Legarda Welcomes Visit to PH of UN Head Ban Ki-moon

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today welcomed the visit to the Philippines of United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Ban Ki-moon, stressing that it would help boost the country’s disaster resiliency initiatives especially in light of the recent devastation brought by Typhoon Yolanda.

Legarda, UN Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, said that the UNSG’s presence sends a strong message of hope for affected communities and highlights the need to build back better, stronger and wiser.

“We appreciate UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s personal visit to the Philippines and his concern for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. This is an opportunity to thank the UNSG for the support given to our nation and the humanitarian assistance facilitated by various UN agencies for relief and early recovery in communities devastated by the typhoon,” she said.

“We believe that his leadership will inspire all sectors to unite and do more, to do better, and to sustain the gains in DRR and CCA, towards building a more resilient nation,” she added.

The Senator also noted that Secretary-General Ban’s visit is a strong support for the government’s continuing work to encourage local government units and the private sector to prioritize programs that would make the nation disaster resilient.

Legarda, author of the Philippine Climate Change Act and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, stressed that the private sector’s role in building resilient communities is crucial to prevent substantial business losses and economic development setbacks resulting from disasters of unprecedented scale.

“As DRR is everybody’s business, we anticipate the UNSG’s call for action not only for the national and local governments but for the business sector as well. The private sector is encouraged to work with the government in constructing homes, schools, hospitals and buildings that are safe and secure amidst natural hazards, and in designing and constructing roads, bridges and other infrastructure that help spur economic growth with disaster risk reduction in mind,” she said.

As UN Champion and Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, Legarda has spearheaded an information and education campaign through   the conduct of regional DRR workshops for local leaders, private sector, civil society organizations, the academe and the youth. She also facilitated the distribution of geo-hazard maps and the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook to LGUs, among other initiatives.

Senate introduces reforms to maritime industry to prevent blacklisting of Filipino seafarers

MANILA-Alarmed by the report of possible blacklisting of Filipino seafaring officers by the European Union, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon urged the swift passage of a bill which seeks to transfer all functions pertaining to training and certification of over 400,000 Filipino seafarers to one central agency, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

In his sponsorship speech, Drilon warned over possible repercussions of the country’s failure to comply with the 2010 Manila Amendments to the “1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention).

At present, the STCW functions are lodged in various agencies such as the Philippine Regulatory Commission, Commission of Higher Education, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and National Telecommunication Commission.

The present practice, according to Drilon, is not consistent with the STCW Convention. “Our seafarers face an imminent threat that, if not addressed urgently, will in all likelihood capsize our maritime industry,” said Drilon.

It can be recalled that the European Union (EU) has recently expressed its inclination to blacklist Filipino seafarers from EU-flagged vessels, blaming the country’s unsatisfactory and incomplete observance of the STCW Convention. The STCW Convention sets the global minimum qualifications for masters, officers and watch personnel engaged in international shipping.

The Senate chief said that employment bans on Filipino seafarers would cause sizeable damage to the Philippine economy: “We have to remember that remittances from sea-based workers – which reached $5 billion in 2012 and for this year alone, is already worth $1.2 billion – keep our economy afloat by fueling domestic consumption, preventing foreign exchange instability, and serving as a buffer against inflation of the peso.”

He added that the blacklisting by the EU could “terribly upset” the country’s position in the global maritime professional industry, and “would negatively affect the estimated 400,000 Filipino sea-based workers employed worldwide.”

“There is a need to align our maritime regulatory system with the international standards and practices,” he added.   

To prevent such ban and its negative consequences from happening, the Senate Bill No. 2043 seeks to consolidate the functions relating to the country’s compliance with the SCTW Convention in one agency which is the MARINA.

“The Senate Bill No. 2043 will address the aforementioned concerns through the introduction of major structural changes to our maritime regulatory system that will address the inefficiencies in the current scheme and will therefore ensure our country’s complete compliance with the STCW Convention,” explained Drilon.

“By designating the MARINA as the sole maritime administrative agency empowered to enact uniform rules and regulations governing global maritime professionals and to regularly monitor our conformity with the STCW Convention, we can now meet standards and avert employment bans,” Drilon said. 

Drilon then called for the measure’s swift passage, explaining that the urgent implementation of SBN 2043 will “positively influence” the ongoing audit report being prepared by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which will determine if the country is indeed in conformity to the STCW Convention. 

REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FORMED TO ASSIST PRO3

CAMP OLIVAS, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA- To further sustain and improve the PNP P.A.T.R.O.L (Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and Upholding of the Rule of Law) 2030 in support to the implementation of the Philippine National Police Integrated Transformation Program-Performance Governance System (PNP ITP-PGS) 2030, Police Regional Office 3 under the leadership of PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA, RD, PRO3 has formed the Regional Advisory Council composed of prominent personalities in Central Luzon and took their oath on December 17, 2013 at the PRO3 Post Conference Room, Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

            Gov Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado of Bulacan is appointed Chairman of the RAC while Napolcom3 Regional Director Atty. Manuel L. Pontanal is the Vice Chairman. Among the sectoral personalities appointed as members are Mr. Jose B. Tan (business sector), Atty. Emmanuel Y. Angeles (Chairman, Angeles University Foundation), Mr. Teodoro M. Gatchalian (TESDA Regional Director), Hon. Vilma  Caluag(President, Mother Teresa of Calcutta Hospital), Dr. Rowena M. Mangubat, M.D. (President, AUF Medical Center), Rev. Msgr. Eugenio Mercado, Jr. (Religious Sector) and Mr. Ric Sapnu (Media Sector).

            The Regional Advisory Council serves as an advisory body of the PNP and are significantly crucial to the implementation of the Philippine National Police Integrated Transformation Program-Performance Governance System (PNP ITP-PGS 2030).

            The institutionalization of Performance Governance System in the Philippine National Police is an important undertaking of PNPs enhancement of its role in the country’s Global Competitiveness index, through the vital involvement of the Regional Advisory Council, which aimed at making good governance a shared responsibility between the PNP and the stakeholders.

Legarda Warns of Less Rice Due to Climate Change

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that the increasing global temperature is seen to bring about a decrease in production of rice and several essential crops, stressing that with the absence of robust adaptation strategies, climate change will further imperil the country’s food security.

“A 2009 study by the Asian Development Bank showed that rice yield in the Philippines can decline by 75% in 2100 with the lack of climate change adaptation programs. The typhoons, floods and droughts from 1970 to 1990 resulted in an 82.4% loss in total Philippine rice production,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

“President Benigno Aquino declared 2013 as National Year of Rice. This declaration underscores the need to achieve rice sufficiency and to address the concerns of our agricultural sector. We take note that an added challenge to our rice and food security is the wastage of cooked rice,” she said.

Legarda cited 2008 statistics from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, which showed that each Filipino wastes an average of two tablespoons of cooked rice daily. When put together, this wastage could feed about 2.6 million Filipinos for one year.

One of the solutions suggested by the Philippine Rice Research Institute is the proposed one-half cup of rice default serving size in the food service industry.

“Our citizens should also be conscious of their consumption of rice in their respective homes. The government’s efforts should be paralleled with support from the private sector and our citizens,” said Legarda.

“Meanwhile, to support our agriculture sector, we must ensure more investments in agricultural research and infrastructure, improve water governance and land use policies, provide better forecasting tools and early warning systems, create a strengthened extension system that will assist farmers to achieve economic diversification, and access to credit and crop insurance,” she added.

The Senator also noted the cultural significance of rice, which is highlighted in a newly opened exhibition by the National Museum, “Rice, Biodiversity and Climate Change: Celebrating the National Year of Rice”.

The exhibit reveals the value of rice even in the early Philippine society. It also communicates the need to address biodiversity loss and climate change in relation to rice production, especially that only two of the 20 rice species are being cultivated, an indication that varietal decline and species loss are inevitable.

“I enjoin everyone to appreciate what we are blessed with and translate this appreciation into concrete actions to mitigate climate change, protect our natural resources, and preserve our heritage. We need to take aggressive and immediate action to adapt to the changing climate, prevent further rise in global temperature, provide better support for our agriculture sector or prepare ourselves for meals with no rice at all,” Legarda concluded.

Rent control deemed extended

MANILA-Senators yesterday hailed a resolution adopted by a housing agency chaired by Vice President Jejomar Binay to extend the Rent Control Act by two years to Dec. 31, 2015.

The move by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council to extend the life of Republic Act 9653, which is to expire at the end of the year, was learned in yesterday’s hearing by the Senate Committee on Housing on a bill seeking the same purpose.

