PAG-IBIG SETS ASIDE P6B FOR GLENDA CALAMITY LOANS

MANILA-The Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) has allocated some P6 billion in calamity funds for members affected by typhoon Glenda (Rammasun), Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said Monday.

“We have set aside P6 billion to make sure that we have enough to fund calamity loan applications of Pag-IBIG members whose homes were damaged by typhoon Glenda,” he said.

Binay is the chairman of the Board of Trustees in his capacity as chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

The Pag-IBIG calamity loan is available to members living in areas that have been declared under state of calamity. Eligible members may file loan applications within 90 days from the declaration of a state of calamity.

Areas that have been declared under state of calamity include the provinces of Bataan, Laguna, Quezon, Cavite, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Samar, as well as Muntinlupa City and Obando in Bulacan.

Binay said under the Pag-IBIG calamity loan program, members with at least 24 monthly contributions may borrow up to 80 percent of their total savings at an annual interest rate of 5.9 percent.

“This interest rate is the lowest in the market and is almost half of the previous interest rate of 10.75% per annum,” the housing czar said.

He added that the loan is payable within 24 months after a grace period of three months.

“Our members do not have to worry about paying the loan immediately. With the three-month moratorium, those who have taken out loans only need to start paying the monthly amortization on the fourth month. This will allow them time to take care of urgent concerns,” Binay said.

According to the Vice President, members with existing Pag-IBIG multi-purpose or calamity loans may still file for new calamity loan applications, provided that the sum of all loans, including the new one being applied for, does not exceed 80 percent of his total accumulated savings.

“Those with existing Pag-IBIG Housing Loans, on the other hand, may apply for the calamity loan and can avail of the full loanable amount, provided that the housing loan is not in default at the time of application,” he added.

The calamity loan is considered part of the short-term loan programs being implemented by Pag-IBIG and is treated separately from housing loans.

The Vice President also said that to expedite loan applications, Pag-IBIG will deploy roving offices to be stationed at the city or municipal halls of affected areas if needed.

“It is the mandate of Pag-IBIG to provide speedy and accessible aid to our members who are affected by calamities,” he said.

Morever, Binay said aside from the calamity loan, Pag-IBIG members with existing housing loans may also file insurance claims against allied perils if the property covered by the loan was damaged by the typhoon.

The amount that can be claimed depends on the extent of damage to the property.

Application forms for the calamity loan and the insurance claim may be downloaded from the Pag-IBIG website (http://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph) or may be requested from Pag-IBIG branches or roving offices.

As US banks shut down remittance programs VP BINAY CONCERNED OVER RISING REMITTANCE FEES

MANILA-Vice President Jejomar C. Binay has expressed “deep concern” over the recent moves of United States banks to restrict the use of their facilities for international money transfers in response to regulatory pressure from the US government.

“In particular, a plan to increase remittance fees would adversely impact on the millions of Filipinos in the United States who regularly send money to their families in the Philippines,” Binay said in a letter to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr.

Binay is the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ Concerns.

The Vice President expressed optimism the BSP will look for solutions to mitigate the impact of the recent developments.

“I take note of the efforts of the BSP to address this development and I am optimistic that you will make the needed representations and take the needed steps to mitigate the effects of such policies on our kababayans in the US,” he said.

According to the New York Times, Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and Citigroup have scrapped programs that allowed migrant workers to send money back to their families at a reduced cost, in response to increased regulation.

The increased regulation is part of the US government’s efforts to curb money laundering activities after a series of money-laundering scandals.

In 2012, HSBC was accused of failing to monitor more than $670 billion in wire transfers and more than $9.4 billion in purchases of US currency from HSBC Mexico.

HSBC admitted to laundering money for drug cartels and agreed to pay a $1.9 billion settlement to avoid lawsuit.

The US has been the biggest source of OFW remittances in recent years, with almost $10 billion remitted to the country in 2013 alone.

Drilon to DBM: Release DAP SAROs

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release all documents, including pertinent Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs), pertaining to the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds which were availed of by lawmakers.

“The records are with the DBM and Secretary Florencio Abad said that the DBM is conducting a thorough research on the matter. Upon the completion of its report, the DBM should release them for the sake of transparency,” said Drilon.

