Divine Word College holds forum on RH Bill

CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro, November 23, 2011―The Divine Word College of Calapan in cooperation with the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan and Calapan Cable Center Inc. held a forum on the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill last November 18 at the DWCC Gymnasium.

Dubbed “Ang Dalawang Mukha ng RH Bill”, the forum focused on the medico-legal aspects of the controversial measure. Four speakers from both anti-RH and pro-RH camps gave their opposing opinions on the bill based on research.

Ms. Anna Kristina Cosio, RN from Pro-life Manila together with Fr. Vicente R. Uy, JCD of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan explained to participants the fiascos the country may face in the future once the Bill is passed and totally implemented.

On the other hand, Dr. Christopher Joseph Soriano, MD of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health and Mr. Jonas Bagas of AKBAYAN stressed that the RH Bill would be beneficial and of great help in nation building and in achieving Philippine economic stability.

An open forum highlighted the program, allowing the audience composed of students from various colleges in Oriental Mindoro, local government employees, health officers, church organizations and members of non-government organizations to ask questions to the guest speakers.

The forum was organized by the Divine Word College of Calapan’s External and Alumni Affairs Office led by its Director, Mr. Don Stepherson Calda, M.Ed. (John Rey Rodriguez)

Japan’s P594-M new Aurora hospital to be turned-over next month

BALER, Aurora, November 22, 2011-The Japanese government is scheduled on December 14, 2011 to turn-over the P594-million project of the new Aurora Memorial Hospital (AMH) to the provincial government in this capital town which has completed its buildings and structures at Brgy. Reserva.

Aurora Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo said that the new AMH will fortify medical referral system and give quality medical services for the people of Aurora through the grant of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“The Japanese representatives are coming ahead of the schedule this December for the turn-over at the 3.8 hectare project site in Barangay Reserva” Angara-Castillo said.

She also mentioned her brother Senator Edgardo J. Angara, who initiated the project together with Congressman Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and with the kindness of the Japanese government through Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura, JICA Chief Representative Norio Matsuda, Japanese Embassy First Secretary Takeshi Sakata and Health Secretary Enrique Ona among others.

“This will serve as a general hospital playing a central role in the local health referral system included aside from improving of the AMH’s infrastructure and equipment while the old 70 year old Aurora Memorial Hospital located near the Baler Park will be the emergency operation department of the new hospital,” Angara-Castillo said.

“It’s inspiring, the Japanese government continued the project despite the devastation that happened in their place, the hospital was funded through a P509-million grant from the Japanese government,” Angara-Castillo said.

She explained that Japan added latest equipment for the hospital while the provincial government funded P85-million as counterpart in building up the new AMH.

“It’s a blessing when I was in Japan and I signed the two (2) aids for the Aurorans. The facilities and equipments will be the most advanced in the entire region,” Angara-Castillo said, explaining the generosity of Japan for the people of Aurora despite the Japans problem on nuclear radiation brought by the killer earthquake and tsunami.

The old AMH has only 25-bed capacity hospital’s license was even lowered from Level 2 to Level 1 when the Department of Health clamped down on hospitals without a trained surgeon and an anesthesiologist; thus, the Angaras sought assistance from the Japanese government which, in response, conducted a preparatory survey in January 2009 and dispatched a basic design team in June of that same year.

On March 15, 2010, the Exchange of Notes was signed in Manila by then-Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Katsura.

“Yearly, the AMH would be able to confine 800 more patients without transferring them to other provinces and will lessen the financial burden on the part of the families with the upgraded facilities, adding that it would also increase by nearly twice the total patient-days confined from the present 7,700 patient-days to 13,000 patient-days.

The improved facilities would also enhance the hospital’s examination and medical care capacities, especially in surgery and obstetrics and gynecology departments and the quality of medical services. In the process, the AMH would also be used as the training institution for the midwifery and nursing students from the University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences in the province.

Angara-Castillo said that after the turn-over of the new hospital, they will already setup for its full operation in the 1^st quarter of 2012, targeting February 14 as the province celebrates the Aurora day foundations and valentines’ day or will move it on February 18.

Angara-Castillo is now working for additional five (5) doctors aside from the current doctors in the province for the new hospital who are specialists in their chosen fields in medicine such as surgeon, anesthesiologist, pediatrician, internal medicine among others.

