15M Filipinos to switch off lights on Earth Hour

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga --- It’s going to be a Black Saturday, literally, on March 29 as more than 15 million Filipinos are expected to “turn their lights off” for an hour, from 8:30-9:30 PM, in support of this year’s observance of Earth Hour, officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced yesterday.

This is the country’s contribution to the global effort of mitigating the impacts of global warming and climate change, explained Francisco Milla, Jr. of the regional DENR office in Central Luzon.

He said an estimated 15 million Filipinos will join the seven billion people from 154 countries and 1,000 cities and towns around the globe who are expected to join this massive “lights off” campaign to save on electricity, cut down greenhouse gas emission, and send a strong message around the world that every simple act of energy conservation can make a big difference.

Studies showed that the country expects to save at least 738 megawatts of power during the one-hour lights off period, equivalent to cutting down roughly 508 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Records from the World Wide Fund showed that each Filipino emits about 0.9 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, and that each kilowatt hour of electricity consumed is equivalent to 0.50 kilograms of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

In Central Luzon alone, each of the 800,000 registered vehicles pumps into the atmosphere at least 2.3 kilograms of carbon dioxide per liter of gasoline or 2.7 kilograms of carbon dioxide per liter of diesel.

Milla said the global call for energy conservation measures is led by the Washington-based environmental group World Wide Fund for Nature in cooperation with the Department of Energy, the Green Army Philippines Network, and the SWITCH movement.

This year’s Earth Hour ambassador is the comic superhero “Spider-Man” who epitomizes the power of the individual, inspiring fans to become superheroes for the planet, according to the Earth Hour official website.

The Philippines earned the distinction of being “Earth Hour Hero Country” by consistently registering the most number of participating towns and cities since it first joined the event in 2009.

Earth hour started in Sydney, Autralia in 2007 as a “lights-off” event with 2.2 million . Since then, it has grown to engage more than 7,000 towns and cities worldwide.

JINGGOY: GPH-MILF AGREEMENT HERALDS PEACE, PROGRESS FOR MINDANAO

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STATEMENT OF SEN. ANGARA ON THE SIGNING OF THE COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT ON THE BANGSAMORO

I congratulate the Aquino administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Hopefully, this would put an end to the decades-old civil war--a war that brought incalculable human cost including displacement of thousands of families and the loss of economic opportunities.

Indeed, this is one of the greatest accomplishments that President Aquino will leave behind. I also congratulate the heads and members of the peace panel particularly Marvic Leonen and Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the former and current government chief negotiators, and MILF chief negotiator Mohager Iqbal.

Both parties should make sure that the peace process is as inclusive as possible. Any kind of peace, for it to be lasting, has to be inclusive. May the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro lead to sustainable peace that would bring about genuine socio-economic and political development to the region, and more importantly, equitable growth to the people in Mindanao.

Drilon to Congress: Be active on Bangsamoro basic law debate

MANILA-“Take an active role in the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, and passionately debate on the most pertinent issues about the peace accord.”

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon issued this call to his colleagues in Congress and urged them to devote time and effort in scrutinizing the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law when it reaches Congress.

“Soon, the ball will be in Congress’ hands. It is the Congress that will ultimately shape and mold the piece of legislation which will breathe life to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro,” emphasized Drilon, a former executive and justice secretary.

 “We cannot afford to err on this most-sought piece of legislation, if we truly want to secure this peace in Mindanao which we have now realized after decades of hostilities. It is therefore incumbent upon us to make sure that the efforts exerted by both panels will not be put in vain, by ensuring that the Bangsamoro Law falls within the four corners of the Constitution, and  that it can withstand judicial scrutiny,” Drilon stressed.
 
The Senate leader underscored that the law, which should be passed as early as possible, needs “to be responsive to the real and distinct problems and needs of the Bangsamoro people.”

“This measure should resolve social tensions, poor infrastructure, and lack of economic development in the region. It will demand from our lawmakers their utmost prudence, practicality and political acumen,” he added.

The Senate and the House of Representatives had earlier agreed to include the Bangsamoro Basic Law in their priority agenda, and both chambers committed to pass it by the end of 2014. “That is our target because we want to see 2015 as the year when we can submit this for ratification by the areas covered by the Bangsamoro Basic Law.” 

The Senate leader is optimistic that the historic accord can effectively realize the promise of long-lasting peace and development for Mindanao.