Bill author Sen. Ralph Recto said HUDCC is authorized under Section 6 of RA 9635  “to continue the regulation of rental of certain residential units including subsequent extensions and even the adjustment of the yearly rate increase.”

Recto described the HUDCC resolution of Dec. 16, 2014 as the “fast-track mode” of extending the Rent Control Act.

“The slow-track, of course, is through legislation. But there is one convincing school of thought which believes that such is no longer needed once HUDCC exercises the authority delegated to it by RA 9653 to extend its effectivity,” Recto said.

The housing body’s move, Recto said, “was in exercise of its mandate and an implementation of a specific command of the law.”

But to stamp the HUDCC resolution with a “congressional seal of approval,” Recto said what Congress can do “is pass a resolution expressing its conformity.”

HUDCC officials who attended yesterday’s meeting chaired by Sen. JV Ejercito conveyed Binay’s request for a congressional resolution to validate and strengthen HUDCC’s move.

Saying “there is no harm in redundancy,” Recto supported  Binay’s request while insisting “that  the extension should not be contingent upon the passage of the requested congressional resolution.

With RA 9653’s looming expiration, Recto filed last month a bill extending its life to 2017.  

Under the bill, the rent on a dwelling cannot be increased by more than seven percent annually, provided it is occupied by the same lessee and the monthly rent is not more than P10,000 if in Metro Manila and P5,000 if located in areas outside of it.

A dwelling is defined as a house, apartment unit, condominium, boarding house, room, dormitory unit, and even a bed space.

Recto said his bill will not dampen the investments needed to reduce the housing backlog as residential units leased for more than P10,000 a month in NCR and P5,000 in areas outside of it are exempt.

“Units being rented above the said amounts are deregulated,” he said.

“We are only protecting the middle class and the poor and not some rich guy who has the money to rent a Forbes Park mansion,” Recto said.

A 2010 government survey showed that there were 2,448,778 families who lived in rented units.

For these lessees, “rent accounts for 13 percent of the average household income, ranking next to food and ahead of education and health.”     

“Rent control is a mechanism that ensures affordable housing in the Philippines. It also safeguards qualified lessees from arbitrary rent increases and corollary ejection,” Recto said. 

Filipino Peacekeepers Receive UN Service Medals

Lieutenant Colonel Nolie L Anquillano receives his UN Service Medal from AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel T Bautista in an awarding ceremony for the 6^th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights and Liberia that was held today, December 18, at the GHQ Grandstand.

Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City—With a sigh of relief, Filipino peacekeepers formally reunited with their families and received today, December 18, their United Nations Service Medal after more than a year of deployment to Golan Heights and Liberia.

The peacekeepers were welcomed by the AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel T Bautista who also congratulated them for accomplishing their mission despite constant threats on their safety.

The 332-strong 6^th Philippine Contingent to Golan Heights, led by LtCol Nolie L Anquillano, finished their one-year deployment after receiving world-wide attention with two incidents of being held in captivity by Syrian rebels in March and in May this year.

Despite being released safely on both occasions, questions on their immediate pull-out were raised. The Philippine government continued the all-Philippine Army contingent’s deployment after the UN agreed to bolster the safety of the UN peacekeeping force.

A posthumous award was also conferred to Sgt Benson Angot who died of malaria on October 22 while on his duty in Golan Heights. His wife, Rodalyn Angot, received the award for the fallen soldier.

Meanwhile, the 115-strong 17^th Philippine Contingent to Liberia (PCL), which was deployed in July last year, completed their mission of assisting in the maintenance of law and order in the country following a ceasefire that ended the Second Liberian Civil War. The all-Philippine Air Force contingent was led by its contingent commander, Col Fidel Igmedio T Cruz Jr.

Both contingents performed peacekeeping duties including manning and patrolling operating foot and mobile patrols day and night, VIP protection, and other administrative roles.

Peacekeepers Held Hostage Twice

In March and in May this year, a total of 25 peacekeepers were captured by Syrian rebels while performing their duties near high-risk conflict areas near Syria.

A group of 21 contingents led by Army Major Dominador Valerio was stopped by Syrian rebels on their way back from  a supply run in Al Jamlah village on March 6. The peacekeepers were later released near the Jordanian border on March 11 after a series of negotiations with officials from the UN Disengagement Force.

