Legarda Pushes for Greater Investment in Filipino Talent

MANILA-In a bid to further promote the exceptional talent of Filipino artists, Senator Loren Legarda today pushed for greater investment in various performing arts groups.

Legarda said that the government must also support other performing arts organizations, as it does with the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company, which was cited as the Philippine’s national folk dance company through Republic Act No. 8626.

“Performing art is important not only in its process, product, words and rhythm, but also as a way to bring catharsis, social change and democracy. As arts and culture aspire to strengthen communities, remove social barriers, and engage citizens, it is vital that the government supports not just one particular group but several qualified arts groups and organizations,” she explained.

“The country needs to invest in Filipino talent in order to build national identity,” Legarda said.

It is in this light that Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 2170, the proposed Philippine National Performing Art Companies Act, which will give recognition to various performing arts groups in diverse fields such as ballet, contemporary dance, orchestral music, choral music and theatre.

The bill proposes to declare one national ballet/contemporary dance company; national choral ensemble; national orchestra; and national theater group as a Philippine National Performing Arts Company for a period of five years.

These companies will be provided with government support to showcase their works at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and other venues. The groups will also receive government funding, have access to grants, and be allowed to use government facilities.

DOTC urged to end delay in car sticker delivery

MANILA-Sen. Ralph G. Recto today urged the Department of Transportation and Communications to speed up the “delivery and issuance” of car registration stickers, a problem which has dogged the agency for more than three years now.

Recto made the call on behalf car owners whom he lamented have to wait for months for the release of stickers which serve as proof that a motor vehicle has been registered.

He said the sticker issue is being viewed as a litmus test if government can address complex transportation problems.

“If we falter and fail on such a small thing as a car sticker, then how can we solve big and complex transport problems like mass rail transits, airport modernization and maritime safety?” Recto said.

At present, a four-wheel motor vehicle has to display three stickers:  one on the windshield, and one each on the front and back license plates.

Under local traffic laws, failure to sport any of these is subject to a fine.

“I am bewildered by the continued inability of our government to supply in adequate numbers a sticker as a big as a postage stamp,” Recto said, referring to the one inch by one inch stickers for car plates.

We are a country which produces tens of millions of stickers which are distributed for free during the election season and yet our government is taking months to deliver a sticker already paid for by the car owner,” Recto said.

Recto said a car owner has to go back “many times” to the Land Transportation Office where he had his vehicle registered to follow up if the stickers had arrived.

“I think we should reverse the process.  What the LTO should do is call the vehicle owner that his stickers had arrived. LTO should treat the transacting public as customers who deserve that service,” he said.

“Ano pa ang silbi ng salitang ‘Communications’ sa DOTC kung hindi nila pwedeng i-text o tawagan ang mga nagparehistro ng sasakyan na ready na ang mga stickers nila,” he said.

Recto said  “this kind of service will spare car owners who live far from the LTO office from the hassles of making repeated trips just to inquire if the stickers are now ready.”

The senator also urged the DOTC to formally advise the “Philippine National Police, the MMDA and the galaxy of deputized traffic enforcers, which now include barangay tanods” to impose a moratorium on apprehending motor vehicles which, though registered, do not sport stickers.

“Hindi naman nila kasalanan na wala pang sticker, so bakit sila bibigyan ng traffic violation ticket,” he said.

“Kung pwede nga lang, DOTC ang bigyan ng traffic citation. Their violation: Allowing cars to drive without stickers,” Recto said.

The LTO had promised that the sticker shortage problem will be gone by next month as the contracted printer, the government-owned APO Production Unit, has ramped up production.

“Sana magkatotoo na ‘yan. Kaso 2011 pa natin naririnig ang pangakong yan,“ Recto said. 

Ex-NPA rebel shot dead by armed men in NE

CABANATUAN CITY – A former member of the communist New People’s Army was shot dead by four unidentified gunmen in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija Thursday.

          Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves, provincial police director, identified the murdered ex-rebel as Renato Saddoy, alias Ka Leroy, 49, of Barangay Macabaclay, Bongabon.

          Saddoy sustained 18 gunshot wounds in the body which led to his death.

           Senior Inspector Manuel Catacutan, Bongabon police chief, said Saddoy was a member of the NPA in the 80s and had since become a farmer. He is also a known active member of the Alab Katipunan (AK), a farmer’s group.