Drilon congratulated the government, the OPAPP, and the MILF panels for having been able to complete “the almost-Herculean challenge of establishing peace in Mindanao,” saying that the whole affair has been made possible by a genuine desire for peace, justice and development by both sides.”

The senator noted that the agreement was defined by effective negotiations where both parties fully articulated their concerns, even against challenging and tensely divisive issues: “Both sides fully refused to walk away, and held on to peace when hate and division seemed the easier option.”     

“We achieve peace when we achieve understanding. And with the Bangsamoro agreement, we show the world that though shaped by our diversity, we are much more defined by our common dreams of peace, equality and prosperity as a nation,” Drilon said.

Legarda on Bangsamoro Agreement: Historic Big Step Towards Lasting Peace

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today described the signing of the final peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as a “historic big step towards just and lasting peace.”

“Everyone deserves to live in an environment of peace and prosperity. The signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro today brings us closer to fulfilling peace, not just for our Muslim brothers, but for every Filipino. It is our hope that the initiative can be sustained and that the challenges ahead will be overcome for the sake of the millions of Filipinos who deserve the peace and progress due them,” said Legarda.

The Senator said that the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement today signals the next phase of the process of peace building, as well as the process of social and economic inclusion for all Filipinos in Mindanao—the drafting and consideration of the Basic Law of the Bangsamoro region. 

“I understand that this Basic Law is now being drafted by a Transition Commission. We await the submission of the draft in the Philippine Congress. As a legislator, my guidepost in considering the draft Basic Law would be that of serving the best interest of all Filipinos and the country in general,” said Legarda.

She added that the Comprehensive Agreement and its annexes will be considered as part of Congress’ law-making duties, not to find fault, but to find ways by which these may become instruments to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.

“With peace in Mindanao, we can achieve greater national prosperity.  A peaceful and productive co-existence with our Muslim brethren can help promote and facilitate social and economic inclusion that will help guarantee a better future for all Filipinos. Government needs to make sure that every Filipino today understands and becomes a part of the nation’s peace-building process. This is the only way we can ensure lasting peace,” she stressed.

“I urge everyone to help create and nurture an atmosphere conducive to peace. The opportunity presents itself with today’s signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro,” Legarda concluded.

‘Corruption allegations at NIA baseless, unfounded’ -- probe body

MANILA- Allegations of massive graft and corruption in the National Irrigation Administration are grossly unfounded and without strong basis, an investigating team tasked to look into the reported irregularities reported yesterday. 

          In a report released by the internal audit services (IAS) of the agency, it said its probe team which conducted an exhaustive investigation unearthed not a single anomaly committed by NIA officials as claimed by the NIA Employees Association of the Philippines (NIAEASP).

          Florentino David, IAS manager, said the results of their findings have been forwarded last March 20 to the NIA Board of Directors (BOD) which later instructed Administrator Claro Maranan to furnish the same to the NIAEASP itself and to the Department of Agriculture. It will also be submitted to President Aquino.

          “Based on the results of our investigation, our investigating team found certain minimal lapses in carrying out some projects but overall, we have not discovered massive anomalies as claimed by the NIAEASP,” said David.

          Maranan said the investigation was arrived at after almost two weeks. He said that in spite of what is happening,  the NIA will continue moving forward and perform its mandate of providing irrigation service to Filipino farmers.

          “We are bent on instituting reforms at NIA. Along the way, certain sectors are not compatible with some officials although the complaining groups themselves admitted that “allegations are not synonymous with proof,” he said, quoting from the open letter.

          The IAS came out with its findings after the NIAEASP, together with three other groups came out with an open letter Tuesday calling on President Aquino to investigate alleged irregularities inside NIA involving deputy administrators Modesto Membreve and Lorna Grace Rosario and DA Undersecretary Antonio Fleta.

          In their open letter, contained in a whole-page paid advertisement in a national daily, the concerned officials said they have nothing personal against Fleta and the two other NIA officials but just wanted the irregularities investigated and pending the results, that they be relieved from their posts.           

          The open-letter followed a February 6 letter-manifesto of the NIAEASP to Mr. Aquino where it lamented the “very serious and alarming developments” in the agency.

Rosario was accused by the NIAEASP of allegedly ordering the payment of 50 percent of the billing of a contractor who has a project in Sarangani even if the said contractor almost has no physical accomplishment.

