Legarda Calls on LGUs to be Heritage Warriors, Renews Call Against Destruction of Heritage Structures

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today called on local government leaders and their respective offices to lead the preservation of the country’s heritage and do whatever they can to prevent the destruction of structures with historical and cultural significance.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, made the call as she expressed disappointment over continued disrespect for Philippine heritage with the destruction of many heritage buildings, bridges and similar structures.

“It is heartbreaking to hear news about a historical building or bridge being demolished to also build a new building or bridge in its stead. I am aghast at the disrespect for our heritage and the apparent indifference to public opinion,” Legarda said, noting that citizens and concerned groups would always appeal against the destruction of heritage structures.

“Why don’t we preserve what we have and just retrofit and renovate? The concept of adaptive reuse should be adopted so that instead of destroying our heritage structures, we can restore them and use them for a new purpose. All the great cities of the world like Paris, London and Vienna have retained and respected heritage. Luang Prabang in Laos and Bagan in Myanmar are also good examples of how heritage can benefit people in tourism, livelihood and pride of place. I urge our LGUs to be our heritage warriors, who must lead the preservation and protection of our heritage,” she stressed.

Concerned citizens and heritage conservation groups have been voicing out their strong opposition and taking action against continuous destruction of heritage structures in different parts of the country. Among the historical structures that have been or are being demolished include the Bancal Bridge in Zambales Province, the Dampol Bridge in Nueva Vizcaya, and the Art Deco Michel Apartments, the Admiral Hotel and the Army & Navy Club in Manila.

The Senator explained that Republic Act No. 10066, the National Cultural Heritage Act, clearly states that structures not belonging to the categories of National Cultural Treasures, Important Cultural Property, World Heritage Sites, National Historical Shrine, National Historical Monument, and National Historical Landmark, but are at least 50 years old, are automatically considered heritage structures, unless declared otherwise by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) or the National Museum of the Philippines (NM).

In line with this, Legarda will introduce a special provision under the proposed General Appropriations Act 2015 that will prevent the use of state funds to demolish public and private heritage structures.

“The State should be the first to protect our heritage, thus, we will make sure that no public funds can be used for infrastructure projects that would result in the destruction of our historically and culturally significant structures,” said Legarda.

She added that all agencies should check first with the NCCA, NHCP or NM the cultural and historical value of structures that will be affected by infrastructure projects before proceeding with the new activity.

53hectometer Run held in 7ID

MAJOR GENERAL GLORIOSO V MIRANDA, COMMANDER 7ID together with the participants of the 53hm Run held last morning (Oct 7) of Tuesday.

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – As part of the physical conditioning and camaraderie between 7ID troopers, a fun run dubbed as  “53 hectometer (hm) run” was led by Maj Gen Glorioso V Miranda, Commander 7ID, Tuesday morning, here.

The fun run started with an opening prayer led by Captain Ferdinand H Abuyuan, Division Chaplain 7ID followed by the opening remarks conveyed by Colonel Dionosio C Baudin, Chief of Staff 7ID. Col Baudin expressed his warm welcome to the participants of the fun run.

“I am very glad to see that everyone participated in the 53 hectometer run and what made it special was the presence of our Commander, Maj Gen Miranda. Your (7ID Troopers) participation made this fun run a success. Let us all enjoy the activity and let us start our physical conditioning.” Col Baudin said.

The participants performed stretching exercise led by DSSO representatives. After which, Major Earl C Pardillo, Executive Officer of Division Training School, brief the participants on the route. The Fun Run started around at 6:00 o’clock in the morning.

Maj Gen Glorioso V Miranda commended the 7ID troopers for their efforts in making the 53hm (5.3kms) possible and for its success.

“I congratulate everyone who participated in our fun run this morning. Physical conditioning is really vital to our profession.  As a soldier, it is essential that we keep our bodies fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle always.” Maj Gen Miranda said.

