Senate Mini Olympics

Sen. Sonny Angara leads the opening ceremony of the Senate Mini-Olympics held at the Government System Insurance System (GSIS) gymnasium in Pasay City Tuesday morning. The Senate holds the mini olympics annually to foster camaraderie and sportsmanship among officials and employees. (PRIB photo by Joseph Vidal/17 June 2014).

7ID Receives 284 Candidate Soldiers

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The Division Training School (DTS) of the 7^th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division (7ID), Philippine Army, held the opening ceremony and reception rites for the Candidate Soldiers Course Class (Cl) 362 & 363-14 cross-trained with (ctw) Jungle-Warfare-Mountain-Operations Course (JWMOC) this June 16, 2 pm, at the 7ID Grandstand in the said camp.

The Candidate Soldiers (CS) were the applicants who passed and qualified for the requirements and tests needed to enter the Philippine Army. The requisites include legal documents like NSO birth certificates; barangay, police, mayor’s, regional trial court, and NBI clearances and certification of legal beneficiaries, among many others. Entrance examinations include physical exams; the Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery (PAATB); and the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) care of the Division Special Services Office (DSSO). There were 284 all-male CS who partook in the event.

Said program was spearheaded by Col Dionisio C Baudin Jr, Chief of Staff of 7ID.

Part 1 of the rites was initiated by the mass singing of the “Lupang Hinirang” as performed by the 7ID Band; it was followed by an invocation lead by Cpt Ferdinand H Abuyuan, the Division Chaplain. Maj Earl C Pardillo, the Executive Officer (Ex-O), DTS, 7ID, PA, headed the Presentation of Candidate Soldiers. The Declaration of Opening was then delivered by Lt Col Dennis R Pacis, Commandant, DTS, 7ID, PA. The highlight of the first length of the ceremony, was the Oath Taking of the CS which was headed by Col Wilfredo M Villahermosa, the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, G7, 7ID, PA. A message of challenge and motivation was delivered by Col Baudin, entailing the benefits and hardships a soldier must face. 

“Today marks a very important part of your life, and that is being accepted as a candidate soldier. Hindi pa kayo sundalo na kumpleto, pero sa susunod na anim na buwan you will be trained to be one. Gentlemen this is not an easy task. I can say that from 32 years ago, I can find myself in the same situation as you are, when I entered the Philippine Military Academy summer of 1982. And I’m sure you are excited because after handling the basic requirements, and over thousands of applicants, you are here, 284 strong. That’s why I am congratulating you already. Hindi madali yung pinagdaanan niyo. Now the question is, sasayangin niyo ba yung pinagdaanan niyo?,” Chief of Staff, 7ID challengingly said.

Col Baudin also added, “Gentlemen hindi ito makukuha sa palakihan ng katawan. Hindi ito makukuha sa patalinuhan. Isa lang ang kailangan niyong baunin sa susunod na anim na buwan. Puso! Will you be able to surpass your own limitation?”

  To the parents and relatives of the CS, Col Baudin gave a message, “Kailangan nila ang suporta niyo. Hindi madali ang pagdadaanan nila. They will be getting their strength from you.”

“Today, we will separate the boys from the men. And we will only choose the men. We will discard the boys. Losers are those who think they are defeated. The hardships will end but the glory will not,” Col Baudin ended.

Part I of the ceremony was wrapped up with the mass singing of “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” accompanied by the 7ID Band.

After the first part of the ceremony was the so-called “Reception Rites” care of the DTS. It is the Army’s tradition of ‘receiving’ the qualified applicants into the military profession. The 284 CS were divided into 8 groups at 8 stations, requiring 10 minutes per station. The stations included crawling, rolling-like-a-barrel, jogging in place, one man carry and jumping jacks, among others. A total of 80 minutes was allotted for the said rites.

Alcala says he’s not willing to go to jail over Napolist, maintains innoncence

SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija – “Why will I be willing to go to jail? I’m innocent.”

          Thus reacted Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala as he maintained his innocence over his inclusion in the so-called “Napolist.”

          Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of his visit at the central experiment station of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) here Monday afternoon, Alcala said he is not like Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. who earlier said he was willing to go to jail even if the legislator professed his own innocence in the  pork barrel scam.

          Asked if he would mouth Revilla’s statements contained in the latter’s privilege speech, Alcala replied: “I’m not willing to go to jail. I committed no sin. But I’m willing to face the charges that will be filed against me,” he said.

          Alcala made fun of the socalled Napolist, saying with the emergence of so many lists allegedly involved in the scam, the list now looks more like “pambalot ng tinapa (tilapia wrapper).”

          He stressed that he had  never dealt in any capacity with suspected “pork barrel” scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles in his long career in public service. “I am sure about myself that I never dealt with her, even during my incumbency as a congressman,” he said, referring to his twin terms in the House of Representatives as representative of his home province of Quezon.

          He said the supposed transactions happened between 2007 to 2009 when he was not yet the secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

          “Besides, the P10 billion involved not the DA but the Department of Agrarian Reform,” he said.

          Just the same, Alcala said he is ready to face any investigation related to the multi-million-peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

He said an impartial probe, one which would rely on evidence, not innuendoes, would eventually establish his innocence.

He said  “it is hard to rebut allegations if these are not documented, if they consist only of scribbled words in some lists, if there are no specifics.”

Alcala recalled that when he became DA secretary, among his first official acts was to strictly implement austerity measures and to purge the list of non government organizations (NGOs) transacting business with the agency.

He said that this housecleaning has in fact , he said, led him to formally ask the Office of the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice to  file appropriate cases against KPMFI, a suspected Napoles NGO.

While admitting his being linked to the pork barrel scam  is an “unnecessary distraction, “ Alcala said he remains focused in his job of helping farmers produce enough affordable food to all Filipinos in partnership with other agencies and research institutions such as the PhilRice.

            Instead of a Napolist, he said he is busy on a different kind of list, one which tallies rice harvests and support given to farmers. – Manny Galvez

PhilRice seen to play key role in Phl farmers’ competitiveness amid ASEAN integration

SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the government’s sole research institution in charge of attaining rice self-sufficiency, will play a major role in preparing the farming sector for the upcoming regional integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) amid the farmers’ fears of being unable to compete with their counterparts from other member economies.

          

       Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told newsmen without the proper interventions, the rice industry will be put a gross disadvantage once free trade takes full effect next year.

“If we have not put in place enough interventions, the scenario for our country’s farmers would be frightening. And this is where PhilRice comes in. That’s why it will play a critical role,” Alcala said.

Alcala was here to preside over the awarding of prizes to winners of “The Palayabangan : 10-5 Challenge,” a nationwide rice production competition involving farmers, non government organizations, academicians, government officials and fertilizer companies.   

Alcala said that PhilRice, under the leadership of its executive director, Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr., has undertaken steps to help farmers achieve holistic development in pursuit of its three core goals of attaining rice self-sufficiency, reduce poverty and malnutrition and achieve competitiveness through agricultural science and technology.

Rasco said the “Palayabangan: 10-5 Challenge,” practically laid the groundwork for them to become competitive. The project was launched in June last year in support of the food staples sufficiency program (FSSP) and the National Year of Rice (NYR) 2013 advocacy programs.

Rasco explained that the scheme enabled them to produce 10 tons per hectare and limit expenses to P5 a kilo. Presently, the average production cost is at P11 a kilo of palay.

Rasco said the initiative provided opportunities for all stakeholders in the rice sector to show what they can do to improve their harvest and reduce production cost.

As stipulated in the ASEAN economic community blueprint, free trade paves the way for the establishment of a single market and production base among countries in the region namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

This means that there will be a free flow of goods, including rice, services, investment, capital and skilled labor to these countries. The goal is to create a highly competitive single market that would boast of an equitable economic development.

Rasco said under the ASEAN free trade regime, imported rice will become cheaper which poses a real challenge to Filipino farmers. He said, however, that by increasing production and reducing production cost through “Palayabangan,” farmers have become competitive.

“It is particularly important to control the cost of input because the cost of production in other Southeast Asian countries is at P8 or lower, compared to the Philippines which is at P11 per kilo of palay,” he said.

