amc), Aniban ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan sa Hacienda Dolores (Aniban), Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) and Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Tarlak (Amt)  appeal to different sectors for support their struggle against big and rich landlords such as the Cojuangco-Aquino family and Ayala Land.  The groups said that the former attempts to preserve their control over the vast lands of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac city, while the latter plans to convert about 1,000-hectares of land in Hacienda Dolores in Porac town, Pampanga province.

“This valentine's day, we appeal not to the big and rich landlords as their hearts are hopelessly dead, but to the people of Central Luzon who adhere to the principles of nationalism and democracy.  The very interests of the Cojuangco-Aquinos and Ayala Land are the negation of these historic and valued ideals,” Joseph Canlas said, Amgl chairperson.

The groups are appealing to the so-called middle sectors such as the local businesses, church, professionals, institutions, cultural groups and more.  They claimed that feudal control of big landlords such as the Cojuangco-Aquinos and Ayala Land is a big stumbling block to development, affecting not just the peasant class, but also the middle classes.

The groups said that the Cojuangco-Aquino family is planning to convert Hacienda Luisita into an economic zone, as insinuated by the signage put up by their controlled firm, Tarlac Dev't. Corp. (Tadeco) in brgy. Balete, while Ayala Land plans the Alvierra project, similar to Nuvali in Sta. Rosa city in Laguna province.  They added that these plans totally disregard the interests of poor farmers and only serve their greed and interests of big, foreign and local investors.  This type of projects offer no room to local businesses but big and foreign such as what is taking place in Clark freeport zone in Angeles city and worse become competition.  Big landlords also enjoys monopoly control, dictating prices and distribution of agricultural would-be raw materials for local businesses.

“If Ayala Land pushes through with their project, this is another blow to the poor farmers and also the middle sector, as obviously this would result competition,” Canlas said.

The groups are citing the planned construction of residential and commercial establishments, including educational institutions.  They learned that well-known private schools in Manila are reportedly being asked to construct satellite campus in Alvierra.  Commercial establishments would clearly draw in the market similar to what is taking place in Angeles city, consequently affecting low-capital businesses.

“If these projects proliferate in the region, this would threaten our food supply, putting the people into deep poverty and hunger.  Poor farmers who actually cultivated food products are usual victims of hunger as their harvests immediately go to land rent and other costs.  If supply is depressed further, aside from the poor farmers, this would affect the workers, urban poor and other sectors,” Canlas said.

The groups claimed that these projects are holistic consequences.  It primarily affects poor farmers through seizure of their lands and ejectment, subsequently, other sectors and even the environment.  Thus, these projects are negate prioritizing national welfare and democracy.

“Let us not forget that love is not just romantic love.  Patriotism is love to one's people and we urge sectors to concretize this historical ideal into practice by supporting the struggle of Hacienda Luisita and Hacienda Dolores farmers,” Canlas ended. 

Legarda: Sustainable Development, Resilience Help Address Unemployment

MANILA-Amid statistics showing an increase in the country’s unemployment rate, Senator Loren Legarda today said that gearing towards sustainable development and resilience will help address the lingering problem of joblessness.

The Senator noted that a recent SWS survey showed that unemployment rose to 27.5%, or an additional 12.1 million Filipinos jobless, in the last quarter of 2013.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Environment and Natural Resources, and Climate Change, said that the disasters that struck the country in the last quarter of 2013, particularly the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol and typhoon Yolanda, were among the likely factors that led to the hike in unemployment rate.

“In order to address the increasing rate of unemployment, sustainable development and disaster resilience must be embedded in the government’s efforts. We need to be disaster resilient not only to protect lives and homes, but also to safeguard our schools, hospitals, malls, buildings, farms, plantations and factories, which all provide employment for Filipinos,” she said.

“Gearing towards sustainable development will also help improve our employment statistics. For instance, renewable energy projects can generate jobs that are badly needed. A study by the Greenpeace shows that 650,000 jobs have been generated by renewable energy in Europe alone,” she stressed.