          SPO1 Adrian Sioson, investigator of the Bongabon police, said that prior to the killing, a witness told them the suspects – their faces covered with shirts, positioned themselves along the road leading to Saddoy’s farm and pretended to be farmhands. 

A few minutes later, Saddoy passed by aboard his handtractor on his way to his farm  when two of the suspects fired him repeatedly. The gunmen fled towards to Barangay Santor.

Sioson said the motive for Saddoy’s killing remains unknown. He said the victim’s widow has refused to provide information to police probers until after her husband’s interment. 

Empty shells of caliber 45 revolver were recovered at the murder  scene. (Manny Galvez)

JINGGOY QUESTIONS CUNANAN’S JET SETTING LIFESTYLE

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada questioned Dennis Cunanan’s jet setting lifestyle as the lawmaker uncovered the frequent travels abroad made by Cunanan and his family over the last ten years.

 

In a privilege speech entitled “The Tale of Two Incredible Witnesses,” Sen. Estrada disclosed that Cunanan, his wife and children traveled overseas a total of eighty three (83) times from 2004 to 2013.

 

Citing records from the Bureau of Immigration, Cunanan left the country 12 times in 2013, 12 times in 2012, 14 times in 2011, 5 times in 2010, 10 times in 2009, 14 times in 2008, 8 times in 2007, 5 times in 2006, once in 2005, and twice in 2004.

 

“Hindi po ata sinusuportahan ni Dennis ang programang pang-turismo ng ating gobyerno. Dahil sa dalas niya sa labas ng Pilipinas, iisipin mo nga naman na para kay Dennis mukhang “It is more fun outside the Philippines!” Jinggoy observed. 

 

“Ginagawa pong Quiapo ni Cunanan, ng kanyang asawa pati ng kanilang mga anak ang Amerika, Europa, mga bansa sa Asya tulad ng Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hongkong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea at iba pang lugar,” Jinggoy further said.

 

The same records also contradict his earlier statement before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that the travels were made on weekends.

 

“At ang mas kamangha-mangha dito, ang mga biyahe niya ay kung hindi raw first class ay business class. At hindi lamang tumatagal ng tatlo, apat o limang araw ito at hindi din lang po on weekends katulad ng kanyang sinabi dahil mayroong dalawang linggo, tatlong linggo at may mga biyahe pa na tumatagal ng isang buwan!” Estrada revealed in his speech.

 

Sen. Estrada particularly cited these instances:

 

·         Cunanan departed for Tokyo via Northwest Airlines on September 9, 2007 and returned to the Philippines on October 3, 2007.

·         Cunanan departed for Dubai via Emirates on November 1, 2007 and returned to the country on November 14 , 2007

·         Cunanan departed for Nagoya via Northwest Airlines on January 9, 2008 and returned to the country on January 22, 2008

·         Cunanan left for Tokyo on June 19, 2009 and returned to the country on July 7, 2009

 

“Habang nasa gobyerno po si Cunanan, naging aktibo po siya sa Jaycees.  Binanggit ko po dahil matatandaan na noong nakaraang pagdinig natanong si Mr. Cunanan patungkol sa kanyang mga biyahe sa ibang bansa at  sinabi niyang siya ay nagbi-biyahe bilang officer ng Junior Chamber International or Jaycees at ang mga biyaheng iyon ay suportado ng Jaycees. Jaycees daw po ang sponsor at ang mga biyahe ay nangyayari on a weekend. Pati ba naman ang Jaycees ay ginagamit niya sa pagsisinungaling?” Jinggoy said.

Jinggoy: Documents belie Cunanan’s claim of spearheading reforms in TRC

MANILA-“Puro porma at hindi reporma.”

Using documentary evidence, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada belied Dennis Cunanan’s claims that he initiated reforms within the Technology Resource Center during his stint as its Director General.

In his privilege speech entitled “The Tale of Two Incredible Witnesses” on Wednesday, Sen. Estrada presented proof including official audit reports, showing that Cunanan instead perpetrated, if not aggravated, irregularities in the TRC.

Cunanan earlier said that the TRC under his leadership stopped implementing projects funded by the lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2010. But documents show otherwise.

Jinggoy said that all that Cunanan did was actually pure posturing without producing real, meaningful reforms.

Cunanan also claimed that he should not be charged as he spearheaded policy reforms in the agency upon his assumption as its top-most official, including blacklisting of several non-government organizations and local government units. Cunanan also denied any wrongdoing, including receipt of millions of kickbacks, in relation to the pork barrel scam, a claim which contradicts the testimony of whistleblower Benhur Luy.