           “We are very much fortunate that we have a camp like this.  A camp that is greatly different from what it was.  I enjoin everyone to take advantage of our camp’s natural beauty and vibrant ecosystem.  Fort Magsaysay is where your families, loved ones, friends, peers and visitors can enjoy each other’s company and experience a different kind of fun and enjoyment.  This is a perfect venue for team building activities, running, biking, hiking, swimming, bowling and fishing.  As a tourist destination here in Nueva Ecija, I would like to invite everyone to experience Fort Magsaysay,”  The commander ended.

Central Luzon PNP Continues to Crackdown Loose Firearms

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga- Police Regional Office 3 under the leadership of PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA has continuously been beefing up its aggressive drive to recover and seize loose firearms through continuous police operations and implementation of Search Warrants against illegal gun owners.
Earlier this morning, joint elements of Nueva Ecija Provincial Intelligence Branch, Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) and Nueva Ecija Criminal Investigation and Detection Team implemented Search Warrant Nr 18-14 at Brgy Mambangnan, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija which resulted in the arrest of Josefino MILANES, a resident of said place.
Recovered were the following items: one (1) Cal. 45 pistol with Serial Nr MO1635, three (3) magazine assembly with twenty five (25) live ammunition,  one (1) 12 gauge Armscor shot gun with Serial Nr 950506, four (4) live ammunition for 12 gauge shot gun, two (2) pcs empty shell for Cal.45 and one (1) cal.22 air gun with Serial Nr 7061.
The search was done in an orderly and peaceful manner with the presence of Barangay Officials and the arrested suspect and seized pieces of evidence are now under the custody of Nueva Ecija PPO for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, PCSUPT PETRASANTA commended the participating troops and directed all Provincial/City Directors to continuously implement its campaign against loose firearms as part of its continuing effort to ensure a safer Region 3.

Legarda Renews Call for LGUs to Implement 13-Year Old Solid Waste Law

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today renewed her call for local government units (LGUs) to implement Republic Act No. 9003, The Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Law, which was enacted 13 years ago.

Legarda, principal author and sponsor of the law, lamented that many LGUs have yet to comply with the ESWM Law citing difficulties in implementation.

“It is always a challenge to implement a new law, but if we only take that first crucial step of actually trying to do it, maybe we could have already reached 100 percent full compliance rate 13 years after the law was enacted,” she said.

“The key here is to teach every citizen to properly manage their waste materials at home. That goes the same for every school, private and public offices, industrial and commercial establishments. That is why we need to tap our barangay leaders because they should be responsible for the segregation of biodegradable, compostable and reusable waste, while the municipal or city government will collect the non-recyclable materials and special waste,” Legarda explained.

Under RA 9003, all LGUs should have a solid waste management plan, which should be submitted to and approved by the National Solid Waste Management Commission.

The law dictates that there should be mandatory segregation of waste at source and a “no segregation, no collection” policy. All barangays should have a materials recovery facility (MRF), where waste materials are sorted for composting and recycling and the residual waste will be brought to sanitary landfills.

Furthermore, all open and controlled dumpsites should now be closed and instead, sanitary landfills should have been established.

Legarda noted that the latest available data on ESWM compliance, the 2012 statistics from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), showed that only 414 of the 1,610 LGUs nationwide have complied with the national plan. However, having a plan does not ensure that the law is fully and properly implemented.

The Senator cited a government program, the “Solid Waste Management Law Voluntary Compliance Assessment and Promotion Program”, spearheaded by the Office of the Ombudsman, which aims to recognize LGUs that have complied with the ESWM Law and to urge voluntary compliance of other LGUs.

Legarda said she hopes that the program will be successful in encouraging LGUs to take up their responsibility of implementing the solid waste management law and other environmental laws to ensure safe, clean and disaster-resilient communities.

