Ecozone project to boost dev't in Aurora province

CASIGURAN, Aurora-The creation of the Aurora Pacific Ecozone and Freeport Authority (APECO) here in Casiguran, Aurora is seen to spur local economy in the eastern seaboard of Luzon.

Gerardo Erquiza, president and chief executive officer of APECO, on Tuesday lamented that the Aurora province has been increasingly isolated and neglected over the past few decades.

“Tourism is expected to boost as tourist influx to Baler has dramatically rose. Casiguran has much more to offer than Baler in terms of tourist spots and hotel owners in Baler are keen on putting-up hotel facilities in Casiguran to respond to the call,” said Erquiza.

Travel time between Casiguran and Baler was also shortened due to APECO’s Baler-Casiguran Road project, according to him.

The official was present during the Senate hearing on the proposed 2015 budget of the APECO. Its proposed budget amounts to P250 million.

While he welcomes a number of criticisms regarding APECO, Erquiza appealed for the support of its stakeholders.

Erquiza said they have always been open for “greater consultation and collaboration,” especially with people of Casiguran.

“What we need now is breathing space, not a choking point. Let’s not kill the ideas and visions that APECO has for the eastern seaboard of the Philippines,” he stressed.

During the hearing, Erquiza also dismissed reports that APECO destroyed the lives and resources of the Casiguran farmers.

Renato Prado, chairman of Samahang AKDA ng Aurora, in a press conference at the Senate December last year, debunked land-grabbing claims against APECO.

“Wala pong katotohanan. Wala pong inaalis ang APECO na Dumagat. Sa totoo lang po sila po ‘yung nakatulong sa amin, binigyan po kami ng kabuhayan po,” said Prado.

Ely Dipablo, a Dumagat elder and former officer of Presidential Aim for National Minorities in Casiguran, echoed Prado’s statement.

“Hamunin ko po. Magsabi sila ng kahit na isang pangalan ang na inagawan ng lupa ng APECO. Hinahamon kop o sila ilabas nila kahit isa lang tao kung sino ang inagawan. Walang inagawan ng lupa,” he said. 

Legarda Invites Filipinos to Join Dayaw Festival in Baguio

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today encouraged Filipinos, especially those in the Cordillera and nearby regions, to participate in the Luzon leg of the 2014 Dayaw Indigenous Peoples Festival, which will be held in Baguio City from October 22-23, 2014.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, said that through the Dayaw Festival, citizens will be able to witness various indigenous performances, rituals, traditions and crafts, which are all part of the Filipino identity.

“We have a very rich culture and we should rediscover our traditions through the Dayaw Festival. I invite the people in Baguio, in the Cordillera Region, and even those in other regions in Luzon to participate in the Dayaw 2014 in Baguio,” she said.

Cultural performances by cultural masters, traditional games and cuisine demonstrations, parade of IPs, and craft exhibitions are among the highlights of the Dayaw Festival in Baguio.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the lead agency organizing the Dayaw Festival, earlier announced that the 2014 Dayaw Festival will be held in three different venues—in Baguio City on October 22-23; in Bacolod City on November 10-11; and in Zamboanga City on November 15-16.

“I congratulate the NCCA for bringing our culture and traditions closer to many Filipinos by organizing three Dayaw Festivals this year. This would allow more Filipinos to be part of the celebration,” said Legarda.

“I wish to highlight once more that culture is our common ground as a people. We have to find that common ground so that we remain connected to one another and strengthen the unity among our citizens. And so I wish that our citizens would take this opportunity to know about and be proud of what we have and where we came from so that we may find the essence of being Filipino,” Legarda concluded.

NIA, NUEVA ECIJA LGU HOST WATER SUMMIT, LAY DOWN BATTLE PLAN AGAINST EL NIÑO

PALAYAN City, Nueva Ecija – The National Irrigation Administration led by Administrator Florencio F. Padernal and the provincial government of Nueva Ecija headed by Governor Aurelio M. Umali hosted this year’s Nueva Ecija Water Summit on October 15, 2014 at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center, this city. The activity primarily aimed to present the current water situation in the coverage area of Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS) – headed by Engr. Reynaldo D. Puno – to base the formulation of measures that would help to mitigate the negative effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

El Niño

PAG-ASA forecasted that the climate phenomenon, which occurs across the tropical Pacific Ocean, will peak during the last quarter of 2014 until beginning of second quarter of 2015. This particular climate pattern is mostly associated with lack of rainfall occurrence, drought, and abnormal weather conditions. Countries that are dependent on agriculture and fisheries like the Philippines are said to be the most affected by El Niño. Due to this event, rice and food production will likely to suffer.

