Legarda Congratulates Direk Brillante for French Honor

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today congratulated Director Brillante Mendoza  for being conferred the title Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Artes et  Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French
 Ministry of Culture.
 “I am proud of Direk Brillante’s continuing success. He has been  bringing honor to our country with his internationally-acclaimed films  that raise people’s awareness on the realities in our society,” said  Legarda.
 “He is an artist who uses his talent not only for his individual growth and success but also for the benefit of other people as he usesfilmmaking to support worthwhile causes. He directed the two most recent documentaries on climate change that I produced—Buhos and Ligtas. Direk Brillante is truly deserving of this honor given to him by the French government and I hope more Filipinos would also appreciate him and his works of art,” she added.
 Acknowledging Mendoza’s expertise in his field, Legarda chose him to direct “Buhos”, a documentary that explains the science of climate change and its impact on everyday lives, and the soon-to-be launched “Ligtas”, an instructional video on disaster preparedness.
 Legarda also supported Mendoza in promoting his films including the most recent “Thy Womb”, which already earned numerous awards, both local and international. Last March, the Senator sponsored a special screening of the film that was attended by government officials, diplomats, members of the academe, and student leaders.

Legarda: Political Resolve Needed to Address Climate Crisis

United Nations champion for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation Senator Loren Legarda today called on the executive department to strictly enforce climate change, environmental, sustainable energy legislations passed by Congress over the past decade to mitigate and help the country adapt to the impacts of the warming climate.

Legarda issued the call following two notable facts—United States President Barack Obama’s action plan to confront climate change and a World Bank report showing that at least 23 Philippine provinces are vulnerable to disaster risks that are magnified by climate change.  

“President Obama has made it clear that he is determined to save the future of Americans by taking that needed push to cut down greenhouse gas emissions and increase investments on renewable energy. This path that the United States has taken will benefit a developing nation like the Philippines, which is a low emitter of greenhouse gases but is greatly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, particularly extreme weather events. But we also need to take bold actions to address our weaknesses,” she said.

“We have tons of legislation, adopted over the past decade, that sought to mitigate and address the adverse effects of climate change.  More than a decade after these laws were passed, we continue to be faced with grim scenarios of cities submerged in floods, families buried by landslides, people forced out of their homes due to floods, thousands of students stuck in flooded streets, and economic destruction in massive scale. Amidst these scenarios is the bleak reality that the poor is hit hardest by these disasters,” she added.

Legarda, author of the Climate Change Law, said that the National Climate Change Action Plan speaks of the need for convergence among government agencies in responding to the impacts of climate change. 

“We need to know whether we are indeed leading towards the path of convergence in the plans and programs of government, both at the national and local levels. Regrettably, such convergence is not evident in the energy programs as we see more and more coal-fired power facilities being put up at the expense of renewable energy,” she said. 

Data from the Department of Energy as of March 2013 show that committed and indicative coal-fired power projects has a total rated capacity of 7,189 megawatts against only 1,248.8 megawatts for renewable energy. 

The Senator noted that renewable energy projects can generate jobs that are badly needed given the country’s high unemployment rate.  A study by the Greenpeace shows that 650,000 jobs have been generated by renewable energy in Europe alone.

“We need to match our policies on renewable energy with action. Adaptation measures also need to be vigorously pursued.  The mere fact that people continue to live along waterways, notwithstanding legislations that say they cannot do that, is symptomatic not just of failure in the implementation of laws, but of the absence of development in other parts of the country that would offer better housing and employment opportunities to them,” she said.

“We also need to strengthen our preparedness in ways that will not only involve government, but also communities.  Preparedness starts from every household,” she added.

Legarda said that one of her priorities in the 16th Congress is the conduct of an environmental audit to determine the state of implementation and enforcement of policies. 

“The intent is not to create more laws, but improve existing ones where weakness is determined; and to ensure enforcement in ways that people and institutions will comply not so much because there is a law that penalizes non-compliance but because they understand that they have a personal stake in the enforcement of these measures,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda: Communication, Vital Tool for ‘Zero Casualty’ during Disasters

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that communication is crucial in achieving “zero casualty” during disasters.