“There are very few LGUs who have effectively and efficiently complied with the ESWM law. The fact that there are compliant LGUs only means that it is doable and there is no reason why other LGUs could not follow suit. I hope our leaders will have the political will to implement the law at full speed, especially now that we are facing threats of extreme weather events that can trigger environmental disasters such as the Payatas tragedy in Manila and the Irisan trash slide in Baguio,” Legarda concluded.

PNoy declares October 13,24 as special non-working days in Angeles City

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga-President Benigno Aquino III has declared October 13, a Monday and October 24, a Friday as special non-working days in Angeles City.

 

Aquino issued Proclamation No. 886 in order to give the people ample time to join the celebration of the Kuliat Festival as well as commemorate the city’s resiliency and dynamism after the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

 

According to the City Information Office, among the activities in lined up include Baguis Ligligang Pangkultura: Vocal Solo and Duet Competition and Dance Exhibition @ SM City Clark (October 10-11); SM City Clark 3^rd Pyrofest Competition (October 11, 18, and 25);  Lutung Kapampangan: A Visual Feast @ Kalye Lakandula (October 15-30); Big Bite: The Northern Food Festival featuring Sisig Festival @ Marquee Park (October 17); Mamialung Tamu: The Kapampangan Traditional Games @ Estacion de Riles (October 18); and Tigtigan Terakan king Dalan @ barangay Balibago (October 24-26).

 

Two religious events shall highlight the occasion namely Fiestang La Naval Concelebrated Mass and Grand Procession on October 12 and Translacion Procession of Apu on October 25, which shall both, be held at the Holy Rosary Parish Church. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu-PIA 3 with Liana Millera- intern)

PRO3 URGES PUBLIC TO SECURE COPY OF IRF IN REPORTING CRIME INCIDENT

BALER, Aurora-Police Regional Office 3 under the headship of PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA advises the public to always secure a copy of their IRF or the Incident Report Form after reporting a crime incident to all Police Stations. Such directive is given by the PNP-PIO National Headquarters.

            IRF is an accountable form filled out by a complainant which contains data provided by the Desk Officer pertaining to the complainant, victim or suspect and including the narrative details of the incident. It becomes the official document once it is signed by the investigators and the reporting person in which the information contained will be immediately recorded in the police blotter, uploaded to the Crime Incident Reporting System (CIRS) database, and becomes the first document included in the case folder. The use of IRF is implemented in all police stations and offices with investigative functions.

            On the other hand, CIRS is an electronic database system that facilitates crime documentation and systematic data storage and retrieval. The system presents a quick, fast and reliable transmission of crime information from lower police units and offices of the PNP to the National Headquarters.

            In case of crime incidents which was reported to the police but referred back to the barangay, the report must clearly indicate whether the case is amicable settled, under investigation or referred back to the police with a certification to file action. (PRO3 PIO)

DENR, PIA invite composers in Central Luzon to join its Regional Songwriting Competition

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) invite professional and amateur composers based in Central Luzon to join its first Regional Songwriting Competition billed “LiKhALIKASAN: Likhang Awit para sa Kalikasan.”

 

“This seeks to instill awareness on positive behaviors and perspectives as resiliency safeguards against the effects of climate change; promote environmental awareness, protection and preservation; and recognize people empowerment and involvement towards measures leading to preserving the well-being of the environment as act of protecting not just it but more so protecting people’s lives,” PIA Regional Director William Beltran said.

 

It is part of the ongoing climate change advocacy campaign of DENR and PIA, which carries the brand “Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na para Magbago!”

 

The contest is open to residents aged 16 years old and up whose entries must be original and have not been released commercially.

 

“Entries may be in solo or collaboration that is written in Filipino, English, or a combination of both that promotes environmental awareness, protection, and preservation as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation. Only one entry is allowed per songwriter or collaboration of songwriters,” Beltran explained.

 

Moreover, they must not exceed four minutes and 30 seconds in length, including intro and extro.

 

It may be slow or upbeat with musical accompaniment.

 

They must likewise be recorded and interpreted well, preferably pre-arranged.