She allegedly issued the note “kindly facilitate the 50% progress billing” of the contractor in the construction of an intake structure in Kiamba, Sarangani last December. The actual physical accomplishment of the project was only 4.83% as of January.

Rosario decried the accusations, saying it was apparently a  demolition job orchestrated by lower-level agency officials to besmirch her reputation and that of her husband, Binmaley, Pangasinan Mayor Simplicio Rosario.

The probe team said based on their investigation, the contractor’s representative Jose Luis Escalona was the one who manipulated the super imposition of the rubber stamp of receipt from Rosario’s office and her supposed notation. She said the contractor was also found to have falsified or bloated his project accomplishment.

 The probe team also found nothing earth-shaking in the allegations against Membreve that he ordered the repackaging of projects from administration works to local minor contracts worth P105 million, purportedly to draw kickbacks.

It said that after looking into the allegations, it recommended to follow the Government Procurement Policy Board resolutions 18 and 7 of 2006 and 2009, respectively limiting administration work of P5 to 20 million but not P105 million.

          The investigating team also cleared          the BOD of allegations it arbitrarily and capriciously issued policies that usurped the powers of the NIA administrator by arrogating to itself the authority to approve the appointment of officials from salary Grade 24 and above.

          “The board does not usurp powers because it is at the top of hierarchy of the corporation,” it said, adding its powers and functions are well-defined in Section 4, Article 3 and Section 8(d) of Republic Act 3601, the law that created the NIA.  

          On claims that the BOD has sown havoc and demoralization through indiscriminate reshuffling of officials, the probe team said all approved high-level reshuffling, reassignment and appointments were made mainly on the basis of the recommendations to the BOD by former and current NIA administrators.

          It cited a letter from BOD member Ismael Tabije who said there was never an instance a reshuffling order was initiated by the board.

          Quoting Tabije, the probe team said the board’s concurrences to the administrator’s recommendations were on the basis of “our collective thinking that he is the Chief Executive of the agency and as such, his recommendations should be given significant weight in the final decision.” – Manny Galvez   

Bangsamoro's minimum annual price tag of P50 B a small price to pay for peace– Recto

MANILA-Government was told to increase the “preliminary figure” of a P20.4 billion 2015 budget for Autonomous Regional Government for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as the region deserves a “bigger peace dividend” for ending civil strife.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto made this plea after noting that the ARMM government’s “indicative budget” as stated in the “budget call” used by the Budget department in drafting next year’s proposed budget grants a measly 4.2 percent increase in ARMM allocations.

The ARMM government’s obligation budget for this year is P19.6 billion. “It gets less than one percent of the national budget,” Recto said.

“In fact if the PDAF hadn't been abolished, it would have gotten a bigger slice in the budget pie than the ARMM government,” Recto said, referring to PDAF’s deleted P25.2 billion funding in this year’s national budget

Recto said that even if nominally ARMM government’s 2015 indicative budget is P840 million bigger than this year’s, “in real terms it is still negative growth.”

This is because if you add the population growth rate and the inflation rate, the sum is bigger than the 4.2 percent hike in the budget, Recto explained.

Still, Recto said President Aquino deserves the highest praise for pushing for the comprehensive peace settlement of a conflict with complex historical and social roots.

He said whatever the end result of the government peace deal with the MILF would be “the central government has the obligation to give more funds to a region which though poor is rich in potential.”

“We don’t know what will happen to the ARMM regional government. It can be replaced by another entity. If next year is ARMM government’s last hurrah, then the best goodbye gift we can give it is a bigger budget which in turn benefits the successor government because it will be using a higher base in asking for subsequent funds,” he said.

Under the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the ARMM will continue to function until a Bangsamoro Government has been elected by residents of areas which voted in a plebiscite to join it, in a manner provided by a Bangsamoro Basic Law passed by Congress.

Once formed, the Bangsamoro Government will receive an annual "block grant" from the government, the amount of which, in the words of the GPH-MILF peace deal, “shall in no case be less than the last budget received by the ARMM.”

In computing the latter, it is not just the ARMM government’s budget which will be reckoned, Recto explained “but all the funds spent in the region.”

This include the P15.7 billion Internal Revenue Allocation to ARMM’s five provinces, three cities, 116 towns and 2,490 barangays; the “Bottom Up Budgeting” allocation of P4.6 billion; and other “regionalized” spending of the national government.