“These are public records and it is only right that the public be given access to these documents so that they can scrutinize and find out if public funds were indeed put for public use,” he stressed.

The Senate President likewise reiterated his earlier call for the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a comprehensive audit of the DAP, and investigate if there were red flags in the implementation.

He said that a COA full-blown audit would find out if DAP funds were misspent.

“The COA should heed calls for a complete audit of DAP. Only a COA report would dispel fears that these funds were used for personal gains,” said Drilon.

Legarda Wants Filipinos to be Heritage Warriors

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today asked Filipinos to be “heritage warriors” who will defend and conserve the tangible and intangible heritage handed down to us by our forefathers.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, made the statement as she hailed the new graduates of Escuela Taller Intramuros who are heritage warriors in their own right as they restore deteriorating or damaged built heritage.

“It was heartbreaking to see centuries-old churches in Bohol and Cebu crumble down to an earthquake in October last year because these structures were not only symbols of faith but also of a rich history. But seeing the young graduates of Escuela Taller, I feel a renewed sense of hope that we can still save our precious heritage,” she said.

The Escuela Taller is a vocational school in Intramuros initiated by the Spanish Government. It aims to teach skills related to building construction to disadvantaged but talented Filipino youth. Students in this vocational school specialize in areas like masonry, carpentry, metal works, painting, plumbing, and acquire skills in woodcarving and stone carving.

Students have been involved in revival projects for the historic quarter of Intramuros, restoration of colonial churches and bridges, and other related heritage restoration projects.

As she lauded the third batch of Escuela Taller Intramuros graduates during the Graduation Ceremony today at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Building, Legarda said she hopes that more Filipinos will also fight for our heritage by reviving and promoting its various aspects.

She lamented that many other tangible and intangible heritage need to be conserved.

Legarda added that heritage is also a fundamental source of socio-economic empowerment, stressing that it can boost cultural tourism in areas of rich heritage to produce more jobs and generate bigger income for communities and local governments.

“We are endowed with a rich cultural history—our dances, chants, weaving traditions, textiles, heritage churches and buildings, language. We must strive to protect all of these, our pamana from our ancestors, which we must also pass on to our progeny. I am sure each of us can find an aspect of our culture that we are most interested in. That interest is enough to spark action and hopefully would enjoin every Filipino to become heritage warriors,” Legarda concluded.

Sotto pushes life imprisonment for hazing participants

MANILA-It is about time someone should be held accountable for the barbaric initiation rite that is hazing.

Senator Vicente C. Sotto III wants the life sentence imposed on any officers or members of fraternities or sororities that participate in any form of hazing, regardless of what happens to the victim or victims.

 

"This is a senseless brutal initiation rite that has claimed a number of young and promising lives. It is a barbaric act that has no place in modern society," Sotto said.

At present, the Anti-Hazing Law only imposes life imprisonment "if death, rape, sodomy and mutilation results there from" Graduated penalties are imposed depending on the circumstances and the condition of the victim.

But with the recent death of one more hazing victim, it is time to revisit the law and put more teeth into it.

In Senate Bill (SB) No. 97, the lawmaker seeks to amend  Section 4 of RA 8049, otherwise known as the Anti-Hazing Law of 1995 which provides for graduated penalties for hazing.

Under Sotto’s proposed amendment, “any officers or members of the fraternity, sorority or organization who actually participated in the infliction of physical harm in a hazing or other form of initiation rites shall be liable as principals and shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua.”

The proposed amendment in effect upgrades the penalty to life imprisonment of the participants regardless of what happens to the hazing victim.

"So many lives are still lost even despite the law. It is long overdue that we end this cycle of senseless violence," Sotto said. "How many promising lives, how many parents are still going to endure the pain of seeing their love ones die, or get maimed, in the hands of these barbarians?"

The latest victim of the fatal initiation rite was 18-year-old De La Salle College of St. Benilde student Guillo Servando. The senator has been helping the families of hazing victims like Marvin P. Reglos, 25, who died on February 19, 2012 and Marc Andre Marcos, 21, who died on July 30, 2012 both students of San Beda 

In his proposed measure, Sotto pointed out that RA 8049 was enacted to address the death and violence happening in fraternities, sororities and organizations.