 

Those who are interested are enjoined to secure the official entry form and the complete contest rules from the PIA Regional Office at 3^rd floor, Hyatt Garden Building, Dolores Intersection, City of San Fernando, Pampanga or at any of its Provincial Information Centers in Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales.

 

It may also be requested via telefax- (045) 963-2175 and email- piacentralluzon@gmail.comor pia3pampanga@gmail.com.

 

Deadline of submission of entries is at 5:00PM of November 7, 2014.

 

Entries shall be judged based on the following criteria: Originality and Creativity (songwriting style, technique, skill) – 30%, Lyrics (emotional appeal, message appropriateness to theme)- 30%, Melody (recall, strength)- 30%, and Overall Appeal (suitability as recording and environmental advocacy material- 10%).

 

A preliminary judging shall be held to select the 10 best entries, which shall compete in the finals, based on the given criteria.

 

In the finals night, the grand winner takes home P30,000 and plaque while the second and third placers shall be awarded with P20,000 and P10,000, respectively and plaque.

 

The seven other finalists, on the other hand, will each receive P5,000 and certificate.

 

For more information, please contact Ms. Marie Joy Simpao at 09178555482 and 09998879334 or Mr. Carlo Lorenzo Datu at 09178549539 and 09998879360. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Legarda Pushes for Environmental Accounting, Asks ‘Why Are We Poor Despite Our Natural Wealth?’

MANILA-Stressing that 12 million Filipinos remain poor despite the Philippines being a megadiverse country, Senator Loren Legarda today renewed her call to create a system of environmental and natural resources accounting to ensure that environmental considerations are integrated in development plans and policies of government.

“Our ecosystems have been altered more rapidly in the name of development; but the poor have remained poor and their numbers are increasing notwithstanding the emergence of megacities and the increasing 'GDPs' of nations.  This only underscores the need to establish accountability for environmental issues,” said Legarda.

“The Philippines has one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, characterized by extensive coral reefs, sea-grass beds and dense mangroves; but hunger still affects many of our citizens. More than three million families experience hunger and those living in coastal areas are among the poorest population,” she lamented.

Legarda noted the Commission on Audit’s (COA) initiatives on environmental accounting. It has already done an assessment of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) practices in the Philippines in light of the tragedy brought by Supertyphoon Yolanda, which showed that there is still much work to be done in the area of DRRM.

Recently, the COA hosted the 16^th Assembly Meeting of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions Working Group on Environmental Auditing (INTOSAI-WGEA), wherein state auditors from different countries discussed how they improve the use of their audit mandate in the field of environmental protection policies. The DRRM assessment, along with other environment protection and sustainable development concerns, was discussed in the assembly, where Legarda was keynote speaker.

“I commend the Commission on Audit for taking the enormous task of ensuring accountability and judicious use of government and public resources in the Philippines. Without the critical and essential role of the COA, the job of protecting and restoring the environment cannot be done,” Legarda said.

In line with this, the Senator has already proposed to institutionalize within the government bureaucracy a Philippine Economic Environmental and Natural Resources Accounting (PEENRA) System, which will take into consideration the role of both natural and environmental resources and their impact on the country’s economy.

Under Senate Bill No. 347, the objective of the PEENRA System is to support economic-environmental policy development, generate environmentally-modified national income accounts, and serve as a comprehensive data framework in the generation of economic-environmental statistics.

“Our economic development indicators, such as the Gross National Product (GNP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reflect the goods and services produced, sold and bought in the economy. But in the process of producing marketed goods and services, the natural environment generates goods and services that are utilized but are not valuated,” Legarda explained.

The objective of the PEENRA System is to incorporate both environmental and non-environmental economic inputs and outputs for policymakers to make responsive, relevant and effective laws, plans and programs necessary for national development.

The PEENRA framework will include accounting for environmental quality and waste disposal services, depreciation of natural capital, and environmental damages.

