Hacienda Dolores farmers petition against Porac land reclassification ordinance

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga-Farmers of the 2,000-hectare Hacienda Dolores in Porac town, Pampanga have filed a petition to revoke the land reclassification ordinance approved by the municipal council.  The farmers belonging to Aniban ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Hacienda Dolores (Aniban), affiliated to Aguman Dareng Capampangan (Amc) and Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (Amgl, Farmers Alliance in Central Luzon) said that the ordinance has actually “licensed” the fencing operations of Leonardo-Lachenal-Leoncio Holdings (LLL) and FL Property Management Corp. (FL), both partner corporations of Ayala Land, Inc. that plans to convert the lands as Alvierra, eco-residential, commercial, tourist and light industrial project similar to Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.  The groups submitted their petition to the municipal council while holding a protest in front of the Porac town hall.

“The land reclassification ordinance that allowed the land use conversion of farms cultivated by the people of Hacienda Dolores is totally undemocratic and partial to Ayala, LLL and FL, thus, it is being petitioned to be revoked by the affected Porac constituents,” Joseph Canlas said, Amgl chairperson.

The Hacienda Dolores agrarian dispute that intensified since 2011 has resulted the death of 2 farmers namely Arman Padiño and Menelao Barcia, serious injuries, illegal arrests and imprisonment of barangay chairman Antonio Tolentino.  

The groups’ petition cited that the ordinance was “railroaded”;  based on an false claim that the lands were “grasslands” and “without tenants,” thus, idle and unproductive; that the Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR) issued expemption and conversion orders of Ayta ancestral lands which are not under its jurisdiction but of the National Council for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); that the municipal council discounted that the forefathers of present Hacienda Dolores farmers began cultivating the lands since before 1835 under Spanish colonial period, even under American and Japanese occupation; and that fences constructed by LLL and FL and restricting farmers to work on their lands are actually destroying their livelihood, caused their children to discontinue their education, demolition of their houses and reduction of their socio-economic well-being.

The groups claimed that more than a thousand residents of Hacienda Dolores signed the petition.  They added that farmers though became usual targets of violent attacks, have asserted their rights to land and vowed to continue their fight against Ayala Land, LLL and FL.  Hacienda Dolores farmers have set-up camp in fron of the DAR Region III office in the city of San Fernand and joined the recent seven-day march from Angeles city to Manila to demand free land distribution and non-extension of the Republic Act 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“We are requesting the DAR region III office a dialogue regarding the issued exemption and conversion orders that were based on groundless claims,” Canlas said.

The groups said that LLL and FL do not have legitimate titles of the land they are presently occupying, hence, they could be held criminally and farmers could legally enter their lands.

“LLL and FL do not have a solid claim of the lands, so for this reason, they are actually land grabbers,” Canlas said.

“We challenge the municipal council of Porac to fulfill its mandate to its constituents by protecting their democratic rights and interests and not sell out to the rich and powerful such as Ayala Land, LLL and FL,” Canlas added.  

Legarda Laments Climate Injustice: PHL Low in GHG Emission But High in Disaster Vulnerability

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today called it an injustice that while the Philippines’ share in the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emission is among the lowest at 0.31%, it is unfortunately one of the top nations vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

“It is unfortunate that the Philippines and developing nations, including small island developing states, bear the brunt of climate change when in fact most developed countries are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases causing extreme changes in the climate,” she said.

Legarda, the United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, made the statement following recent talks between China and the United States on reducing their carbon footprints.

China and the US are the top GHG emitters. From 1990-2010, China’s average global share on GHG emissions was 17.15%, while the US share was 14.91%. In the same time frame, the Philippines’ average global share was 0.31%.

According to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), developed countries are chiefly responsible for the current level of GHG emissions because of their industrial activity in the past 150 years.

UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction chief Margareta Wahlström said that reducing GHG emissions is a “prerequisite to reducing disaster risk efficiently” because climate change has already made extreme weather events the new normal.