Affected Area

Currently, Pantabangan Dam had been suffering the initial effects of the phenomenon. Due to the lack of rainfall occurrence, particularly in Luzon, the water elevation of the reservoir as of July 2014 is only at 182 meters. Based on the average and maximum inflows, the projected water level on November 30 is 194.22 meters (average inflow) or 209.53 (maximum inflow) which is still below the Operation Rule Curve of 212.15 meters.

In connection to this, it is forecasted that only 70% or 80,842 hectares out of UPRIIS’s total irrigable area of 114,490 hectares can be programmed for irrigation for the Dry Cropping Season 2015 that will affect 27,332 farmers.

Convergence

Also one of the main purposes of the water summit is to convene the stakeholders involved in rice and food production in the province. It became the venue for all the participants to share trends and practices in relation to increasing agricultural productivity amidst the El Niño phenomenon. Aside from Padernal, Umali, and Puno, present during the summit were: DOST-PAGASA Administrator Dr. Vicente B. Malano; Department of Agriculture Asst. Regional Director Cris Bautista; and Representative of the OPAFSAM Ferdinand Hombrebueno. Also present were representatives from other private and government agencies, LGUs, and officials and members of Irrigators Associations (IAs).

Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio M. Umali said he will allot funds to improve water flow of Peñaranda River hence improving irrigation especially during the peak of El Niño.

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal and UPRIIS Operations Manager Reynaldo D. Puno assured the participants of the Water Summit that NIA is well-prepared for El Niño.

Drilon urges: Renewed zeal for public service on Senate’s 98th Anniversary

MANILA-In celebrating the Senate’s 98^th Anniversary, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today recalled the challenges that gripped the upper chamber throughout the previous year, and urged Senate employees to do their best in helping the institution regain public trust and credibility.

Drilon spoke before Senate employees in a ceremony held at the Senate on Monday morning, as part of the month-long celebration of the Senate of its 98^th year of existence. The first iteration of the Philippine Senate was convened under the Philippine Legislature in 1916, during the American occupation.

In his address, Drilon recognized that the current senators of the 16^th Congress were hit by “one of the fiercest political storms in recent history.”

“The First Regular Session of the 16^th Congress was personally, the most difficult period of my public career. We were badly bruised from the constant public beatings because of the PDAF scandal,” Drilon said.  

“Our institution did not break or implode as some cynics predicted. It emerged from the crisis with a stronger resolve to give the best service possible to the nation and the Filipino people. We seized and turned it into an opportunity for introspection and reforms that would lead us to a higher level of public service,” he proudly told Senate employees.  

Drilon however assured Senate workers that the public is beginning to acknowledge the Senate’s efforts, noting the most recent SWS survey where the upper chamber has the greatest overall performance rating improvement – 18 points – higher than all of the other government institutions covered by the survey.

“We need to grab this opportunity and show to our people that indeed, the Senate is worthy of their trust,” the Senate leader then said.   

 He stressed the Senate’s vow to guard and perform its constitutional mandate and powers with renewed zeal in its 98^th anniversary: “The Senate has shown and will continue to show to our people that their Senate listens and responds to their pressing concerns and constantly feels their pulse.”  

For the employees of the Senate, Drilon said that the institution “expects nothing from you but hard work, unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence.”

Harkening back to the Senate’s illustrious history, Drilon underscored that now is a good time for everyone to “reflect on the importance of this institution of democracy, as well as the legacy of former legislators and national leaders who taught us priceless lessons in public policy making and nation building.”

From its roots in the American period to its current iteration established under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Senate has been composed of the some of the most celebrated figures in Philippine history, including ten of the nation’s fifteen presidents, along with other noted statesmen and leaders of Philippine political thought, such as Benigno S. Aquino Sr., Claro M. Recto, and Jose W. Diokno.  

