TRENDS (19 January 2010)

Farm-to-market roads post 475.45 percent increase under PGMA

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/19/10) – A total of 17,517 kms. of farm-to-market roads (FMR) were built in the country from 2000 to 2009 during the term of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

This is actually a 475.45 percent (%) higher compared to 3,044 kms. of FMR’s built from 1998 to 2000 before her term.

One of the flagship programs of the President, the FMR’s are aimed at improving the lives of all Filipinos, especially the farmers.

Through these FMR’ s, farmers are given the opportunity to transport their farm produce more efficiently resulting in lower market prices of produce and more income for their families. (PIA-10)


PGMA’s roads and bridges surpass past administrations

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/19/10) – More roads and bridges were built in President Arroyo’s term than in the past three (3) administrations.

Data of the country’s infrastructure show that a total length of 47,773 kms. of roads and 289,944 lineal meters of national bridges were built since she assumed office as President from 2000-2009.

This figure indicate a 391.17 percent (%) increase in the length of roads and 5.31 percent (%) increase in the length of bridges built during her term compared to 34,327 kms. of roads and 274,747 lineal meters of bridges built in the past three (3) administrations before her.

These roads and bridges have reduced the cost and time of travel, promoted domestic and foreign tourism and stimulated investments and trade, among others.

Meanwhile, a total of 32 roll-on, roll-off (RORO) sea ports were constructed and rehabilitated, during her term, increasing the tourism industry and lowering not only the cost of transport but of the goods, as well.

For the past nine (9) years, some 82 airports, of which 71 were improved, three (3) each were newly completed and upgraded and five (5) others, currently undergoing construction, has brought more jobs, more flights, bigger planes and cheaper fees to the ease of the air-riding public. (PIA-10)


DOE notes less dependence on oil importation under Pres. Arroyo

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/19/10) – The country’s energy self-sufficiency (ESS) was placed at 58.9 percent (%), as of Dec. 31, 2009, posting a 9.83 percent (%) increase over the 49.07 percent (%) ESS at the end of 2000.

This data provided by the Dept. of Energy (DOE) only shows that there was less dependence on oil importation during the term of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo compared to those before her.

During her term, at least 18 companies inked Php90 billion-worth of contracts to generate 3,239.6 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy, thereby, lessening the country’s dependence on other sources of energy, such as coal.

Meanwhile, some 214,136,283 liters of biodiesel were sold since Feb. 2007, when the one (1) percent (%) bioethanol gas blend was mandated by the government for its energy self-sufficiency and environment-friendly features.

On the other hand, the DOE has programmed to distribute 13 million compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) nationwide to promote energy efficiency, help the environment and reduce the household energy cost. (PIA-10)


CP subscribers go 1,000% higher under the Arroyo Administration

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/19010) – Development of digital infrastructure gained momentum during the term of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

This, as 75 million cellular phone (CP) subscribers have been projected to gain access to efficient communication in the country by the end of Dec., last year.

This figure is actually 1,071.87 percent (%) higher compared to the 6.4 million CP subscribers recorded in 2000 before she assumed the presidency in 2001.

Meanwhile, internet usage also gained a significant increase during her term, from 1.98 percent (%) of population in 2000 to 24.5 percent (%) of the population in 2009.

The President looks at digital infrastructure as a means to improve the living conditions of the people by giving them more access to information at a cheaper cost. (PIA-10)


GIR reach a record high of $45.03 Billion under PGMA

ISLAMIC City of Marawi (01/19/10) - The country’s gross international reserves (GIR) climbed to a record high under the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that the GIR level rose to US$45.03 billion as of end-December 2009, higher by US$29.97 billion than the end-2000 GIR.

This figure indicates a 199 percent (%) increase in dollar reserves compared to the US$15.06 billion GIR in 2000.

According to the BSP, the 2009 GIR level could cover 9.1 months of imports of goods and payments of services and income.

The year-end level was also equivalent to 9.5 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.2 times based on residual maturity leading to a healthier external liquidity position. (PIA-10)


OFW remittances stay resilient during Arroyo’s term

Islamic City of Marawi (01/19/10) - Remittances from Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFWs) reached US$1.5 billion in November 2009, posting the highest year-on-year expansion since October 2008 at 11.3 percent (%).

As a result, cumulative remittances for the eleven-month period increased by 5.1 percent (%) to reach US$15.8 billion, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

The BSP disclosed that the continued deployment of skilled Filipino workers abroad has remained the driving force behind the steady stream of strong remittance flows that contributed to foreign reserves and helped stimulate the economy.

This was also supported by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s job generation programs which helped displaced OFW’s in finding alternative jobs in emerging markets.

The BSP further revealed that for the period January-November 2009, the major sources of remittances were the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Japan and Germany. (PIA-10)


NorMin has 125 Comelec-PNP-AFP checkpoints

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/19/10) – Some 125 checkpoints have been established jointly by the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Comelec-PNP-AFP) in Northern Mindanao, as of Jan. 18, 2010.