Four veteran farmers from northern Luzon – Lucena Dupale, Ferdinand Melchor, Ariel Macugay and Rolando Terte - who were among those who won in the Palayabangan competition have mixed reactions on the coming integration.

Dupale, who harvested 8.05 tons at P4.98 a kilo in Alicia, Isabela  expressed confidence  the integration would have little effect on her since they can produce big volumes of harvest. She has been farming since 1990.

Melchor, of San Mateo, Isabela, said improved production would render as ineffective the entry of cheaper, imported rice. “To me, they key is to increase production,” said Melchor who has been tilling his two-hectare farm since 1994.       

Macugay, who has been farming since 2000 in his 1.3-hectare farm in Cabatuan, Isabela, said the integration is worrisome but said rice quality in the country is higher compared with rice produce in other nations which relies heavily on chemicals and pesticides.

Terte said local farmers can survive the integration challenge by improving the quality of palay and venture into integrated farming such as piggery, fishpond or aquaculture production and poultry.

Rasco said PhilRice has been continuously developing next-generation in-bred and hybrid rice varieties, climate change-ready rice and varieties containing pro-Vitamin A, those high in zinc and iron and nutraceutical to also reduce malnutrition by 50 percent.

Since 1990, the institute has helped developed 88 high-yielding, pest- and disease-resistant and palatable rice for irrigated lowland, rainfed lowland, cool-elevated, upland and saline-prone areas.

          Together with its seven branch stations, two national research centers, two regional research centers and 37 cooperating stations, it has tapped the expertise of 23 international partners and at least 50 national partners to strengthen its R & D (research and development) directions. (Manny Galvez) 

2 dead in 3 vehicle smash-up in NE

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–Two persons, including a driver, died in a three-vehicle smash-up along the highway in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija Monday.

         Senior Superintendent Crizaldo Nieves, provincial police director, said the accident took place at 8:20 Monday along the Gapan-Olongapo Road in Barangay Alua, San Isidro.

         The fatalities were Aries dela Cruz, 28, of Jaen, Nueva Ecija and a still unidentified passenger.

           Police said those involved were a blue Nissan Sentra car with license plate ZAW 186, and driven by Dela Cruz, a white Isuzu tractor head with tanker trailer with bearing license plate LPN RKN 526, driven by Rodrigo Pascual, 52, of Alicia, Isabela and a passenger jeepney with license plate number MDP 763 driven by Mar Senia, 26, of Sto Cristo, San Isidro.

          The car was traveling at full speed to Jaen when it bumped the tractor after negotiating a sharp curve, causing the car to spin around and hit the jeepney.

         Dela Cruz and his three passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to a hospital in nearby Gapan City but dela Cruza and one passenger were pronounced deads on arrival.

         Pascual was placed under the custody of the San Isidro police and was charged with reckless imprudence resulting to double homicide with physical injuries and damage to properties. (Manny Galvez) 

Abandoned bag triggers bomb jitters, yields lunch box

CABANATUAN CITY – An abandoned bag suspected to contain a bomb has triggered panic in a street here, only to yield a harmless lunch box by bomb disposal operatives.

          Police Superintendent Pedro Soliba, police station commander, said the bag supposedly filled with bomb was found along Cornejo Street, Barangay Sangitan West at around 5:30 pm Thursday.

          Soliba said a certain Ricky Saurnido, helper of MRF Tyres spotted the object and called the attention of the police.

          The area was immediately cordoned off by joint elements of the Cabanatuan City police and the provincial public safety company (PPSC) which also sought the help of the 15^th explosives and ordnance detection team (EODT) based at the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Palayan City.

          Soliba said that after a thorough search by the EODT led by Army Sergeant Victorino F Alcantara, the bag was declared negative for explosives. 

          Instead, what was recovered was a lunch box wrapped with tape with attached wires, cellular phone battery and a clock, all apparently mistaken for bomb-triggering devices. (Manny Galvez)

          

830 OFWs, families attend OWWA Migrant Workers Day celeb in Central Luzon

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-Around 830 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and their families attended Friday the 2014 Migrant Workers Day celebration of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Central Luzon.