“Per the 2011 COA report the amount that appeared under ‘Cash fund entrusted to NGOs/POs’ represents the financial assistance granted to Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation for the implementation of livelihood projects under the PDAF entrusted to the center.. O, akala ko ba, ay pinatigil na ni Cunanan noong 2010 ang mga proyektong pinondohan mula sa PDAF? Bakit taong 2011, meron nito?” Jinggoy posed in his speech.

“At kung susuriin natin yung sinabi ni Cunanan na listahan ng mga NGOs na buong giting niyang pina-blacklist noong 2010 kasama ang Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation sa na-black list!  Ano ngayon ang ibig sabihin ng pag-release ng pondo sa isang blacklisted NGO noong 2011?” Jinggoy went on.  

Sen. Estrada also looked into the COA annual audit report on 2012. “Under Cash funds entrusted to NGOs/POs for 2012, there was an entry for 42 million pesos!  O, akala ko ba 2010 eh wala na? Hindi ba’t noong 2010, 2 million pesos na lang?  Noong 2011 naman, 1.9 million pesos na nga lang di ba? Taong 2012, 42 million pesos?!” Jinggoy wondered aloud.

Jinggoy also cited that TRC dipped its hands on the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program. “According to the COA report, aside from the 42 million from PDAF, meron ding ‘Collection held in trust from the DAP’ ang TRC na nagkakahalaga ng 45 million pesos.”

Jinggoy also questioned the statement made by Cunanan that his involvement in the so-called scam was merely ministerial, as the then deputy director general holds the recommending approval of the disbursement vouchers.

“Dahil si Cunanan ang recommending approval, ito marahil ang dahilan kaya sa kanya lumalapit ang mga gustong mapabilis ang pag-proseso at pag-release ng mga pondong mula sa PDAF.  Hindi ba’t sa mga naunang salaysay ni Luy, sinabi niyang si Cunanan diumano ang kanilang contact sa TRC at si Cunanan diumano ang kumukuha ng komisyon mula sa NGOs,” Jinggoy stated.

Jinggoy also found as inconsistent Cunanan’s statement that he pores over documents before affixing his signature, as against his claim that his role simply “ministerial.”

“Kung masusi pong binubusisi ni Cunanan ang mga dokumento katulad ng kanyang sinabi, dapat napansin niya siguro na mas nauna pa ang recommendation for release of the 10 percent retention fee worth 2.5 million pesos dated 3 February 2008 kaysa request ng NGOs na ito ay ma-release (4 February 2008).  Wala pang request, may recommendation para i-release na?” Jinggoy asked.

“Kung masusi niya ring binubusisi ang mga dokumento, dapat napansin niya rin na noong September 26, 2008 napirmahan ang MOA na nagsasabing may mga dokumento munang dapat isumite ang NGO bago mag-release ng pondo. Pero mapapansin na September 25, 2008 pa lang may tseke na para sa NGO. Wala pang MOA ngunit may tseke na?” the lawmaker inquired.

Arrested ex-Ecija vice mayor in rape case ordered detained in San Jose City jail

SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija – A former vice mayor in Nueva Ecija who was arrested last week inside a gambling casino in Manila has been detained in this city.

Former Pantabangan vice mayor Romeo Borja Jr., 37, of Block 2, East Poblacion, Pantabangan has been transferred to the city jail here by virtue of a commitment order signed by San Jose City Regional Trial Court Branch 38 Judge Loreto Alog Jr.

 Borja Jr. Was arrested on March 5 by a joint team from the Manila Police District, the National Capital Region intelligence unit and the Pantabangan police at the Pavillion Casino along UN Avenue, Manila.

 The arresting team, led by Pantabangan station commander Senior Inspector Casilla and Senior Inspector Christian Burgos, were armed with warrants issued by Alog for 22 counts of rape after the Department of Justice found probable cause and recommended the filing of charges.

Earlier, his father and namesake Romeo Sr., who is also facing rape charges filed by a beauty contestant, was also arrested while attending a mass in Pangasinan.

Romeo Sr. and Romeo Jr. lost in their reelection bids to incumbent Mayor Romeo Uera and Vice Mayor Ruben Huerta in the May 2013 polls.

Last March 6, Casilla turned over the former vice mayor to the provincial public safety company detention cell. He was returned to thew custody of the Pantabangan police last March 10.

