Drilon rallies youth: Keep faith in our democracy

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon on Independence Day appealed to the people to keep their faith in their democratic institutions such as the Senate amid the pork barrel scam controversies, and to separate the institution from the controversies involving some of its members.

“During these trying times in our nation’s life, I call on our people to separate the institution from the controversies involving some of its members,” said Drilon during his speech at the 116th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence held today in Pinaglabanan Shrine at San Juan City.

“Let us be more discerning. Let us not allow some quarters to dishonor our institutions, because the lack of respect for our democratic institutions only dishonor the memory of the brave and selfless Filipinos who valiantly fought the foreign colonizers to liberate our country, thus giving birth to Asia’s first democracy,” he emphasized.

"I believe that the relentless search for the truth and justice is a cleansing process that will strengthen this institution as a part of our government,” Drilon stressed.

Drilon noted that challenges to Philippine democracy have been present since the earliest days of the Philippine government: “Since we declared our independence 116 years ago, our country has been through political upheavals and economic debacles. Countless times our democratic institutions passed through deep waters of political intrigues and controversies, but as a nation we have always shown peerless courage to defend the national interest and protect our institutions.”

The Senate leader thus invited the public, particularly the nation’s youth, to take a more active role in “preserving our democratic values and traditions, and protecting our democratic institutions,” acknowledging that public vigilance will be a key component of “restoring honor and rebuilding respect to both houses of Congress.”

Drilon said that Filipinos, especially the younger generation, must take to heart their responsibility of guarding national freedom, especially when concerning realities in government. 

“I call on our people to renew our commitment to democracy. Let us revitalize our sense of nationhood with all of us thinking and acting as Filipinos, for Filipinos,” he said.

Senate adjourns session on high note

MANILA-Having approved more than 19 bills and 41 resolutions, the Senate adjourns sine die today, marking the end of the first regular session of the 16th Congress. Senate sessions will resume on June 27.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said senators of this Congress registered “a strong legislative performance, which continues to improve even amid issues."

          

“Throughout the past months, we have made exhaustive efforts to successfully legislate several challenging measures that are of paramount interest and importance to our people, especially in terms of improving the quality of Filipino life, and reforming public service,” Drilon said.

“Despite the many concerns and challenges that the Senate as an institution had to face – such as the pork barrel scam – I believe the details of our work show that legislation remains the Chamber’s main focus, and that we are able to effectively deliver on our commitment to our citizenry and our nation,” he added.

Drilon cited the works and achievements of the senators, who from July 22, 2013 to June 11, 2014, passed five bills which were signed into law, including passing in record time of the 2014 General Appropriations Act. Ten more bills are presently waiting for the signature of the President. In the same period, the Senate approved eight bills on second and third reading and adopted 41 resolutions.

Drilon said that in several aspects, the legislative performance of the current senators had outpaced that of previous Congresses. “We approved fifteen bills on final reading when senators in the 15th Congress approved only nine bills within the same period of time,” he said.

It also concurred in the ratification of three international treaties with Spain, the United Kingdom and India.

Drilon said senators focused on passing landmark bills on health, economy and government reforms such as the historic Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) or (Senate Bill Number 1733) and the amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law (SBN 2138).

He said the disclosure of government actions under the FOI bill would be a “crucial and effective deterrent against possible malfeasance and corrupt practices by those in power.”

Once enacted into law, Drilon said the amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law will address the increasing backlog of cases in court.

The Senate had also approved measures to boost the national economy and consumer welfare such as SBN 2046 or the Go Negosyo Act sponsored by Sen. Bam Aquino IV, which seeks to reduce poverty by developing micro, small and medium enterprises, and SBN 2159 or the “liberalization of entry of foreign banks in the Philippines.” 

Drilon also noted the passage of House Bill No. 353, which would require telecommunication companies to provide free alerts for mobile phone users in time of disasters, SBN 2043 or the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) bill which seeks to consolidate the training and certification of Filipino seafarers under a single maritime administration, and SBN 1831 which aims to extend the service and corporate life of the Philippine National Railways for another 50 years.

Drilon said the Senate also approved landmark bills for the protection of public health such as the SBN 27 or the Graphic Health Warning Act and SBN 2273, or the amendments to strengthen the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.    