The Senator also pushed for the promotion of green jobs and green skills in the country, noting that other nations encourage their citizens to engage in management in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, environmental information technology, and other careers that contribute to environmental preservation.

“All these efforts would complement our existing job generation strategies such as strengthened employment creation and facilitation by local governments, bringing in direct foreign investments to spur local labor demand, and promotion of self-employment, particularly on micro enterprise activities,” said Legarda.

“As a fundamental development strategy, building resilience would help our government sustain the country’s socio-economic gains, make a difference in poverty reduction, and eventually ensure the achievement of sustainable development goals,” she concluded.

Congress wants Sandiganbayan to focus on most significant graft cases, assign minor issues to RTCs, says Drilon

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon wants the Sandiganbayan to concentrate its resources in trying the most significant graft cases, and to transfer jurisdiction to hear and decide “minor cases” to the Regional Trial Courts (RTC).

Drilon emphasized that the proposal is aimed “at decongesting the clogged dockets of the Sandiganbayan.”

“The list of pending cases at the country’s anti-graft court is not getting any shorter, given the strong resolve of the administration to purge the government of corrupt individuals and finally halt the culture of corruption in the bureaucracy,” said Drilon.

He said that about 50 percent of the pending cases in the Sandiganbayan are considered minor cases “which can actually be heard faster by the regional trial courts.”

The Senate chief pointed to some provisions of the law that “only contribute to the backlog” even if the men and women of the Sandiganbayan are trying their best to fast-track the judicial process.  

Drilon was referring to the existing law vesting in the Sandiganbayan the jurisdiction over all graft cases involving public officials occupying Salary Grade 27 and above regardless of the “nature and gravity” of the offense.

“As a consequence, the country’s anti-graft court has to deal with even the most minor of cases, thus further aggravating its workload,” said Drilon.

He added that it takes five years or even more for the Sandiganbayan to try and decide an average case.

The Senate chief thus said he will propose another amendment in the Sandiganbayan’s charter to allow the transfer of minor cases to the RTCs. Minor cases, he said, “are those where the information does not allege any damages or bribes, alleges damages or bribes that are either unquantifiable or not quantified, or alleges quantified damages or bribes amounting to P1 million only or less.”

He said the expertise and competence of a trial court judge is “more than sufficient to hear such kind of cases.”

Drilon has previously filed a bill which seeks to amend the proceedings of the Sandiganbayan, which will authorize a justice-designate to hear and receive evidence on behalf of a division. Presently, the Sandiganbayan is composed of five divisions, with three justices each; and the presence of the three justices is required to receive evidence and try a case, and there must be a unanimous vote to secure an acquittal or a conviction.

The Senate leader said he expects Senate Bill No. 470 to be sponsored on the floor by March.

"The most potent deterrent against the spread of corruption is the certainty of punishment. We must therefore strengthen current procedures and mechanisms to ensure the swift prosecution and resolution of anti-graft cases,” stressed Drilon.

“The speedy trial and disposition of graft cases would certainly erase any delusions by anyone that stealing from public funds is a crime that they can get away with," he added. 

Lastly, the Senate leader said the current Congress is committed to pass various legislation aimed at tightening anti-corruption safeguards, enshrining transparency and ensuring prompt delivery of justice. The package includes, among others, the Freedom of Information Law, Whistleblower Protection Act, amendments to the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program Act. 

Recto: Probe sorry state of P12-B fund made possible by rice imports

MANILA-Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto has called for a probe into the “sorry state” of a P12 billion agriculture fund pooled from tariff payments on rice and other agricultural imports which were later loaned to groups most of whom have defaulted on their repayment.

Recto filed Senate Res. 495 directing the Senate committee on agriculture to inquire on the ACEF and evaluate its status.

Recto said audit reports on the Agriculture Competitive Enhancement Fund (ACEF) are littered with adverse findings like  “dismally low repayment rate”, “double recording of loan releases”, “return to sender of demand letters”, and “loans without collateral.”       

Some grantees, Recto said, “have done a Houdini and can no longer be found.”

He said P2.5 billion worth of loans were covered by letters of confirmation whose addressees could not be found or who did not reply at all.