Legarda said that China and US, as well as other industrialized nations, can no longer delay action because they have also been experiencing stronger and more frequent weather events.

The 2012 Annual Disaster Statistical Review of the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) showed that China, the United States, the Philippines, India and Indonesia are the top 5 countries that are most frequently hit by natural hazards over the past decade.

“Big nations who are contributing to pollution must innovate and use science to reduce emissions to prevent vulnerable nations, and even their own countries, from being victims of deadly natural hazards that are intensified by climate change,” said Legarda.

She further stated that, “it is clear injustice to witness the devastating impact of climate change being borne by the poorest groups with least responsibility for having caused it and least capacity to adapt. We hope that industrialized nations would own up to their responsibility by advancing policies on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

“The Philippines has been consistent in its disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts but parallel initiatives from advanced nations are needed to help address the problem and to avert a potential global catastrophe,” Legarda concluded.

Ecija provincial police office, 22 Ecija cop stations get facelift under PNP’s ‘Oplan Hilamos’

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–The Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office and 22 police stations have received a much-needed facelift under the Philippine National Police’s “Oplan Hilamos.”

          Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves, PNP provincial police director, said of these police stations, the repair and maintenance of 16 has been completed.

          Still on-going are the police director’s quarters and six other police stations.

          Nieves said a total of P4.1 million has been spent for the province under the program. Its release was facilitated by Interior and Local Governments Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP Chief, Gen. Alan Purisima.

          Completed were police stations in the municipalities of Cabiao, Carranglan, Gen. Natividad, Gen. Tinio, Guimba, Jaen, Llanera, Lupao, Nampicuan, Quezon, San Leonardo, Sta. Rosa, Talavera, Talugtog and Zaragoza and the city police station in Palayan.

          Nearing completion are police stations in Gabaldon (80%), Sto. Domingo (80%)  and Licab and the cities of Cabanatuan (90%), Gapan (98%) and the Science City of Munoz.   

          “Oplan Hilamos” refers to the repair and maintenance of police stations, particularly leaking roofs, filthy toilets, broken floor tiles and dirty walls.

          The program was pursued by the Aquino administration to enhance public acceptance and perception of PNP offices and personnel.

          Last August, President Aquino approved the release of P170 million for the clean-up of 1,700 police stations nationwide.

Nieves said the clean-up will make police stations conducive places for learning.

VP BINAY SUPPORTS CALLS TO BARE DAP LIST, AUDIT DAP FUNDS

MANILA-Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Thursday said he supports calls for the full disclosure of all projects funded by the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

In a speech during the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Manila, the Vice President said full disclosure is “a good starting point” to prove “good faith” by those who conceived and implemented the controversial program.

“Let me state as a lawyer that the question of accountabilities of government officials would have to be reckoned as part of the legal and logical consequences of this groundbreaking decision. As you all know, the Supreme Court (SC) has placed the onus of proving ‘good faith’ on those who conceived and implemented the DAP,” Binay said.

“But where do we start? For me, a good starting point would be to make available to the public all the projects funded by DAP. This is after all, consistent with the tenets of full transparency that is the cornerstone of the Aquino administration and I do hope my colleagues will reconsider a reported decision to withhold the release of the so-called DAP list,” he added.

Binay said he also supports the proposal of some sectors for an independent audit of the DAP funds.

“And this should be done as soon as possible,” he said.

The Vice President said that speaking as a lawyer, the SC decision and the separate concurring opinions are “rather clear, if not brutally frank, on the matter of accountability.”

“There is no room to speculate or look for hidden clues in the decision of the high court,” he said.

Binay also called for continued vigilance on the so-called Napoles scam.

“It is essential that we see this cleansing of government to its just conclusion—public service without taint of self-interest, without a tinge of deception and political persecution,” he said.