“Communication is vital before, during and immediately after disasters. We need it to warn our citizens of impending disasters so they can prepare ahead of time; we need it during disasters for effective monitoring; and we need it also immediately after for efficient delivery of recovery and rehabilitation services,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

In this regard, the Senator said she hopes that the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Moses tablets will be effective tools of communication.

According to the DOST, the Moses tablets will be given to barangay chairmen for immediate two-way communication during disasters. These locally developed tablets are water-resistant, have antennas, and powered with extended-life batteries.

“We can avert disasters when there is communication between and among local leaders and government agencies. A good example is that of the municipality of Alimodian during Typhoon Gener in 2012, when they recorded zero casualty because they immediately reported to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) signs of possible landslide in their area,” said Legarda.

She explained that when the heavy rains of Typhoon Gener triggered major landslides in the populated barangay of Cunsad in Alimodian, Iloilo there were no casualties, because when the natural signs of impending landslide showed up in the area, the municipal government immediately reported it to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of DENR for risk assessment. They heeded the advice of geologists to relocate the residents, thus, saving the lives of everyone in the community.

“We hope that these Moses tablets would result to better risk information. Meanwhile, to ensure that this project is made more effective and efficient, we also urge telecommunications companies to check the integrity of their communication infrastructure and locations and where their broadcast towers are installed, and make sure that their cables and buildings are safe when disasters occur,” said Legarda.

Passing on of income taxes grave disservice to water consumers!

MANILA-Sen. Ralph G. Recto today deplored reports that water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water Co. were passing on their multi-billion corporate income tax payments to their consumers.

Recto said he would be filing a resolution calling for a Senate inquiry into the perceived consumer abuse by the two private water concessionaires.

“By its very essence, corporate income taxes are shouldered by the companies, which made the income and should not be passed on to their clients,” Recto, senior vice-chair of the Senate committee on public services, said.

The senator said if this is true, such practice was “immoral” and “unethical” and does not reflect the corporate principles of the businessmen or entities behind the two private water concessionaires.

“Corporate responsibilities such as tax payments could not be relegated to a proxy, especially when the designated and unsuspecting proxy is the water consumer,” Recto said.

“More so, when the state concession was granted to deliver a precious commodity like water, it did not include the authority to also bilk dry their clients,” he added.

An advocacy group, Water for People Network (WPN), has bared that both Maynilad and Manila Water tucked in the income tax payments in their ‘operating expenses” or OPEX, which amounted to P3.1 billion each per year from 2008 to 2012 for a combined total of P15.3 billion.

Recto said the “discovery” now casts a shadow of illegitimacy on the petition of two water companies for a rate increase.

“What’s now the compelling justification for approving a rate increase? If they are not practically paying income taxes and at the same time, receiving some tax perks from government, what’s the happiness in granting them a rate hike,” the senator said.

Recto added regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) must have done something to protect the welfare of the water consumers, but seemed to have generously capitulated to the avarice of the water companies.

The two companies want to implement a “rate rebasing” that would see consumers shouldering the OPEX of the water concessionaires.

Manila Water is seeking a P5.83/cubic-meter increase in its basic charge and Maynilad, P8.58. The increases will be implemented up to 2018.

WPN said a guaranteed rate of return, called appropriate discount rate (ADR), is applied on the pass-on income taxes as part of the OPEX.

From 2008 to 2012, Manila Water and Maynilad were given an ADR or discount rate of 9.3 percent. It was also in 2008 that Maynilad was given a tax holiday.

The MWSS-Regulatory Office has allowed the private concessionaires to include in their OPEX the cost of corporate income taxes that Manila Water and Maynilad could recover from consumers through monthly water bills.

This was on top of the “system loss” or cost of water pilfered that is also passed on to consumers.

Recto nevertheless said MWSS “should rescind this authority before losses and other company expenses such as travel and entertainment expense are also passed on to the hapless water consumers.” 