Conceived as a safety net when the country joined the World Trade Organization, the ACEF was created by RA 8178 in 1996  to assist farmers affected when tariff walls came crashing  down  as a result of  the  Philippine ratification of the  General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

It was to be funded by “in-quota tariffs” collected from imported commodities, such as rice, placed under the restricted Minimum Access Volumes (MAV) which the Philippines imposed.

By May 15, 2013, total actual collections of ACEF has reached P11.8 billion, of which P10.3 billion was from “MAV” quotas and P1.2 billion was from so-called sugar conversion fees.

Of the P11.8 billion, almost P8.9 billion was released by the Department of Budget and Management to ACEF Executive Committee  which administers the fund.

The said body in turn released P2.6 billion as grants to local governments, government corporations and state colleges, and P5.9 billion as loans to 304 groups which, except for 10, were private corporations.

Almost a billion pesos of the grant portion went to the National Agribusiness Corp. (NABCOR), a DA-subsidiary President Aquino recently ordered abolished.

Quoting audit reports, Recto said the loan portion of the ACEF fund  suffered from low collection rate. “For every one peso lent, only 14 centavos were collected.”

The amount in arrears is P5.1 billion, he said. “For that amount, we can repair 5,000 kilometers of farm roads.”    

Recto said that while 294 private parties were granted a total of P4.4 billion in loans, only 23 had fully paid as of December 2011.   

Of the remaining 271 private borrowers, only 15, or 5 percent of the total, had no arrears. 

As a result, P2.2 billion in loans were already due and demandable two years ago.

Recto said all ACEF transactions audited by the CoA in 2010 and 2011 transpired before the Aquino administration.

He said current agriculture officials have implemented “remedial management” on ACEF utilization as spelled out in Department of Agriculture Administrative Order 12–2013.

Among these are loan restructuring, the suspension of some surcharges and penalties, and the demand for more collateral cover.

“In spite of these, we have to study the present state of ACEF,  draw lessons from how it was used, so that if it will be retained as a mechanism of using imported rice duties  to promote farm productivity, we avoid the shortcomings of the past,” Recto said.

“If we are going to import more rice in the future, then we must see to it that the original intent of plowing back to farmers the taxes levied on these imports is honored,” he said.

As of May last year, ACEF has an available balance of P3 billion. 

Legarda Bats for More Exhibitions to Showcase Philippine Art

MANILA-In celebration of the National Arts Month, Senator Loren Legarda today said that the country should regularly showcase Philippine Art through exhibitions that will enrich the cultural awareness and attachment of Filipinos.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, said that showcasing Philippine art and culture through national and international exhibitions fosters the critical development of Philippine art and the professional growth of the Filipino artists within and outside the country, and strengthens the role of the Philippines in the local and global community as a nation of and destination for contemporary art in the 21^st century.

“From indigenous to contemporary, the Philippines is rich in arts and artistic Filipinos. We have already spearheaded several initiatives and programs that aim to promote and protect the cultural diversity and sovereignty of our people through the powerful technology of exhibitions,” she said in her privilege speech.

The Hibla ng Lahing Filipino: The Artistry of Philippine Textiles, the country’s first permanent textile gallery, and the Baybayin: Ancient and Traditional Scripts of the Philippines, which are both housed at the National Museum, are among Legarda’s initiatives.

“Supporting these exhibitions are several bills that I filed in the Senate to create the Department of Culture, to preserve the country’s folk arts through the National Museum’s regional branches, to safeguard the cultural property rights of the indigenous communities, to guarantee equal employment opportunities to the members of the Indigenous Cultural Committee, to include ethnic origin in the national survey, and to prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, race, religion or belief, language, disability or other status,” she said.

Legarda also said that she is equally determined to promote Philippine contemporary art and culture at home and abroad.

“I believe that our indigenous communities who continue the tradition of our ancestors inspire and inform the current practices of the Filipino artists whose works also constitute our cultural legacy. Through exhibitions of the everyday and the epic, we have the opportunity to commemorate our ancestors and learn the lessons of the past and celebrate our contemporaries and pave the way for their bright future,” she stressed.