The governor also instructed Dr. Rio Florido, chief of Casiguran district hospital and Dr. Luisito G. Teh, provincial health officer  to find more doctors for the province, explaining that Angara-Castillo will provide additional benefits for them such as scholarship, free board and lodging to mention a few. (Jason de Asis)

Padiernos assures passage of Nueva Ecija P1.8 billion 2012 budget

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, November 21, 2011-Ecija Vice Governor Jose Gay Padiernos assured that the provincial government’s proposed P1.8-billion budget for 2012 will be passed before the end of the year, saying that it is now in the thick of deliberations.

“We are now consulting with the various chiefs of officers. We expect the deliberations to be finished by December,” Padiernos said, allaying fears for the second year in a row that the province would be operating on a re-enacted budget like in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Padiernos said that the budget impasse that marred the province over the last four years leading to this year is now a thing of the past because of the “unified leadership” at the Capitol.

This after Governor Aurelio Umali submitted a 2012 budget of P1,857,319,103 as he underlined the priorities of his administration, including turning Nueva Ecija – the country’s titular rice granary - into an “agro-industrialized province.”

Umali said in his budget message to the SP that the proposed budget was crafted taking into consideration its primary thrust of transforming Nueva Ecija into a sustainable and progressive agro-industrialized province.

He said with the budget, he expects the provincial government to uplift the economic and social conditions of Novo Ecijanos anchored on an eight-point objective among which are improvement of agricultural productivity, provision of jobs and livelihood; provision of quality education, social welfare, nutrition and related social services; rehabilitation of typhoon-affected areas, infrastructure development, enhancement of revenue-generating measures and promotion of public-private partnerships in development.

The proposed appropriations, which are four percent bigger than last year’s budget, had proposed P691.9 million for personnel services representing 37 percent of the budget, P368.2 million (19.8 percent) for maintenance and other operating expenditures, P279.8 million (15 percent) for capital outlay.       

Board Member Joseph Ortiz, chairman of the SP’s committee on appropriations, said one of the salient features of this year’s budget is the allocation of P265.8 million for the Annual Investment Plan covering economic and social services, general services, health, housing and community development.

The provincial government is expecting to raise internal and external revenues, including P1.35 billion allotment shares and sources from the share of national wealth, grants and donations, sale of assets and share from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. (Jason de Asis)

Supreme Court is serving whom? Pangilinan

MANILA, November 20, 2011-Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan revealed that the bigger issue now hounding the Supreme Court is that of accountability and justice and who is the supreme court is really serving.

A day after the court served a warrant of arrest to former president and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Pangilinan said that it is his view that one cannot look at the temporary restraining order (TRO) controversy involving Gloria and Mike Arroyo simply as a textbook case in constitutional law.

The senator advised that it has to be viewed from a larger context to include the fact that: 1) the persons involved are a former president and former first gentleman, both of whom have been subject of numerous investigations involving allegations of illegal activities to the tune of billions of pesos; 2) a Chief Justice appointed by the former president under a shroud of doubtful legality for allegedly being a midnight appointee; 3) a Supreme Court faced with a string of controversial cases that have eroded its reputation--including the TRO on the House of Representatives in its impeachment proceedings against (former Ombudsman) Mercy Gutierrez, who has been accused of sitting on cases involving both GMA and Mike Arroyo; the voiding of the Truth Commission meant to investigate allegations of wrongdoings by Gloria and Mike Arroyo; and now this TRO in favor of Mike and Gloria Arroyo.

The lawmaker also cited the high court's tarnished image because of the reversal of some of its high-profile decisions, including "its flip-flopping four times on the cityhood case (of 16 municipalities in the League of Cities of the Philippines) and its flip-flop on the FASAP case, (which have) likewise raised eyebrows as to the manner in which the SC conducted its business."

"All these should, at the minimum, make us pause and think seriously about the role of the SC in all these cases involving the former president and first gentleman. One cannot help but wonder if the SC is upholding the interest of the nation and its people, or if it has become, as earlier feared, a court beholden to the Arroyos and ready to do as told by the Arroyos," Pangilinan ended. (Jason de Asis)

Build your life plans in Christ, bishop tells youth

MANILA, November 18, 2011—Be like the wise man who builds his house upon the rock, not the foolish one who builds his house upon the sand. This was what Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon urged the youth as he reiterated the meaning of the theme of the National Youth Day (NYD), “Planted in Christ, firm in the Faith.”

