Senators pay tribute to former Senator Juan Flavier

MANILA-Senators today paid tribute to former Senator and Health Secretary Juan Flavier, “who was described as a giant of a man” despite his diminutive size.

“Although he was the first one to make a joke of his height, Johnny was a giant of a man. His monumental achievements made him stand out from the rest. But what made him more extraordinary was his strong compassion for those who have less in life, his sense of duty, and commitment to make a difference,” Senate President Franklin Drilon said in his eulogy. 

“He will always be remembered for passionately and courageously advocating for a reproductive health law despite strong opposition from different sectors. That law was finally passed two years ago, and we dedicate it to his memory. The passage of the Reproductive Health Law is a fitting tribute to him,” Drilon added.

Senators received the remains of Flavier at 9:30 a.m. Monday, November 17, and hosted lunch for his family, relatives, senators and guests at the Recto-Laurel Rooms after the necrological services. Flavier succumbed to pneumonia last October 30 at age 79.

            For her part, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said she would chat with the former health secretary when she was bored or tired. “I was confident I was sharing time with an honest man. He was the most honest senator,” she said.

            “Hardly had the dust settled from the campaign, when I rose in a privilege speech to denounce pork barrel kickbacks, which in that simpler time consisted of 10 percent of the public funds involved. I denounce the system, expecting that my colleagues would leap to their feet and confirm my narrative,” Santiago said in her eulogy.

“But, foolish me, after my speech there was no interpellation and no comment from anybody. Nobody spoke. Except for one man - Sen. Juan Flavier. With an offended expression, he rose to affirm my accusation of corruption in the Senate. If Sen. Flavier did not have the courage and the purity of heart to support my story of corruption, I would have made no impact. Because of Sen. Flavier's comment, the media picked up the story,” she added.

            “He had no air. His ways were simple. He was always for the common man,” Senator Serge Osmena recalled.

            Senator Gregorio Honasan II said he had “lethal exposure to the viral Flavier humor,” when Flavier was in Congress.

            Flavier laid the foundations for tobacco health warning and reproductive health laws, Senator Pia Cayetano added.

“He was a father to me but as a legislator, we complemented each other. We shared a common passion for healthcare, Cayetano said.

            “At the start of the 13th Congress, I asked him if he would continue to chair the Committee on Health, he said, "It's your turn. I will support you. With the former secretary of health at my side, I faced the challenges with a positive outlook. I sponsored my first bill on the expanded vaccination program” she added.

            Legarda recalled how Flavier mentored her when she was a neophyte senator and described him as the Senate’s quorum maker. “Siya po ang pulitiko na hindi kailangang umikot sa buong Pilipinas para manalong topnotcher,” Legarda said.

            Legarda said she sought Flavier’s advice on what to do with her first privilege speech. He told to talk about something distinct, something that the rest of the Senators know nothing or very little about.

“And so I remember I spoke about the delineation of our forests and filed it as one of my first bills in 1998. Manong Johnny will always be remembered for bringing healthcare to the unempowered and to the marginalized, for being kind, for being generous, for being noble. He has touched us all and his memory shall forever be etched in our minds and in our hearts,” Legarda said.

            Meanwhile, the Senate is scheduled to adopt a resolution in the afternoon expressing sympathy and condolence to Flavier’s family.

            Resolution 1014, introduced by Drilon, cited Flavier’s perfect attendance in sessions during the 10^th to Congresses as well as the landmark laws he authored and sponsored.

“The death of the illustrious doctor and senator is a great loss not only to his bereaved family but also to the millions of Filipinos whom he loved and served so well,” the resolution stated.

Flavier, a Tondo native who was raised in the Mountain Province, was a shoeshine boy, newspaper boy, waiter, tutor until he earned his Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines in 1960 and Master’s degree in Public Health from John Hopkins University in 1969.