“I encourage you to honor the sterling qualities, monumental work, courage and integrity of the men and women who have once walked through the Senate’s august halls. They have always inspired us to put forth effective, coherent, relevant and timely laws,” Drilon said.

In the same ceremony, Drilon also took the time to thank Senate workers who were noted for their outstanding performance, and for their long years of service in the legislative branch.  

Quoting the late South African democracy idol Nelson Mandela, Drilon told the exemplary Senate employees that, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference that we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the live that we lead.”

"I encourage you all to remain tireless in rendering excellent service, the kind of service the Senate is known for throughout the years,” he then concluded.

Senate passes bill prohibiting development of chemical weapons

MANILA-The Senate today passed on third and final reading a bill which seeks to prohibit the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and at the same time establish a Philippine National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention (PNA-CWC).

“In our modern society, the use of chemical weapons, especially by non-state actors such as terrorists, poses a grave threat to international security,” said Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, author and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2042, otherwise known as the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act.

The Philippines became a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993, the first disarmament agreement that provides for the elimination and prohibition of the development of chemical weapons. As of October 2013, 190 nations have already signed to be part of the endeavor.

Trillanes, chair of the Committee on National Defense and Security, said the measure aimed to provide a legislative framework for the effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention in the country.

Furthermore, he said, SBN 2042 aimed to establish a separate and permanent bureau that “will serve as the national coordinating body for effective liaison with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the implementing body of the Convention. The PNA-CWC will be the lead agency in the implementation of the provisions of the Convention.”

 “Despite our efforts, we cannot fully implement its provisions in the country due to lack of a legislative framework that will give teeth to its implementation,” Trillanes said.

Under the proposed legislation, PNA-CWC will be comprised of the executive secretary as the chairperson and the secretary of national defense as the vice chairperson. Members will be the National Security Advisor and the secretaries of foreign affairs, justice, interior and local government, finance, health, environment and natural resources, agriculture, transportation and communications, trade and industry, science and technology and energy.

Once passed into law, violators face penalties of imprisonment of 12 years and one day to life imprisonment and a fine of P2 million to P5 million for any person charged with any of the prohibited acts, according to Trillanes.

        “As a signatory to the Convention, the immediate passage of this bill is necessary to maintain our country’s commitment to international peace and security. It would be a vital step towards maintaining the peaceful and meaningful utilization of chemicals and the creation of a treaty regime which will ensure that governments from different states will fulfill their national obligation of implementing chemical disarmament and non-proliferation,” Trillanes said. (Apple Buenaventura)

Legarda Cites Germany’s Experience in Improving PHL’s Natural Resources Governance

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that the Philippines can learn a lot from Germany’s experience in natural resources management and improving relevant policies, particularly on land use planning, coastal protection, sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Environment and Natural Resources and on Climate Change, made the statement following a study visit to Germany with fellow Philippine legislators and policymakers from October 12-17, 2014.

The German Government, through the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), extended the invitation to Philippine legislators as part of a project under the framework of the “Land Use Policy and Spatial Planning, Sustainable Forest Management, Adaptation to Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation” program supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Legarda said that the study tour provided important insights into natural resources management, which Philippine legislators can learn from especially since the Senate and the House of Representatives are working on several proposed measures, including the National Land Use Policy, Final Forest Limits Act, Protected Areas Declaration Act, and the Integrated Coastal Management Act.

“Germany’s experience highlights the strong coordination and open lines of communication between Federal (national), local governments, business and civil society. This should also be the case in our country. A national land use policy is crucial in the government’s current disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts. The cooperation and support of all sectors of society is crucial in crafting this measure and eventually effectively implementing the same,” she said.

“The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources is currently studying the outcome documents of the public hearings on the National Land Use Policy and the Final Forest Limits Act. These two measures are complementary and with the valuable support of all sectors, the committee targets the approval of the bills by the Senate before the year ends,” Legarda added.

The Senator was also impressed with how Germany has been able to meet its ambitious greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) targets by pursuing both national and local policy measures that have focused on expanding wind and solar power, improving energy efficiency in the transport and construction sectors, promoting urban development measures, and preserving natural carbon sinks like forests.