Yet, "despite its enactment in 1995, there are still numerous reports of death and injuries in various parts of our country. It only shows that there is a need to strengthen the law, by providing a higher penalty" on hazing.

“While the Constitution mandates that a" educational institution shall teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal discipline, students on the other hand, shall have the duty and responsibility to promote and maintain the peace and tranquility of the school by observing the rules of discipline,” Sotto explained. 

“The State should not be proscribed from interfering with the social development of students, particularly when life is at stake.  The enactment of Republic Act No. 8049, otherwise known as an Anti-Hazing Law serves to address the rampant violence happening in various fraternities, sororities and organizations," Sotto pointed out.

The proposed amendment  also seeks to include  the imposition of maximum penalty a) when hazing or initiation rite is committed under the influence of illegal drugs or liquor; and 

b) when there is a presence of non-resident or alumni fraternity members during the hazing. 

Sotto asked the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs to set hearings for his proposed amendment, before lives are claimed by brutal initiation rites.  The bill has been referred to the committee since last year.  

"We have to stop this violence on our children. Our educational institutions should be beacons of hope, not of death. We cannot allow another death," Sotto stressed.

VP BINAY WINS LIBEL SUIT VS EX-MAKATI VICE MAYOR

MANILA-Former Makati Vice Mayor Roberto Brillante was found guilty again of libel against Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and was ordered to pay P500,000 in damages to the city’s former chief executive.

In a 13-page decision dated June 30, 2014, Judge Selma Palacio Alaras of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 62 said Brillante "willfully, unlawfully and feloniously” disseminated a defamatory statement that caused “dishonor, discredit and public contempt” upon Binay.

Alaras ordered Brillante to pay a fine of P6,000 as well as P500,000 in moral damages to the Vice President.

Binay filed a libel suit against Brillante in 2006 after the latter released a press statement that accused the former mayor of allegedly bribing three Sandiganbayan justices to win a graft case.

The Sandiganbayan had dismissed a complaint filed by Brillante against former Mayor Elenita S. Binay and nine others for lack of probable cause.

Brillante, citing unnamed sources, had said in a radio program and a press conference that "lobby money" resulted in the dismissal of the case

In his testimony, Binay said Brillante's statement "was calculated to disseminate malicious imputations" and "clearly brought damage" to his name, reputation, integrity and honor as a public servant. 

Brillante, on the other hand, told the court his statement was done in "good faith" but the court said Brillante failed to act in “good faith” when he neglected to “substantiate or even attempt to verify his story before publication,” and his information were “mere gossips peddled by unnamed sources.”

It further said that Brillante showed malice, a critical element in libel cases, when he “made such remarks with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard as to the truth or falsity thereof.”

According to the court, journalists have a responsibility to report the truth, and in doing so must at least investigate their stories before publication, and be able to back their stories up with proof.

"There must be some foundation to their reports; these reports must be warranted by facts," the court said.

“There was no showing that accused (Brillante) made any attempt to talk to Mayor Binay to verify statements contained in the defamatory articles, especially considering the gravity of the accusations made against the latter.”

“Accused’s failure to verify the truth of the information from Mayor Binay himself is in itself an evidence of his lack of bona fide efforts to verify the accuracy of his information," it added.

While Brillante was found guilty of libel, the court imposed a penalty of fine instead of imprisonment because of the "wide latitude given to utterances against public figures" consonant to Administrative Circular No. 08-2008.

In 1993, Brillante was also slapped with a P500,000 fine for being convicted of five different counts of libel against Binay. The libel charges were related to the publication of the articles entitled "Binay accused of plotting slays of rivals," "Binay Slay Plan on (Augusto) Syjuco" and "Plea for Cory to Save Makati," all of which were published in January 1988.

Legarda on Glenda Onslaught: We Were Prepared, But We Can Still Do Better

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today noted better disaster preparedness efforts during the onslaught of Typhoon Glenda, but said that the country can still do better, especially when faced with stronger typhoons and other natural hazards.

Among the main concerns in the aftermath of Typhoon Glenda is the power outage across Luzon due to damaged poles and transmission lines.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has confirmed at least 38 deaths due to Typhoon Glenda. Most of the victims were hit by collapsed walls, falling debris and fallen trees that were uprooted due to strong winds, while others died of electrocution and drowning.