In all, the amount would be in the neighborhood of P44 billion to P50 billion, he said. “If you want to pin a price tag then that would be the minimum,” he said.

“Hopefully, this amount will be reduced in the future, as the new government will be financially self-reliant because fiscal independence is the hallmark of autonomy,” Recto said.

Recto stressed that “budgetary allocation” remains government’s “most effective equity” in the peace project.

“There are costs in pounding swords into plows,” Recto said.

“Yes, peace has a price but from a funding point of view an imperfect peace is still less costly than a just war,” he said.

Palace urged to add .3 M seniors in pension program

MANILA-Government was told to enroll more sick and poor elderly in the social pension program for indigent seniors as the current program only covers 77 year olds and above.

The call was made by Sen. Ralph Recto who wants the number of senior citizen pensioners increased to 770,804 next year from this year’s 479,080.

The increase will allow those in the 65- to 76-year-old category to be included in the program for the first time since the law authorizing the grant of the stipend was passed 4 years ago, Recto said.

An estimate made by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which administers the program, said that 274,804 seniors in the 70 to 76 years old age bracket will be enrolled together with 16,920 in the 65 to 69 age bracket once the number of beneficiaries is raised to 770,804.

Adding almost 300,000 “senior pensioners” will, however, increase the program’s budget from P2.87 billion this year to P4.62 billion next year, Recto admitted.

But Recto said that the additional P1.75 billion can be easily absorbed in the P2.6 trillion “indicative budget ceiling” of the 2015 budget, the preparation of which is now in full blast in the executive branch.

“I think there is budget space for the amount needed to expand the beneficiary base of the senior pension program,” Recto said.

He said that government should start reducing its backlog of commitments under Republic Act 9994, which expands benefits senior citizens are entitled to.

While a 2012 census by the DSWD had identified 1,315,584 poor 60 year olds and above who could qualify for the P500 monthly pension, the government has so far limited its grant to seniors who are 77 years old and above.

“Overall, there is a 5-billion-peso funding gap. We can reduce this gradually by bringing more seniors into the fold of the program,” Recto said.

RA 9994 defines an “indigent senior citizen” who may qualify for the P500 monthly social pension as someone 60 years old and above who is “frail, sickly, or with disability, and without pension or permanent source of income, compensation or financial assistance from his relatives to support his needs.”

In its "National Household Targeting" census, the DSWD included other economic, social, health, housing information to better identify the indigents truly deserving of the pension. 

POLICE ARRESTED 2 FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS

CAMP OLIVAS, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga- Under the directives of PCSupt Raul D Petrasanta , Regional Director, Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) to all his City/Provincial Directors to to eradicate the proliferation of illegal drugs in the region and map out stricter security measures and triple their efforts in trimming down crime incidents within their respective areas of responsibilities thru the conduct of intensified police focused operations and implementation of  search warrants and  warrants of arrest as well,  two (2) drug pushers were toppled during a buy bust operation and a hand grenade was confiscated during the Implementation of Search Warrant in the afternoon of March 20, 2014.

            Based on reports that reached this Office, on said date, joint elements of Police Intelligence Branch-Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office/PAIDSOTG, Carranglan Police Station and NECIDT3 conducted Buy-Bust operation at Sitio Kamanggahan Brgy. Joson, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija which resulted to the arrest of the: Randy Vitug y Carasco a.k.a Randy , a resident of Brgy. Joson, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija and Joseph SUMANDE y Dela Cruz a.k.a Atcho, a resident of Sitio Bucot Brgy Tambo Adorable, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.

 

            Confiscated from the suspects were the following: one (1) piece Heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected Shabu  and one (1) piece Five Hundred Peso Bill with serial number DR956327 with markings “RV’’ used as marked money.

 

            After the Buy-Bust operation, the Search Warrant was implemented against Randy Vitug y Carrasco a.k.a Randy. which resulted to the confiscation of the following:  One (1) pc. Fragmentation Hand Grenade; one (1) pc.inside holster for Cal. 45; one (1) pc. outside holster for Cal. 45; two (2) pcs. heat- sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected Shabu; one (1) pc. digital weighing scale; three (3) pcs. Lighter; three (3) pcs. scissors; one (1) pc. Tooter tube; seven (7) pcs. Aluminum foil; one (1) pc. Improvised burner; twenty five (25) pcs. Transparent plastic sachet with suspected shabu residue; one (1) pc. Plastic spoon; one (1) pack transparent plastic sachet; one (1) pc. Improvised crusher (Pandurog).