He placed fifth in the 1995 senatorial elections as “people acknowledged his outstanding work as a Cabinet member.” In his re-election in 2001, he ranked second for his “excellent performance as a senator during his first term.”

Flavier served as chairman of the Senate Committees on Health and Demography, Education, Arts and Culture, Cultural Communities and was the longest serving Senate President Pro-Tempore since the 8^th Congress when he was elected for the position in August 2002 (12^th Congress) and in July 26, 2004 (13^th Congress).

“The hardworking Senator Flavier registered a perfect attendance during the sessions and authored or co-authored landmark laws which promoted public health care and disease prevention and improved the quality of life of the people,” the resolution stated. (Apple Buenaventura)

Senate panel to fund full implementation of poor seniors’ pension

MANILA-All indigent senior citizens will be covered by the social pension program once a Senate amendment to the 2015 national budget is signed into law.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said the Senate Finance subcommittee he heads has recommended to increase next year’s funding for the “Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens Program” from the Malacanang-proposed P4.763 billion to P7.178 billion.

The P2.415 billion hike according to Recto will grant all indigent senior citizens – or those 60 years of age and above - a P500 monthly stipend from the government.

At present only “economically disadvantaged” seniors 77 years old and above benefit from the financial aid mandated by Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

For next year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) wants to lower the “availment age” to 67 years old which will would benefit 722,294 individuals and cost government P4.763 billion.

But in hearings called by Recto, “there were discussions on how to close the gap, in order to bring in all qualified seniors to the program because that specific provision of the law, due to budget constraints, remain half-implemented,” the senator said.

 Recto said using the 67 years of age cut-off as proposed by the DSWD will leave some 401,551 qualified seniors "who are above 60 and below 67" out of the program.

“The consensus was to find funds so that all who are supposed to receive that pension, which comes up to P6,000 a year, will get it,“ Recto said.

The senator said that his committee raised the funds for the full implementation of the senior pension program by cutting administrative overhead and bureaucratic expenses.

Republic Act 9994 defines an “indigent senior citizen” as someone 60 years old and above who is “frail, sickly, or with disability, and without pension or permanent source of income, compensation or financial assistance from his relatives to support his needs.”

“Ito yung hindi lang may edad na, may sakit pa o kapansanan, walang trabaho, walang maykayang kamag-anak na kumukupkop at walang ibang pensyong natatanggap . These are people in extremely difficult circumstances,” Recto said.

“Kung tutuusin ang P500 a month ay kulang pa nga. Kaya kung maliit na nga, bakit pa natin ipagkakait?” he said.

The DSWD has identified the beneficiaries in a series of surveys and poverty mapping drives conducted under the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction.

In its census, the DSWD included other economic, social, health, housing information to better identify the indigents truly deserving of the pension.

 Recto said the P7 billion annually required for the program is equivalent to what we spend for CCT for one month.“

ANGARA BACKS OSMENA ON REQUIRING BLUE RIBBON RESOURCE PERSONS TO SUBMIT SWORN AFFIDAVITS

Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara today stressed that he is amenable to a proposal to require resource persons to submit sworn affidavits before they could be allowed to participate in investigations conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee (BRC).

Angara said the suggestion made by fellow senator and BRC vice chairman, Senator Serge Osmena, to  vet the resource persons if they have evidence to back their claims before they can make their testimonies, is "worth considering."

"Well established is a citizen's freedom of speech but anybody who goes before the committee should have done their homework as much as possible and come with supported testimony," the chairman of the Senate committee on ways and means said, saying that he agrees with Sen. Osmena's statement to request witnesses coming before the Blue Ribbon  to submit sworn affidavits and supporting documents.

"This is a strong assurance or guaranty that witnesses will not change stories midway, nor will they use the committee as a venue for personal attacks or vendettas that are unsupported by evidence that has real probative value," Angara emphasized.

"A resource person should be able able to present proof before the Blue Ribbon Committee when they allege acts of corruption or malfeasance committed by public officials. In that manner, senators could then properly study, examine and  verify their claims," he pointed out.