P-Noy hit for ‘un-presidential’ scolding of NIA execs in anniversary rites, says he’s a ‘KJ’

CABANATUAN CITY – President Aquino’s scolding of the   National Irrigation Administration on its 50^th (Golden) anniversary rites Tuesday afternoon has drawn a sharp reaction from officials and rank-and-file employees of the agency who rebuked the Chief Executive for allegedly spoiling the party and for being a KJ (killjoy) because of his “un-presidential sermon.”

Several NIA officials and employees interviewed by The STAR said Mr. Aquino’s attack on NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel and the agency’s supposed failure to meet its targets was uncalled for and inappropriate as he ignored the agency’s having achieved corporate financial viability, the first time it has happened in 50 years.

The President, in his 15-minute speech at the NIA compound, said he was “dismayed” with the NIA leadership because it was only able to irrigate 52,000 hectares out of its 81,170-hectare target in 2012, or a 65% accomplishment rate.

The President started his speech by citing that from 2001 to 2009, NIA failed to meet its yearly irrigation targets, getting as far as only 66%. He said in 2011, when he is already President, NIA was able to irrigate 32,830 out of its target area of 37,659 hectares or a high 87%.

He said he was dismayed that this was never sustained as only a year later, the percentage irrigated compared to the target was only 65%. “We are now back to line of 6. We might slide back to 30%,” he said.

“I will be honest with you, I am still dismayed because until now, it shows that there is little change happening in the National Irrigation Administration. We are already in the middle of our term and it is difficult if until now, you still don’t know what you want to do,” he said, as Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala who introduced him and Nangel, listened stoically.

Mr. Aquino said he is not a CCTV who could possibly monitor the performance of each government agency. He said he won’t accept lame excuses.

The President also failed to hide his disappointment over the failure of NIA to implement the Balog-Balog Irrigation Project in his home province of Tarlac. He said the project was conceptualized as early as the term of his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino but this has not started nor broken ground yet after almost three decades.

“We are already three years in office yet nothing has happened. Is this worth being funded? If so, let’s do it. If not, let’s stop it altogether,” he said.   

He said if only the BIP was implemented, then the harvest cycle in Tarlac would have been 7.5 a year. “It’s rice already turned stone,” he lamented.

Turning to Nangel, he said : “Administrator Nangel, help me to implement it. If you want to do it, nothing is impossible. If you don’t want to, it’s impossible,” he said.

After finishing his sermon, the President left in a huff, without even waving to the crowd who he failed to acknowledge at the start of his speech.

Prior to Mr. Aquino’s speech, the atmosphere inside the oven-hot venue was festive and upbeat as Nangel excitedly rattled off the agency’s accomplishments under his watch. He said that irrigation development in the country rose from 49% in 2009 to 56% in 2012 owing to the funding support from the Aquino administration.

He said NIA was able to restore idle farms, adding it only needs to irrigate 12,000 hectares to achieve the Rice Self-Sufficiency Program by the end of this year.

Nangel said NIA is   focused, not only on its mandate of irrigation development, considered the key to increased crop output along with  improved quality of rice seeds, post-harvest facilities, marketing and credit support and farm mechanization; but also on construction of mini-hydro power plants along irrigation canals, eco-tourism in reservoir, and potable water supply.

Turning the tables on Aquino, NIA officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the President failed to take into account the attainment of financial viability under the leadership of Alcala and Nangel.   

NIA officials and personnel said President Aquino appears to have engaged in fault-finding. “What he saw are the supposed failures of NIA but what about the accomplishments like the viability? Maybe he does not know what viability meant. He entirely missed the point,” one of them said.

A former NIA administrator who heard the tongue-lashing, said the timing was inappropriate. “It’s supposed to be a time of jubilation, of celebration because it’s the NIA’s 50^th year. Everybody was full of energy then suddenly he would spoil the whole party with his sermon,” the former official said. 

He admitted, however that with P-Noy, “expect the unexpected.”

Several employees, including those who traveled all the way from far-flung provinces, said what they expected from the President was the announcement of the grant of an anniversary bonus. “Instead, what we got was anniversary sermon. He is a true-blue KJ (killjoy),” one of them complained.

Another said the President picked the wrong agency in highlighting bad performance. “We won’t take it sitting down. Why, is the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) better off than the NIA? Of course not. It’s still graft-ridden,” the employee said.