           

            The arrested suspects were brought to Carranglan Police Station for proper disposition. However, one of the arrested suspect Joseph Sumande has an existing Alias Warrant of Arrest for the crime of Slight Physical Injuries with CC Nr. 13-13 issued by Hon Rixon M. Garoy, MTC Judge, San Leonardo, NE dated February 13, 2014.

NIA exec decries demolition job as power struggle rocks agency

MANILA-A senior official of the National Irrigation Administration yesterday decried the alleged demolition job supposedly orchestrated by lower-level agency officials to besmirch her reputation and that of her politician-husband as power struggle continues to rock the agency.

          Deputy administrator for finance and management Lorna Grace Rosario said the alleged corruption implicating her and another NIA official was clearly a smear campaign to destroy her name and that of her husband,  Binmaley, Pangasinan Mayor Simplicio Rosario.

          “It’s pure and simple black propaganda to destroy my name and my husband. They are trying to provoke me,” Rosario said.

          The NIA official identified assistant administrators Vicente Galvez and Virginia Atienza as behind the smear campaign. She said the campaign was apparently well-funded since the NIAEASP has no funds to finance the demolition job.

          Rosario was reacting to an open letter which came out in a national daily yesterday calling on President Aquino to investigate alleged irregularities inside NIA involving her, deputy administrator for engineering and operation Modesto Membreve and Agriculture Undersecretary Antonio Fleta.

          The letter was signed by officials of the NIA Employees Association of the Philippines (NIAEASP), the Association of Regional Directors and Operation Managers (Ardoma), the National Confederation of Irrigators’ Association (NCIA) and the National Federation of Employees of the Department of Agriculture (NAFEDA).

          The concerned officials said they have nothing personal against Fleta and the two other NIA officials but just wanted the irregularities investigated and pending the investigation, that they be relieved from their posts. They claimed the Board has been meddling in the functions of NIA Administrator Claro Maranan.           

Rosario said her accusers have no strong evidence against her. “In fact, the NIA Board of Directors have cleared me of any wrongdoing,” she said.

She said that the issue is politically motivated as a flood of text messages circulated in Binmaley that the wife of the mayor was supposedly involved in irregularities.

Rosario vowed to fight off the allegations against her. “I have to protect my name and that of my family,” she said.

Turning the tables on Galvez and Atienza, Rosario said they are the ones who are corrupt. “Look who’s talking,” she said.

Last month, the NIA Board denied the allegations of its own employees’ association of massive corruption in the agency but nevertheless directed the internal audit services of the agency to look into the allegations.  It described the accusations as “untrue, malicious and unfair.”

Rosario said her accusers were against the reforms they are trying to implement within NIA. She said Galvez and Atienza were disgruntled because they were among those relived from their posts as part of the reforms being undertaken in the agency. – Manny Galvez

JINGGOY TRUSTS THAT THE OMBUDSMAN WILL BE FAIR

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada trusts that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales will be fair to him and to his other colleagues in the Senate in relation to the ongoing investigation on their alleged involvement in the so-called pork barrel scam.

 

Sen. Estrada hopes that the sitting Ombudsman will stay true to her widely-referenced statement in relation to her appearance before the impeachment court where she said she “is impervious to influence.”

 

“I wish that the Ombudsman will not give in to the tremendous pressure and unfair publicity generated by this controversy with extreme prejudice against me and my two colleagues. I also hope that she will not be rushed into making decisions and that she observes the proper legal processes, including the rights of the respondents during preliminary investigation,” Jinggoy said.

 

“We were continuously crucified and demonized in various forums, mass media, cyberspace, including the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. I sincerely hope that the Ombudsman will do better,” he stated.

 

Jinggoy also expressed confidence in the counter-affidavit that he submitted before the Ombudsman, as it already adequately answered the charges levelled against him by his accusers.

 

“I hope that the Ombudsman reads my formal written response to the allegations and finds that truly there is no plunder case or any case to speak of,” Jinggoy asserted.

 

Nevertheless, Sen. Estrada said he is ready for any eventuality, including the unfortunate event that an information be filed before the Sandiganbayan. “I am ready to defend myself. My lawyers are aware of this possibility and they know what to do,” Jinggoy said.