The lawmaker added that requiring resource persons to hand over relevant documents first will ensure that "worthwhile investigations of official abuse can be probe d upon efficiently: "That way, when a Blue Ribbon hearing begins, the senators can then be sure that they have evidence at hand, saving the time and resource it would have taken to summon that evidence on a later basis."

It can be recalled that it was during Angara's cross examination of Manuel Mejorada, the chief complainant against the alleged overpricing of the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center, that the latter admitted he has no evidence to support his claims, and that he only based his conclusions on Wikipedia, newspapers and whispers.

"We do not want a repeat of Mr. Mejorada's testimony where he could not present a single evidence to substantiate his allegation," Angara concluded.

LP: No more reason to pursue ICC Senate probe

MANILA-Liberal Party Secretary General and Samar Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento today said that there nothing more to investigate on the alleged overpricing of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) after the alleged whistle-blower could only present the “wikipedia” as the basis of his claim.
 
Sarmiento said that when the supposed explosive revelations former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada Jr. turned out to be nothing but baseless innuendos, the Senate Blue Ribbon committee has no more reason to continue its probe on the ICC which would be one of the main venues of next year’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
 
He added that it is also too obvious that the alleged conspiracy among Senate President Franklin Drilon, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez purportedly to jack up the actual cost of the building was a conclusion made by Mejorada based on mere assumptions and faulty calculations.
 
“The only basis of Mejorada in claiming that there was overpricing on the construction of the ICC is the wikipedia and flawed mathematical formula. It would be a real waste of time and money for the Senate to continue investigating this kind of an allegation, “ Sarmiento said.
 
Sarmiento added that it is also wrong to draw a comparison between the allegations of corruption in ICC and the Makati Parking Building because unlike Mejorada’s claims, the allegations made by former Makati Vice-Mayor Ernesto Mercado was supported not only by witnesses but also by documentary evidence and evaluation by engineering and architectural experts.
 
“ Even at the beginning of the Senate probe, the allegations made against Vice-president Binay and his family are based on testimonies, documents that even include pictures and the expert opinion of third-part experts. The ICC case on the other hand was only based on the say-so of a disgruntled former provincial government employee who can only present the wikipedia as an evidence,” Sarmiento said.
 
“Clearly, the Senate must continue the probe on the allegations of corruption in Makati but there’s no reason to do the same in the case of the ICC,” he added.
 
Iloilo City congressman Jerry Treñas on other hand said that the ploy of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) to use the allegations of overpricing of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC)  as a diversion for their top official  has “completely backfired,” when the political operator behind the charges admitted to the Senate that he had no evidence to back his claims.
 
Treñas said that UNA’s support of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe had instead “just showed the public the stark contrast between the actions of Senate President Drilon and Vice President Binay in response to the accusations against them.”
 
“Mejorada, in his attempt to peddle fabrications, has tagged  Iloilo City in all sorts of vile and malicious controversies,  and yet is empty-handed when asked for material evidence. Mejorada and his political backers, ought to be ashamed of dragging our hometown and its people, just so they could further their own selfish motives,” Treñas stressed.
 
Treñas also cited  “the display of professionalism and integrity under intense scrutiny” by Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, who were invited in the hearing along with Drilon, shows “the true-meaning of the tuwid na daan” politics of the current administration.
 
“Both Secretaries Singson and Jimenez explained every question that was asked from them by the senators in a manner that was respectable, enlightening and easily understood by the public. It is clear that these are reputable people who are working with the President in his platforms, and they have nothing to hide, and have no reason to fear and evade public scrutiny.”  Treñas said.

Legarda: Mandaya Weavers to Showcase their Craft at National Museum

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda invites citizens to a weaving demonstration by Mandayas from Davao Oriental at the National Museum on November 15-16, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Legarda, patron of the country’s first permanent textile gallery, Hibla ng Lahing Filipino, said that Mandayas from Barangay Sangab in the Municipality of Caraga, Davao Oriental will demonstrate the dagmay weaving.