Meanwhile, Binay also expressed disbelief over recent sentiments that life was better during Martial Law.

“It is a sentiment I will not accept. Yes there was peace and quiet, but it was, to paraphrase a famous expression, the peace and quiet of the graveyard,” he said.

“I will never trade one day of freedom for all the illusory trappings of tranquility obtained through force under the dictatorship,” the Vice President added.

DILG holds capacity building seminar-workshop for Northern Luzon SalinTubig recipients

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga-Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Central Luzon played host to the three-day capacity building seminar-workshop for Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (SalinTubig) beneficiaries in Regions 1, 2, 3 and Cordillera.

 

“The activity was meant to increase the capability of local government units (LGUs) and functionaries in operating and maintaining their water supply system particularly on enhancing their understanding of the concepts, processes, and methodologies involved in the operations and maintenance of the facility,” DILG Regional Director Florida Dijan said.

 

Attendees included municipal mayors, councilors, planning officers, accountants, and engineers and Project and Development Monitoring Unit staff from DILG.

 

Serving as the highlight of the seminar-workshop was a visit to the facilities of Muňoz Water District (MWD) and Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija where the participants had the chance to experience the actual operation of a water supply system, specifically the calibration of water meter, extraction of ground water, water testing, and the treatment of ground water.

 

At the end of the activity, each LGU was tasked to prepare and present the Profile of their Water Supply System based on the topics and guidance of the MWD experience.

 

This included their mission and vision as well as basic information regarding their water system and their tariff structure that will guide them in their operations.

 

“Salingtubig is designed to provide water supply systems for the 455 waterless municipalities, barangays, health centers, and resettlement sites across the archipelago; and enhance the capacity of LGUs and water service providers in the planning, implementation, and operation of water supply facilities,” Dijan explained.

 

“It covers LGUs prioritized based on poverty incidence, water borne diseases, and access to water from the priority list identified by National Anti-Poverty Commission using Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Listahanan (formerly National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction). Recipients must also be winners of the Seal of Good Housekeeping which is now known as the Seal of Good Local Governance,” Dijan added.

Employees’ Compensation Commission briefs Pampanga policemen, women on its programs

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-Around 50 personnel of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office recently attended a seminar regarding the programs of the Employees’ Compensation Commission- an attached agency of Department of Labor and Employment.

 

“Under Republic Act No. 8291, police and soldiers are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). The good news is they are covered by the Employees Compensation (EC) program as mandated by the Labor Code of the Philippines,” ECC Central Luzon Information Officer Naomi Velasquez told attendees.

 

“GSIS is mandated to collect and process EC contributions and claims. Thus, in the event of work-related sickness, injury, or even death, covered uniformed personnel, and/or their immediate beneficiaries, may file an EC claim at any GSIS branch nearest to their places of work or residence,” Velasquez added.

 

Among the EC benefits available include loss of income benefit (or sickness benefit), medical benefit, carer’s allowance, and rehabilitation services under the Commission’s KaGabay Program such as physical restoration, skills training for re-employment, and entrepreneurship training.

 

“The risk of the nature of work of our uniformed personnel is recognized; hence, through the EC Program, they are assured to be protected with social benefits,” Velasquez said.

 

Aside from the ECP overview, DOLE Regional Office Labor Laws Compliance Officer Maria Regina Agustin likewise gave an overview on Republic Act 10361 otherwise known as the Kasambahay Law.

 

Apart from uniformed personnel, ECC also holds information forums in Freeport and Special Economic Zones as well as industrial parks.

Drilon releases details of P100-M DAP funds, invites public to scrutinize his DAP availment

MANILA-Heeding calls for transparency and accountability, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today released documents pertaining to the P100 million he availed of under the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

"It is important for the public to be aware of how every centavo of the DAP funds was spent, and to where it all went. Let our people see everything, and judge," said Drilon.