Meanwhile on May 7, four peacekeepers led by Cpt Arlis Jardin were taken by Syrian rebels while on reconnaissance and static observation mission. With the help of Col Cirilito Sobejana, Chief of Staff of UNDOF and Commander of the Philippine Peacekeeping Force in Golan Heights; Syrian Arab Red Crescent Movement; and UNDOF negotiators, the peacekeepers were released on May 12.

City of San Fernando hosts 2013 Regional Skills Competition

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-In a bid to showcase the level of competence of technical-vocational trainees and industry workers across Central Luzon, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently held its 2013 Regional Skills Competition (RSC) at Robinsons Starmills, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

 

TESDA Regional Director Teodoro Gatchalian, together with officials from the host city and province led the cutting of the ceremonial RSC gold chain while Joselito Ayalde, 9^thAssociation of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Skills Competition Medallion of Excellence for Web Design Awardee, lighted a torch to mark the formal opening.

 

In his welcome remarks, Mayor Edwin Santiago expressed support and cooperation to this activity, citing that skills’ training is among the fastest ways to alleviate poverty and hunger.

 

“As our way of showing our cooperation to this program, the city will initiate trainings for lantern makers not only to boost the industry in which our city is known for, but also to open job opportunities for our people,” Santiago bared.

 

“RSC serves as a reflection of how well technical-vocational courses are being taught here in the region. In fact, last year, we emerged as the champion in the Philippine National Skills Competition (PNSC). In addition, three of our representatives qualified in the ASEAN leg in Jakarta, Indonesia wherein one was awarded the Medallion of Excellence”, Gatchalian said.

 

The regional director expressed confidence that with the help, cooperation and dedication of all stakeholders, Central Luzon will once again bring home the championship title in the 2014 PNSC which will be held in Metro Manila.

 

Top performers from such compete in the ASEAN level, which will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

 

In RSC, participants compete in 20 trade areas namely automobile technology, beauty therapy, cabinet making, caring, cookery, electrical, electronics, fashion technology, graphics design, hairdressing, IT-networking, IT-software solution, joinery, mechanical CAD, mechatronics, plumbing and heating, refrigeration and air conditioning, restaurant services, web design, and welding. (Marie Joy L. Simpao)

NIA to undertake 715 irrigation projects in 2014-- Maranan

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija-Administrator Claro V. Maranan of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) yesterday said the irrigation agency is targeting to implement 715 irrigation projects next year in line with his seven-point development agenda anchored on the fast-tracking of big-ticket projects which have been delayed in past administrations.

          Speaking during the Christmas Party of officers and employees of the NIA regional office in Central Luzon in Barangay    Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan at noon here yesterday, Maranan said they are speeding up the bidding process for NIA projects so that these could be started right away.

          He said that by the end of this month, bidding for all proposed projects in 2012 will have been finished. "In 2014, we have 715 projects of which 200 have already been bid out," he said."

          The NIA chief presided over the turn-over of four back hoes and multi-cabs to irrigators' associations. The heavy equipment and vehicles were pet projects of NIA Region 3 director Reynaldo Puno.

          With him here were NIA assistant administrator Dexter Patrocinio, Puno, Department of Agriculture regional director Andrew Villacorta and managers Angel Miguel of the Pampanga-Bataan irrigation management office (Pam-Bat IMO), Lauro Ballesteros of the Tarlac-Zambales (Tarzam) IMO and Bulacan-Nueva Ecija (Bane) IMO officer-in-charge Virgilio Ilao.  

          The fast-tracking of NIA projects is part of the seven-point development agenda Maranan conceptualized and formulated as the guiding principles of his administration. This, he said,  serves as the roadmap and immediate course of action on various aspects of organizational and operational performance.

          These are (1) rapid and efficient delivery of irrigation projects, (2) accurate reporting and monitoring system, (3) organizational reforms and process innovations, (4) corporate financial stability, (5) empowerment and continuous learning for employees, (6) comprehensive plan on climate change adaptation and (7) stronger commitment to farmers and other stakeholders.

          The first of the seven-point agenda was believed adopted by Maranan to avoid project delays which were believed to have triggered the replacement of his predecessor, former administrator Antonio Nangel.