The Mandaya is one of the indigenous communities inhabiting areas of the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, recently inscribed by the UNESCO as World Heritage Site.

“I am proud to have the Mandayas demonstrate their weaving tradition at the Hibla gallery. Visitors will be able to see how the Mandaya garments I wore during the President’s State of the Nation Address were made,” said Legarda.

At the President’s SONA last July, Legarda wore traditional Mandaya attire that was handcrafted by Mandayas from Caraga. It consisted of a badô (blouse) with embroidered geometric designs of colorful threads and beads, and a dagmay(handwoven skirt) made of abaca strips dyed using organic colorants from plants and herbs.

 “I hope our citizens can view the demonstration by the Mandayas and witness how they express their love for their heritage through skillful and passionate weaving and embroidery,” said Legarda.

The weekly weaving demonstrations at the Hibla gallery are part of the Lecture Series on Philippine Traditional Textiles and Indigenous Knowledge, which Legarda, in partnership with the National Museum, initiated since 2012 to perpetuate weaving and indigenous knowledge.

Previous demonstrators include the Ifugao weavers from Kiangan; the Kalinga weavers from Mabilong Weaving Center of Buscalan; weavers from Samoki, Mountain Province;sinamay weavers from Arevalo, Iloilo; the Panay Bukidnons who showed their panubokembroidery; patadyong weavers from the Bagtason Loom Weavers Association in Bugasong, Antique; and weavers from the Yakan Village in Zamboanga City.

The weaving demonstrations can be viewed on Saturdays and Sundays, at the Hibla gallery, located at the 4th Floor of the Museum of the Filipino People, Finance Road, Manila.

Nolcom AFP Pursues to Fight NPA Remnants in Aurora and Ilocos-Lt. Gen. Trinidad

BALER, Aurora–The Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) pursues to fight the New People’s Army (NPA) Remnants in Central and Northern Luzon.

In an interview, Commander Northern Luzon Command, Lieutenant General Felicito Virgilio M Trinidad Jr, AFP said that the 56 Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army encountered more than ten (10) NPA remnants at Brgy. Galintuja, Maria Aurora, Aurora, Yesterday at 6:30 in the morning, Wednesday, November 12, 2014.

Trinidad said that one (1) section from Alpha Company, 56IB led by 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Nino D Rosales while conducting combat operations on tips of the presence of NPA remnants provided by concerned civilians, engaged the lawless elements in a firefight that lasted for 30 minutes.  The NPA remnants were forced to escape to different directions.

“We have been closely and vigilantly monitoring the activities of these NPA remnants in our area. As expected, as the Christmas season approaches, the NPA remnants are out to launch various illegal activities in order to extort from the people who are preparing for the holiday festivities,” Trinidad explained.

The other day, at 8:15 in the Monday morning of November 10, 2014, one (1) Platoon of 81st Infantry Battalion led by Captain Dexter P Apsay also encountered about ten (10) NPA remnants at Barangay Bugbuga, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur that resulted to the wounding of three (3) soldiers.

The 81st Infantry Battalion recovered numerous war materials from the enemy at the encounter area.

“We will continue to perform our duty 24/7 to ensure the security and safety of the people. Our forces will remain vigilant so that the people can enjoy the Christmas holiday,” he furthered.

The Military troops under 56thIB and 81stIB continue to conduct pursuit operations with tracking Dogs in the said areas. (Jason de Asis)

Drilon: ‘I have nothing else to leave behind as legacy except my reputation’

MANILA-Rejecting allegations of corruption regarding the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon emphasized that throughout his career as a public servant, he was never charged in any court for graft and corruption practices.

Drilon told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that is looking into the implementation of the yet to be completed Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) that in his 27 years in public service, he has spearheaded numerous big-ticket infrastructure projects that benefited the country.