Others said the supposed “bad performance” of NIA from 2001 to 2009 should not be blamed on Nangel since he only came in only as administrator in 2010.     

Another employee said the agency would be better off by not inviting the Chief Executive in next year’s anniversary rites “so as not to spoil the fun.” (Manny Galvez) 

P-Noy to lead NIA’s ‘Golden Anniversary,’ 20 ex-administrators to receive awards

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–President Aquino will lead today the 50^th (Golden) Anniversary of the  National Irrigation Administration to be highlighted by the conferment of awards to 20 past administrators of  the government’s frontline agency in charge of the administration’s flagship Rice Self Sufficiency Program (RSSP).

          Mr. Aquino will be accompanied at the NIA Complex along Edsa, Diliman, Quezon City by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel which carries the theme : “NIA at 50: Serving the farmers with excellence and commitment to continue its legacy in the years to come…”

          To be handed awards are past administrators Fiorello Estuar, Cesar Tech, Federico Alday, Jose del Rosario Jr., Apolonio Bautista, Rodolfo Undan, Orlando Soriano, Cesar Gonzales, Orlando Hondrade, Jesus Emmanuel Paras, Proceso Domingo, Baltazar Usis, Arturo Lomibao, Marcelino Tugaoen Jr., Carlos Salazar, Alexander Reuyan and Antonio Galvez. Posthumous awards will also be given to the families of deceased past administrators Tomas De Guzman, Alfredo Juinio and Manuel Arevalo.

          Nangel said the agency’s 50^th anniversary comes at a most opportune time when the central office and all its 17 regional officers achieved financial viability, the first time it has happened in a half-century. In 1983, it only had three viable regional offices.

Nangel said NIA has come a long way from an agency saddled with various problems - such as extremely low collection of irrigation service fees (ISFs) and slow release of funds for construction of projects over the past few decades into one which has demonstrated its capability to meet the expanding needs of national development.

          At the end of 2012, NIA has generated P3.7 billion in total revenues compared to expenditures of P2.4 billion, giving it a robust net income of P1,306,597,000 for the entire year.

          “On its 50^th year, the NIA central office and all our various regional offices are now viable. This is phenomenal. Indeed, this is now the dawning of the Golden Age for NIA,” said Nangel.

Nangel, a Novo Ecijano, was also instrumental in turning the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Systems (UPRIIS) -  the country’s largest national irrigation system (NIS) covering over 100,000 hectares in Central Luzon – into a viable NIS as its operations manager in year 2000, more than two decades after it started operating in 1976.  

          Nangel said NIA is   focused, not only on its mandate of irrigation development, considered the key to increased crop output along with  improved quality of rice seeds, post-harvest facilities, marketing and credit support and farm mechanization, but also on construction of mini-hydro power plants along irrigation canals, eco-tourism in reservoir, and potable water supply.

          He noted that just last year, the government approved three irrigation projects worth P19.7 million namely Phase 2 of the Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation Project in Nueva Ecija and Tarlac, Phase 2 of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Irrigation Project in Iloilo and the Umayam River Irrigation Project in Agusan del Sur.

          These are apart from the NIA’s “crown jewels” such as the World Bank-funded Pantabangan Dam, Magat Dam and Angat Dam.

          Lorna Grace Rosario, NIA deputy administrator for administrative and financial management, said the central office posted a net income of P451 million, 34 percent of the total net income.      

Among regional offices, Region 9 posted the highest increment in net income with 95% while in terms of ISF, Region 7 posted the highest.

          In terms of monetary value, the Magat River Integrated Irrigation Systems (Mariis) and Upriis, operators of the Magat and the Pantabangan Dams, respectively posted the highest incomes followed by Regions 12, 10 and 7.

          Mariis posted a net income of P252.5 million while Upriis P238 million. Upriis is under the stewardship of Engineer Josephine Salazar, who made history as the first-ever lady operations manager of the said system.

Others who posted net incomes were Region  12, Region 10, Region 7, Region 9, Region 13, Region 8, Region 11, Region 6, Region 5, Region 3, Region 4-A, Region 1, Cordillera Administrative Region, Region 2 and Region 4-B.