        

       It would be recalled that President Aquino scolded Nangel during the agency's 50th anniversary celebrations last June 25 for failing to implement the Balog-Balog Irrigation Project in his home province of Tarlac.  

          

          Maranan said as part of his vision for fast-tracked irrigation projects, the 17 various regional offices may directly implement and undertake projects worth P100 million and below to decentralize the process.

          

          At the same time, Maranan said they have identified 160 potential sites for the putting up of mini-hydro power projects, of which 120 have been found to be feasible.

        

        He said NIA is entering into a joint venture agreement with the private sector for these projects. (Manny Galvez)

Memorandum of Understanding on Tilapia Culture in Floating Bamboo Net Cage Signed

Mgen Hernando DCA Iriberri, Commander 7ID together with Col Ronald C Villanueva, Chief of Staff 7ID and Regional Director Remedios E. Ongtangco BFAR RO3 signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Tilapia Culture in Floating Bamboo Net Cage at Kaugnay Clubhouse.

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The 7^th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division headed by Maj. Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri AFP and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office 3 (BFAR RO3) led by its Regional Director Remedios E. Ongtangco signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Kaugnay Officers Clubhouse on December 03, 2013.

The MOU between the 7ID and BFAR – 3 is in line with the Department of Agriculture-Department of National Defense-Armed Forces of the Philippines (DA-DND-AFP) Livelihood Development Programs in selected military reservations throughout the country.

The implementation of the Culture of Tilapia in Floating Net Cage project at Pahingahan Dam in Fort Magsaysay is just one of the many livelihood projects being undertaken at the vast land of Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (FMMR) where soldiers of 7ID are the primary beneficiaries to these noble endeavors.

        “We are very happy to have been extended assistance coming from our partner agency (BFAR RO3) for their Project “Culture of Tilapia in Floating Bamboo Net Cages-A Technology Demonstration Project”. It will surely enhance the livelihood of 7ID troopers.” Maj Gen Iriberri said. 

7ID, nagsagawa ng blood letting, tree planting

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija-Nagsagawa kamakailan ng blood letting at tree planting ang 7^th Infantry Division (7ID) ng Philippine Army bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng ika-78 anibersaryo ng Armed Forces of the Philippines ngayong buwan.

 

Sinabi ni 7ID Public Affairs Officer Captain Mark Anthony Ruelos na layunin ng blood letting, na may temang “Dugo Pandugtong Buhay Alay ng Kaugnay sa Mamamayan”, na makakolekta ng 40,000 cc na dugo.

 

Naging katuwang rito ng dibisyon ang Philippine Red Cross- Nueva Ecija chapter.

 

Samantala, may 3,500 fruit at non-fruit bearing trees naman ang itinanim sa loob ng kampo sa aktibidad na pinamagatang “Punong Mag-Kaugnay Pangsagip sa Kalikasan.” (Camille C. Nagaño)

Farmer groups condemn Tadeco land grabbing in Hacienda Luisita

The regional farmers group Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (Amgl, Farmers’ Alliance in Central Luzon), the provincial group Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Tarlak (Amt) and Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala, Farm workers’ Alliance in Hacienda Luisita) condemned the latest land grabbing measures of the Cojuangco-Aquino family, through their controlled firm Tarlac Development Corp. (Tadeco) and president Benigno Simeon (BS) “Noynoy” Aquino’s utilization of government resources for his family’s benefits.  Tadeco personnels bulldozed about 10 hectares of farm lands at barangay Balete, cultivated by Ambala members, amidst the deployment of military forces belonging to the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (3rd Mech) of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).

“We have expected this kind of abuse years before the Supreme Court ordered the distribution of Hacienda Luisita lands.  The Cojuangco-Aquino family has no plan of giving up the lands as they schemed to profit by selling them to businesses while government forces serve as their private security guards to keep off protests from farm workers,” Joseph Canlas said, Amgl chairperson.

The groups asserted that since Hacienda Luisita Inc., was established in 1989 as a form of the stock-distribution option (sdo) provisioned by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), the farm workers who worked on the 6,435-hectare sugarlandia plunged to deep poverty and debt, while the Cojuangco-Aquino family enjoyed extravagant and pampered lives.  This system of social injustice pushed the farm workers to launch the massive strike on November 6, 2004, when the Cojuangco-Aquinos conspired with the despised Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government to obtain an “assumption of jurisdiction” (aj) order from former labor secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas.  The aj then served as a license for the infamous “Hacienda Luisita massacre” on November 16 which killed 7 farm workers and wounded 121, 32 of which by gunshot wounds.