“Despite the amounts involved in the construction of these projects, I have never been called by the Ombudsman to respond to any allegation of corruption. Moreover, I have never been charged in any court with the commission of malversation of public funds or any act amounting to graft and corruption,” Drilon stressed.

Among the projects Drilon spearheaded are the hundreds of courtrooms in the Halls of Justice across the country, which were built when he was Justice Secretary; the 1,600 classrooms which were built at half the cost of similar structures in partnership with the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.; and the P6.5-billion Iloilo International Airport.

“In defense of my name, my honor and my family, I specifically and categorically deny the baseless, speculative, and wild allegations of Mr. Mejorada. I did not commit any wrongdoing in the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center,” Drilon underscored.

“I vehemently deny the accusation that I caused the ICC Project to be overpriced. The ICC Project is not overpriced. On the contrary, because of my initiative, the government, through the DOT acquired for free thru a donation, a 17,371 square-meter prime property, worth at least 521 million pesos, for the ICC site,” Drilon said.

The Senate chief said the accusations are extremely unfair to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, their staff, and the people of Iloilo.

“It is disheartening to witness relentless smear campaigns against a forthright project which aims to spur economic activities and generate jobs,” said Drilon.

“It is lamentable to see vile attempts to discredit the good names of Secretaries Singson and Jimenez, who like myself, have nothing else to leave behind as legacy except our reputation,” he added.

Drilon, however, said he welcomes the investigation in order for the public to know more about the ICC and scrutinize every aspect of the project.

The Senate chief submitted a 4-page sworn affidavit before the committee detailing his knowledge of the project, which he requested to be considered and made part of the record of the hearings to aid in the Committee’s final action.

In his affidavit, Drilon reiterated that he had nothing to do with the bidding for the project, because it was the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) and Department of Tourism (DOT) that implemented the project.

“To set the record straight, I had nothing to do with the bidding for the Project. I did not participate in the constitution of the Bids and Awards Committee. I did not interfere with any part of the bidding process, nor did I nominate or appoint the winning bidder,” Drilon pointed out.

He added that he did not recommend any supplier or laborer in the construction of the Project.

“The preparation or conduct of the bidding, its award, or its implementation was wholly undertaken by DPWH and DOT,” Drilon said.

Legarda: DRR in Business Sector is Not Just CSR

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda said that disaster risk reduction (DRR) is not merely part of the private sector’s corporate social responsibility (CSR), but should be at the core of business strategies.

Legarda, United Nations Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) for Asia-Pacific, made the statement at the Top Leaders Forum 2014: Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for DRR, organized by SM Prime and the UN Office for DRR (UNISDR) on November 10, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

“DRR is not only CSR. DRR and CCA should be at the core of business strategies. That is why we have the concept of business continuity planning, which the private sector should put in place to allow them to get their systems back in order immediately after a disaster without substantial disruption and income loss,” she said.

Legarda added that local disasters have become a global issue, considering the disruption in the supply chain of the affected manufacturing companies and stressed that businesses should think of DRR and CCA not as an additional cost, but as an investment.

“When you use geohazard maps and undertake multi-hazard risk assessments before building structures such as malls, housing or other establishments, and comply with updated building codes and standards, you ensure resilience. When you build resilience, you prevent damages and losses when natural hazards strikes, and you will see how you have actually saved because you invested in DRR. Resilience should be integrated and mainstreamed into business strategies, whether by multinational companies or micro, small and medium enterprises,” she said.

The Senator explained that the changing environmental landscape poses various challenges, such as extreme weather events being the new normal, which would likewise change the business landscape, but forward-thinking companies will see adaptation as an opportunity to innovate and contribute to improving the environment.