He said other priority measures remain in the legislative agenda, and they “look forward to discussing and passing these proposed legislation.” At the moment, 19 committee reports on bills that are under plenary debate or period of amendments are pending. 

"When we resume session, we will also work to increase the tax exemption ceiling of the 13th month pay, Christmas bonuses and other benefits from P30, 000 to P75, 000, so our humble workers can go home during the holidays without having to worry about decreases in their bonuses," Drilon said.

"We also have in our sights other fiscal and financial pieces of legislation such as the Anti-Trust Bill, amendments to the Fiscal Incentives Rationalization Act, and reforms to the Cabotage Law. Similarly, we are going to study the possibility of creating a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and a fair competition act.

As agreed upon with the leadership of the House of Representatives, Drilon said they will "soon discuss the possibility of economic provisions to the Constitution to improve the country's ability to invite foreign direct investment.  Drilon said the Senate will promptly act on legislating the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is integral to the peace process in Mindanao.

Other measures in the Senate’s priority list will be bills on education, mainly the Iskolar ng Bayan Act, and the ladderized and distant learning programs for higher education.

Legarda: Let Us Make Our Independence More Meaningful to Every Filipino

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that Philippine independence should be more meaningful to every Filipino citizen through socio-economic development and cultural integrity.

Legarda made the statement as the nation celebrates the 116th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.

“As we look back at the bravery of our leaders who have brought forth this independence, let us use their stories as inspiration to liberate our people and our country from circumstances that keep us from moving forward as a truly free and progressive nation,” she said.

“We have to address unemployment and promote equitable, sustainable and resilient development. We have to be free from the cycle of disaster vulnerability and poverty. We have to protect our environment and ecosystems. We have to put a stop to trafficking and senseless killings. We have to foster gender equality. We have to preserve and promote our cultural heritage,” she stressed.

The Senator explained that economic growth should be felt by everyone through more job opportunities, stable employment, equitable access to quality education, health services and other social services.

She also said that natural hazards turbocharged by climate change have been taking a toll on the country’s development and are detrimental to the Filipino people’s safety, thus the need to build resilience.

Further, since ecosystem decline is among the underlying drivers of disaster risks and poverty, in the context of climate change, green policies, especially the protection of the environment, should be included in the country’s development strategies.

“Every citizen must demand from their leaders a concrete set of actions to protect the environment and build disaster-resilient communities. Every citizen must be engaged in developing community-based disaster preparedness plans, rehabilitating the environment, responding to early disaster warnings and in promoting sustainable livelihood,” said Legarda.

Meanwhile, Legarda said that human trafficking and other crimes, such as media killings, should be addressed through strengthened information campaign and faithful implementation of laws.

“We must free our people from the threat of being victimized by trafficking syndicates by implementing our laws such as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Heightened vigilance, strict enforcement of the law and close coordination with local agencies and international organizations are needed to combat trafficking,” she said.

“We also need to protect our citizens from senseless killings and members of media who are killed due to their job because this is a deliberate attack on the freedom of the press,” Legarda added.

Legarda also said that the country should continue to build on the gains of its success in promoting gender equality, stressing that “we must let go of the stereotypical, gender-based roles and regard every citizen as capable of making valuable contribution to society, regardless of gender.”

Finally, she underscored the importance of preserving cultural heritage and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples, who strive to faithfully live by the standards and traditions of our forefathers and seek to pass on our culture to more generations of Filipinos.

“We have to look back at our history and be aware of our cultural roots, which will give us better understanding of our identity as a nation and help unite Filipinos. If Filipinos of the past were able to unite to achieve Philippine independence, we too can work together to give greater meaning to the freedom we achieved 116 years ago,” Legarda concluded.

New NOLCOM Commander seeks continued collaboration with various stakeholders in pursuit of just, lasting peace

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City-Newly-installed Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) head Major General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr. called on various stakeholders- from national and local government to civil society organizations and the private sector to continue supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Regions 1,2, 3, and Cordillera.

“Anchored on the whole of nation approach, we shall continue to collaborate with our stakeholders in the delivery of basic social services and other developmental programs and projects to the far-flung communities in order to improve the well-being of our kababayans thereby denying the remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) of issues to exploit on,” Trinidad said during Monday’s turn of command rites.

“Through our partners, we will collectively build social pressure on what remains of the NPA in this area and the other armed groups for them to shun the culture of arms and violence and to instead embrace a culture of peace and development,” Trinidad added.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, Trinidad previously served as Commander of the Army 1^st Infantry Division.