In his parting message to the participants of the NYD, Baylon likened centering one’s life in Christ and shaping one’s life goals based on his faith to building one’s house upon the rock, which stands still even if the rain falls, the flood comes and the winds blow.

Baylon, the chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said it is important for the NYD participants to apply the meaning of the NYD theme in their practical lives.

“Your plans of being happy and successful, getting married and building a family or even serving God through a religious vocation, all have to be established in Christ, just like the house that the wise man built upon the rock,” he said.

Because if one’s plans are only centered on the short-lived pleasure and temporary bliss, Baylon said the rain, flood and winds will overturn it like what happened to the house that the foolish man built upon the sand.

The prelate also challenged the youth to show their firmness as Catholics by living out their faith in the open, defending the Church’s teachings and being witness of Christ to others.

“Let us not be mere Catholics in private. Let us live up to our faith in public and show that we bear witness to God’s Words and follow Church teachings,” he said.

At least 3,300 young Filipinos from different parishes, schools, organizations and dioceses nationwide went to Manila since last Monday to participate in the week-long celebration of the NYD, which will culminate this evening with a grand festival night at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. (YouthPinoy)

Bishops, Church leaders learn social media tools for ministry

HUALIEN, Taiwan, November 17, 2011―More than 30 bishops, priests, religious and lay people from 10 Asian countries learned different social media tools during the 16th annual FABC-OSC Bishops’ Meet in Hualien, Taiwan Nov 14-19.

In a two-day training workshop Nov 15-16, the participants understood better the workings of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others through multi-media presentations and hands-on sessions facilitated by Manila-based Fr. Stephen Cuyos.

The participants learned visual storytelling and how to translate Biblical narratives into the language of digital communications. The delegates also engaged in virtual interaction and connected with “digital citizens” using Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). They also learned first-hand that online games can be used to teach human and Christian values.

Cuyos, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart (MSC), who oriented the participants to social networking realities in Asia and beyond, is a production and training specialist for Communications Foundation for Asia (CFA).

He said young people are now engaged in chatting and blogging, sharing photos, sharing videos, playing games as well as sharing software.

For the so-called “online culture,” the consequences are many-fold. They flatten organizations and dissolve hierarchies because “all of us, regardless of race, culture and position, can be friends in social networks,” the priest said.

The shift from “control to collaboration” is also a reality in the social media sphere along with the immediacy of feedback, good or bad. The tendency for today’s youth is to think “entertainment as king!” and “if it is popular, then it must be true!”

Evangelization efforts may be included in social media activities. But it is necessary, Cuyos said, to, first, “friend” people (include in one’s friends list). “Friend” is a verb in social media conversations, the priest said, likewise, the term “favorite.”

It is “imperative to use popular media” like Facebook and Twitter, and to “entertain” using videos and images which speak more than do plain text. The Church should also launch evangelization efforts that are “collaborative,” by having partners who may share different forms of expertise in online activities.

In the end, Cuyos encouraged the participants to learn more about social media. Wherever possible, the Church should strive to devise her own content or applications in order to truly share in the worldwide dialogue offered by social media tools.

The participants are bishops responsible for social communications, their national secretaries, as well as religious and lay collaborators from India, Myanmar, Mongolia, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, Brunei, Taiwan, Thailand and Philippines.

The 16th annual “Bishops’ Meet” was organized by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences – Office of Social Communication (FABC-OSC). (Anthony Roman)

NIA to set up CCTV cams for 24/7 monitoring in major Phl dams

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, November 16, 2011–To ensure 24 hour basis monitoring of rising floodwaters in the event of heavy rains and typhoons, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said that they will be installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the steel gates of the Pantabangan Dam and other major dams in the country and to guarantee that these irrigation facilities are secured, particularly during nighttime.

NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel said that the CCTV cameras play vital roles in monitoring water levels in the countrys’ major dams where they seek for funding for the CCTVs.

“With the CCTVs, our monitoring of dams will be accurate and thorough and we would be able to keep track of the conditions of these dams even at night. Having CCTVs is most crucial when trying to monitor the water level which rises significantly during typhoons,” Nangel said.