Legarda said that, as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) suggests, companies should know the disaster risks and how climate change could affect their business; mitigate and adapt to the changing climate by reducing their company’s negative impact on the environment; create business strategies that advocate for ecosystems protection and consider the environmental changes ahead; create BCPs that ensures business resilience and the welfare of employees following the impact of a disaster; mainstream DRR into corporate planning and investment decision-making; and work with the government and other sectors in finding solutions.

Jinggoy: Prosecution is the one delaying the proceedings

MANILA-This refers to recent reports using the statements issued by the prosecution which point to me and the defense panel as those who are delaying the proceedings on the bail petition before the Sandiganbayan. Such claims are utterly incredulous and bereft of logic.

 

More than anyone else, it is I who desires to have a speedy trial. It is I who is currently detained, who is away from my family and who is unable to perform my duties as a duly elected Senator.  

 

We have manifested before the court our intention and willingness to attend extra hearing dates and schedules (daily marathon hearings even), apart from the morning court session conducted every Monday. We have also asked for the use of judicial affidavits to expedite the proceedings; however the prosecution has on numerous occasions rejected the suggestion. As one justice has already pointed out, the court could save 50% of trial time should the prosecution agree to executing judicial affidavits.

 

It is clear that the members of the prosecution panel are the ones slowing down the pace of the proceedings by presenting so many witnesses (according to one of the prosecutors: 26 all in all for the bail petition alone) whose testimonies have no probative value. Remember that we are only hearing the bail petition which is summary in nature. We are not on the trial proper yet. As I am confident that I will be granted bail, the prosecution can present a thousand witnesses if they so wish during the trial proper.

 

May I just emphasize that while we desire a speedy trial – as a time in jail is a time wasted – this is not and should not be at the expense of the more substantive rights of the accused, i.e. the right to due process and the right to a fair trial. This is the main reason why we will oppose and will act accordingly on the moves of the prosecution panel which we believe may be contrary to law, fairness and justice.

 

That’s why my lawyers have filed appropriate motions and pleadings in the course of the proceedings, merely in response to the steps undertaken by the prosecution and on other developments on the case.

 

To my mind, the prosecution deliberately aims to move at a snail’s pace because up to this date they have no evidence against me and maybe they intend to use such holdup to concoct stories, coach witnesses and manufacture evidence.

NIA switches on JICA-funded mini-hydro power plant in Isabela

SAN MATEO, Isabela  -- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led the switching-on ceremony of the 45-kilowatt mini-hydro power plant along an irrigation canal here earlier this month on November 4, 2014.

Funded by JICA, the hydro-power facility is constructed along Lateral, District 2 of the NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) here. The newly inaugurated facility can benefit 45 households with an individual consumption of 1000 watts.

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, Department of Energy Undersecretary Zenaida Y. Monsada, and JICA Senior Representative of the Economic Growth Section Eigo Azukizawa led the switching-on ceremony of the demonstration project which started construction in March and was completed in October this year.

Padernal said that although the new mini-hydropower is not as big as what others expect, the significance of the project is enormous.  “NIA would like to replicate such projects in other areas.  That is one of the reasons why all our irrigation managers from the different regions are here,” he said. 

The NIA Administrator said that secondary to irrigation, the agency operates and implements hydropower projects in applicable areas.  “In fact, we are planning to bid out over 50 new hydro power projects of various capacities around the Philippines the soonest possible time,” he shared. 

Undersecretary Monsada said the residents in the community where the facility is located will now have better access to energy.

The first of its kind in the country, the project shows that it is viable to utilize existing irrigation canals even with small water heads for power generation.

The NIA-MARIIS, through its Division II office, will be operating and maintaining the new facility.  

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal (2^nd from L) and MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel (1^st from R) accompany DOE Undersecretary Zenaida Y. Monsada (3^rd from L) and JICA Senior Representative of the Economic Growth Sector Eigo Azukizawa (2^nd from R) in opening the gates of the new 45KW JICA-funded mini-hydro power facility along Lateral B of the MARIS Main Canal in San Mateo Isabela.  With them is DOE Director Mario C. Marasigan.