He was the overall ground commander during the 2013 defense of Zamboanga City against rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front.

Trinidad replaced Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. who was promoted as Vice Chief of Staff.

Last January, AFP declared the entire Northern Luzon as insurgency-free with Pampanga becoming the 22^nd and final province to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

The MOA delegated to the Philippine National Police the lead role in fighting remnants of insurgents with the support of the military that will remain primarily for stakeholder engagement programs.

 

This was likewise a way to accept and assert the local government's lead role in orchestrating the efforts of all stakeholders in the delivery of services designed to address the primary socio-economic issues.

 

Prior to this, other provinces in Regions 1,2,3 and Cordillera were declared peaceful and ready for further development from 2009 to 2013.

These are La union and Nueva Viscaya in 2009; Apayao, Aurora, Quirino, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Kalinga in 2010; Ilocos Norte and Benguet in 2011; Zambales, Abra and Bataan in 2012; and Batanes, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Cagayan, Ifugao, Bulacan and Mt. Province in 2013. 

JINGGOY SPONSORS ANTI-AGE DISCRIMINATION AT WORK BILL

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada took the floor on Monday to sponsor a legislative measure which penalizes discriminatory acts on the basis of age against workers and even job applicants.

 

Sen. Estrada, Chairman of the Senate on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, cites that age discrimination claims in the workplace tend to rise, as young applicants are preferred by employers than the older applicants.

 

“But both young and older workers are part of the trend of discrimination by reason of age. The jobs of older workers are vulnerable because, with their longer tenure and greater experience, they cost employers more in a tight economy. Also, stereotypes about loss of speed and acuity might make employers question the employees’ productivity. Meanwhile, young workers are denied employment due to perceived lack of loyalty, instability and experience,” Jinggoy laments.

 

Committee Report 38 seeks the passage of the proposed act prohibiting the discrimination of the employment of any individual on the basis merely of age. Senate Bill 29 authored by Sen. Pia Cayetano enumerates the following acts as discriminatory:

 

-        Print or publish any notice of advertisement relating to employment suggesting preferences, limitations, specifications and discrimination of age

-        Require the declaration of age or birthdate during the application process

-        Decline any employment application because of the individual’s age

-        Discriminate against an individual in terms of compensation, terms and conditions, or privileges of employment on account of such individual’s age

-        Deny any employee’s promotions or opportunities for trainings on the basis of his/her age

-        Forcibly lay off an employee merely because of old age

-        Impose early retirement on the basis of such employee’s age

 

Violation of the act shall be punished with a fine of not less than 50,000 but not more than 500,000 or imprisonment term of three months up to two years, or both at the discretion of the court.

 

“I believe that every qualified individual needing a job must be given the chance to get employed based on his/her experience, qualification, competencies and potentials.  With the increasing labor force, competition is high and inevitable but impartial treatment among the jobseekers possessing competencies that best fit the market demands must be observed,” Jinggoy states.

Bautista lauds Catapang for accomplishing an ‘insurgency-free’ Northern Luzon

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista lauded Monday erstwhile Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) head Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. for being able to accomplish the decades-old dream of having all provinces in Regions 1,2, 3 and Cordillera be declared insurgency-free.

 

“With General Catapang at the helm of NOLCOM, Northern Luzon was declared peaceful and ready for further development. By his leadership and development programs, we have emerged victorious against armed insurgency. His leadership has resulted into the realization that peace is achievable and that peace is necessary for development. With this, much work still lie ahead,” Bautista said during the turn of command rites.

 

“Likewise, General Catapang strengthened his command’s capacity to support humanitarian assistance and disaster response. He also forged partnerships and enduring friendships with our stakeholders under the Internal Peace and Security Plan-Bayanihan and helped in the rebuilding of indigenous communities that have been affected by armed conflict,” Bautista added.

 

Catapang, who was promoted as Vice Chief of Staff of the AFP, was replaced by Major General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr.

 

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, Trinidad previously served as Commander of the Army 1^st Infantry Division.

 

He was the overall ground commander during the 2013 defense of Zamboanga City against rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front. 

Senate OK’s 4 landmark bills to boost public health, banking sector and consumer protection

The Senate today passed six measures, including four landmark bills aimed at advancing public health, promoting competitiveness in the banking sector and improving consumer protection.