“I have been an advocate of a transparent government. I believe that all projects which involve public funds should be disclosed to the public, and open to scrutiny anytime,” he stressed.

The Palace on Monday called on lawmakers to disclose how they spent the allocation they received under the DAP.

Drilon said he already released to the public and media where the P100 million DAP funds he availed of had gone to as early as October of last year.

Drilon reiterated that the P100 million under the DAP went to the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center, which President Benigno S. Aquino III inspected last June 27.

He said the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center was in line with the objective of the DAP "to boost growth" as the project will create more job opportunities, generate economic activities, promote tourism in the country, and pump-prime the economy.    

The Senate leader said that the project was funded upon his request to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on November 14, 2012. 

“We hereby request for the release of funds in the FY 2012 General Appropriations Act (R.A. 10155) in the amount of One Hundred Million Pesos for the construction of Iloilo Convention Center chargeable under the Department of Public Works and Highways,” Drilon said in a letter addressed to Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad.

The Senate leader said that a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) A-12-01294 was issued on December 12, 2012 to the Department of Public Works and Highwayscentral office as the implementing agency to fund the construction of Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo Business Park, Barangay Airport, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. 

A SARO is a document that authorizes the agency to enter into an obligation or commitment, noted Drilon.

The Senate chief underscored that official records clearly show that every peso in DAP funds went to a worthwhile project which will expand tourism industry in the Western Visayas.

“Clearly, the record shows that the DAP funds I availed of went to a project that will benefit our people. The funds I availed of were not misused, nor were they channeled to a bogus non-government organization,” pointed out Drilon.

“The construction of Iloilo Convention Center is a dream of the Ilonggos and we are very thankful that the Aquino administration has made it a reality,” he concluded.

Apparel manufacturing firm extends lease in Clark, eyes expansion of operations

CLARK FREEPORT-Apparel manufacturing firm L&T International Group Philippines Inc. (LTIGPI) recently signed a 25-year extended lease agreement with Clark Development Corporation (CDC), pouring in an estimated $6.5 million worth of investments as it eyes expanded operations in the Freeport.

 

“Under the agreement, LTIGPI shall construct six 70,000-square meter buildings in its expansion area,” CDC President Arthur Tugade said.

 

Over 5,000 careers shall be generated upon completion of expansion by 2020.

 

LTIGPI is one of the outsourced manufacturers of Ralph Lauren, Nautica, and Victoria’s Secret. (Rosa Bianca R. Pamintuan)

UPRIIS’ Salazar adjudged as NIA’s best operations manager

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–The multi-awarded chief of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems, has been adjudged as outstanding operations  manager by the National Irrigation Administration.

          Josephine Salazar, UPRIIS operations manager, was conferred the prestigious award by NIA Administrator Claro Maranan and senior deputy administrator Felix Razo during awarding ceremonies at the agency’s central office in Quezon City during its 51st anniversary celebration Friday.

          The Personnel Reward And Incentives System Evaluation (PRAISE) committee chaired by Razo cited Salazar for her “exemplary leadership and good governance of UPRIIS which contributed significantly to NIA’s corporate viability and more importantly to the food security program of the government.”

Aside from Razo, the committee was also composed of deputy administrator Lorna Grace Rosario (vice chairman) and deputy administrator Modesto Membreve, Rebecca Malazarte, Angelina Angeles, Conchita Calsana and Louella Mercado, members.

Salazar posted an over-all ranking of 90.84 after UPRIIS ranked highly in terms of operation and maintenance, financial performance, institutional development, project implementation.

          UPRIIS, under her stewardship posted an irrigation service fee (ISF) collection of P297.9 million in 2013, up from P280.196 million in 2012. 

          A holder of a masteral degree in regional development at the University of Queensland, Australia in 2004, Salazar is on record as the youngest and first-ever female operations manager to head a NIS administratively supervised by the male-dominated NIA in its 51-year history.