          Robert Suguitan, NIA deputy administrator for engineering and operations, said the attainment of corporate viability is not only a tribute to the priorities given irrigation by President Aquino and Alcala  but also the help of various stakeholders from the regional, operations and project managers to irrigators’ associations and farmers.

          “It’s a concerted effort. You can’t just attribute it to one factor. But we have to give due credit to President Aquino for spearheading the effort. He made it all happen,” Suguitan said.   

          NIA is expanding its service areas with 150,000 hectares of new irrigation areas by the end of this year. To achieve this, it prioritized short-gestation projects, fast-tracked irrigated area roll-out and promoted crop yield-enhancing farming system. It also adopted water saving irrigation methods, including controlled irrigation practices.

          Based on NIA records, the country has 10.3 million hectares of agricultural lands of which 3.1 million hectares are irrigable, with 3% devoted to rice and corn. Irrigated land areas have increased to 1.73 million hectares in 2012 from 1.48 million hectares in December 2010.

          NIA was created by virtue of Republic Act 3601 which was signed into law on June 22,1963 by then-President Diosdado Macapagal.

Its mission was the development and management of water resources for irrigation and provision of necessary services on a sustainable basis consistent with the agricultural development program.

          Aside from sustaining its operations as a viable corporation and service-oriented agency, NIA’s objectives are to develop and maintain irrigation systems in support of the agricultural development program of the government; to provide adequate and sustainable irrigation service in partnership with the farmers and local government units; to provide technical assistance to institutions in the development of water resources for irrigation; and to support economic and social growth in the rural areas through irrigation development and management. (Manny Galvez) 

Jinggoy salutes outstanding, world-class Filipino workers

Acting Senate President Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is the guest of honor and speaker in the 2013 TOWER (The Outstanding Workers of the Republic) Awards ceremonies held Thursday afternoon at the Manila Hotel.

 

TOWER Awards is an annual nationwide search for the blue-collar workers and white-collar workers (occupying non-supervisory positions) who have demonstrated exemplary performance in their field of endeavors.

 

“I salute the awardees today for becoming role models for other workers, laborers and employees. I hope that this award will not only motivate you in your work, but also inspire other workers to work hard and fulfill their duties and responsibilities with zeal and enthusiasm. I hope that your number will increase exponentially,” Jinggoy addresses this year’s batch of TOWER awardees.

 

“The workers recognized today represent the best traits of our workers which have been in demand in many countries of the world,” Sen. Estrada says as he notes the sustained demand of Filipino workers overseas as a clear indication of foreign countries’ confidence in the abilities and work ethics of Filipino laborers.

 

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) records show that deployment figures continued to rise with around 1.6 million workers deployed in 2011 or an increase by 14% from what was recorded in 2010.

 

Sen. Estrada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, nevertheless hopes that Filipino workers need not go abroad for gainful employment.

 

“While I accept that the remittances of our OFWs have been a major and critical factor in the growth of our economy, I have always hoped that there will come a time, as our economy grows, when we will be able to provide jobs for our workers here in the country.”

 

“I believe that we are not a nation that must be destined and condemned to supplying workers to other countries to support their economies. We must retain our workers here so that they will contribute to our economy in terms of building industries and manufacturing sectors, such that we can become suppliers of goods and finished products,” Jinggoy says in his speech.

 

TOWER Awards aims “to recognize the significant contributions to economic development of the legions of skilled workers who constitute the backbone of the country’s manpower capacity.”

 

The project is organized by the Rotary Club of Manila, in partnership with Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and in cooperation with People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

 

It also honors and promotes excellence, productivity and innovation in the manufacturing industries (automotive, drugs and pharmaceuticals, electronics, food and beverage, leather and leather products, machinery and equipment, metal processing and farming, non-metallic minerals, packaging products, rubber and plastics, and textile and garments) and services sector (communication, tourism, business and professional services, transportation, banking and finance, informational technology and BPOs).