Nangel said putting CCTVs is a “win-win” solution as it will also tighten security around dam facilities. He expressed preference for the CCTVs even as other places hosting various dam systems plan to put up such facilities as monitoring mechanisms to prevent overflowing and trigger floods.

Earlier, Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado raised the possibility of installing CCTVs at the spillways of Angat, Ipo and Bustos dams and major rivers of the province with the monitoring systems to be set up at the operations center of the Bulacan provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRDMO) at the capitol compound.

The plan was apparently hatched when flood ravaged the towns of Calumpit and Hagonoy at the height of typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” which were reportedly aggravated by the release of water from the three dams.

In Cauayan, Isabela, the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS) which operates the Magat Dam covering 84,000 hectares, is now in the process of installing a CCTV. According to MARIIS operations manager Helsy Bermudez it is expected to be operational within the week.   

In Nueva Ecija’s Pantabangan Dam, Gov. Aurelio Umali said that the history of the dam is as equally important in  the release of water so people could prepare for floods aside from CCTVs where images beamed by these cameras would help feed local officials and residents accurate and early information on water levels.

Umali said Nueva Ecija was able to prevent severe flooding during typhoons because its own PDRRMO thoroughly studied the history of water release of the Pantabangan Dam. “What is more important is to know the dam’s history – its inflow and outflow and its storage capacity – so dam regulators will be guided on what should be done,” he said.

Umali stressed that the province has effectively handled past calamities with consistent monitoring of low pressure areas and releasing water from the dam and other irrigation systems ahead of the coming typhoons.

The Pantabangan is the country’s biggest irrigation system, irrigating 102,000 hectares of agricultural lands in Nueva Ecija and Central Luzon.

Umali cited that during typhoon “Ondoy,” the province suffered zero casualty because the Upper Pampanga river Integrated Irrigation Systems which runs the Pantabangan Dam released water several days before the typhoon came. (Jason de Asis)

NYD delegates mourn La Union bishop's sudden death

MAKATI City, November 15, 2011―Even as they gather in excitement for the celebration of the National Youth Day 2011, delegates also mourned the sudden death of San Fernando, La Union Bishop Artemio Rillera, SVD.

NYD delegates offered some moments of prayerful silence as a sign of respect to the deceased bishop.

CBCPNews reported that the bishop complained of asthma attacks after celebrating Sunday Mass at the Sacred Heart Seminary of San Fernando City, La Union. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment but it was reported that he was dead-on-arrival (DOA) at 10:40 that morning of November 13.

“The death of Bishop Rillera is a great loss for the Church because he [was] a bishop of the young. He [was] a true Jesus for the young and to his flock in La Union,” Rene Paguirigan diocesan youth leader of Laoag stressed.

Jetrix Tenebro, the regional youth coordinator of Northern Luzon also expressed shock on the sudden death of the bishop.

“Knowing how he relates with people, I had always felt that there was a personal touch on his approach to people. He has always emphasized the importance of the mission and many have been inspired [by] his life as a missionary. He [was] a simple man,” Tenebro said.

Aside from his advocacy against illegal drugs, Bishop Rillera was also known as active supporter of the youth. At the recent Sub-Region Youth Ministers Conference, the bishop opened his diocese for the young people of Ilocandia Sub-Region which composed of the dioceses of Bangued, Laoag, and San Fernando, and the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.

Because of his achievements, the La Union provincial government has awarded him the Saranay Award in 2009, the highest award given to a resident of La Union. (Mark Vertido/YPNews)

Prelate urges action against profanity on FM radio

MANILA, November 14, 2011— Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes is bothered over the use of profane languages on the radio and urged concerned agencies to act against it.

Bastes said there is a necessity to curb the use of obscene languages, which according to him, can be heard over some FM radio stations.

“Dapat talagang i-monitor at parusahan ng KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas) ang mga anchor-DJ’s (disc jockeys) sa radyo na malaswa magsalita,” said Bastes.

“Nakakahiya yan. We should use good words on air na makakatulong upang maiangat ang pagkatao at moralidad ng mga Filipino,” he said.

The bishop specifically noted that profanity is common among some late night FM radio programs.