Before becoming operations manager , she served in various capacities as engineer A, engineer B, senior engineer A, supervising enginer and principal engineer C of UPRIIS’Division 3.

          Salazar, who was three months old when NIA was created by then-President Diosdado Macapagal, was also adjudged most outstanding irrigation management officer and best irrigation service fee (ISF) provider in 2009 and most outstanding division manager of the year, ISF top grosser in 2010 and highest ISF back account collection in 2010.

Her division was also given the best managed frontline irrigation service award, most viable irrigation management office (IMO) and best maintained division in 2010.

          In September 2012, President Aquino conferred on her the prestigious Pag-asa Award of the Civil Service Commission for exemplary performance in government service.  

          UPRIIS is the country’s largest national irrigation system (NIS). It irrigates 102,000 hectares of agricultural lands in Central Luzon which also hosts the third largest NIS – the Angat Maasim River Irrigation System that runs and operates the Bustos Dam in Bulacan. (Manny Galvez)      

Ecija barangay chairman shot dead by car-riding gunmen

ALIAGA, Nueva Ecija – A barangay chairman was gunned down by armed men yesterday morning in this town.

          Chief Inspector Roberto Sena, police station commander, identified the victim as Rodrigo Miranda, 56, of Barangay Sto. Tomas here.

Miranda, nicknamed Ego, was a member of the Josons’ Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija and a known ally of Vice Mayor Alfredo Domingo.

          Sena said Miranda was drinking coffee in the house of the barangay treasurer some eight kilometers from the town proper at around 10:20 am yesterday when the three bonnet-wearing suspects, who were boarded on an unlicensed white Hyundai car stopped and peppered him with bullets.

          The victim sustained several gunshot wounds from Armalite rifles and was rushed to a Cabanatuan hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The car then sped in the direction of Cabanatuan City.

          Sena said that based on their investigation, an old grudge may have been the motive behind the killing.

           “He has many enemies,”he said of Miranda as he ruled out politics as the possible motive for the slaying. 

VP BINAY - INFO ON CHEATING CREDIBLE, PEOPLE SHOULD BE VIGILANT

MANILA-Vice President Jejomar C. Binay has reiterated that the information he personally received regarding plans of massive cheating in the 2016 elections is credible. 

"Basta't ang sinasabi ko may report kaming natanggap na kapani-paniwala na may mga naghahanda na mandaya sa darating na halalan. Mas malungkot 'yun dahil sa hindi 'yung kagustuhan ng taong-bayan na bumoto ang mananaig," said Binay Tuesday after the 35th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Matters in Makati.

Binay also said the people need to be vigilant in guarding their votes to ensure that such plans do not succeed.

"Makaka-counter natin 'yun. ​U​nang-una 'yung magiging aware tayo. Magiging vigilant tayo. Magkakaisa tayong magbantay. Katulad halimbawa na mabalik 'yung mentalidad ng halalan noong 1986. May mga nag-walkout, [dahil sa] social consciousness, civic spirit," he said.

Binay added that the warnings he received have been consistent.

He also denied that his proclamations of cheating, which he first revealed during the Joint Convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Western and Eastern Visayas in Iloilo, was a form of mind conditioning to sway public opinion in case he lost in the upcoming elections.

"Whatever it is, ito naman hindi naman 'to bagong panganak. Nandito palagi sa bawat eleksiyon, lagi-lagi na may pandaraya. Baka ninyo makalimutan​.​ ​S​ana magkaisa tayo na huwag na muling mangyari ang pandaraya lalung-lalo na sa malakihan," Binay said.

Binay also expressed apprehension over the use of the precinct counting optical scan (PCOS) machines over reports that many of the machines are already obsolete and non-functional.

He also urged the release of funds to purchase new machines.