 

“This is a day of thanksgiving to all migrant workers who endure working away from their loved ones and who continuously promote Filipino families,” OWWA Regional Director Marie Lourdes Reyes said.

 

Carrying the theme “Migranteng Pilipino… Magkasangga tayo sa Kapakanan, Kabuhayan, at Kalusugan,” activities included a raffle draw, games, trade fair, social services, and talent competition amongst OFW Family Circles (OFC).

 

Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Ana Dione likewise swore in the newly elected officers of Pampanga OFC Federation.

 

In her message, Dione lauded the OFWs for their sacrifice, resiliency, selflessness, and hard work geared towards improving the lives of their families.

 

“Working in a foreign land is very difficult. It’s like gambling because you stay in a place where the law and culture are entirely different from the ones you get used to. So let us not forget the hard work and sacrifices of our modern day heroes,” Dione reminded.

 

She also urged all OFW Families to always extend their support and love to their relatives abroad and more importantly to spend and invest wisely on the remittances sent to them.

  

The Migrant Workers Day or “Araw ng Pasasalamat” is an annual celebration as provided for in Republic Act 8042 otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.  

CL farmers slam Aquino in pushing bill to extend Carper

BALER, Aurora-Farmers belonging to the regional farmers group Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL) slammed president Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino (BS Aquino) for his marching order to both legislative chamber certifying House Bill 4296 as urgent.  The bill proposed extending the implementation of the Republic Act 6576 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) beyond its supposed expiration on June 30 this year and additional budget for its land acquisition and distribution (Lad) provision.

“The farmers in Central Luzon are not ignorant of the ill-effects of Carp and actually demanding its immediate death on or before June 30.  Carp is an illusion, not even an agrarian reform program, but a milking cow of corrupt government officials and big landlords.  We demand the immediate junking and shredding of House Bill 4296 as well as RA 6576,” Joseph Canlas said, Amgl chairperson.

Amgl said that it is historically evident that Carp salvaged the interests of big landlords such as the Cojuangco-Aquino family in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija hacienderos, landlords in different provinces and rich and powerful corporations.

“Aquino’s family retained control in Hacienda Luisita using Carp and its stock distribution option provision in 1989, that resulted the unimaginable poverty and misery of the farm workers, on the other hand, thousands of hectares were converted such as the Luisita mall, industrial park, golf course and more,” Canlas said.

In addition, farmer beneficiaries who are holding certificate of land ownership awards (cloa), certificate of land transfer (clt) and emancipation patents (ep) in Nueva Ecija are actually receiving cancellation notices and foreclosure notices from the Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Land Bank.  In 2011, DAR reported that there are 95,855 farmer-beneficiaries in Nueva Ecija for 169,375-hectares.

“DAR reported of big accomplishment in Nueva Ecija but the farmers are plagued with cancellation and displacement issues,” Canlas said.

Amgl also asserted that Carp was instrumental in displacing farmers from their lands in Hacienda Dolores in Porac town, Pampanga.  The 2,000-hectare hacienda is now being converted by Ayala Land as Alviera, a eco-residential and commercial estate similar to Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“DAR issued exemption and conversion orders for Hacienda Dolores lands, thus, private corporations wreak havoc, violently displaced farmers and destroyed their crops.  Carp is the main instrument used by Ayala Land’s dummy corporations to snatch lands from the farmers,” Canlas said.

Since 2011, farmers from Hacienda Dolores were systematically harassed, imprisoned and killed as Ayala Land’s partner corporations deployed hundreds of security guards, backed up by armed goons.  Early this year, farmers attempting to work on their lands were fired upon, killing one and last May 2, a farmer leader was killed and his wife wounded.

“Violent repression of farmers are inherent to Carp as it actually serve the interests of big landlords and corporations and not the poor farmers,” Canlas said.

Amgl said that Carp is far from being an agrarian reform program, thus, should be immediately repealed and replaced.  The group challenged the lawmakers to junk House Bill 4296.