Ecija scribes drool over Purisima house: ‘it’s a dream house, not an ordinary house’

SAN LEONARDO, Nueva Ecija – “It’s not an ordinary house as claimed by Philippine National Police Chief, General Purisima. It’s a dream house, actually.”

          Thus exclaimed Nueva Ecija newsmen who went to the general’s reported multimillion peso mansion in Barangay Magpapalayok here yesterday amid questions over the controversial property that has been the subject of a lifestyle check.

          Consider this: the house  has a gazebo, a function hall, sala set made of narra, apitong and other hardwood species and a billiards table. The whole compound was cluttered with CCTV  (Closed Circuit Television) surveillance  cameras.

          The ground floor has two rooms, a small bar and dirty kitchen while the second floor has three rooms with attic.   

          To top it off, there’s a separate guesthouse with an inviting swimming  pool and garage and well-manicured landscape which, according to contractor’s estimate, is easily worth P2 million.

          “It maybe an ordinary house given General Purisima’s lavish lifestyle and standards. But to the ordinary Juan dela Cruz, this is a dream house. A house worth dying for,” one of the newsman commented.

Magpapalayok  barangay chairman Joselito Valmonte said the updated zonal value of the lot is at P3 million per 2.5 hectares.

          Purisima acquired the lot in 1998 from its fourth owner Leandro Gonzales, owner of the Gonzales Hospital in the same town. The house was constructed in 2002 and renovated in 2012.

Its first owner was Efren Villaroman of the Villaroman Elementary School beside the house.  (Manny Galvez)

PRO3 CONDUCTS WORKSHOP ON MEDIA CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND NEWS WRITING

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga- As part of Police Regional Director PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA’s current program thrusts to further enhance the PNP-PRO3’s Public Information Advocacy Program, a one (1) day seminar-workshop on Media Crisis Management and News Writing was held on September 30, 2014 at the PRO3 Post Conference Room, Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

            The one (1) day seminar was facilitated by the Regional Public Information Office and was attendedby the PIOs of the different PPOs/CPOs together with their writers and some RHQ personnel. Guest lecturers were Emergency Management Specialist, Mr Hutch Regencia and Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent, Ms Tonette Orejas.

        

            Mr Hutch Regencia gave a lecture on Media Crisis Management which aimed at providing the participants with ample knowledge on how to properly deal with media practitioners during Crisis Management while Ms Tonette Orejas delivered a lecture on Basic Police Correspondence and News Writing to further equip the participants on how to properly write letters, correctly address the recipients and how to write news stories. She also gave an overview on how to build linkages with media practitioners.

            The seminar-workshop concluded with a closing remark from PSSUPT RONALD V SANTOS, DRDA and distribution of certificates to the participants.

             “PRO3 continues under the leadership of our Regional Director, PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA to implement our C, PNP’s strategic focus CODE-P to achieve our goal of attaining a highly capable, credible and effective police force, particularly in the field of police report writing and enhancing our media relations, thus this seminar. Also, our Regional Director is doing his best for the betterment of PRO3 and its members, particularly on skills enhancement; series of trainings/seminars similar to this will be conducted in the coming days”, PSSUPT SANTOS remarked.

Cabanatuan has 5,000 dead voters still in Comelec list

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Dead voters might be able to “vote” in the 2016 synchronized national and local elections if taken advantage of by unscrupulous politicians unless the Commission on Elections does something about it.

          This after no less than 5,000 dead voters were found to be still in the voters list of the Comelec in the city which needs to be purged to ensure their names are not used in the coming polls.

          City election officer Leo Navarro said the deceased voters are now being removed from the list in the city’s 89 barangays. He said was a centenarian and 13 nonagenarians (aged 90 and above) who passed away between the period 2012 to 2014.

          “We are now in the process of verifying the list of dead voters and securing death certificates from relatives,” he said.

          Navarro said that the city civil registrar is also helping out identify the list of dead voters in the various barangays to help fast-track the cleansing process.