NIA Administrator Florencio Padernal, DOE Undersecretary Zenaida Monsada, and JICA Representative Eigo Azukizawa during the switching-on of the 45kw mini-hydropower facility in San Mateo, Isabela.  The event was witnessed by all the NIA regional irrigation managers (in green hard hats).

NIA, SN Aboitiz to optimize MARIS Reservoir

RAMON, Isabela-“We have to be thankful for a project that helps a lot in increasing the income of farmers which is our ultimate objective,” said National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Florencio Padernal during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Magat River Irrigation System (MARIS) dam optimization project here on November 4, 2014. The project is in collaboration with the SN Aboitiz Power-Magat Inc. (SNAP-Magat).

The initiative is seen to increase the storage capacity of the MARIS reservoir by up to eight million cubic meters that will primarily improve the delivery of irrigation water to a larger area of farm lands. NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS) Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel shared that with the optimization project, irrigating the whole service area of 85,000 hectares would be possible.

NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal said the project is a clear manifestation of a real, effective, efficient private-public partnership.  “Increasing storage water capacity of the MARIS reservoir is laudable as it denotes water security for peaking hours and saves water in cases of abnormal weather condition or in times of crisis as well as increased power generation,” he added.

SNAP-Magat Executive Director Danny de Guzman, on the other hand, noted that the project is an example of collective work between NIA and SNAP.  “These collaborative projects are underpinned by not only technical expertise between NIA and SNAP but also the strength of the partnership that we’ve forged over the past seven years,” he added.

The project will also provide flexibility for power generation. This could potentially add up 7.75 megawatts of additional capacity for the Luzon grid.

The project is seen to start January next year and is expected to be completed in 2016.

 (L-R) MARIIS Operations Manager Mariano G. Dancel, Ifugao Governor Dennis Habawel, NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal, Ramon Mayor Wilfredo L. Tabag, and Danilo de Guzman, SN Aboitiz Power Executive Director during the ceremonial ground breaking at the project site. Behind them are SNAP executives and Danilo Tumamao, representative of the Governor of Isabela.

The MARIS reservoir is located in the downstream portion of the Magat Dam, one of the largest multipurpose dams in Asia, and is part of the NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS).

Senate bill granting automatic PhilHealth coverage to senior citizens signed into law

MANILA-The country’s more than six million senior citizens could now look forward to spending their robust years as bonafide members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) as President Aquino signed into law last week the measure granting automatic membership to them.

Under Republic Act (RA) 10645 otherwise known as “An Act Providing for the Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for All Senior Citizens, Amending for the Purpose RA 7431, as Amended by RA 9994, Otherwise Known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”, all that a senior citizen needs to do to avail of Philhealth benefits in a hospital is to present a valid ID proving his/her age.

“Magpakita lang sila ng ID bilang patunay na sila’y senior citizen at matatanggap na nila mula sa ospital ang karampatang benepisyong laan sa mga miyembro ng Philhealth,” Senate Pro Tempore Sen. Ralph G. Recto, main author of the measure, said.

“Health insurance can never be called universal if it does not cover all seniors. Enrolling them must be automatic, not optional. The ideal is that the minute they blow out the candles on their 60th birthday cake to the moment they breathe their last – they should be PhilHealth members,” Recto said in his sponsorship speech.

Recto lauded Malacanang and his colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives for supporting the measure.

There are approximately 6.1 million senior citizens -- 60years old and above -- in the country today.

  

PhilHealth, as of December 2013, has 31.27 million registered members and 45.63 Million dependents totaling to 76.90 million Filipinos provided with Philhealth coverage.

In 2013, PhilHealth reported an income from premium contributions amounting to P62 billion, on top of the subsidy of P12.612 billion it received from the national government.

Correspondingly, for 2013, PhilHealth paid P55.559 billion in benefits payment.