          The complainant in the rape cases, identified only as a certain Mina,  accused Borja Jr. of repeatedly raping her from October 2009 to April 2010.

          Another complainant claimed the mayor and vice mayor raped her from May 2011 to November 2012. Her mother filed separate complaints against the Borjas for violating Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and RA 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law in relation to RA 7610, the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

          The victim’s mother also filed complaints against two of her nieces who allegedly acted as the Borjas’ accomplices.

          Romeo Sr. said the charges against them have long been dismissed by the DOJ and the supposed dates where the complainant was raped were erroneous.  “The complaint of Mina was dismissed by the DOJ because it was full of errors and inconsistencies,” he said.

          In the latest complaint filed by a 17-year-old victim who represented the town in the Miss Teen Tourism pageant of Nueva Ecija in 2011, she claimed the two Borjas raped her on several occasions in 2011 to 2012.

          The victim claimed Romeo Sr. first raped here on April 15,2011 inside a room at the Century Hotel in Angeles City where a woman brought her supposedly for a pre-pageant dress rehearsal.

          She said Romeo Sr. threatened her with harm if she reported the incident but promised to provide for her if she would keep silent. The incident was repeated on April 27, 2011 in another room of the same hotel.

          This was repeated at the mayor’s office, in a hotel in San Jose City on May 14,2011, in February 2012 and on November 13,2012 inside the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City where Romeo Sr. was playing casino.

          Romeo Jr., the complainant said, first raped her inside a motel in Cabanatuan City on May 17, 2011 and in a restaurant bar on July 27, 2011.         

          Romeo Sr. laughed off the allegations, saying these were mere fabrications intended to harass him and his son. (Manny Galvez)

Legarda Calls for Greater Support to Female Entrepreneurs, Indigenous Women

MANILA-In celebration of the National Women’s Month in March, Senator Loren Legarda today placed the spotlight on indigenous women and female micro entrepreneurs.

Legarda said that women, especially housewives, explore opportunities for additional income for their families. “We need to provide viable income alternatives to women and we have laws to support women micro entrepreneurs.”

“If we want more women participating in livelihood and other economic activities, we have the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the Barangay Kabuhayan Law. These two laws complement each other since recipients of the livelihood and skills training programs in the centers established under the Barangay Kabuhayan Law may well avail of the funding and technical support that are now available under the MSMEs Act. These laws can help us in our goal to empower women to participate in economic activities,” she said.

The Magna Carta for MSMEs (R.A. 9501), which Legarda authored, provides more assistance to MSMEs through increased loan allocation for micro and small businesses, access to new technologies, and regular entrepreneurship training programs for workers as well as a comprehensive development plan that would ensure the viability and growth of MSMEs in the country.

Meanwhile, the Barangay Kabuhayan Law (R.A. 9509), which she also authored, mandates the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to provide support to all 4th, 5th and 6th class municipalities in formulating and conducting livelihood programs for their poor constituents.

Since her first term in the Senate, Legarda has been supporting women entrepreneurs. She supported the TESDA Women Center Alumni Association (TWCAA), which trains women in entrepreneurship and livelihood skills.

She also supported Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs), particularly of the Ata-Talaingod, the Mandaya, the B’laan, and the Bagobo Tagabawa communities, to promote their traditional arts, crafts, music and indigenous practices.

“In supporting SLTs, we do not only support our women weavers and the livelihood of our entrepreneurs among indigenous communities, but we also boost tourism, strengthen trade and promote culture,” she said.

In 2012, Legarda launched the Hibla Pavilion of Textiles and Weaves of the Philippines, which opened doors of opportunity to weaving communities and SLTs to showcase their indigenous products and weaving traditions. SLTs that participated were those of the Ivatans, Iraya Mangyans, Hanunuo Mangyans, Maguindanaons, Gaddangs, Panay Bukidnons, B’laans, Ata Manobos, Subanens, and T'bolis.

JINGGOY TELLS GRADUATES, STUDENTS: DON’T DO A CUNANAN

MANILA-Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada advised this year’s batch of new graduates as well as working students to not do a Cunanan as they go job hunting and to abstain from inventing personal academic credentials and engineering dubious educational background.

 

In his privilege speech entitled “The Tale of Two Incredible Witnesses” last Wednesday, Sen. Estrada slammed Dennis Cunanan, head of the Technology Resource Center, for lying brazenly about his educational background.