He was referring to some radio programs that accept calls from the public, wherein they give them relationship, personal and even sexual advices.

“Some of the DJ’s, especially in midnight programs, are using indecent language and vulgar language, which is not good,” said Bastes.

Other programs discuss sexually-oriented topics with some DJs using “double-meaning” words. [CBCPNews]

La Union bishop passes away

MANILA, November 13, 2011— San Fernando Bishop Artemio Rillera, a missionary from the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) died unexpectedly Sunday. He was 69.

Rillera succumbed to severe asthma attack after holding a Mass at the Seminary of the Sacred Heart in San Fernando City, La Union.

The prelate was immediately rushed to Bethany Hospital, also in the city, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at around 10:40am.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has expressed sorrow at the death of Rillera who had been an active member of the CBCP for 18 years.

An official of the CBCP said the prelates are deeply saddened to hear Rillera’s death.

“This came as a big shock. This was totally unexpected,” said Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, CBCP media director.

Rillera was a known advocate against illegal drugs in La Union and led several street demonstrations for the authorities to act against it.

Last February, the prelate led people to the streets in protest over a court order allowing one of the suspects in the operation of a drug laboratory in Naguilian, La Union in 2008 to post a P1 million bail.

The bishop questioned why the Municipal Trial Court in Bauang, La Union allowed former Dagupan City chief of Police Dionicio Borromeo to file a bail bond for his temporary liberty.

In 2009, Rillera was conferred the Saranay Award, the highest recognition given by the provincial government to a resident of La Union, for his fearless fight against illegal drugs and other advocacies.

Bishop Rillera was born in Naguilian town. He was ordained and installed Bishop of Bangued on August 28, 1993.

He was later on appointed as Bishop of San Fernando de La Union on April 1, 2005 and installed as its fourth bishop on June 14, 2005. [CBCPNews]

Climate change expert, 2 others named as PhilRice deputies

SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija, November 11, 2011-Three engineers, including a known climate change expert, have been appointed to top-level positions at the Philippine rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to meet the institute’s goals and objectives in rice production, including the attainment of rice self-sufficiency by 2013.

The three newly installed deputy executive directors were Dr. Eduardo Jimmy Quilang, Dr. Manuel Jose Regalado and Dr. Caesar Joventino Tado. They were appointed by Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr., who was named PhilRice executive director by President Aquino last July 4.

Quilang is director of the institute’s climate change center. He became known for his researches on rice-based farming systems, water management, information system (GIS) and remote sensing. During his term as division head of the agronomy and soils plant physiology division, he led his team to winning the Best Research and Development Division Award.

Tado, a two-time service awardee of the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers who patented a seed cleaner model, pioneered the creation of PhilRice’s Rice Engineering and Mechanization Center in 2009.

He is a recipient of a number of scholarship grants such as the German Government Scholarship. He authored and co-authored over 30 papers featured in journals and conferences.

Regalado, a conferred scientist in 2009 by the Philippine Scientific Career System, was a former program leader of the knowledge management and promotion program and head of the rice engineering and mechanization division.

His research and projects on renewable energy, farm machine development, and windmill-pump system were recognized in local and international scientific journals and award giving-bodies. Regalado was also awarded as outstanding alumnus for technology in the agriculture category by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Rasco said that as his deputies, the three will oversee and direct the major and supporting divisions under their respective programs to help the country attain rice self-sufficiency in 2013.

PhilRice is a government-owned and controlled corporation mandated to develop high-yielding, cost-reducing, and environment-friendly technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for Filipinos. (Jason de Asis)

Symposium marks 40 years of Vatican media document

MANILA, November 11, 2011―In a bid to broaden the public’s knowledge and understanding on one of the most important documents of the Church on social communication, the St. Joseph Freinademetz Communication Center (JFCC) will hold a symposium to commemorate its’ 40th year of publication.

The impact of Vatican’s Pastoral Instruction on Social Communication or “Communio et Progressio” in the Church and in today’s digital world will be discussed in a forum on November 12 from 9 to 5:30 p.m. at the Graduate School of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) in Manila.

Themed “40 Years of Communio et progressio”, the seminar will have a panel of speakers who will shed light on the significance of the document in today’s technological era.