“In the spirit of the National Arts Month this February 2014 and my utmost belief that arts and culture are indispensable tools of national integration and international diplomacy, I invite you to join me in this bold and far-reaching endeavor to establish the necessary local and global links to better serve our nation and shepherd our people with pride, dignity, and honor,” Legarda concluded.

NOLCOM attests ‘bayanihan’, constructs school buildings for children

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac-Apart from rigorous campaigns upholding peace and order, Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has continuously reinforced its three-year Internal Peace and Security (IPSP)-Bayanihan program by establishing school projects in several communities within its area of responsibility.

 

“We have persisted in executing IPSP-Bayanihan programs and school projects by partnering with ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, Shimizu Nagasaki Foundation of Japan and other civic organizations in the country,” NOLCOM Commander Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said.

 

This resulted in the construction of 35 school buildings in regions 1,2,3 and Cordillera.

 

Recipient provinces include Abra (5 school buildings with 9 classrooms), Bataan (2 school buildings with 4 classrooms), Nueva Ecija (1 school building with 3 classrooms), Bulacan (1 school building with 2 classrooms), Tarlac (8 school buildings with 18 classrooms), Mt. Province (6 school buildings with 12 classrooms), Kalinga (1 school building with 2 classrooms), Isabela (1 school building with 2 classrooms), Ifugao (4 school buildings with 8 classrooms), Pangasinan (3 school buildings with 6 classrooms), Benguet (1 school building with 2 classrooms), Aurora (1 school building with 2 classrooms), and Nueva Vizcaya (1 school building with 2 classrooms).

 

“Moreover, 11 projects which were financed by ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation are being built. These are located in Kalinga, Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, and Nueva Ecija,” Catapang disclosed.

 

Meanwhile, NOLCOM has tapped various engineering units of the AFP in the construction of water systems, toilet facilities, playgrounds, and libraries within the vicinity of the schools.

 

The military official pronounced IPSP-Bayanihan as a comprehensive campaign package, which highlights a significant interplay of peace and development in sustaining progress and growth within the northern part of the country.

 

“NOLCOM is instrumental in winning peace in Northern Luzon. Through our IPSP-Bayanihan programs inspired by a genuine Filipino tradition of explicating cooperation and camaraderie, numerous projects and programs were pursued to create an environment conducive for sustainable development and a just and lasting peace,” Catapang emphasized. 

Drilon: Congress to prioritize bills widening reach of educational services

MANILA-Various bills that would provide support to financially-challenged students nationwide, and institutionalize open and distance education in high school and college are among the leading measures the Congress is committed to tackle and pass throughout the 16^thCongress, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said today.

“The improvement of our education system remains as one of our most pertinent legislative agenda and these proposed measures are designed to widen the reach of delivery of educational services across major deterrents such as poverty and logistical difficulties,” Drilon said.

According to the Senate chief, the priority bills to be vigorously pursued by legislators are the institutionalization of distance learning system in secondary and tertiary levels, the establishment of an open high school system for out-of-school youth and the formation of a national student loan program available for underprivileged students nationwide.

Drilon noted the presence of several measures which seek to “institutionalize the availability of open and distance learning system for secondary and tertiary levels of public education.”    

Under open learning systems, students will acquire their education via the use of different forms of media and learning technologies following approved curriculum, while distance learning programs permit the accomplishment of education through approved self-instructional materials and independent study methods.    

“The presence of several bills filed in Congress confirm the potential of alternative learning programs in addressing socio-economic, geographical and physical barriers which so much plague our conventional classes,” Drilon said, as he confirmed that a consolidated, encompassing version of an alternative learning systems bill is “in the works.”

“We need to make our education in our country more available and closer to the youth by all possible means, if we want to increase enrollment levels in high school and college,” he added.

Drilon also pointed out that the Congress will deal with the implementation of student loan program across the entire country “to provide financial support for underprivileged students in paying for their tuition and subsistence allowance.”

He said there are a number of students who are close to finishing college, but would eventually drop out due to financial limitations, and “it is therefore for the government to establish a national financial support system –backed with sufficient funding– that students can avail of in times of need.”   