Drilon: Bangsamoro signing crucial for peace not only in Philippines, but in entire ASEAN

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Army general wants Fort Magsaysay included in BCDA master plan

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The leadership of the Army’s 7^th Infantry Division housed inside this military reservation is proposing that the camp be covered by the development plans of the Bases Conversion Development Authority which is crafting a master plan for military camps in the country.

          Brig. Gen. Vic Castro, acting 7^th ID commanding general, said that the reservation, originally spanning 73,000 hectares but is now down to only 45,837 hectares, is not covered by the master plan of the BCDA.

          “I hope that this camp be included in the base development plan of the BCDA so that its development can be fast-tracked,” Castro said.

          He said if that is the case, the military reservation – located 20 kilometers apart from Cabanatuan City and the provincial capital Palayan City - can become a hub for economic activities given its vast potentials.

          Castro made the proposal even as the BCDA has earmarked P120 million for a master plan for the partial development of Camp Aguinaldo and other military camps.

          BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said they are talking with the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces in securing the survey and title for the lands as well as preparing the master plan where it needs to invest in infrastructure in the long-term and the various camps into revenue-generating projects that would provide funding for the modernization of the military.

          The BCDA is mandated to transform former military bases into alternative productive civilian use.

          Among those being considered for sale, lease or upgrading by the BCDA are the 33,220-hectare Camp Peralta in Capiz, the 1,925-hectare Camp O’Donnel in Tarlac and the 42,000-hectare Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon, all owned by the AFP.

          The goal is to help modernize these camps, which have idle or unused areas that could be tapped fro either redevelopment for mixed-use purposes or to create livelihood in the countryside, particularly for camps located in the provinces.  

          Castro said the reservation, which houses the general headquarters of the 7^th ID covering 13 provinces in Luzon, was visited recently by DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo to look into possible economic opportunities inside the camp.

          “We are open to future projects here at Fort Magsaysay,” he said, adding that initially, projects on tap include the setting up of a 3,000-hectare bamboo plantation and plantation for jathropa.

          Castro  said one of the key components of the development of the camp is its conversion into a premier tourism destination. He said the provincial government of Nueva Ecija led by Gov. Aurelio Umali and its provincial tourism office has pledged to help in its promotion as a tourist spot in the province.

          During the term of then-commanding general and now Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) commanding general, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, he proposed various activities to enhance tourism inside the camp among them wall climbing, trekking, hiking, mountain biking, camping, motocross riding, 4x4 offroad-driving, horseback-riding and water sports activities such scuba diving, wind surfing, jet skiing, beach volleyball and parasailing in the camp’s coastal areas in Dingalan, Aurora.              

          Among the reservation’s tourist attractions are the historic Aquino-Diokno shrine, the Heroes Memorial, the Pahingahan complex, the golf course, the Kaugnay clubhouse, the Mount Taclang Damulag and the camp airfield.

          The shrine was where President Aquino’s late father, former senator Benigno “Ninoy6” Aquino and ex-senator Jose Diokno were placed under solitary confinement from March 12 to April 11,1973 after nearly six months of detention in Fort Bonifacio. – Manny Galvez   

FM continues to shrink, is now down to half of original size

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – This military reservation, home of the Army’s 7^th Infantry Division, continues to shrink in size and is now down to almost one-half of its original size owing to the issuance of various presidential proclamations and the intrusion of thousands of informal settlers.

          Brig. Gen. Vic Castro, acting 7^th ID commanding general, told a press briefing that the reservation is now down to 45,837 hectares from a high of 73,000 when it was first established pursuant to Presidential Decree 237 on December 19,1955.

          Castro said they are now looking into various ways and means to somehow recover and retain its land area amid the different proclamations, claims and other issues confronting the military reservation.

          “We are now looking into the different proclamations, directives and reviewing them. Of course there are areas we can no longer recover. And we refer other claims to the Office of the SolGen (Solicitor General),” he said.

          He said their goal at present is to be able to undertake maximum utilization of the areas spanning the reservation amid the various claims and counter-claims.

          Captain Robert Reyes, division adjutant, said some other areas have already been segregated as settlement for victims of the Mt. Pinatubo eruptions involving 3,100 hectares in a sitio in the municipality of Laur.

          “These 3,100 hectares are now the subject of a review and we need further study,” he said.