“The level of disaster preparedness has evidently improved, from forecasting, early warning to evacuation of families in high-risk areas. Weather bulletins were given out regularly and warnings of storm surges were sent out early. The local government units heeded these advisories and did the right thing of enforcing evacuation of families living in coastal communities,” said Legarda, United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific.

“However, we should not content ourselves with the outcome and we must strive to target zero casualty as we increasingly gain the resources and political will needed to address the constant risks of disasters,” she stressed.

“Let us find a way to prevent damages to critical infrastructure such as transmission lines because electricity and communication lines are more important in the aftermath of disasters. Meanwhile, community preparations for disasters should include regular pruning of trees, dredging of canals and esteros, and the practice of segregating garbage,” she added.

The Senator also called on communities to heed disaster warnings to avoid accidents.

“When warned of an impending hazard, we should take safety measures. Stay indoors and do not attempt to go out especially at the height of the typhoon to avoid accidents. We should also ensure the structural integrity of buildings and firewalls so that these structures would not collapse and cause death or injuries,” she said.

“National and local action must promote disaster prevention with ‘zero tolerance’ as a mindset and approach. On the other hand, citizens must do their part by paying attention to government warnings and community advisories, especially when there is a need to evacuate,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Reminds Public on Disaster Preparedness: How to Prepare for Typhoons

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today reminded citizens on ways to prepare for a typhoon as more areas have been placed under Public Storm Warning Signal No. 3 due to Typhoon Glenda, which is expected to make landfall within the day over Albay-Sorsogon area.

Legarda said that since the Philippines is regularly visited by typhoons, “we have to heighten our preparedness measures especially that we are now experiencing stronger typhoons due to the changing climate.”

She stressed that citizens, especially those in areas with public storm warning signals, should regularly monitor weather updates and advisories for evacuation; while disaster preparedness and response agencies should be on alert for emergencies and concerned government departments ready to provide basic needs and relief items for residents in temporary shelters and affected areas.

The Senator reminded citizens of measures to undertake based on the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook, a manual produced by the Committee on Climate Change, which Legarda chairs, in partnership with various government agencies.

In areas under signal no. 3, winds of 101-185 kph are expected.

Residents in these areas are advised to seek shelter in strong buildings, evacuate low-lying areas, and stay away from the coasts and riverbanks. The sea and coastal waters will be very dangerous to all sea crafts and travel is very risky, especially by sea and air.

People should watch out for the passage of the eye of the typhoon, indicated by a sudden occurrence of fair weather immediately after very bad weather. When the eye of the typhoon hits the community, people should not venture away from a safe shelter, because after one to two hours the worst weather will resume with very strong winds.

Classes in all levels should be suspended and children should stay in the safety of strong buildings, while disaster preparedness and response agencies are in action with appropriate response to actual emergency.

In areas under signal no. 2, winds of 61-100 kph are expected.

Residents in these areas are warned of coastal waters that are dangerous to small sea crafts. People, especially those travelling by sea and air, are cautioned to avoid unnecessary risks and outdoor activities should be postponed. Properties should be secured before the signal is upgraded.

In areas under signal no. 1, winds of 30-60 kph are expected.

Citizens in these areas, especially coastal communities, are warned of waves that may gradually develop and become bigger and higher. They are advised to listen to the latest severe weather bulletin issued by PAGASA. Business may be carried on as usual except when floods occur.

What to do in case of typhoons

·      Stay indoors and keep calm.

·      Monitor TV and radio reports.

·      Secure your home.

·      Trim trees near dwellings.

·      Keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.

·      Go to the nearest designated evacuation center if your house is in a flood-prone area.

·      Have a flashlight and radio handy, with fresh batteries.

·      Stock up on food, potable water, kerosene, batteries, and first-aid supplies.

·      In case of flooding, turn off the main sources of electricity, gas and water in your home.

·      Stack furniture above the expected flood level. Keep appliances, valuables, chemicals, toxic substances, and garbage beyond the reach of floodwaters.

·      Avoid low-lying areas, riverbanks, creeks and coastal areas, slopes, cliffs, and foothills. Rain can trigger landslides, rockslides or mudslides.

·      Avoid wading through flooded areas. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams.