"​D​apat umpisahan na ang paglalagay ng budget baka naman sa bandang huli ilalabas ang budget eh wala na, 'di na magagawa. So, mapipilitan ka na namang kumapit sa patalim, gagamitin mo na naman 'yung mga makinang 'yun​,​" he said.​

He added that while the PCOS machines could be manipulated, the Philippines should not revert to manual counting of votes. 

Instead, the Commission on Elections should acquire machines that have been proven in other countries and are not vulnerable to manipulation.

"Maghanap tayo ng isang pamamaraan, 'yung mga equipment na talagang napatunayan na sa ibang bansa, na talagang malayo na madaya sa halalan," he said.

Legarda Bats for Law Against Catching of Sharks

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today called for the swift passage of the proposed measure that would prohibit the catching of sharks in Philippine waters, stressing that the absence of such law could lead to the extinction of shark species.

“Sharks, as predators of the sea, play a vital role in regulating the ecological balance, particularly the health of important commercial fish species, population balance, and protection of coral reefs. As such, our country plays a crucial role in protecting marine species,” said Legarda.

The Senator noted that last month, police authorities in Cebu seized a truck loaded with shark meat headed for a fish ball processor in Lapu-Lapu City. News reports indicated that the truck contained at least 467 kilograms of thresher shark meat.

Legarda said that the absence of a law forbidding the catching of sharks gives people the courage to continue the practice, which could eventually lead to the extinction of shark species in the country.

“Sharks are in danger of becoming extinct if we do not proactively protect them, considering that they reproduce slowly. The decline of their population could also endanger the entire marine ecosystem,” she added.

Legarda has filed Senate Bill No. 536, which declares as illegal the catching, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, importation and exportation of all shark and ray species in the country.

Drilon: DAP funds used for Iloilo project

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today stressed that every centavo of the P100 million funds which he availed of under the government’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) in 2012 was properly spent in a project that would spur development in the Western Visayas.

Drilon explained that the P100 million under the DAP went to the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center, which President Benigno S. Aquino III inspected last June 27. 

“I invite everyone to visit Iloilo and take a look at the Iloilo Convention Center which is nearing completion,” Drilon said.  

“The funds I availed of were not misused, nor were they channeled to a bogus non-government organization,” pointed out Drilon. “The funds were used for the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center in order to boost Iloilo’s chances of hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meetings in 2015.”

“This is a realization of a lifelong dream of the Ilonggos to have their own convention center at par with those of Cebu’s and Davao’s,” said Drilon.

“What is wrong with fulfilling the dreams of your people? What is important is that we can account for every centavo of the public funds and that there is transparency and accountability in the implementation,” he emphasized.

Drilon pointed out that official records would show that every peso in DAP funds he availed of was directly coursed through the Department of Public Works and Highways, which implemented the project.

The Senate chief also said that while he respects the decision of the Supreme Court, he still believes that the DAP has served its purpose of expediting the spending capacity of the government which resulted in higher-than-expected growth rates for the past quarters.

Drilon said that he spearheaded the construction of the convention center, which has a total cost of P700 million, in order to expand tourism industry in the Western Visayas.

“It is designed to attract and accommodate major conferences, summits, congresses, fairs, and trade shows and exhibits. It can accommodate more than 3,700 people,” noted Drilon.

SOCIAL MOBILIZATION, EMPOWERED CITIZENRY BEST DEFENSES VS DRUGS –VP BINAY

MANILA-An empowered citizenry committed to rejecting the temptation of drugs is one of the most effective defenses against drugs, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said Tuesday.

“The war on drugs is an advocacy as much as it is a campaign, and we give proper importance to the power of social mobilization in expanding our cause,” the Vice President said in his keynote speech at the 35th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Matters in Makati.

“At stake in this fight is the future of our nation, and it is only proper that we enlist the help and power of each and every Filipino to see our efforts culminate in certain victory,” he added.

“We continue to harness the swelling support of our people to create a front that is wide enough and deep enough to withstand the assaults of drug rings worldwide,” he further said.