One of the speakers, Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III, media director of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Media Office will discuss through his topic “Communio et Progressio and Bishops Conferences” various endeavors of the CBCP Media Office in the field of media.

Other resource speakers include Fr. Franz-Josef Eilers, SVD, who will discuss on “Communio et Progressio: History, Background, Concerns”; Fr. Anh Vu Ta (UST), on “Contribution to Theology”; Prof. Christian Esguerra (UST) on “Contribution to Journalism Ethics”; and Prof. Anthony Roman (UST), on the topic “In the Digital World”.

A panel of Asian Communication Bishops from the Philippines, Thailand, India and Indonesia will tackle the topic “Communio et Progressio in Asia”.

Considered the magna carta of church communication, the pastoral instruction “Communio et Progressio” was prepared and published by the Pontifical Commission on Social Communication as mandated by the Second Vatican Council.

The pastoral instruction highlights, among other things, the responsibility of Church’s leaders to learn the intricacies of social communication for the purpose of evangelization and the duty of Catholics to contribute in the good use of the media. (CBCPNews)

CCTV cams in Pantabangan Dam to monitor water rise is not keen-Umali

GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija, November 10, 2011-A top executive in this province said that it is not keen on the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the spillgates of the giant Pantabangan Dam, saying that this is not the best solution to monitor the rise in floodwaters in the province’s waterways.

Governor Aurelio Umali said that the history of the dam is the most important factor in  the release of water so people could prepare for floods instead of relying on CCTVs where images beamed by these cameras would help feed local officials and residents accurate and early information on water levels.

Umali was commenting on plans in other areas hosting various dam systems to put up CCTVs as monitoring mechanisms to prevent overflowing and trigger floods.

Earlier, Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado raised the possibility of installing CCTVs at the spillgates of Angat, Ipo and Bustos dams and major rivers of the province with the monitoring systems to be set up at the operations center of the Bulacan provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRDMO) at the capitol compound.

The plan was apparently hatched when flood ravaged the towns of Calumpit and Hagonoy at the height of typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” which was reportedly aggravated by the release of water from the three dams.

Umali said Nueva Ecija was able to prevent severe flooding during typhoons because its own PDRRMO thoroughly studied the history of water release of the Pantabangan Dam. “What is more important in place of the CCTV is to know the dam’s history – its inflow and outflow and its storage capacity – so dam regulators will be guided on what should be done,” he said.

Umali stressed that the province has effectively handled past calamities with consistent monitoring of low pressure areas and releasing water from the dam and other irrigation systems ahead of the coming typhoons.

The Pantabangan is the country’s biggest irrigation system, irrigating 102,000 hectares of agricultural lands in Central Luzon.

Umali cited that during typhoon “Ondoy,” the province suffered zero casualty because the Upper Pampanga river Integrated Irrigation Systems which runs the Pantabangan Dam released water several days before the typhoon came.

Dr. Abraham Pascua, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local Governments and PDRRMO co-chairman, said that at the height of “Pepeng” in 2009, UPRIIS released water prior to the onset of the supertyphoon, thus, preventing it from reaching spilling level.

He added that during a four-day period in October last year at the height of typhoon “Juan,” water level at the dam was recorded at only between 194 meters to 197 meters, way below the spillway level of 221 meters because UPRIIS already released water before the typhoon came.

“If you don't manage the dam well enough and its water release, then you will surely end in disaster,” he said, recalling the experience that befell Pangasinan when water overflowing from the San Roque Dam caused massive flooding.

Umali said the province’s systematic handling of irrigation systems has earned for it a recognition as a role model of disaster management and risk reduction among local government units in the country which prompted the Spanish government to extend 3.4 million euros (P203.2 million) worth of grant to the provincial government to further strengthen its capability to respond to disaster and calamity situations and implement rehabilitation programs. 

The grant, the first of its kind involving disaster risk reduction, was extended by the Spanish Cooperation Agency for Development (AECID) which entered into a project partnership agreement with the Local Government Academy - an attached agency of the DILG - to  strengthen local governments' disaster preparedness and response. It is now being used to fund the training component, infrastructure and livelihood components of the program in selected cities and municipalities of the province. (Jason de Asis) 

Bishop urges fair SC ruling on Arroyo’s travel issue

MANILA, November 9, 2011— A Catholic bishop has called on for a fair Supreme Court (SC) ruling on former President Gloria Arroyo and her husband’s petition seeking temporary orders on the watchlist order against them.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said he hopes that the decision would be made justly by the SC where majority of its members were appointed by Arroyo, now a Pampanga lawmaker.