 

Approved on third and final reading were Senate Bill No. 27, or the “Picture Based Health Warnings Law;” Senate Bill No. 2273, or the “Act Amending Sec. 21 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act;” Senate Bill No. 2159, or the “Act Liberalizing the Entry and Scope of Operations of Foreign Banks in the Philippines,” and Senate Bill No. 2211, or the “Act Strengthening Consumer Protection in the Purchase of Brand New Vehicles.”  

 

The Senate also passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1281, declaring August 18 as “Jesse Robredo Day,” a special working holiday commemorating the late public servant and House Joint Resolution No. 12, declaring July 27, 2014 as a non-working holiday “to commemorate the founding anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.”  

 

Senate President Franklin Drilon welcomed the passage of the bills, saying that it was “concrete proof of the Senate’s strong legislative performance, which continues to improve even amid issues.”

 

“The approval of six bills, including four landmark legislation, shows that legislation remains the Senate’s focus, and that we are able to effectively deliver on our commitment to pass bills that will raise the quality of life for the Filipinos,” Drilon said.

 

Picture Based Health Warnings on Tobacco Products

Senator Pia Cayetano, principal author and sponsor of the Picture Based Health Warning Act, said that under the measure, “tobacco products have to display picture-based health warnings in full color with accompanying text warnings on 50 percent of their principal display surfaces.” The prescribed size of the warning was set following an amendment introduced by Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile.

Under the bill, cigarette packages are prohibited from “bearing any descriptors or numbers such as, but not limited to “low tar,” “light,” “ultra-light,” or “mild” or “extra” or “ultra” and similar terms that claims or misleads a consumer to believe that a tobacco product or variant is healthier, safe or less harmful.”  The bill also states that “no cigarette packs or other tobacco packages shall contain information that may imply that one variant or brand is healthier, less harmful or safer than the other.”

According to Cayetano, the imposition of graphic health warnings at the front part of cigarette packages is aimed at deterring smokers from “starting the vice and being addicted to it as well as encourage existing smokers to drop the habit.” She said the warnings will show the dangers of tobacco smoking or passive smoking.

Drilon, co-author and co-sponsor of the measure, said it was necessary to address the “estimated P188 billion in annual health care expenses and productivity losses that cigarette smoking is responsible for.”

 

Drilon said the text warning accompanying the picture would be appropriately worded “so that an ordinary layman will understand what the picture is about - the ill-effects of smoking.”

 

Dangerous Drugs Act Strengthened

Filed by Senators Gregorio Honasan II, Joseph Victor Estrada, Jinggoy Ejercito-Estrada, with Senator Grace Poe sponsoring the measure, and Senator Vicente Sotto serving as co-sponsor, SBN 2273 pushes for “crucial amendments to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act 9165, as amended) to strengthen the country's fight against the drug menace and catch perpetrators.”

Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said the bill specifically pertained to the preservation of evidence in seized illegal drugs: "The current law requires that inventory of seized dangerous drugs must take place at the police station."

Once enacted into law, “inventory of seized dangerous drugs can take place at the nearest police station or at the nearest office of the apprehending officer/team, whichever is practicable as long as the integrity and the evidentiary value of the seized items are properly preserved by the apprehending officer/team and shall not render void and invalid,”  Poe said, adding that the introduction of an amendment would also allow two witnesses to be present during the conduction of a drug inventory, an elected public official and a media or DOJ representative, instead of requiring all three to be present during the inventory as witnesses.

Liberalizing Banks for ASEAN integration 

 

SBN 2159, according to Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies Chairman Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, seeks to expand the participation of qualified foreign banks in the Philippines’ financial sector “to allow our economy and our people to reap the benefits therefrom.” The bill was also coauthored by Senator Cynthia Villar.

 

Osmeña said the measure would allow the increase in foreign ownership of domestic banks to up to 100 percent without time limit and permits the entry of “established, reputable and financially sound foreign banks” in the country. The bills also grants locally incorporated subsidiaries of foreign banks “the same banking privileges as domestic banks of the same category.”

 

Osmeña said that the measure would give the Philippines a chance to step ahead take advantage of the economic integration of the ASEAN region, in light of the ASEAN Banking Integration Framework to be implemented in 2020: “Greater foreign participation in the banking and financial sectors  is expected to augment the financial resources to which the Philippine economy may have access, thus supporting the initiatives of the present administration in implementing various infrastructure projects and rehabilitation programs.”