“Amidst the country’s problems such as the multi-billion peso corruption through pork barrel, the multi-billion peso Carp should be laid to rest.  Lawmakers for once should prioritize the interest of the poor farmers,”

Amgl claimed that Carp is just an illusionary policy of a government dominated by the landlord class and neglecting the fundamental interest of poor farmers to genuine land reform.  The group advocated a national democratic principle of realizing genuine land reform as opposed to Carp.  Agrarian reform, as a reform program essentially should be free land distribution and not a real estate transaction obliging farmers of amortization.

“Carp simply meant that farmers who actually developed lands for decades or even centuries with their ancestors, should be charged again with amortizing the landlord who enjoyed the exploitative land rent sourced from the latter’s very sweat and blood,” Canlas said.

5ID Opens Candidate Soldier Course

Camp Melchor F dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela - The 5^th Infantry (Star) Division , Philippine Army had just opened Candidate Soldier Course Class 358 and 359 with the total of 245 trainees from different provinces of the country.  The opening of the course was done in a simple but meaningful ceremony as it was jibed with Monday flag raising which was held at the Division Grandstand on June 09.

BGen Ricardo B Jalad AFP, the Assistant Division Commander, who was the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the occasion said that the new candidate soldiers are the chosen ones from among thousands of aspirants during the pre-qualification phase as part of the Army’s program in recruiting the best and the brightest. They are expected to separate them from boys to men.

BGen Jalad emphasized to the Candidate Soldiers that the training they will undergo will be rigid and challenging as their trainers’ will give them the best preparation. “You will be exposed to difficult situation not only to test your endurance and presence of mind but also to encourage you to be the best.  By the time you finished the course, you are expected to handle situations with confidence.  It is expected that you will exert your best effort in the duration of your course” he added.

The 5ID Assistant Division Commander urged the Candidate Soldiers to remain united and committed to learn the basic of soldiery so that they will always prevail over difficult situations.  He encouraged them to survive the challenges and tests that will mold them to be the best.

The two classes came from different regions of the country. The CSC class 358 composed of 150 trainees of whom 89 of them came from Region 2, 57 came from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and 4 came from other regions.  On the other hand, the CSC class 359 is composed of 95 trainees of whom 53 of them came from Region 2, 28 came from CAR and 14 came from other regions all over the country.  These trainees are expected to excel in their field of endeavors for  six (6) of them are Board Passers, 28 are college graduates, 61 are college level, 11 are vocational graduates, 73 are high school graduates with TESDA, and the rest are high school graduates with different skills highly needed by the Philippine Army.

After the training, they will be enlisted in the Regular Force as Privates.

Drilon rallies youth: Keep faith in our democracy

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon on Independence Day appealed to the people to keep their faith in their democratic institutions such as the Senate amid the pork barrel scam controversies, and to separate the institution from the controversies involving some of its members.

“During these trying times in our nation’s life, I call on our people to separate the institution from the controversies involving some of its members,” said Drilon during his speech at the 116th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence held today in Pinaglabanan Shrine at San Juan City.

“Let us be more discerning. Let us not allow some quarters to dishonor our institutions, because the lack of respect for our democratic institutions only dishonor the memory of the brave and selfless Filipinos who valiantly fought the foreign colonizers to liberate our country, thus giving birth to Asia’s first democracy,” he emphasized.

"I believe that the relentless search for the truth and justice is a cleansing process that will strengthen this institution as a part of our government,” Drilon stressed.

Drilon noted that challenges to Philippine democracy have been present since the earliest days of the Philippine government: “Since we declared our independence 116 years ago, our country has been through political upheavals and economic debacles. Countless times our democratic institutions passed through deep waters of political intrigues and controversies, but as a nation we have always shown peerless courage to defend the national interest and protect our institutions.”

The Senate leader thus invited the public, particularly the nation’s youth, to take a more active role in “preserving our democratic values and traditions, and protecting our democratic institutions,” acknowledging that public vigilance will be a key component of “restoring honor and rebuilding respect to both houses of Congress.”

Drilon said that Filipinos, especially the younger generation, must take to heart their responsibility of guarding national freedom, especially when concerning realities in government. 