Legarda Hailed as Distinguished UP Alumna

MANILA-Citing her contribution in protecting the environment and pushing for climate change adaptation policies, the University of the Philippines (UP) has chosen Senator Loren Legarda as one of its distinguished alumni for the year.

Legarda, who graduated cum laude from UP in 1981 with a Bachelor in Arts, major in Broadcast Communications degree, is the premier state university’s 2013 Distinguished Alumna for Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation.

“I thank my Alma Mater for recognizing my advocacy on the environment. My vision is to build a safer and greener nation where every Filipino contributes to protecting our environment and making our communities disaster-resilient. I feel grateful when these efforts are acknowledged and I am greatly inspired to work even more. But more than the recognition, the greater reward is when we shall have benefitted and made a difference in the lives of the Filipino people, especially the poor and most vulnerable in our society.” said Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

Legarda worked for the enactment of laws on environmental governance like the Clean Air Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, the Renewable Energy Act, and the Environmental Awareness and Education Act. She also authored the Climate Change Act and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, which were recognized by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) as among the world’s best laws on the subject.

At her own initiative, Legarda spearheaded an information and education campaign on climate change. She worked with various government agencies to create the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook, and produced films that explain the science of climate change, its impact on our everyday lives and how leaders can strive for a disaster-resilient development. These films, namely: “Ulan sa Tag-Araw: Isang Dokyu-drama Ukol sa  Pagbabago ng  Klima”, “Ligtas Likas”, “Buhos”, “Now is the Time”, and “Ligtas”, had been shared to the country’s 136 cities and 1,495 municipalities, and over 6,000 public schools and 112 state colleges and universities with 326 satellite campuses.

Meanwhile, through her urban greening program called Luntiang Pilipinas, which has planted two million trees in more than 500 hectares across the Philippines, the Senator continues to enjoin the participation of stakeholders in pursuing reforestation and urban revitalization.

In 2008, Legarda was appointed as the UN Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption for Asia and the Pacific, which led her to engage in debates with global thought leaders and called for action along with women leaders of the world.

Moreover, she led international dialogues in Paris, Beijing, Geneva, Copenhagen and Hanoi and high-level advocacy with heads of state in Bhutan and the Maldives. She is committed to elevating the consciousness of the governments and peoples here and abroad on disaster resilience, green growth, and sustainable development.

She continues to spearhead multi-stakeholder workshops and fora and public information and education campaigns to institutionalize disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation at the community level.  In partnership with the local government units, private business groups, and the academe, she vigorously promotes geohazard mapping and risk assessment in local development planning and business continuity planning as a key strategy in reducing disaster risk in the country.

In her third term as senator, Legarda ought to do more to uplift the poor and the quality of life of the Filipinos. “To secure a sustainable future, we need to prevent the recurrence of tragedies and losses from natural hazard and climate change. We must nip the disaster problem in the bud. This we can do more effectively if we look deeper into the underlying causes of our disaster vulnerability with competent disaster research and evaluation and, based on science and evidence, introduce needed policy and systems reform,” Legarda explained.

Aside from the UP Distinguished Alumna Award, Legarda has received other recognitions for her environmental and climate change adaptation advocacies, namely: Hero of Resilience conferred by the United Nations on the International Day for Disaster Reduction (2012), Asian Leader Award for Environment Policy, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (2011), Awardee for the Environment conferred by the Priyadarshni Academy in Mumbai, India (2004), Global 500 Roll of Honor Laureate conferred by the United Nations Environment Programme in Turin, Italy (2001), and Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (2000). She has also been chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in 1992, and The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS) in 1993.

Illegal logging syndicate tagged behind gun attack on Ecija forester

CABANATUAN CITY –  A syndicate engaged in llegal logging in identified “hot spots” in Nueva Ecija has been tagged for the twin assassination attempts on a forester of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the province.

          Leovino Ignacio, DENR provincial  DENR provincial environment and natural resources officer, said a syndicate operating in Bongabon town could be behind the gun attack on Edgardo Luna.

          De Luna, 49, of Barangay Bantug Bulalo here suffered a gunshot wound at the back of his neck after he was shot by a motorcycle-riding gunman Friday at Purok Camalig, Barangay Bangad.