·      Do not operate any electrical equipment during a flood.

·      Do not use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded.

POLICE ARRESTED 4 KOREANS FOR ONLINE GAMBLING

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga- Four (4) Korean nationals were arrested by elements of the Intelligence Operations Section, Regional Intelligence Division 3 during a raid in a building at Clark Freeport Zone for  running an illegal online gambling operations.

           

            PCSupt. Raul D. Petrasanta, Regional Director, PRO3 said that the suspects were collared by operatives of the IOS-RID3 inside the building located at Ninoy Aquino Ave., Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga in the morning of July 11, 2014.

             

            Petrasanta added that the arrest was made by virtue of a Search Warrant issued by Hon Judge Norman V Pamintuan of RTC Branch 73, Olongapo City dated July 9, 2014 for violation of PD 1602 in relation to RA 8484 (Access Devices Regulation Act).

           

              Arrested Korean nationals were identified as HON Kim, YOUNG Jee Kim, BYOUNG Ik Kim, all residents of 5-11, 1^st St., Carmenville Subd., Angeles City and SEONGHYUN Kim, a resident of 76-10 Sunset Valley Mansion, Dawes St., Cutcut, Angeles City.

           

            Meanwhile, KIM Min Gi, who is the subject of the search was not around during the implementation of the search warrant.

           

            Seized from their possession and control were: Twelve (12) sets desk top computers; Three (3) pcs telephone apparatus; Three (3) pcs modem; Five (5) pcs router; Four (4) pcs Ethernet adaptors; Three (3) Internet phones; Three (3) USB Keys; One (1) USB; Seven (7) Credit Cards; and, assorted computer peripherals believed to be used in their illegal activities.

 

            Arrested online operators are now under the custody of IOS with seized items for proper documentation and referral to the prosecutor for Violation of RA 8484 and PD 1602 as amended by RA 9287 (Illegal Gambling).

 

            Petrasanta vowed PRO3’s relentless operations against individuals and groups involved in various illegal gambling operations in compliance to the directive of PNP Director General Alan Purisima.

Protected Areas Crucial to Food Security, Poverty Alleviation—Legarda

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today stressed the importance of the country’s protected areas in improving food security and addressing poverty.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said that protected areas are characterized by thriving biodiversity and have unique features that support agriculture, water supply and other economic activities.

“Establishing protected areas is not only an environmental issue, but also a gut issue. It is crucial to food security, water security and poverty alleviation because these areas are rich sources of basic resources,” she explained

The Senator noted that many protected areas are vital source of freshwater, which is important in agriculture. A study of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) showed that agriculture uses as much as 50% of freshwater in many countries and up to 90% in some developing countries.

Meanwhile, establishing marine protected areas allows for the full development of underwater species and recovery of the area, which result in replenishment of marine resources.

Legarda said that there are 113 areas in the country declared through Presidential proclamations as protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act. However, only 13 have proceeded to be legislated as such.

The Agusan Marsh, Aliwagwag Falls and Apo Island are among the 100 areas included in the proposed Protected Areas Declaration Act filed by Legarda.

The Agusan Marsh holds around 15% of the country’s fresh water resources. Parts of the marsh are used for traditional fishponds and rice paddies.

The Aliwagwag Falls in Davao Oriental supports about 17,000 hectares of rice land.

In Apo Island in Negros Oriental, the establishment of a marine sanctuary helped replenish fish stocks in the island, thus resulting in improved fish catch in the surrounding areas of the marine sanctuary. It has also become a popular snorkeling and dive spot.

“These are but a few of more than a hundred protected areas in the country and each has significant contributions to their respective communities and to the nation as a whole. Legislation for the remaining 100 protected areas must be approved to ensure improved conservation programs and appropriate funding,” said Legarda.

“As stewards of Earth’s resources, we are responsible for the sustainable use of our natural resources. We need to work together to conserve and, if possible, rehabilitate the natural resources that have been damaged by our irresponsible acts. We have to work double time because the protection of our environment is also crucial in our effort towards building resilience and adapting to the changing climate,” she added.

The proposed Protected Areas Declaration Act under Senate Bill No. 1901 is currently under review by the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. The next committee hearing is scheduled on July 16, 2014 at the Senate.

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.