Ambala reported that on December 12, Tadeco personnels and security guards bulldozed farms at barangay Balete, including the 6-hectare rice lands to be harvested on December 20.  Land reform advocates, Hacienda Luisita Peasant Supporters Network (Hlpsn) took photographs of the Tadeco operation destroying crop cultivated by Ambala farm workers.  A signboard was set-up stating “development soon to rise,” backdropped by tall buildings similar to commercial business districts in Metro Manila.

“Since Noynoy Aquino took the presidency, genuine land reform in Hacienda Luisita was doomed.  With all the state-machineries such as the Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR), police and military, and other gov’t agencies, the Cojuangco-Aquino family was determined to keep control over the vast lands of Hacienda Luisita,” Canlas said. 

Amgl said that DAR unjustly implemented CARP Extension with “Reforms” (CARPer) that was never mentioned in the Supreme Court decision. Amgl claimed that by implementing CARPer, the interests of the Cojuangco-Aquino family were protected: as the lands covered shrinked to 4,099-hectares, benefiting the Cojuangco-Aquinos allowing them to sell the lands excluded; DAR generated a list of 6,212 farm worker beneficiaries (fwbs) including names that are illegitimate according to Ambala; DAR officials held a “raffle” giving out certificate of land ownership awards (cloa) which was illegal and unreasonable; fwbs were coerced to sign an application to puchase and farmers’ undertaking (apfu) agreement, which the beneficiary would be criminalized on failure to pay amortization; and sugar block farming is promoted by DAR for the lands to be chained to the Cojuangco-Aquinos sugar business.

The groups said that Hacienda Luisita continues to be militarized, which they asserted as part of BS Aquino’s program, Oplan Bayanihan, to intimidate farm workers and foil their protests.  The deployment of the military paved way for Tadeco’s fencing of about 500 hectares of land at barangay Balete and Cutcut that evicted farm workers from their cultivated lands as part of their “bungkalan” (cultivation) campaign.

“It is very clear that BS Aquino is a traitor to the Hacienda Luisita farm workers.  His schemes through DAR and gov’t forces are all for the protection of his family’s interests.  He and his family are drooling over the potential profits of selling vast lands in Hacienda Luisita,” Canlas said.

Amgl said that the plan of the Cojuangco-Aquino family to convert lands in Hacienda Luisita was driven by the recent projects in the region such as the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (Sctex) and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (Tplex).  Tplex recently opened to motorists from Tarlac city to Gerona town.  Amgl said that agricultural lands in Tarlac range to P1.3 million to P5 to P6 million per hectare, thus, lands in Hacienda Luisita surrounded by McArthur highway, Sctex and Tplex are definitely to jack up prices.  These projects are part of the Metro-Luzon Urban Beltway (Mlub) project in the region which is part of the W-Growth Corridor development plan, began during the Macapagal-Arroyo administration, continued by the BS Aquino government.

“Thus, a mere 500-hectare graded land in Hacienda Luisita would range to about P650 million to P3 billion, money which the Cojuangco-Aquino family is insane about.  This is the very reason why the Cojuangco-Aquino family would bring down the heavens just to profit from the lands,” Canlas said.

In response, Amgl called on farm workers of Hacienda Luisita to push on their bungkalan campaign.  The bungkalan campaign covered a maximum of 2,000-hectares since 2005, cultivated with rice, vegetables and fruit crops.  The campaign concretely gave the poor farm workers a source on income which is far more superior than being laborers of Hacienda Luisita, Inc. under the sdo scheme.

“We call on farm workers, led by Ambala to advance the Hacienda Luisita-wide bungkalan campaign.  It is a moral and just cause for the lands to be benefited by those who labored on it and not serve the interest of the parasitic landlord class such as the Cojuangco-Aquinos.  Local changes in Hacienda Luisita, accomplished by the peasant class through cultivation is a contribution to the regional and national struggle to effect fundamental reforms.  Real development is the upliftment of the socio-economic well-being of the people and not the sheer construction of high-rise buildings and malls,” Canlas called. 