Germany’s target is 14 percent reduction in 2020 compared to 1990 levels, 55 percent in 2030, 70 percent in 2040, and 85 percent by 2050. Germany is currently off by seven percent.

“I look forward to working with the German government to see how their initiatives could be adopted in the Philippines. Meanwhile, our agencies of government and local government units should boost efforts on natural resources management through the implementation of existing laws. We must link science and policy-making; finance mechanisms for climate and energy solutions—including energy efficiency, clean technology and green infrastructure investment; and enable the private business and financial community to support comprehensive climate and energy policies and to invest in climate and clean energy solutions,” said Legarda.

Ecija cops nab funeral parlor manager for masterminding embalmer’s murder

GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–Police arrested here a 33-year-old lady manager of a funeral parlor for masterminding the killing of a 42-year-old embalmer here Friday.

          PO3 Dennish Pengson, investigator of the Gapan police, identified the suspect as Cherrylyn Lazaro, branch manager of the St. Peter Chapel Funeral Homes, of Barangay Balite, San Miguel, Bulacan.

          Lazaro was tagged for the killing of embalmer Marty Dela Cruz of 10-A Cynthia St., Doña Carmen Subd., Commonwealth, Quezon City.

          Police said Dela Cruz was sitting at a table inside an eatery and sending text messages through his mobile phone along the Gapan-Olongapo Road in Barangay San Nicolas at around 8:50 am Friday when a lone gunman appeared and shot him repeatedly at point-blank range with a caliber 45 pistol.

          The gunman, wearing a bull cap and a white t-shirt, and described as fair complexioned, between 5’5” to 5’7” in height, medium built and fled on foot towards Barangay Sto. Niño.

Dela Cruz’s co-employee Rick Angelo Sarmiento rushed him to the Good Samaritan Hospital for treatment. He appeared strong despite sustaining gunshot wounds and at the hospital bed, pointed to Lazaro as the one who ordered the attack.

He died two hours later while being operated on.

A police team led by Senior Inspector Jeffrey Alivia arrested Lazaro during a follow-up operation. The gunman remained at large.

Pengson said they are looking at an old grudge as the motive behind the killing. He said the dispute between Lazaro and the victim started when the latter refused to obey Lazaro’s orders to embalm the remains of a man due to lack of certain procedural requirements.

Pengson said the rift worsened when Dela Cruz reported Lazaro’s “extracurricular activities” to the company’s top management in Manila. He said Dela Cruz has in his possession a video showing Lazaro’s having an affair with another man apart from her husband who is set to return soon from abroad.

The video footage has been turned over to the police before the victim died.  

    

Recovered from the crime scene were three live ammunitions from a  caliber .45 pistol. (Manny Galvez)

Clark Museum zooms to tablet, touchscreen and 4Ds to attract younger audience

Shortly by January next year, educational tours at the Clark Museum will never be dull again as students and other young visitors can expect a more upbeat setting and could just tap, swipe, bump or whatever else they can do with their fingers on story lines they prefer to peruse.

Visitors can also better assess historical features and images from exhibit to exhibit or experience watching the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on a 4D theatre or a 3D movie with sensor-equipped motion seats, wind, strobe, fog, rain and scents.

Architect Lala Rodriguez, a member of the taskforce APEC which handles infrastructure matters related to the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit said this is going to be the setup of the new Clark Museum that CDC President/CEO Arthur Tugade aspires for the Freeport and wants to showcase to the foreign delegates starting next year.

“The museum itself is going to transform into a modern-day gallery but will maintain its historical quality,’’ said Rodriguez. 

“From the usual dull and dim, the museum will this time turn into a more enthusiastic, colorful and comprehensive institution coupled with ‘cool’ technology to live up to the expectations of the younger audience and meet as well the demands of the new generation,’’ she added.

Rodriguez said the CDC has allocated P13-million for the improvement of the museum on top of the P5-million that has been allotted for the construction of the shell of the extended building for the theater and some P10-million earmarked to purchase the 4D technology.

The two-story museum will house many of the old photographs, artifacts and replicas among others significant to the history of Clark and of Pampanga but with added molding and framing to rouse the interest of students and tourists alike, she explained.

