PIA-10 News

Malacanang welcomes reports that President Aquino’s public satisfaction rating for second quarter of 2013 Social Weather Stations survey up by 76 percent

Malacañang welcomed reports that President Benigno S. Aquino III’s public satisfaction rating for the second quarter of the 2013 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey rose to 76%, saying the Chief Executive's consistently strong ratings affirmed his administration's mandate of good governance, a Palace official said.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement on Monday following the release of the latest SWS survey.

"We are encouraged by the results of the Second Quarter 2013 SWS survey showing satisfaction with the President rising to 76%—an improvement from the First Quarter results of 74%—which nearly mirrors his record-high 77% rating recorded in August 2012," Lacierda said.

"This boost in satisfaction with the President bucks the trend of the past two years, which indicates lower satisfaction levels in the Second Quarter compared to the First Quarter," he said.

Since the first SWS survey on public satisfaction with the President in September 2010, Lacierda said the President’s ratings have not dipped below 63%.

"The President’s consistently strong ratings, especially in the wake of a midterm election widely regarded as a referendum on the success of his administration, affirm the administration’s mandate of good governance," Lacierda stressed.

"These sustained, positive numbers are reflective of the Filipino people’s enduring trust in and support of the President’s policies, initiatives, and reforms," he said.

The second-quarter SWS survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adult Filipinos nationwide.

The survey came out as the President is set to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City on Monday.

Malacanang welcomes the latest Pulse Asia survey showing President Aquino’s trust approval up from 72 to 77

Malacañang welcomed the latest Pulse Asia survey showing the President Benigno S. Aquino III's trust approval which soared from 72 to 77, saying the survey results are indicative of the Filipino people’s continued confidence in the Chief Executive, a Palace official said.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement on Monday following the release of the latest Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan June 2013 Survey.

"We welcome the latest Pulse Asia survey that shows an increase in trust and sustained overwhelming support for the President. Taken from June 20 to July 4, 2013, the President’s trust approval soared from 72 to 77, representing a five point jump in the past three months while his performance approval remained steady at 73," Lacierda said.

"These unprecedented ratings for a chief executive since Pulse Asia began its trust and performance poll, are indicative of the Filipino people’s continued support for and confidence in the President and the sweeping changes and programs he has championed since day one," he noted.

Lacierda said the survey results are indication that the Aquino administration's reforms, good government initiatives, and social investments are producing results.

"Today, as the President fulfills a constitutional duty to report to the Filipino people, we continue to be strengthened in our resolve to soldier on the path towards good governance and face the challenges of the next three years knowing our countrymen are solidly behind his leadership," Lacierda said.

Coloma says President Aquino will continue in his final three years to tread the straight and righteous path of transforming the country’s progress and development

President Benigno S. Aquino III will not waste time in the final three years of his presidency in keeping with his administration's commitment to tread the straight and righteous path in transforming the Philippines into a progressive nation, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. said on Monday.

In an interview aired over the Hot Copy segment in ANC’s Headstart with Karen Davila, Coloma said the Chief Executive remains focused on fostering inclusive growth.

"Ang bawat sandali, ang bawat oras ay mahalaga at gugugulin ito ng ating Pangulo para sa kapakanan ni Juan Dela Cruz at ng mga mamamayang Pilipino," Coloma said.

"Anim na taon lang kasi ang termino, wala naman siyang balak na magpalawig pa nito. Kaya’t kahit na tatlong taon, tatlong buwan, tatlong minuto, makasisiguro tayo, Karen, gagawin ng Pangulo ang nararapat hanggang sa pinakahuling sandali ng kanyang termino," Coloma said.

The Chief Executive remains focused in strengthening his administration's efforts to ensure that the benefits of the country's growth are both equitable and inclusive, Coloma noted.

Coloma said the President started enhancing the strategies to remove hindrances to the success of the Filipino people.

The President's administration is working hard in empowering our people through health, education, and social services, and enhancing transportation and infrastructure, maintaining stability and order by advocating peaceful solutions to conflict, among others, Coloma said.