Drilon: Social preparation for informal settlers key to success of relocation programs

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said today that he has tapped multisectoral organizations to ensure the welfare of about 1,000 families relocated to a new housing project in Bgy. Lanit at Jaro, Iloilo, who were residing as informal settlers along the banks of the Iloilo River.
 
A coalition of government agencies, non-government organizations and corporate social responsibility groups were invited by Drilon to facilitate the planned “multisectoral social preparation” of the said housing units.

“We have tapped among others the City government of Iloilo, the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation (GK), and the Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDT) to spearhead a multisector group responsible for the different needs of this newly-organized community,” Drilon pointed out.

He explained that the multisectoral initiative set for the housing projects in Brgy.Lanit provides “a workable way where relocated settlers are given help to gradually adjust, adapt and assimilate to their new neighborhood, thus discouraging them from the practice of informal settling.”

Drilon said that the multisector group “could be expected to provide the necessary organizational and economic capital to stimulate community organization and economic opportunities, to help transform those living as informal settlers before to members of a truly productive community.”

According to Drilon, the social preparation process properly addresses the need for relocation programs to “foster social empowerment and productivity.”

“The provision of housing units alone would not solve the problem of poverty and lack of support affecting every informal settler. Any effective plan then would need to strike at the socio-economic roots of the problem,” Drilon stressed, adding that the Gawad Kalinga would be a big help in this endeavor given its remarkable track record as a community mobilizer.

The Senate chief also emphasized that the country’s public housing and relocation programs should extend to the delivery of relevant social services, which enable self-sufficiency and economic normalcy among relocated informal settlers.

Drilon lastly said that the coordinated social preparation process they are currently undertaking could be studied and emulated as part of the country’s official housing and anti-poverty strategy.

PNP-PRO 3 begins security preparations for APEC 2015

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga-Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Regional Office 3 has began its security preparations for the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders summit and related ministerial and sub-ministerial meetings in 2015.

 

“Together with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of National Defense, we had an ocular inspection and coordination meeting with officials of sites that are likely to host namely Clark Freeport, Subic Freeport and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac town in Bataan,” PNP Regional Director PCSUPT. Raul Petrasanta said.

 

“Las Casas is primarily eyed as a possible site for the activity of the spouses of visiting heads of state and government while the leaders summit is ongoing,” Petrasanta added.

 

Apart from the Philippines, other members of APEC include Australia, Brunei Darrusalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, United States, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia and Vietnam. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Drilon donates bancas to Yolanda-affected fishermen

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon facilitated today the donation of a fleet of motorized fishing bancas to members of fishing communities affected by super typhoon Yolanda, in a ceremonial turnover held in the coastal town of Concepcion in Iloilo.

Drilon, an Iloilo native, has raised a P2 million fund to purchase 100 motorized fishing bancas for Iloilo’s numerous coastal fisherfolk, whose bancas and fishing equipment were lost when typhoon Yolanda struck the Visayan region.

The beneficiaries would come from the coastal towns of Concepcion, Estancia and Carles which were badly hit by the recent typhoon. The town of Estancia also suffered from an oil spill.   

Drilon was joined by provincial officials led by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor in personally turning over the initial ten motorized bancas to their recipients, with the rest of the fleet to be distributed soonest by the local government. 

The Ilonggo senator explained that the donation was spurred by his visit to the province following the typhoon’s exit.

“In my previous visit, I saw for myself how the calamity destroyed the means of livelihood for so many of the affected citizens – especially those fisherfolk in the coastal towns whose means of living were completely swept away,” Drilon noted.

Drilon said that in municipalities like Concepcion, “thousands of bancas were destroyed by the storm, 80% of which were motor bancas much valued by the fishermen that used them.”        

“Thus I felt it was necessary to raise a fund from my personal savings, along with donations from some of my partner organizations, with which we were able to buy motorized boats,” he then added.

Drilon said that he hopes the donation, in its own way, would give the recipient fishermen "a decent start to get themselves and their families back on their feet, after the tragedies that fell upon them.”

The Senate chief also said that he would look at the possibility of using Senate savings to procure more boats for fishermen in other affected provinces, including Leyte and Samar.

"We will try to find a way for the Senate to donate to those areas that still very much need our aid and commitment, particularly the coastal towns in Leyte and Samar,” the senator then said.