          De Luna was driving his motorcycle on his way home when shot from close range by the gunman who was riding in tandem with a companion.

          It was the second slay attempt on De Luna who was also shot by a lone gunman on May 23 by a gunman while he was aboard a XLT passenger jeep in Barangay Bitas also in this city.

          Ignacio said De Luna may have angered members of the syndicate operating in Bongabon town following a series of successful anti-illegal logging operations there.

“This is a big syndicate,” he said, adding many were hurt by the DENR’s campaign against illegal logging of which De Luna is in the forefront, particularly  in Bongabon.

          Ignacio said the intensified campaign against illegal loggers was earlier ordered by DENR regional executive director Maximo Dichoso targeting Bongabon and the other “hot spots” such as the towns of  Carranglan, Gabaldon, Gen. Tinio, Laur and Pantabangan.

          Earlier, De Luna led a DENR team in confiscating 1,000 board feet of wood from the owner of a furniture shop in Barangay Antipolo in Bongabon.

Ignacio called on local government officials in the “hot spots” areas to help out in the anti-illegal logging campaign. “If they would just help us, I see no reason why our campaign won’t succeed,” he said.

Juan Fernandez Jr., DENR community environment and natural resources officer for central Nueva Ecija based in Talavera town has asked Ignacio to arm forest rangers in their fight against illegal loggers. (Manny Galvez) 

JINGGOY WANTS JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF “SEX-FOR-FLIGHT” MODUS

Acting Senate President Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment to render justice to distressed overseas Filipino workers alleged to have been victimized into prostitution and sexual abuse by Filipino embassy and labor officers.

 

Sen. Estrada also challenged the government agencies to dismantle this network operating in Middle East countries and preying on our distressed Filipina workers and to put an end to this exploitative practice, beginning from the expulsion of erring embassy and labor officials from their posts and prosecution with criminal and trafficking offenses.

 

Jinggoy further conveyed that he will work for P1 budget for the DFA and the DOLE should they fail to resolve this case with dispatch and to punish unscrupulous Filipino diplomats involved in this “sex-for-flight” modus.

 

“Gaya marahil ng mga nakarinig ng istoryang ito, ako ay nanggagalaiti sa galit nang aking malaman na ang ilang opisyal ng ating embahada at POLO ay nakuha pang pagkakitaan ang kalunos-lunos na sinapit ng ating mga kababayang OFW. Sila na tinatakbuhan ng mga OFW at inaasahang magtatanggol sa kanilang karapatan at kapakanan ang siya palang magsasamantala sa kanila,” Jinggoy laments.

 

Sen. Estrada, who is chairman of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development and Congressional Oversight Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, says that officials found guilty of this heinous offense must be immediately put behind bars and slapped with administrative sanctions, including perpetual disqualification from public office.

 

Sen. Estrada is reacting to an exposé alleging some embassy and labor officials posted in the Middle East, particularly in Kuwait, are involved in “sex-for-flight” scheme where distressed OFWs are forced to have sex in exchange for a ticket back to the Philippines.

  

Another report states that embassy officials are running prostitution rings victimizing female wards in OFW shelters.

 

Sen. Estrada, who visited numerous Filipino welfare centers around Middle East in the past few years, notes that hundreds of OFWs, mostly women who absconded from their employers due to physical abuse and who fell victims to illegal recruitment, are housed temporarily in Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) shelters while waiting for the processing and release of their repatriation and employment documents.

 

Both the DOLE and the DFA have launched their separate investigation into the matter and have called on victims to come out and file complaints before the authorities.

Legarda Condemns Reported Sex-for-Fly Ops by 3 Embassy Officials

Senator Loren Legarda today condemned the reported forced prostitution of distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) allegedly involving three Philippine embassy officials in the Middle East.

The Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations noted news reports which revealed that three Philippine embassy officials are allegedly involved in “sex-for-fly” operations, engaging in acts with fellow Filipinos staying in OFW shelters in Amman, Jordan, Kuwait, and Damascus, Syria in exchange for the Filipino workers’ repatriation.