 

Protecting buyers against defective, substandard vehicles

 

Sponsored by Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship Chairman Sen. Paulo Benigno Aquino IV, SBN 2211 or the Lemon Law, “seeks to protect consumers in the sale of motor vehicles against sales and trade practices that are deceptive, unfair or otherwise inimical to the consumers and the public interest.”

 

SBN 2211 is a consolidation of several proposed bills filed by Senators Cynthia Villar and Jinggoy Ejercito-Estrada. Senator Koko Pimentel IV is a co-author of the bill.  

 

            Lemon Law is derived from the western idiom wherein “buying lemon” refers to the purchase of a vehicle that constantly gives problems or a substandard product.

 

Under the bill, vehicles will have a warranty of “12 months from the date of the original delivery to the consumer or up to 20,000 kilometers of operation after delivery, whichever comes first.”

 

“Penalty for a manufacturer, distributor or dealer who violates the prohibition on resalke disclosure shall be liable to pay a minimum amount of P100,000 as damages to the aggrieved party without prejudice to any civil or criminal liability they and/or the responsible officer may incur under existing laws,” Aquino said.

 

Meanwhile, the Senate approved SBN 1281 or the “Jesse Robredo Day” which declares August 18 as a special working holiday in honor of the late Interior and Local Government secretary. The bill was sponsored in the Upper Chamber by Sen. Pia Cayetano.

 

Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, who filed the bill, said Robredo was an exceptional Filipino who won numerous awards and “embodied what a public servant should be.”

 

Also approved was House Joint Resolution No. 12, declaring July 27, 2014 as a non-working holiday “to commemorate the founding anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.”  

 

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Representative Neptali Gonzales II, who introduced the measure, said that large number of Iglesia ni Cristo members will gather from all over the world to take part in their centennial celebration on July 27. The day, they added, should be declared as a non-working holiday to commemorate the event.

Legarda: Integrating Science Into DRR Policy, Key to Resilience

BEIJING, China -- The integration of science into the disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy of governments must be done in order to effectively build resilience, said Senator Loren Legarda at the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) Conference 2014 held at the Beijing International Convention Center from June 7-9, 2014.

Legarda, who delivered an opening keynote speech on June 7, said that science is vital in various stages of disaster risk reduction and management including in risk assessment, better forecasting of natural hazards and establishing early warning systems.

“Science tells us why these extreme weather events happen; it tells us how we can build our resilience to disasters; it warns us what we should and should not do to prevent further rise in global temperature. We have a multitude of studies provided by our scientists and we must use this wealth of information to our advantage. The key is to turn science into practice or promote knowledge into action,” she explained.

The Senator said that in the various sessions of the IRDR Conference, participants discussed the importance of empowering local DRR officials and that the dissemination of information is the first step in creating awareness about DRR.

Legarda, the UN Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, said that the youth should already be engaged in DRR as early as in primary school and that a curriculum on the same should be developed and made part of the education system.

Moreover, the media should also be sensitized on DRR, particularly on how to accurately translate technical terms and scientific explanations into layman’s terms for better understanding of the public. The media should also bring information not only during times of disasters but even without an impending natural hazard so that disaster resilience will be a way of life.

“Science is our ally in building the resilience of nations. We need science in assessing the vulnerability of communities, updating our geo-hazard maps, establishing effective early warning systems, strengthening building codes and making risk-sensitive land use plans that are linked into yearly investment plans of governments. We need science in planning evacuation, building temporary shelters that are equipped with basic necessities, strategizing effective disaster response and in ensuring that in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of disaster-hit communities, the risks will not be rebuilt. We need science in providing the depth and breadth of information that the public needs and in capacitating the private sector to create their business continuity plans that highlight resiliency as a core feature of their operations,” Legarda explained.

“In every step of the way, we need science to guide us. Working with the science community is key to effective governance that builds resilient and sustainable communities,” said Legarda.

PNoy appoints Zamboanga siege overall ground commander as new NOLCOM chief

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City-President Benigno Aquino III has appointed the chief of Army’s 1^st Infantry Division, who was the overall ground commander during the 2013 defense of Zamboanga City against rogue elements, as the new head of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM).