P/Chief Supt. Danilo T. Empedrad, Regional Director of PNP, region 10, said the most number of these checkpoints are set up in Misamis Oriental, 32, followed by Bukidnon, 29, Misamis Occidental, 17, Cagayan de Oro City, 13, Lanao del Norte, 12, Regional Police Special Mobile Battalion, 10, Iligan City, 7 and Camiguin, 5.

He said a total of 355 inspections have already been conducted at these checkpoints to effectively implement the firearms ban from January 10 up to June 9, this year and that additional checkpoints may be established at the discretion of the highest ranking official of the PNP or AFP in consultation with the city/municipality Election Officer (EO), in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

“The establishment of these checkpoints is very necessary to ensure that proper search procedures and seizures in connection with the election gun ban do not violate the civil, political and human rights of the citizens,” he said.

The ban is on the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons, use of armored land, water or aircraft, unauthorized wearing of military uniforms and employment of security personnel and bodyguards, organization or maintenance of strike forces, reaction forces, other similar forces and private armed groups (PAG).

Meanwhile, Comelec Resolution No. 8728 specifies that it is the duty of the Chief of Police or his duly authorized representative to conduct the preliminary examination of all apprehensions for violation of the gun ban to include the following:

Taking the affidavit of the arresting officer or policeman indicating, therein, the fact and the circumstances surrounding the arrest, taking the statement of the respondents, confiscating the firearms and issuing the proper receipt, there for;

Causing the respondents to sign an affidavit binding himself to be present at the preliminary investigation at a later date before the prosecutor and that failure to do so shall constitute a waiver to present evidence for his defense and taking the statement of witness/witnesses, if any; and

Telling the respondent to remain silent and be informed that anything he says may be used against him in court, that he can have a competent and independent counsel, preferably of his own choice, and that he can be released from detention if no charges have been filed against him 18 hours from arrest. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Philippine Information Agency, Region 10)


NorMin RJSCC acts on requests for security details of 35 candidates

CAGAYAN de Oro City (01/18/10) –At least 35 candidates from Northern Mindanao have filed their applications requesting for security details with the Regional Joint Security Control Center (JSCC) of the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines (Comelec-AFP-PNP), as of Jan. 18, 2010.

Atty. Renato A. Magbutay, Regional Elections Director of region 10, RJSCC Chairperson, said 25 of these candidates are incumbents while 10 others are new ones who requested for the security detail of some 59 members of the PNP, four (4) from the AFP and five (5) from private protective agencies (PPA).

The RJSCC accepts applications and evaluates requests to hire or engage the employment of a security detail by candidates running in the May 10, 2010, elections and endorses them to the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP) in Manila for approval.

Meanwhile, P/Chief Supt. Danilo T. Empedrad, Regional Director of PNP-10 and member of the RJSCC said only candidates from Mayor upwards will be provided with PNP/AFP security detail while other candidates may engage the services of Protective Agents (PA).

He said only two (2) regular members of the PNP, AFP or National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are allowed to serve as security detail for each candidate, with the addition upon request, of not more than two (2) PA’s and only personnel assigned in the PNP Headquarters of Regional/City/ Provincial Police Offices will be detailed/deputized as security.

Likewise, only those assigned in the unified command and infantry division headquarters of the Philippine Army or their equivalent in the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force may be detailed/ deputized as security, as a last resort, in the absence of PNP personnel or other law enforcement agents.

This is because the local PNP have already their hands full in manning the Joint Comelec-PNP-AFP checkpoints for the intensified implementation of “Oplan Sita” and “Oplan Bakal,” especially targeting convoys of known political candidates maintaining private armed groups.

Thus, only those in the headquarters performing office functions will be utilized as security details to the candidates, Empedrad added. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Philippine Information Agency, Region 10)


DSWD upgrades system on 4Ps implementation

THE Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has been creating systems which will enhance the program implementation nationwide especially on updating the status of its beneficiaries and compliance to the conditions. These include the Compliance Verification, Update and Grievance Redress systems.

The Compliance Verification System (CVS) is the mechanism used by the program to check the compliance of the beneficiaries on the conditions on health, education and responsible parenthood as basis for the cash grants. With this, each household beneficiary is given a family booklet which contains the compliance of the holder as signed and monitored by the health workers, teachers and municipal links. Failure to comply with the set conditions may lead to delisting of a beneficiary from the Program.

Grievance Redress System (GRS) on the other hand, is where issues and any problems of the beneficiary or the service providers can be raised. It is used to facilitate due process in resolving complaints and grievances of the beneficiaries and it ensures accountability, transparency and responsibility in the duration of the program implementation in the communities.

In acquiring the latest data that has bearing on cash payment and continued eligibility of the beneficiaries, the Update System is initiated. It is in this system wherein the households’ address, marital status, current number of children, schools attended by the children and other relevant information are being monitored. If the household beneficiary transferred to a non-4Ps area, they will be delisted from the Program as well as if they will send their children to a non-4Ps school. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has set this condition since it is difficult for the implementer to monitor the beneficiaries’ compliance to the conditions in a non-4Ps area.