          The purging of the voters’ list is one of two major concerns of the Comelec which has also embarked on a barangay-based information campaign urging voters to update their records using the biometrics system eligibility requirement prescribed by law.

          Last month, the Nueva Ecija provincial office of the Comelec warned of a possible massive disenfranchisement of voters as more than 200,000 registered voters may lose their right to vote in the 2016 synchronized local and national elections over their failure to adopt the biometrics system.

          Lawyer Panfilo Doctor Jr., provincial election supervisor, said that based on latest records from the Commission on Elections provincial office, a total of 213,141 registered voters are still without or have incomplete biometrics and thus, are automatically disqualified to vote, representing  roughly 15 percent of the total number of registered voters in the province of 1,360,508.

          Of these, 63,116 voters are from this city or 27 percent of its total of 228,191.

          Navarro showed records of the dead in an initial 10 barangays namely Bagong Sikat, Bakero, Cruz Roja, Daang Sarile, Ibabao-bana, Lagare, Obrero, Pagas, Palagay and Talipapa.

In Palagay, centenarian Cesaria Catapu, is still in the list although she died on March 3,2013.

Others also in the list were Eufemia dela Cruz, 92, of Pagas who died on January 4; Matilde Reselva, 94, Agapito Suarez, 91, and Leonisa Maune, 93, who died on June 20,2012, December 8,2012 and September 3,2013, respectively, all of Daang Sarile; Tiburcio Aber, 90, Zenaida Estrella, 97, and Francisco Padua, 94, who died on February 3,2012, September 27,2012 and December 15,2013, respectively, all of Lagare;

Rufina Sangoyo, 90, (died May 3,2013) of Ibabao-bana; Catapu and Teodora Eugenio, 91 (died on August 17, 2012) of Palagay; Estanislao Azarcon, 93 and Alejandrina Hernandez, 94 (died on August 8,2012 and December 12, 2012, respectively) and Ambrocia Javillanar, 92 (died February 23,2012) of Cruz Roja).

The list showed there were 20 dead voters in Pagas, 33 in Lagare, 35 in Bagong sikat, 15 in Ibabao-bana, 16 in Talipapa, 22 in Palagay, 24 in Bakero, 39 in Cruz Roja and 10 in Obrero. (Manny Galvez)          

Legarda on the Big One: Preparedness Will Lessen Casualties, Damages

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today stressed that preparedness will save many lives and lessen damage to properties should the Big One, or the projected 7.2-magnitude earthquake, happens in Metro Manila.

Legarda renewed her call during the Senate hearing for the proposed 2015 budget of the Department of National Defense (DND).

In response, the DND said they have been preparing for the Big One, particularly through the identification of open spaces for evacuation, conduct of safety drills and readying troops to respond.

“It is very important that the DND has been preparing for the Big One, but it is equally important that our citizens are prepared as well so that we can effectively minimize casualties and damages. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) could make it part of their mandate as well to actually engage people in preparedness for the Big Quake, which could happen anytime,” she explained.

The Senator reminded that the 2004 Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) warned of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila that may destroy 40% of residential buildings, damage 35% of all public buildings, cause 34,000 deaths, injure 114,000 individuals, and the ensuing fires may also result in 18,000 additional fatalities.

“We can prevent this scenario from happening, not only in Metro Manila but in all parts of the country, if all of us, the national government, local government units, private sector and citizens, are prepared. We will never get tired of regularly reminding everyone about disaster prevention and preparedness because as a nation vulnerable to earthquakes, typhoons and other natural hazards, preparedness is our greatest defense,” Legarda said.

Following the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol last year, Legarda filed a Senate Resolution directing the government to conduct an earthquake risk audit over all government infrastructure projects and buildings to ensure that all public infrastructure can withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake, as mandated by law.

“Evaluation and retrofitting of public and private infrastructure is crucial in ensuring that buildings, bridges and other similar structures can withstand strong quakes; while the conduct of earthquake drills will enable our citizens to respond quickly and this will equip our people with knowledge of what to do before, during and after such disasters,” she said.