 

Major General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr. replaces Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. who was promoted as Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

 

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, he also served as commander of the 14^th Infantry Battalion of the 8^th Infantry Division initially based in Eastern Samar but was redeployed to Sulu from 2002 to 2003 at the height of AFP’s campaign against Abu Sayyaf and breakaway groups of Moro National Liberation Front.

 

He also became the Director of the Directorate for AFP Modernization and Director of the Army Modernization Program Management Office.

 

In recognition of his efforts during the Zamboanga siege, he was conferred with the Philippine Legion of Honor with a degree of Commander during the 78^th anniversary celebration of AFP.

 

Units now under his command in NOLCOM include the Army 5^th and 7^th Infantry Divisions, Naval Forces Northern Luzon, and Air Force Tactical Operations Groups 1,2, and 3. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Parts of NE, Aurora to experience 10-hour power interruption on Tuesday

BALER, Aurora-Parts of Nueva Ecija and Aurora will experience up to 10 hours of power interruption on Tuesday, June 10.

 

“Customers of NEECO II-Area 1, NEECO II-Area 2, and AURELCO will have outage from 7:00AM to 5:00PM,” National Grid Corporation of the Philippines Central Luzon Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Officer Ernest Lorenz Vidal said.

 

Affected are the towns of Talavera, General Natividad, Llanera, Bongabon, Gabaldon, Laur, Rizal and Palayan City in Nueva Ecija as well as the municipalities of Dingalan, San Luis, Maria Aurora, Baler, and Dipaculao in Aurora.

 

“Reasons of brownout is to facilitate hotspot correction of Disconnection Switch inside Cabanatuan Substation and corrective and maintenance works along the Cabanatuan-Baler 69kV line. Normal operations will immediately resume after work completion,” Vidal added. (Jojo S. Libranda)

Turn Science to DRRM Practice, Legarda Says in IRDR Conference in Beijing

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda highlighted the challenge of translating knowledge into practice to effectively manage disasters and reduce risks, during her opening keynote speech today at the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) Conference 2014 in Beijing, China.

Legarda, UNISDR Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Asia-Pacific, said that the overflowing information and statistics on natural hazards, disaster risks and climate change should be communicated to and understood by governments and communities to be able to make science work towards building resilient communities.

“It is not enough that climate scientists know the risks. Governments, local leaders and the people on the ground should understand the vulnerability of their communities and be equipped with options, resources and the tools to enable them to become drivers of action in their respective communities,” she said.

The Senator cited the Philippines’ experience during Typhoon Haiyan. Authorities warned communities about storm surges that may reach up to six meters high. Many citizens stocked up on food, secured their homes and stayed indoors, not knowing that it was not the kind of preparation for a storm surge. Even those in evacuation centers were not spared from the deadly onslaught of the storm surges.

“Was it a case of inadequate information or a case of information not being understood and appreciated by national and local officials, and by the people on the ground?  People had no notion of storm surges, plain and simple.  In the end, it cost thousands of lives,” she lamented.

Furthermore, an assessment of Tacloban, which greatly bore the brunt of the storm’s impact, showed that the city’s location is highly susceptible to disaster risks. The geohazard map for Tacloban showed a province massively covered by color purple on its outskirts and red within, which means the coastal areas were susceptible to flooding, while the inland was highly susceptible to landslides.

“The map’s color coding scheme represented susceptibility to landslides and flooding, but the people did not know any of that. The challenge here is to translate scientific terminologies to layman’s terms. Citizens should be able to digest the information on a geo-hazard map or a weather bulletin. Raising public awareness should be made to resonate loudly and as far deep into the communities as possible,” Legarda said.

She explained that science is needed in strengthening building codes; making risk-sensitive land use plans that are linked into yearly investment plans of governments; adopting early warning system for crop harvests; capacitating private sector, especially the micro, small and medium enterprises, in creating business continuity plans that reflect corporate strategy on how to swiftly spring back to operations after each disaster.

“Scientific experts need to be given the wherewithal to do their job of gathering, validating and processing scientific data that will enable the accurate prediction of events. These are indispensable inputs to designing practical solutions and communicating the risks to our people. Knowing when, where and in what magnitude a natural hazard will strike is fundamental to keeping our people prepared,” she said.