Among the exhibits that will occupy the first floor include countless pictures, scenic dioramas, relics, true-to-life replicas and murals during the American time, the Aetas and Clark’s metamorphosis from a former US military air base to a thriving industrial hub; while the second floor will display the scale model of Mt. Pinatubo and will feature as well Pampanga’s rich cultural heritage.

The newest feature inside the museum, the 4D theater, will allow visitors to view the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo back in 1991 with spectacular in-theater effects including wind, bubbles and mist to add a breathtaking fourth dimension.

“Students or the younger generation will finally be able to relate to the past and be educated on how the eruption of the volcano created massive damage not only to Pampanga and the region but as well the entire country,’’ said Rodriguez.

According to her, President Tugade is thinking forward and wants to engage the visitors especially the younger generation physically, emotionally and intellectually.

Moreover, Tourism and Promotions manager Noemi Garcia said the number of visits and educational tours is expected to increase when the new Clark Museum opens to the public next year.

"Clark's daily visitors may even double once it is known that we have upgraded our gallery and we are more proactive in dealing with the needs of our future audiences,'' she said. 

Data from the CDC tourism office showed that visitors' arrival from January to September this year totaled 1.17-million. On the other hand, day visitors and educational tours at the Clark Museum, Nayon Pilipino and Paradise Ranch reached 59, 124 from January to June. (Clark Development Corporation)

Senate resumes session Monday

MANILA-After a three-week break, the Senate will resume its plenary sessions on Monday, October 20, to continue working on pending important measures amid a tight schedule.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said senators intended “to make the most out of our schedule, in order to make progress on our growing list of legislative agenda” before congressional sessions adjourn for the All Saints’ Day break on October 29, two weeks from now.

“We have a lot of pertinent bills on our list, and a number of these proposed legislation requires immediate passage. We will make every second of our remaining time in session count. We will give it our best shot,” he said. 

Drilon said senators were expected to start the week by passing on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2042, which prohibits “the development, production, stockpiling, use of chemical weapons, and providing for their destruction,” in order to safeguard the country from the threats and hazards of chemical weaponry.

He also noted that the Senate’s version of the Fair Competition Act, Senate Bill No. 2282, was close to seeing passage as well, after senators finished introducing amendments to the measure.

Drilon explained that the Fair Competition Act was part of a package of priority economic measures which Congress would pass within next year, in order to improve the Philippine’s business climate, boost investment and ensure macroeconomic and fiscal sustainability in time for the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

Likewise, senators are ready to introduce amendments to Senate Bill No. 2400, which establishes the Sugarcane Industry Development Fund, according to Drilon.

Other Senate measures in advanced stages of legislation include pro-labor bills such as Senate Bill No. 29, or the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 2013; Senate Bill No. 161, which provides security of tenure for all casual and contractual government employees who have rendered the prescribed years of service; Senate Bill No. 12, which provides retirement benefits to barangay officials, health, and day care workers; and Senate Bill No. 1386, or the amendments to the Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999.

Also in the period of interpellation is Senate Bill No. 2269, or the amendments to the Revised AFP Modernization Program. The bill seeks to amend an existing provision in the AFP Modernization Program that will allow the country to purchase major equipment or weapons systems, so long as they are also used by the armed forces of the equipment’s country of origin, or by the armed forces of at least one country.

Additional Senate bills also in the period of interpellation are Senate Bill No. 2210, which seeks to institutionalize the Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Program; along Senate Bill No. 2414, which amends the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

Legarda Sees Need to Revisit VFA

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that there is a need to revisit the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States because of its onerous provisions, particularly on criminal jurisdiction.

Legarda said that the case of the killing of Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude once again highlighted the need to renegotiate certain provisions of the Agreement.

“While we acknowledge the benefits of the VFA, especially in providing the needed support for our armed forces as we have yet to complete the military modernization program, we cannot turn a blind eye to the iniquitous provisions of the Agreement,” she explained.

The Senator noted that the most controversial provision of the Phl-US VFA is the grant of custody of an accused US personnel to US military authorities if they so request, from the commission of the offense until completion of all judicial proceedings. On the other hand, the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) between the Philippines and Australia has substantially different provisions on criminal jurisdiction and custody.