          Reyes said that the situation is worsened by the proliferation of informal settlers. He said they are proposing for two relocation sites to house the informal settlers who have grown to 15,000 individuals.

          The presence of these informal settlers have been setting back efforts to fully develop the reservation.

          Castro said that they are planning to turn portions of the reservation into a vast area for agriculture production, including 3,000 hectares for bamboo plantation.

A proposed land use plan also intends to set up a logistics center, an economic and industrial zone, eco-tourism area, reforestation area, a plantation area for fruit-bearing and non-fruit bearing trees, a livestock and vegetable area and 240 hectares for the proposed transfer of the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa to this camp.

Also being eyed is the construction of a hangar/warehouse for stockpiling of relief goods and other rescue support.

The proposed site for the NBP is in Barangay Nazareth, Gen. Tinio town.

On April 10,2013, then-commanding general and now Northern Luzon (Nolcom) commanding general, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang and Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Bucayu surveyed three possible sites for the NBP, two in Nazareth and one in Canantong, Laur.

“These are just proposals at this point but we intend to pursue them if we can,” Castro said. – Manny Galvez

Law enforcers urged to create Facebook page of wanted criminals

MANILA-Law enforcement agencies should create a Facebook account which features the country’s thousands of wanted persons to forewarn the public and seek their help in bringing these fugitives to justice.

“Uploading the pictures and profiles of these wanted criminals on FB is easy and free. It is not that complicated,” Sen. Ralph Recto, who made the proposal, said.

Recto said agencies like the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency should start tapping social media as powerful tool in informing the people of the identities of fugitives from the law.

Even the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Recto added, can create a Facebook page showing the list, faces, and last known addresses of illegal recruiters who have been issued judicial warrants of arrest.

“It’s not just Facebook, there’s also Twitter. If we can Instagram the mug shots of wanted persons, the better.  We can also post in Youtube the footage of their capers which have been caught on cam,” Recto said, in batting for the online posting of a rogues’ gallery in various social media sites.

In the case of Facebook, in which the Philippines was ranked 8^th globally in 2012 in number of users, it provides a portal where a netizen can view “what notorious criminals look like and what they do.”   

“Two years ago, there were already 27,720,300 Facebook users. On this site alone, you already have a big audience ready to receive, share the information you want disseminated,” Recto said.

“Social media can aid in the arrest of a serial child rapist, for example. If properly tapped, it can make the arm of the law longer,” Recto said.

Recto said government can only involve the citizenry in community policing if they are informed in advance of what and who to look out for.

“Nalalaman lang natin ang mga hitsura ng ‘sangkaterbang gapos gangs, carjacking syndicates, at naglipanang martilyo gangs kung sila’y nakabiktima at nahuli na,” Recto said.

“Parating after incident ang information. Kung kelan may nabiktima na ang isang sindikato na matatagal ng pinaghahanap, saka pa lang ipapakita ang kanilang mga litratro. Bakit hindi permanenteng i-paskil sa isang site ‘yan para anumang oras pwedeng silipin,” the senator said.

Instead of keeping these photo albums of wanted criminals in police precincts, they should be brought out in the open, he said.

Although some law enforcement websites do feature “wanted” notices, these are limited to the most wanted persons, Recto said.  

“Minsan nga ‘yung Top 10 lang. Sa Pilipinas, sa dami ng outstanding arrest warrants for serious crimes, ‘di hamak na libo-libo ang mga ito. What we need is a comprehensive registry,” Recto said.

He also observed that public notification of wanted persons is done through the old wanted posters which are “few and far between.”

“Mas marami pang karatula ng lipat bahay at tubero ang ating nakikita,” he said.

While he is pushing for the Internet posting of profiles of wanted criminals, Recto said utmost care must be done in their online publication.

“Data must be triple-checked, verified, peer-reviewed, carefully examined, and panel-approved before they are posted online. There must be sanctions for posting erroneous information. And a person who was wrongfully included in the wanted list should be financially compensated if only to deter carelessness,” he said.

Recto said the police need not commission an IT company to create police notification apps or some security software.

“Bago tayo gumasta ng milyun-milyon dyan, gamitin muna natin kung ano ang libre at kilala na ng tao,” he said.

“Kung meron man tayong gustong i-customize, siguro yung ‘unlike’ button na pwedeng i-click kapag nabasa natin sa Facebook ang curriculum vitae ng isang criminal,” he said.