 

In his blog site and many online articles about him, Cunanan made it appear that he graduated from the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) in University of the Philippines – Diliman.

 

“Just to set the educational record of Dennis Cunanan straight, he is not a graduate of the University of the Philippines per the letter of the National College of Public Administration and Governance of UP Diliman in response to our query regarding the academic standing of Mr. Cunanan.  He graduated in 2005 (Commerce) in Lacson College,” Jinggoy said in his speech.

 

This false educational attainment may have led to his employment in various high positions in the government. He was appointed as Executive Director of the National Youth Commission on 2000, as Head Executive Assistant in the Office of the Speaker at the House of Representatives from 2004 to 2004, and as Presidential Assistant for Youth Affairs.

 

“Palagay ko po, kung nalaman na hindi college graduate si Cunanan ay hindi siya malalagay sa mga posisyong ito,” the lawmaker remarked.

 

“Bago napunta ng TRC si Dennis, nahirang muna siyang Executive Director ng Commission on Higher Education ng isang buwan at tinanggal dahil walang college degree at hindi nga qualified. Nguni’t sadyang malakas ang backer ni Dennis dahil na-appoint naman siya kaagad bilang TLRC/TRC deputy director general noong December 2004. At taong 2010 naman siya naging TRC director general,” Jinggoy added.

 

“The career of Mr. Cunanan from his days in college to his days in public office, and reaching up to his testimony in the Blue Ribbon Committee has been founded and grounded on falsehoods and misrepresentation!” Jinggoy said in his speech.

 

Sen. Estrada thus tells the graduates and young workers to be truthful as they draft their resumes and not make false claims about their educational achievements and capacities, like what Cunanan did. He also warned against misrepresentation and mere reliance on backers and patrons in applying for work, as he underscored that continued self-enhancement, further studies, skills upgrading and integrity as potent factors to make one competitive and desirable in the job market.

ERC decision covers Luzon coops - Recto

MANILA-The ERC decision reads in part that “it voids Luzon Wholesale Electricity Spot Market prices and declares the imposition of regulated prices in lieu thereof.”

This means that customers outside the Meralco franchise area stands to benefit as well from the implementation of the ERC order.

The ERC decision orders the Philippine Electricity Market Corp to calculate and implement the regulated prices in the revised WESM bills of the affected distribution utilities in Luzon.

Coops and distribution utilities in the cities and provinces of Luzon which bought power using the disallowed October December WESM prices will have to refund their customers.

So it is not just Meralco customers who stand to gain relief, but customers of other electric coops which sourced power from generation companies at prices and terms the ERC has ruled as onerous.

Recto : Let private cars keep their license plates

MANILA-Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto today urged the government to allow motor vehicles to keep their license plates and limit the installation of new car plates to brand new vehicles up for registration.

Recto said there is no logic to the plan of the Department of Transportation and Communications to replace all existing car license plates with a new design which will be introduced next month.

“It will be a waste of a car owner’s money, not to mention his  time, if his car plate, which is  still in perfect  condition, and which still functions  as a vehicle identification mark, will be replaced,” Recto said.  

“In the first place, the new plate will still include the old numbers, so why subject the car owner to all the hassles of queuing in an LTO office just to have his car plate replaced with a new design?” he said.

“Why order the mass cancellation of nine million motor vehicle plates just because a new version will be introduced?” Recto said.  

“Bakit idadamay ang mga lumang plaka na  hindi naman sira?  Bakit hindi na lamang sa mga bagong kotse ilagay ang bagong plaka?” Recto said.

He said both the DOTC and the manufacturer of the new plates “will be making a killing by creating a captive market for a product, in so far as existing cars are concerned, that is not needed.”

Under the DOTC plan, car owners will cough up P450 for a pair of new plates. Of this amount, P380 will be the manufacturer’s share while P70 will be the DOTC’s  “administration fee.”

Recto said DOTC’s justification that the new plates will improve vehicle security does not hold water.

“A car plate can never be an anti-carnapping device. Kahit na nga ‘8’ ang plaka, nananakaw pa.   A plate can never be a talisman against theft,” Recto said, referring to the protocol plate number assigned to congressmen.

He said more police patrols, well-lighted streets, the dismantling of carjacking syndicates, the arrest of their leaders are the best deterrents against car theft and “not some tamper-resistant locks on a plate.”

In the case of the reported practice of buses, for-hire and public utility vehicles of switching and duplicating license plates, “these can also be addressed by serious law enforcement,” Recto said.  