“The SOVFA was crafted in a manner that ensures respect for and ascendance of laws of the Receiving State. It addresses the sensitive issue of criminal jurisdiction through a clear set of rules,” said Legarda, who sponsored the Resolution on the Senate’s concurrence in the ratification of SOVFA.

Under the SOVFA, the authorities of the Receiving State have jurisdiction over visiting forces with respect to offenses committed within the Receiving State and punishable by the law of the Receiving State, but not by the law of the Sending State.

Article 11 of the SOVFA states that for offenses committed by a member of the Australian Visiting Force, not relating solely to the property or security of Australia or to offenses done in performance of official duty, Philippine authorities shall have primary right to exercise jurisdiction. Meaning, Philippine law enforcement agencies and courts will have jurisdiction over the case.

Moreover, pending investigation and prior to filing of charges, if the suspect is being held by Australia, he or she will remain in their custody. On the other hand, if he or she is already in the hands of Philippine authorities, custody shall remain with the Philippines.

But, upon the filing of charges with the courts, and until judgment becomes final, custody shall be in the detention facilities of the Philippines. Upon conviction by final judgment, the convict shall serve sentence also in a Philippine jail.

“The provisions of the SOVFA on criminal jurisdiction do not grant to offenders any kind of immunity from criminal prosecution for offenses committed in the Philippines. No offender from the visiting forces who commits a crime in the Philippines will be treated differently from any other accused under the SOVFA. Unfortunately, this is not case in the VFA with the US. We must renegotiate the provisions of the Phl-US VFA. If we were able to come up with such provisions in the SOVFA, there is no reason why we cannot do the same with the VFA with the US,” said Legarda.

Legarda: Vote for Vigan as New7Wonders City

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today urged Filipinos from all over the world to give their full support to Vigan City in making it one of the New7Wonders Cities.

“The search for the New7Wonders Cities is in the last phase with 14 cities remaining in the list. Let us all vote for Vigan City to be included in the final list of the New7Wonders Cities,” said Legarda.

For the final phase, voting is from 7 October to 7 December 2014.

Voting can be done online through the website: www.new7wonders.com/en/citieswhere voters will choose their 7 wonder cities.

Voting can also be done through phone wherein the caller can only choose one city. Mechanics on international phone voting can be seen on this website link:www.new7wonders.com/phonevoting.

Legarda said, “By voting for Vigan City, we express not only our national pride but also our support to integrating the preservation of our culture and heritage in development plans and policies. The preservation of Vigan as a heritage city has not only contributed to the development of the city through gains in tourism but also brought honor to our country.”

Vigan City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the only UNESCO heritage city in the Philippines and was awarded the Best Practice for World Heritage Site Management by UNESCO in November 2012.

VP BINAY CALLS FOR PATIENCE FROM RETURNING OFWs AMID QUARANTINE VS EBOLA

MANILA-Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Wednesday urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning from Ebola-stricken countries to be patient as they undergo quarantine procedures to prevent the entry of the deadly virus in the country.

“I ask for the patience and understanding of our OFWs as they undergo Ebola screening procedures. This is for the protection of their own families,” Binay, the Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns, said.

“Quarantine is a necessary measure to ensure that the Ebola virus does not reach our shores. We have to err on the side of caution,” he added.

The Philippine government recently implemented a 21-day screening for Filipinos in Ebola-hit countries in West Africa before they would be allowed to travel to back to the country.

The Vice President noted that as one of the world's leading labor-exporting countries, the Philippines is more vulnerable to a massive outbreak of the Ebola virus.

He said that tight screening and surveillance of all ports of entry is key in ensuring that the virus does not enter the country.

“The DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) is a key player here and must be on top of this,” the Vice President said.

“At the same time, we need to roll out an intensive information campaign that will educate the public on what the disease is, its symptoms, and how to prevent and contain its spread,” he added.

“We also need to identify the hospitals with capability to stabilize and treat Ebola patients they are identified as suspected of being infected. Isolation facilities, trained personnel and required equipment must be all available at these hospitals,” he further said.

Meanwhile, Binay assured OFWs returning from Ebola-hit countries of the government’s assistance as they look for employment elsewhere.

“We will also provide them with training and livelihood assistance should they decide to remain in the country,” he said.