The Senate president then made clear of the senators’ attention to such bills: “At this point in our legislative schedule, we are best-suited to aid and improve the educational system with finding out how to maximize the government’s resources and assets in allowing critically-needed education to reach the most number of citizens.”

The Senate chief said he sees a more harmonious and cooperative relationship between the House of Representatives and the Senate in ensuring the prompt passage of measures critical to the fight against corruption and maintaining a robust economy.

“We are confident that the two chambers will be able to pass these relevant bills throughout the rest of the 16^th Congress, and we would implement a coordinated and synchronized legislative strategy to maximize our legislative performance,” said Drilon, who had previously met with House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to firm up their legislative agenda.

Late Ecija ex-mayor’s hubby snubs award rites for wife

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija – The husband of late former mayor Abundia Garcia snubbed last Friday the awarding rites in honor of his wife arranged by the latter’s political rival, Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco.

          Incumbent municipal councilor Joe Garcia was a no-show in the “Gabi ng Parangal” awards night at the Sen. Freddie Webb gymnasium here, creating a stir among the organizers of the fourth “Paistima Ka sa Kabyawan Festival” led by the municipal government.

          Ex-mayor Garcia, more popularly known here as “Biding,” was selected as one of two posthumous awardees by the executive committee whose overall chairman was Congco’s ally, Vice Mayor Ernesto Talens Jr. The other posthumous awardee was the late former councilor Alberto Miranda who died of a cardiac arrest last December 25.

          The awarding rites were one of the highlights of the week-long festival, which kicked off last February 3, to celebrate the town’s 166^th founding anniversary.

Municipal accountant Noel Gamboa, chairman of the festival’s executive committee, said the other highlights were the search for the Binibining Cabiao 2014, street dancing competitions, ground demonstrations, parade of floats, munting tinig ng Kabyawenyo, drum and lyre competitions, booth competitions, harana and serenata among others.

          Talens said Councilor Garcia did not send any representative to receive the award in behalf of his wife.

          “It is sad but we still expect to hand the award to Councilor Garcia during our session on Monday. It’s up to him to receive the award in behalf of his wife or not,” Talens said.

          Abundia, a close ally of Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali, was first elected mayor in 2007, beating a former three-term mayor. It was her first and only election victory after failing in four previous tries at the mayorship.

          She sought reelection in 2010 but lost to Crespo-Congco who returned after three terms. Abundia filed an election protest but died on January 27, 2011 while waiting for the outcome of her protest.

          During her wake, a controversy erupted after the funeral hearse bearing her remains allegedly was denied entry inside the municipal compound where it was to be displayed for public viewing, earning the ire of Abundia’s relatives, allies and supporters.

          One of Abundia’s children complained that when the funeral procession passed at the town hall, none of the councilors welcomed it. Worse, the gate of the compound was padlocked.

          Abundia, her relatives claimed, were also denied a fitting “luksang parangal (tribute)” befitting a former public official.

          One of them said the award was only a conseulo de bobo and was no longer necessary. “We were waiting for her to be given the appropriate award just when she died then but she was deprived. Why only now? They can have the award,” one of Abundia’s relatives angrily remarked.

          Crespo-Congco said Abundia was given the award which was but only fitting for someone who has contributed to the development of the town. “Politics was long behind us. Mayor Biding was a former mayor who I am sure contributed to the growth of Cabiao so we feel she deserved the award,” she said.

          Talens said that politics had nothing to do with the award and the awarding ceremonies themselves were apolitical. He denied the claims of Garcia’s relatives that the funeral procession was not allowed to enter the municipal compound.

          “That was farthest from the truth. In fact, I, and our municipal councilors waited for Mayor Garcia’s body to be brought to the town hall. We were waiting for her there but they did not come,” he said.

He recalled that Crespo-Congco even ordered the town councilors to all dress up in white and line up themselves up at the compound but the funeral hearse never came.

Councilor Dante Umali agreed, saying he was one of those who waited for the ex-mayor’s remains but ended up waiting for nothing. – Manny Galvez