She added that among the priority steps that must be undertaken for earthquake preparedness include the establishment of an early warning system for earthquake and tsunami; determining open spaces for safe refuge; and crafting evacuation plans that would help citizens find out the fastest and safest way to reach open spaces and other safe areas.

San Fernando cites outstanding officials, employees

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-Local government of San Fernando extoled, on the occasion of the celebration of Civil Service Month, officials and employees that have brought honor to the city.

 

“The city’s workforce is behind the success of the local government unit (LGU). Hence, we recognize the effort of the employees by setting direction to increase the efficiency and capabilities of the human resource,” Mayor Edwin Santiago said.

 

Individuals who received plaques and P3,000 cash incentive included Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin who was named as one of the Outstanding Legislators in the country and Donalene Megino for being among the Top 10 Agriculturists for 2014.

 

The LGU Monitoring Team which is headed by Sharlene Bundalian received P16,000 for being an instrument for San Fernando to place 3^rd among the 2013 Top 10 Most Competitive Cities of the Philippines, 2013 Most Successful LGU in the Institutionalization of Reforms, and 2013 Best LGU Customer Relations.

 

San Fernando Rescue Team, on the other hand, got P10,000 for its podium finish in the recent Central Luzon First Aid Rescue Olympics.

 

Moreover, the City Choir got P8,000 for placing 3^rd runner up in the Civil Service National Choral Competition while Carlito Ong of the General Services Office was bestowed with the Lifetime Service Award and P20,000.

 

Four employees each received P5,000 for being able to finish their masters.

 

They are Rachelle Yusi of the Human Resource Management Office, Cristina Sangumay from the Agriculture and Veterinary Office, Aileen Villanueva from Social Welfare and Development Office, and Erwin Quiambao from the Local Building Official Division of the City Engineer’s Office.

 

Alex Soto for the City Administrator’s Office bagged the Most Punctual Award for acquiring no late and only three absences for one year while the City Schools Division got P30,000 topping the Best Balance Scorecard Practitioner Category and the Agriculture Division of the Agriculture and Veterinary Office was named Best Group and was conferred with a P25,000 incentive. (Rosa Bianca R. Pamintuan)

Legarda: Respect Our Culture and History, Stop Destruction of Heritage Structures

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today lamented the apparent disrespect of some sectors for Philippine heritage due to the destruction of several historical buildings, such as the Army and Navy Club and the Admiral Hotel, and urged the cultural agencies of government to work together to prevent such occurrences.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, said “the National Cultural Heritage Act must be strictly and effectively implemented by concerned agencies before all our heritage is gone too soon.”

During the Senate hearing for the budget of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), NHCP Chairperson Maria Serena Diokno said that they never allowed the demolition of these heritage buildings. In the case of the Army and Navy Club, they only gave approval to dismantle the annex buildings, which are not part of the original structure.

“I am confident that our cultural agencies are committed to their responsibility to protect and preserve our cultural and historical heritage. We understand that there may be gaps in the implementation of the law. We will make sure those gaps are filled. It is important that we empower our cultural agencies by providing them with sufficient budget and manpower to effectively carry out their mandate,” said Legarda.

“We need to have more heritage guardians who understand the significance of our historical and cultural heritage. There are many other heritage structures under threat and our cultural agencies should implement the law with full force,” she stressed.

Under the National Cultural Heritage Act, Republic Act No. 10066, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Museum of the Philippines, and the NHCP have shared responsibility to protect and preserve the country’s cultural heritage.

Legarda also called on the private sector and citizens to also do their share in protecting the country’s heritage.

“We are all responsible for the preservation of our heritage. We do not always need to build new buildings and structures for the sake of development. The concept of adaptive reuse should be adopted so that instead of destroying our heritage structures, we can restore them and use them for a new purpose. This is already being done in Intramuros and there is no reason why it cannot be done in other parts of the country as well,” said Legarda.