The President is stepping up efforts to address poverty through the Conditional Cash Transfer Program and health, education, social services programs, among others.

"Iyong sa meeting ng gabinete tungkol doon sa economic road map for the second half of the term. Mayroon focus on spatial, ibig sabihin tinatarget talaga ang mga probinsiyang mataas o pinaka-mataas ang poverty incidence. Para doon maglalagay ng mga project na mayroon ngang maka-apekto kaagad sa pagtaas ng kalidad ng mga buhay ng tao," he said.

The President delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City on Monday.

"Just to clarify, the President wrote the speech. Siya lang ang gumagawa ng kanyang sariling talumpati. He prepares a mental map of what he wants to say," he said.

"He verbalizes it, habang bine-verbalize niya ay nagno-note taking ang kanyang mga speechwriter. Pag ipinakita sa kanya, iyon na nga ang rendition ng mga sinabi niya, ganun ang estilo ng ating Pangulo," Coloma stressed.

President Aquino lays down government’s achievements in 4th State of the Nation Address

President Benigno S. Aquino III laid down his administration’s achievements during his fourth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday (July 22).

The President said that by adhering to his advocacy to provide all Filipinos opportunities to achieve long-term progress, his government has been able to effect change in the Philippines in the fields of improving education, bridging the classroom shortage, expanding the scope of social programs, strengthening agricultural and fisheries processes and improving healthcare for all.

“The basis for this principle: Widespread opportunity is the key to comprehensive and sustained progress. Let us not forget that these opportunities are but seeds. We must water them with diligence, nourish them with determination, and cultivate them with dedication,” the President said.

He pointed out that under the Pantawind Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a poverty alleviation scheme that allows funds for marginalized families in return for keeping their children to school and that they see a medical personnel regularly, its scope has been expanded to cover four million households since the program began in 2010.

“There is more: According to research conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, compared with those who only finished the elementary level, the income of high school graduates is 40 percent higher. Is it not right that we maximize the help we give these families, so that our young beneficiaries can finish high school, thereby helping them make the most out of the benefits of this program? That is why next year, families with children up to 18 years old will be included in this program so that their children will be able to finish high school,” the President said.

On education, he said the desk and textbook shortage has already been addressed and hopes that the classroom shortage will be completed by the end of 2013.

“Our goal is to raise the quality of learning that our children undertake, so that once they finish their schooling, they can seize the opportunities now opening up in society. We have finally erased the backlog we inherited in books and chairs, and if Education Secretary Armin Luistro continues to demonstrate true grit, even the backlog we inherited in classrooms will also be erased this year,” the President said.

He added that the new educational system K to 12 will keep Filipino students’ abilities at par with the international community.

Turning to the agricultural and fisheries sectors, the President said that his administration has been successful in strengthening the country’s bid to become rice self-sufficient and has been able to export certain varieties of rice to other countries.

“According to the NFA (National Food Authority), in 2010, the country imported more than 2 million metric tons of rice. In 2011, this fell to 855,000 metric tons. In 2012: 500,000 metric tons. And now in 2013, the maximum we will import, including the private sector, will be the minimum access volume of 350,000 metric tons. This includes the 187,000 metric tons of reserve buffer stock in case typhoons arrive one after the other. In all likelihood, even the private sector will no longer have to import rice because we are still on track to becoming self-sufficient in rice. In addition to that, we have begun exporting premium quality rice. We have truly come so far from those days when it was said that we could not even feed ourselves,” the President said.

“The proof is in the data. This sector grew 3.3 percent in the first three months of 2013. This is triple the 1.1 percent growth it recorded in the same time period in 2012. That is why we continue to sow initiatives that will certainly bear the fruits of even greater progress for our farmers,” he said.

The President also announced the implementation of a new program to help the country’s coconut farmers earn more: coconut inter-cropping.

“Under this program, coconut farmers will be assisted by the government in planting and cultivating coconuts as long as “you will be required to sow different kinds of seeds in between the rows of coconut trees.”