Binay said that as barriers to international and regional trade continue to come down, drug cartels also continue to expand their operations.

“The supply chain of illegal drugs has moved with greater sophistication and precision. Drug rings have exerted the most determined efforts not just to avoid detection, but to move larger quantities of their merchandise from source to market,” he said.

“The regional entry of top-level Western syndicates in the wholesale manufacturing of narcotics is a great cause for alarm and coldly underscores how complex and borderless the drug trade has become,” he added.

Binay, the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) Concerns, also noted that OFWs as well as those intending to find employment overseas have become prey to both local and international drug syndicates.

“Foreign criminal elements have used both social media channels and local scouts to recruit unsuspecting people from the provinces to serve their illicit end,” he said.

”In 2011, the Philippine Government busted members of the West African Drug Syndicate (WADS) in Manila for possession of cocaine that was to be smuggled into Thailand. WADS have gone as far as to send their operatives here as exchange students to marry Filipinas and then turn their brides into drug mules. The women fly out of Manila to a supply stopover to pick up drugs, and then to a final destination where the contraband is delivered,” he added.

The Vice President also mentioned the case of Sarah Villanueva, one of three Filipinos sentenced to death in China in 2012 for drug smuggling.

“Our countrywoman was asked by a fellow Filipino to bring along what looked to be an empty piece of luggage. It was only upon arrival in China where the suitcase proved to be lined with four kilos of heroin,” he said.

“The person who enticed Ms. Villanueva to transport this seemingly innocuous suitcase has been brought to justice, but Ms. Villanueva’s deceiver is only one of many who will go to great lengths to facilitate the trafficking of drugs, regardless of the lives that are risked and lost,” Binay added.

The Vice President then stressed the Philippines’ commitment to achieve a drug-free ASEAN by 2015.

“Our country’s efforts in supply reduction, demand reduction, alternative development, civic awareness and response, and international cooperation are merely beginnings in addressing the drug menace via a holistic, balanced, integrated and strategic approach,” he said.

He cited the government’s efforts to crackdown drug operations in the country, including the raid on a Batangas game fowl farm in February that led to the arrest of three members of the Mexican Siniloa Cartel and recovery of 84 kilograms of methamphetamine.

NHA TAGS 67 HECTARES AS SETTLEMENT SITES FOR YOLANDA VICTIMS

MANILA-The National Housing Authority (NHA) has identified almost 70 hectares of land that can be developed as settlement sites for Yolanda survivors, said Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

In a report to the Vice President, NHA General Manager Chito Cruz said the agency has identified about 67 hectares of national and government land on which they can build 8,433 housing units.

Binay said NHA, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and other concerned agencies are fast-tracking the identification of government lands to help displaced families be resettled soon.

He added that NHA and HUDCC, in coordination with Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson, are working vigorously to provide disaster-resilient permanent homes to the survivors of Yolanda.

“Our mandate is to build disaster-resilient homes for families living in unsafe areas in the 171 cities and municipalities along the 50-kilometer typhoon path,” Binay said.

“However, the availability of suitable land remains to be a concern in our permanent housing program for Yolanda victims,” he added.

As chief of the government housing sector, the Vice President heads the Yolanda Resettlement Cluster.

Binay said land development and housing construction are already being undertaken in some areas. The houses being constructed can withstand 250 kph winds, in accordance with the specifications of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“About 2,950 of these units are under construction – 1,193 in Tacloban City, 366 in Tanauan and 200 in Palo all in Leyte; 896 in Roxas City, Capiz, and 295 in Dumangas, Iloilo,” he said.

These projects are being developed in partnership with GMA Kapuso Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and Gawad Kalinga. The NHA funds and undertakes land development while the NGOs build houses, with NHA augmenting funding requirement whenever necessary.

Earlier, Binay called for stronger cooperation between and among government agencies, the private sector and NGOs to fast-track the provision of permanent housing units to the Yolanda-affected families.