Recto, however, conceded that there is merit in replacing PUV license plates with a new version that will include their routes.

“I fully agree that this can weed out colorum vehicles and prevent the cloning of car plates,” Recto said.  

Recto said he cannot see how new car plates will improve the flow of traffic in Metro Manila.

Recto said the “general problem” with car plates is not their design but their short supply and non-availability.

“So the solution is to make them readily available and not to make their installation mandatory to all vehicles,” he said.

"If it ain't broke, why fix it?” he added.

Recto lamented that while it takes a Japanese company an average of two days to assemble a three-ton vehicle, it takes us almost a year to provide a car with a license plate weighing a few hundred grams. 

PRO3 FILES RAPS ON COPS INVOLVED IN IRREGULAR ANTI-DRUG OPERATIONS

 CAMP OLIVAS, CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA- Police Regional Office 3 Regional Director PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA announced that on March 11, 2014  a case for Violation of Sec 27 of Article II of RA 9165 has been filed before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, City of San Fernando, Pampanga against PSUPT RODNEY RAYMUND LOUIE BALOYO IV former chief of Pampanga Provincial Intelligence Branch(PIB), PSINSP JOVEN B DE GUZMAN JR, former Pampanga Anti-illegal Drugs Operations Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) and eleven of their personnel, who were first subjected to preventive suspension on March 3, 2014 to pave way on the conduct of summary hearing proceedings on their administrative case which all stemmed from an alleged  irregularities in the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operation on November 29, 2013 in Narra St., Woodbriged Subd., Lakeshore, Mexico, Pampanga.

 

            PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA, had already approved the recommendation of the investigating body after careful and thorough evaluation of evidence and accounts of witnesses and respondents on the alleged buy bust for the relief of PSSUPT OSCAR D ALBAYALDE, Acting Provincial Director of Pampanga Provincial Office under The Doctrine of Command Responsibility due to his failure to take corrective action at his level despite the chance given to him to do so. Relatedly the request for clearance on PSSUPT ALBAYALDE’S relief as a matter of standard operating procedure of the PNP on the relief and reassignment of unit commanders and key officers was already submitted to the Office of the Chief, PNP following an in-depth probe being conducted by PRO3 on the case. Said clearance is necessary to effect the said relief as the Regional Director has no blanket authority to implement outright the relief of an officer of such level

 

. As of press time, the Relief Order is still pending awaiting the approval of the said clearance from the Office of the C, PNP.

 

             PCSUPT PETRASANTA said that the move of dismissing and disciplining erring police personnel shows efforts of the police in removing bad eggs in the police force, and that the rule of law does not distinguish rank, position or popularity whether victim or respondent  in the PNP organization.

 

            “This is a manifestation of the keen determination of the PNP to remove misfits among the ranks of the PNP”, he further remarked.

Legarda Calls for Enforcement of LGUs’ Land Use Plans

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda called on concerned government agencies to ensure that the comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs) of local government units (LGUs) are being enforced.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, issued the statement during the committee hearing for the proposed National Land Use Act (NaLUA) and the Final Forest Limits Act.

She said, it is not enough that 1,500 LGUs have their respective CLUPs. “We have to make sure that these approved CLUPs are carried out effectively, which means that hazard-prone areas, forestlands, and protected areas remain uninhabited and are preserved as no building zones.”

The Senator added that national government agencies, particularly the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), must ensure that CLUPs are faithfully implemented.

Legarda also highlighted the need to approve the proposed National Land Use Act because the government is currently using an antiquated land classification method formed in the 1920s.

“We have been experiencing stronger storms, earthquakes and other natural hazards. A national land use measure is crucial in the government’s current disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts,” she stressed.

“Furthermore, LGUs play a critical role in the crafting of risk-sensitive and participatory land use planning and management. LGUs are considered to be the first line of defense against disasters so there is an urgent need for them to be capacitated, enabling them to prepare, update and implement their respective CLUPs based on policy guidelines to be set under the proposed NaLUA,” she added.

Meanwhile, Legarda also said that through the Final Forest Limits Act, “we aim to conserve, protect, and develop our forest resources to attain ecological balance and promote sustainable development.”

“With demarcated and properly identified forestlands, the national government can better plan the utilization of the natural resources of the country, and LGUs would be better equipped to initiate and implement development projects and programs with due regard to the preservation and protection of the integrity of the demarcated forest lands,” Legarda concluded.