“We have come together to this conference to exchange knowledge and devise strategies. We must use this opportunity not just to gain knowledge from one another, but also to transform that knowledge into concrete actions. We are builders not just of communities of today, but communities of the future. Let us not rebuild the risks. We must rebuild stronger and wiser,” said Legarda.

Legarda Hails 2014 Post-Haiyan Tacloban Declaration

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today hailed the 2014 Post-Haiyan Tacloban Declaration, the outcome of the three-day Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Manila Conference held from June 4-6, 2014, as another concrete step towards mainstreaming disaster resilience and building back stronger efforts.

Legarda, ASEM Conference Plenary Speaker on the role of women in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), said that the Declaration magnifies the importance of convergence among national and local governments, international and regional organizations, NGOs, private sector, civil society and media to heighten DRRM efforts as they take into account the massive devastation brought by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Philippine communities.

“We welcome the Post-Haiyan Tacloban Declaration with great hope that we all have learned our lessons from the disasters of the past and that this will lead to better disaster resilience efforts,” she said.

The Senator said that the document highlights the need to mainstream DRRM in development planning as well as the importance of building back better and stronger communities that have been affected by disasters.

It also calls on DRRM stakeholders to ensure the protection, empowerment and resilience building of vulnerable groups—women, children, the elderly, differently abled people and indigenous communities.

“The Post-Haiyan Tacloban Declaration will help us in our aim to increase the understanding of disaster and climate science, impacts and policy responses, encourage disaster and climate-proofing of development plans and learn from successful experiences of communities and other countries,” said Legarda.

“It is evident that reducing disaster risks and adapting to climate change have become the greatest humanitarian and development challenges of our time. With the concern and involvement of all nations, we will be able to rise as one human community towards safer, resilient societies,” Legarda concluded.

Ecija LGU inks P111-M loan to bankroll infra projects, solve traffic

TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija – Mayor Nerivi Santos-Martinez signed here on Thursday afternoon a P111-million loan with the Land Bank of the Philippines to finance her fledgling administration’s various projects, including infrastructure that would help solve the pestering traffic problem in this town, considered a major bottleneck in its development.

          Santos-Martinez signed the memorandum of agreement in behalf of the municipal government in ceremonies at the municipal hall. Signing in behalf of the LBP were account manager Lito Rivera and Eduardo Reyes Jr., department manager of the bank’s Nueva Ecija Lending Center (NELC). 

          The loan, originally pegged at P120 million, will bankroll projects contained in the town’s annual investments plan for 2014.

          Last February, Santos-Martinez asked the Sangguniang Bayan led by Vice Mayor Anselmo Rodiel III to pass an ordinance approving the proposed terms and conditions for the projects that include road concreting, asphalt overlay, construction of classrooms and gymnasium and improvement of the public market among others.

          Santos-Martinez said an important component of the road project is the concreting of a network from the national highway to Barangay Sampaloc and another stretch from the public market also leading to Sampaloc spanning 750 linear meters.

          Santos-Martinez said that the concreting of the twin road networks are crucial in addressing the traffic problem in the town’s main thoroughfares.  “At least, it will somehow help ease traffic,” she said.

          She said the municipal government is working to undertake construction of a bypass road that will skirt the traffic-prone national highway traversing the town.

The loan also covers asphalting of nine streets, two of which are linked to the national highway and the concreting of 16 barangay roads in Gulog, Poblacion Sur, Tabacao, Bacal 3, Bantug, Burnay, Esguerra, Homestead 2, Minabuyok, Pinagpanaan, Pula, Poblacion Sur, San Miguel na Munti and San Pascual.

          As part of her administration’s development agenda for education, Santos-Martinez said P13.1 million worth of classrooms are now being constructed involving the P8-million two-storey classroom in Pag-asa District and three academic classrooms in barangays Sibul and Tabacao worth P2.5 million each.

          Thirteen gymnasia worth P29.7 million will also be erected in barangays Paludpod, Caputican, Calipahan, Homestead 2, Collado, Mamandil, Poblacion Sur, Burnay, Bagong Silang, Kinalanguyan, Gulod, Bugtong na Buli and Bulac while four stages worth P4.2 million will be constructed in barangays Tagaytay, Calipahan, Burnay and Poblacion Sur.

          Santos-Martinez said the municipal government is eyeing to improve the public market and slaughterhouse, acquire an ambulance, two service vehicles and an amusement facility.