“I call on our people to renew our commitment to democracy. Let us revitalize our sense of nationhood with all of us thinking and acting as Filipinos, for Filipinos,” he said.

Senate adjourns session on high note

MANILA-Having approved more than 19 bills and 41 resolutions, the Senate adjourns sine die today, marking the end of the first regular session of the 16th Congress. Senate sessions will resume on June 27.

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said senators of this Congress registered “a strong legislative performance, which continues to improve even amid issues."

          

“Throughout the past months, we have made exhaustive efforts to successfully legislate several challenging measures that are of paramount interest and importance to our people, especially in terms of improving the quality of Filipino life, and reforming public service,” Drilon said.

“Despite the many concerns and challenges that the Senate as an institution had to face – such as the pork barrel scam – I believe the details of our work show that legislation remains the Chamber’s main focus, and that we are able to effectively deliver on our commitment to our citizenry and our nation,” he added.

Drilon cited the works and achievements of the senators, who from July 22, 2013 to June 11, 2014, passed five bills which were signed into law, including passing in record time of the 2014 General Appropriations Act. Ten more bills are presently waiting for the signature of the President. In the same period, the Senate approved eight bills on second and third reading and adopted 41 resolutions.

Drilon said that in several aspects, the legislative performance of the current senators had outpaced that of previous Congresses. “We approved fifteen bills on final reading when senators in the 15th Congress approved only nine bills within the same period of time,” he said.

It also concurred in the ratification of three international treaties with Spain, the United Kingdom and India.

Drilon said senators focused on passing landmark bills on health, economy and government reforms such as the historic Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) or (Senate Bill Number 1733) and the amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law (SBN 2138).

He said the disclosure of government actions under the FOI bill would be a “crucial and effective deterrent against possible malfeasance and corrupt practices by those in power.”

Once enacted into law, Drilon said the amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law will address the increasing backlog of cases in court.

The Senate had also approved measures to boost the national economy and consumer welfare such as SBN 2046 or the Go Negosyo Act sponsored by Sen. Bam Aquino IV, which seeks to reduce poverty by developing micro, small and medium enterprises, and SBN 2159 or the “liberalization of entry of foreign banks in the Philippines.” 

Drilon also noted the passage of House Bill No. 353, which would require telecommunication companies to provide free alerts for mobile phone users in time of disasters, SBN 2043 or the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) bill which seeks to consolidate the training and certification of Filipino seafarers under a single maritime administration, and SBN 1831 which aims to extend the service and corporate life of the Philippine National Railways for another 50 years.

Drilon said the Senate also approved landmark bills for the protection of public health such as the SBN 27 or the Graphic Health Warning Act and SBN 2273, or the amendments to strengthen the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.    

He said other priority measures remain in the legislative agenda, and they “look forward to discussing and passing these proposed legislation.” At the moment, 19 committee reports on bills that are under plenary debate or period of amendments are pending. 

"When we resume session, we will also work to increase the tax exemption ceiling of the 13th month pay, Christmas bonuses and other benefits from P30, 000 to P75, 000, so our humble workers can go home during the holidays without having to worry about decreases in their bonuses," Drilon said.

"We also have in our sights other fiscal and financial pieces of legislation such as the Anti-Trust Bill, amendments to the Fiscal Incentives Rationalization Act, and reforms to the Cabotage Law. Similarly, we are going to study the possibility of creating a Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and a fair competition act.

As agreed upon with the leadership of the House of Representatives, Drilon said they will "soon discuss the possibility of economic provisions to the Constitution to improve the country's ability to invite foreign direct investment.  Drilon said the Senate will promptly act on legislating the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is integral to the peace process in Mindanao.

Other measures in the Senate’s priority list will be bills on education, mainly the Iskolar ng Bayan Act, and the ladderized and distant learning programs for higher education.

Legarda: Let Us Make Our Independence More Meaningful to Every Filipino

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that Philippine independence should be more meaningful to every Filipino citizen through socio-economic development and cultural integrity.

Legarda made the statement as the nation celebrates the 116th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.

“As we look back at the bravery of our leaders who have brought forth this independence, let us use their stories as inspiration to liberate our people and our country from circumstances that keep us from moving forward as a truly free and progressive nation,” she said.