Drilon: Iloilo’s progress possible for whole country

MANILA-Progress amid problems can be done with political will and effective partnerships, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said, stressing that the significant developments made by Iloilo within a short period of time is proof that economic recovery and the achievement of developmental goals is indeed possible for the country.

The Senate leader, an Ilonggo native and a staunch supporter of the province, lauded the many signs of Iloilo’s growth as he spoke before various business leaders who attended the Iloilo Business Forum held at the Hotel Intercontinental, Makati on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.

The event showcases massive infrastructure developments and projects which represent a highly-energized and proactive economic policy that Iloilo City, along with the entire province, has undertaken in the past seven years.  

In his speech, Drilon noted Iloilo’s rise from being a one of the provinces of the Visayan region with a gloomy economy to its current status as an economic dynamo poised to retake its spot as the premiere province on the entire southern part of the country. 

“lloilo’s decline came to a point where its seaport was once described as the “armpit” of the Visayas, where it severely lost its economic luster. It was plagued by pitiful public services, haphazard economic ploys and poor infrastructure. In fact, the title, ‘Queen City of the South’, which once belonged to Iloilo, was transferred to Cebu more than a hundred years ago because of this,” he said.   
 
However, the senator said that the combination of a “united and result-oriented political leadership, and a highly cooperative and effective partnership with members of the private sector in Iloilo has led to monumental reforms and policy improvements, thereby transforming its economic fortune.

“We knew our strengths: our strategic location; our vast pool of talent; our abundant natural resources; and, a growing consumer market. Thus to reduce poverty and make our economy grow, Iloilo’s leaders turned to strategic infrastructure development as a means to more investments, which means more jobs,” he explained.

According to Drilon, the immense political resolve and thorough cooperation with the business partners like the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation has paid off, in the form of greatly perceivable leaps in infrastructure and economic developments in the province.

“Once-decrepit structures like the Iloilo International Airport and major roads like the Senator Benigno Aquino Avenue have been vastly revamped, while fishing wharfs and shipping ports are being updated to globally-competitive standards. The Iloilo River Esplanade and the Iloilo Convention Center are set to bring in unprecedented levels of local and international tourism revenues for the province,” he said.    

He added: “Meanwhile, Iloilo’s woes regarding its power supply has been resolved, and is now one of the information and communications technology (ICT) hotspots in the country, while its rapid urbanization is attracting the full line-up of the country’s biggest real estate firms and consumer brands – such as the Ayala Group and the SM group of companies.” 

The Senate Chief also pointed to several big-ticket projects in Iloilo including the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Project, an infrastructure project expected to benefit 783,000 farmers in 25 of Iloilo's 42 municipalities, provide 17,000 jobs, and will eventually lead to the doubling of Iloilo’s rice production, from 142,000 to 300,000 tons annually.

The construction of a state-of-the-art convention center is part of a major campaign to improve the province’s capacity to host and accommodate international occasions such as 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meetings, and important domestic events.

There are also various ongoing road infrastructure projects which include the 14-kilometer, 4-lane Iloilo circumferential road, the 150-km Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan highway, and the widening of a 3-lined, 10-lane avenue. The projects are meant not only to relieve Iloilo of its traffic problems, but more importantly, to open hundreds of new areas for development.

“We will not stop pursuing our development goals because we want to show to the whole country that if it can be done in Iloilo, it can be done anywhere,” stressed Drilon.
 
“In Iloilo, we have proven that we can create change when we put our collective interests before our individual wants. In Iloilo, we are nurturing big dreams and are working hard to realize these dreams,” he emphasized.

Drilon said the developments in Iloilo can be applied in other parts of the country: “The story of Iloilo is not just the story of the Ilonggos. It is the story of Filipinos. This is the story of people who are determined to scale new heights of economic and social success.”

Lastly, Drilon expressed elation at the developments, which have “made Iloilo the 2nd most competitive city in the whole Philippines, and the number one in governance, as stated by the National Governance Council.”

In the 2013 SWS Survey of Enterprises on Corruption, Iloilo managers posted a satisfaction rating of 83 percent, the second highest, in terms of the city government’s efforts to promote a good business climate. Likewise, of the seven (7) areas outside of NCR that were surveyed, Iloilo businessmen are the most positive at 86 percent  calling their business prospects either good or excellent, ahead of Angeles City, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Cebu and Davao.