“This should not be tolerated, should be investigated, should be meted the full force of the law, if true,” said Legarda.

“But we should be careful in generalizing statements because most of our Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials here and abroad are competent and should not be tainted by a few bad eggs,” she added.

“It’s already hard for Filipinos working abroad to be apart from their families. It is harder when they get abused or duped by their agencies or employers. It is unforgivable when the people, their fellow countrymen at that, who they expect to help them and provide them protection, are the ones who would subject them to further abuse and suffering,” Legarda said.

Legarda Bares Climate Change Platform for Next Term

MANILA-Re-elected Senator Loren Legarda today bared her platform on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) for the next six years.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said that her priority will be the assessment of the state of implementation of the laws on environment, DRR and CCA that she authored.

“As we experience the intensity of the changing climate through extreme weather events, our communities and citizens become more vulnerable to disaster risks. A 2013 World Bank report revealed that 74% of the country’s population are vulnerable to disasters caused by natural hazards. The Philippines recorded 2,630 disaster-related deaths in 2012, the highest data recorded worldwide for that year,” she pointed out.

“Disasters have strong effect in our economy even causing us budget deficits. In 2009, typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng caused economic damages equivalent to 2.7 percent of our GDP,” she added.

The Senator explained that while the country has shown improvements in its disaster risk reduction and management efforts, particularly through increased budget allocations for DRR, there remains a lot of work to be done.

“We must implement our environmental and disaster preparedness laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, Climate Change Act, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, and the People’s Survival Fund Law. The strict enforcement of the Solid Waste Management Law is very important, most especially in flood-prone areas,” she said.

Legarda also said that she will continue to support and initiate programs that would promote the improvement of health emergency management system, and strengthen disaster research and evaluation as basis for sound policy, plan, and interventions in the country.

Furthermore, she will allocate funds from her priority development assistance fund (PDAF) for the establishment of a model green campus and will engage concerned government agencies for the promotion of green jobs and green skills in the country.

She will also intensify her information, education and communication campaign on disaster preparedness. She will continue to distribute geohazard maps nationwide along with the monitoring of the strict enforcement of land use regulations.

“The DRR regional workshops will be done in the provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels and we will continue to conduct DRR lectures in state universities and colleges. Soon, I will also launch Ligtas, an instructional video on disaster preparedness that was directed by Direk Brillante Mendoza,” she said.

“Every natural hazard that hits the country reveals the risks and weaknesses that we must immediately address. Climate change and extreme weather events are among the greatest humanitarian challenges of our time. But these challenges we can overcome if our programs and mechanisms in place actually address the specific vulnerabilities present in each community in the country,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Commends DepEd’s Programs for IPs, Heritage Schools

Senator Loren Legarda today lauded the Department of Education for the allotment of funds for indigenous peoples’ (IP) education and expressed support to the agency’s effort to conserve heritage schools in the country.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, noted that the DepEd has allotted P100 million, which will be distributed to 100 school divisions nationwide, to fund education capacity-building initiatives for IPs such as training for implementers of IP Education (IPEd) program, engaging in partnership programs with concerned organizations, and creating an IP database.

“I am glad with these culture and heritage related initiatives of DepEd. I hope that the funds will be effectively used not only for the delivery of quality education to our IPs but also for the preservation and promotion of their culture and heritage,” she said.

“We must guarantee that our IPs have access to quality education to increase their chances for employment and make them competent and competitive in the workplace,” she added.

Meanwhile, Legarda said that the DepEd directive to make an inventory and conserve the country’s heritage school buildings known as Gabaldons, which were built during the American period, is significant to efforts to preserve heritage and promote history.

“These Gabaldon schools, like the heritage houses built during the Spanish period, speak much about our history. I hope we can still revive all these school buildings not just for display but to be used for their original purpose as places of learning,” said Legarda, noting that some of the structures are either in poor condition or have been abandoned already.

“As we teach the Filipino youth our nation’s culture and history, we should also inculcate in them the respect for the things that form part of our heritage, like the Gabaldon schools, because these structures have been witnesses to various events in our history and conserving them is an important part of preserving the stories of our forefathers,” she concluded.