Updates on the responsible adult that will be receiving the conditional cash grant will also be covered in the Update System since there are instances wherein the current beneficiary listed is already deceased, has migrated to other area for employment or has left the household due to domestic agreements. Children who will age more than 14 years old will also be updated and will be delisted from the number of children covered in a household. However, if the child has entered school at the age of 14 and will turn 15 on the same school year, the educational cash grant will still be given until he/she finishes the school year.

The 4Ps is a strategy of the government to reduce poverty by providing conditional cash grants to the extremely poor households to improve the health, nutrition and education specifically of the children aged 0-14. The program’s conditions are the following: 1) Pregnant mothers should get pre- and post-natal care; attended by skilled health professional during childbirth; 2) Parents or guardians must attend responsible parenthood sessions, mother’s classes and parent effectiveness seminars; 3) Children 0-5 years of age should get regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines; 4) Children 3-5 years old must attend day care/pre-school classes at least 85% of the time; 5) Children 6-14 years old must attend elementary or high school at least 85% of the time and they should receive de-worming pills twice a year. (Recthie B. Tolinero, DSWD X)


DILG exec lauds MisOr’s Citizen’s Charter crafting

ASSISTANT Secretary Emeterio Genaro Jose S. Moreno of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday lauded the provincial government of Misamis Oriental for crafting its Citizen’s Charter, in pursuance to Republic Act No. 9485, better known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

“Not all agencies of government and local government units have formulated their Citizen’s Charter. Misamis Oriental provincial government is among the few that have launched their Citizen’s Charter,” said Moreno during the simple rites to launch the Citizen’s Charter at the Capitol Kiosk in Cagayan de Oro.

The crafting of the Citizen’s Charter came after Governor Oscar S. Moreno, older brother of the DILG assistant secretary, issued an executive order in November last year, creating a Citizen’s Charter Task Force that was headed by provincial administrator Patrick U. Gabutina.

For several days, members of the Citizen’s Charter Task Force examined the functions and focused on the basic services that every office in the provincial government is mandated to perform and deliver. These were then compiled in one book that shall be known as the Citizen’s Charter of Misamis Oriental.

In his message, which form part of the book, Governor Oscar S. Moreno said, “Any effort, deliberately or unintentionally and for whatever reason, which results to one’s failure to efficiently and effectively deliver what is expected of him could affect the entire performance of the provincial government bureaucracy”.

Also, the regional director of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Atty. Lourdes Clavite-Vidal, stated in her message that “the crafting of the Citizen’s Charter is only the beginning of the attainment of our vision” and that “the bigger challenge is in the adhering to the service standards contained in the said charter”.

In fact, DILG 10 regional director Loreto T. Bhagwani was even more specific when he succinctly wrote in his message that “with the Citizen’s Charter, the public is guided very clearly where to go, what to do and what to bring, to facilitate his request or transaction”.

Incidentally, the launch of the Citizen’s Charter was held when Misamis Oriental marked its 80th foundation anniversary as a province. (Uriel C. Quilinguing/Misamis Oriental Provincial Press Office)


Alay Lakad to kick-off on Jan. 27

THE Kiwanis International and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro invites all private and public sectors in the city to join the launching activity of Alay Lakad 2009-2010 with the theme: “Lakad Kabataan: Ituloy ang Kaunlaran” on January 27, 2010.

The Alay Lakad walk for a cause will start at exactly 5:30 a.m. at the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports complex and this will be followed with a Hataw.

The Alay Lakad aims to make monetary contributions and donations which will be used to finance socio-economic projects for out-of-school youth (OSY); undertake projects for their personal development and well-being of their families; enhance their basic knowledge and skills on initiating and managing income generating projects; become responsible and productive citizens; improve their quality of life and provide adequate education.

The beneficiaries of the Alay Lakad projects are classified into two (2) categories: the individual and the group proponents.

Under the individual category are those who are economically needy, not more than 21 years old and out of school youth; come from a low-income family; possess basic knowledge and skills to undertake and manage income generating projects of choice; manifest willingness and interest to undertake such projects and possess positive attitude and work habits and must be under the guidance and supervision from Alay Lakad, Inc. and government and private sector or agency who will provide technical and administrative responsibilities.

While the group category are members who possess the qualifications under the eligibility requirements for individuals proponents; belong to an organized youth club or association in the same barangay which has been in existence for at least two (2) years; unless guaranteed by a recognized / accredited civic organization or by a person of a repute in the community; proposal should show evidence of the group’s decision to undertake the project and have developed among themselves trust in one another especially in the handling of money and management of the project as verified form assessment of an actual group activity; should take responsibility for paying the loan despite changes in the leadership in the group.

Any replacements or change in the composition of the group shall be agreed upon by the majority of the members. Alay lakad shall be informed of the said changes accordingly and the purpose of the loan should be that which is congruent to the objective of the Alay Lakad concept of assistance for out-of- school youth.

It may be recalled that the Alay Lakad, Inc. started at the time of then President Fidel Ramos, and from then on, it was held annually.

For more information on how to donate and be a donor of the Alay Lakad, you may visit the City Social Welfare Department (CSWD) at City Hall. (City Information Office)