“We have to address unemployment and promote equitable, sustainable and resilient development. We have to be free from the cycle of disaster vulnerability and poverty. We have to protect our environment and ecosystems. We have to put a stop to trafficking and senseless killings. We have to foster gender equality. We have to preserve and promote our cultural heritage,” she stressed.

The Senator explained that economic growth should be felt by everyone through more job opportunities, stable employment, equitable access to quality education, health services and other social services.

She also said that natural hazards turbocharged by climate change have been taking a toll on the country’s development and are detrimental to the Filipino people’s safety, thus the need to build resilience.

Further, since ecosystem decline is among the underlying drivers of disaster risks and poverty, in the context of climate change, green policies, especially the protection of the environment, should be included in the country’s development strategies.

“Every citizen must demand from their leaders a concrete set of actions to protect the environment and build disaster-resilient communities. Every citizen must be engaged in developing community-based disaster preparedness plans, rehabilitating the environment, responding to early disaster warnings and in promoting sustainable livelihood,” said Legarda.

Meanwhile, Legarda said that human trafficking and other crimes, such as media killings, should be addressed through strengthened information campaign and faithful implementation of laws.

“We must free our people from the threat of being victimized by trafficking syndicates by implementing our laws such as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Heightened vigilance, strict enforcement of the law and close coordination with local agencies and international organizations are needed to combat trafficking,” she said.

“We also need to protect our citizens from senseless killings and members of media who are killed due to their job because this is a deliberate attack on the freedom of the press,” Legarda added.

Legarda also said that the country should continue to build on the gains of its success in promoting gender equality, stressing that “we must let go of the stereotypical, gender-based roles and regard every citizen as capable of making valuable contribution to society, regardless of gender.”

Finally, she underscored the importance of preserving cultural heritage and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples, who strive to faithfully live by the standards and traditions of our forefathers and seek to pass on our culture to more generations of Filipinos.

“We have to look back at our history and be aware of our cultural roots, which will give us better understanding of our identity as a nation and help unite Filipinos. If Filipinos of the past were able to unite to achieve Philippine independence, we too can work together to give greater meaning to the freedom we achieved 116 years ago,” Legarda concluded.

New NOLCOM Commander seeks continued collaboration with various stakeholders in pursuit of just, lasting peace

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City-Newly-installed Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) head Major General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr. called on various stakeholders- from national and local government to civil society organizations and the private sector to continue supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Regions 1,2, 3, and Cordillera.

“Anchored on the whole of nation approach, we shall continue to collaborate with our stakeholders in the delivery of basic social services and other developmental programs and projects to the far-flung communities in order to improve the well-being of our kababayans thereby denying the remnants of the New People’s Army (NPA) of issues to exploit on,” Trinidad said during Monday’s turn of command rites.

“Through our partners, we will collectively build social pressure on what remains of the NPA in this area and the other armed groups for them to shun the culture of arms and violence and to instead embrace a culture of peace and development,” Trinidad added.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, Trinidad previously served as Commander of the Army 1^st Infantry Division.

He was the overall ground commander during the 2013 defense of Zamboanga City against rogue elements of the Moro National Liberation Front.

Trinidad replaced Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. who was promoted as Vice Chief of Staff.

Last January, AFP declared the entire Northern Luzon as insurgency-free with Pampanga becoming the 22^nd and final province to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

The MOA delegated to the Philippine National Police the lead role in fighting remnants of insurgents with the support of the military that will remain primarily for stakeholder engagement programs.

 

This was likewise a way to accept and assert the local government's lead role in orchestrating the efforts of all stakeholders in the delivery of services designed to address the primary socio-economic issues.

 

Prior to this, other provinces in Regions 1,2,3 and Cordillera were declared peaceful and ready for further development from 2009 to 2013.

These are La union and Nueva Viscaya in 2009; Apayao, Aurora, Quirino, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Kalinga in 2010; Ilocos Norte and Benguet in 2011; Zambales, Abra and Bataan in 2012; and Batanes, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Cagayan, Ifugao, Bulacan and Mt. Province in 2013.