“We should be fair in our judgment… searching for what is right and the truth,” Pabillo told Manila archdiocese-run Radyo Veritas.

The prelate said that all the possible angles should be studied carefully to ensure that the best judicial judgment will be rendered.

“This is a serious issue that should be viewed from the political, from the judiciary and from the medical points of view,” he said.

Last Tuesday, Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, questioned before the SC the Department of Justice’s order preventing them leaving the country.

The couple was also placed under the watch list order in connection with three plunder and election sabotage charges filed against them.

Representative Arroyo earlier said she needs to travel abroad to get treatment for cervical spondylosis and hypoparathyroidism.

But Justice Secretary Leila de Lima rejected the couple’s request for an allow departure order (ADO), saying there is no compelling reason for them to leave the country.

Twelve of the 15 justices in the SC, including Chief Justice Renato Corona, were all Arroyo appointees during her term as president. [CBCPNews]

Missionary hits Aquino’s position on mining

MANILA, Nov. 8, 2011— The behavior that President Aquino is showing when it comes to mining appears to be “contrary” to his pronouncement that the people are his boss, an Irish Catholic missionary in the Philippines said.

Despite the massive destruction that mining afflicts the environment, Father Archie Casey of the Xaverian Missionaries (SX) said that Aquino remains to be in favor of it.

The priest said he made the assumption because the President has continuously neglected the call made by the Catholic Church and several non-government organizations to stop mining operations in the country.

“The Church has been calling for a moratorium on mining. There is no moratorium… We support, 100 percent, the CBCP call for a moratorium on mining in the Philippines,” he said.

Casey is the coordinator of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP).

He added that several environmental organizations and even faith leaders have demanded for the government to reject mining in the country but the government instead welcomed more mining projects.

“That call has been made in 2006 and it’s already 2011… and the administration is not listening to the Church, to the religious and it’s definitely not listening to the people,” he said.

To recall, the Catholic bishops’ hierarchy had long been calling for the abolition of the Mining Act of 1995, recall all approved mining concessions and cancel pending application.

The bishops said that the guaranteed economic benefits of mining are outweighed by dislocation of communities, the risks to health and livelihood, and massive environmental damage and the loss of mining resources to giant foreign companies.

Casey said that among the current mining operations they are opposing are those in South Cotabato and Zamboanga del Norte. [CBCPNews]

Trillanes is the country’s new TATAP prexy

MANILA, November 7, 2011-The governing body of the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (TATAP) has installed Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV as its new president.

Trillanes’ election was the main highlight of the board meeting where he was named head in acting capacity prior to his election, has been elected by TATAP's board of trustees last October 30, 2011 at the TATAP Office in Malate, Manila.

“My election further confirmed the trust and confidence of the board and members of TATAP. This will serve as an inspiration for us to further strengthen TATAP, support the welfare of our table tennis players and promote the sport all over the country,” Trillanes said, adding that to do that, we have planned to strengthen the national junior program by introducing table tennis at the grassroots level, which we hope to turn into a breeding ground for future champions.

Trillanes said he is also extending his support for the country’s table tennis delegates to the 26th Southeast Asian Games from November 11 to 22 to be held at Jakarta, Indonesia.

In his capacity as President of TATAP, Trillanes said he will pursue numerous programs for the sport closest to his heart, having played table tennis in high school and during his cadet days at the Philippine Military Academy.

“We will stop politicking in this sport and focus on the programs we will set forth for the development of table tennis,” he added.

It can be recalled that the Philippine Olympic Committee last year withheld the recognition of Trillanes as acting president of TATAP when the senator was still in jail.

Together with Trillanes, the newly-elected officers and board of trustees are Jacinto Omila Jr., Chairman; Jose Ortalla, Vice-President; Prof. Oscar Santelices, Secretary; Engr. Eddie Tadea, Treasurer; and Jessica Honorides, Auditor. Others who were elected as board members are Victor Valbuena, Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha and Dario Hernane. (Jason de Asis)