“Doing so will raise the frequency of crop harvests, and depending on what they plant, their income will also increase. If they grow only coconuts, the farmers would earn about 20,000 pesos a year per hectare. But if they add coffee, they could reach about 172,400 pesos a year; if they add bananas, they could earn 102,325 pesos, while adding cacao would give them 89,000 pesos. Isn’t that such a huge difference?” the President noted.

“We have already begun laying down initiatives for this: In 2012, we were able to use 5,500 hectares of land for intercropping in 90 different locations throughout the country. This program covered 10,000 farmers. Our target for 2013 is an additional 434 sites for coconut intercropping,” he added.

For our fisherfolk, the President said that cold-storage facilities would be constructed along sea and fishing ways to help fishermen get their catch to their intended clients still fresh.

“An example would be our initiative for Bataraza in Palawan. The waters here brim with fish. But because the fish cannot be brought to the merchants on time, still fresh, the fishermen end up having to dry the fish and sell tuyo instead. It is such a waste, because every three kilos of lapu-lapu is only equivalent to one kilo of tuyo. What if the freshness of the fish could be preserved in a cold storage facility? You could go to the merchant and still sell your catch at full price. You would exert the same amount of effort, but you would receive the right compensation for it. That is why the cold storage facility in Bataraza has already been built,” the President said.

“In addition, we are also constructing new piers in strategic areas to raise productivity and income. We are constructing and adding new roads, bridges, and other kinds of infrastructure, including various services, for our fisherfolk,” he added.

“The DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), and Coast Guard are also tightly monitoring irresponsible and unrestrained forms of fishing. This I ask of our fishermen, allow our fish to repopulate. I ask for your solidarity in caring for your own livelihood. As you no doubt see, the state has already opened up opportunities for you, but the result is in your hands,” the President further said.

On healthcare, the President said that more Filipinos are now covered under the country’s medical insurance Philhealth.

“Our goal to extend PhilHealth coverage to more of our countrymen has been achieved. When we began, 62 percent of Filipinos were enrolled. Now, that number stands at 81 percent. The remaining number still not on our lists are those we are seeking to identify, including those in the informal settlers’ and indigenous people’s sectors. We are counting on the cooperation of our local governments to ensure that all of our countrymen are enrolled in the system,” the President said.

Aquino spells out priority legislation in 4th State of the Nation Address

President Benigno S. Aquino III asked Congress in his 4th state-of-the-nation address (SONA) on Monday to prioritize several legislations that will speed up the country’s transformation.

Among the priority bills wanted by the President for the congress to work on include the Cabotage Law to enhance competition in the business sector and to cut transportation costs.

He also wants Congress to pass the Fiscal Incentives Rationalization Bill to provide clear, honest and responsible guideline to investors doing business in the country.

Looking into the Land Administration Reform Bill should also be a prime consideration of Congress according to the President, as the proposal could provide direction to better land administration in the country.

The President also said Congress must also look into Presidential Decrees 1113 and 1894 because the law puts the government in a disadvantage.

The laws, crafted during the Marcos regime, favor businessmen close to the dictatorial administration. Anyone building infrastructure must tie up with Marcos cronies with franchises that could be extended for years even with small added works.

He said it hampers the construction of the expressway that will connect the North Luzon Expressway and the South Luzon Expressway.

Also during his SONA, the President lauded Congress for passing the Sin Tax Reform Law and the Responsible Parenthood Law.

Immediately after delivering his SONA, the President said he’ll file the P2.268 trillion 2014 national budget to Congress.

“Bukas na bukas din po, ihahain natin ang panukalang 2.268 trillion pesos na national budget sa Kongreso. Kumpiyansa po ako sa suporta at pakikibalikat ninyo upang mapatibay ang pondong ito na talaga naman pong masusing pinag-isipan,” the President said.

“Makakatulong ito hindi lang para ituloy ang agenda ng positibong pagbabago, kundi upang mapaspas pa ang pag-arangkada natin tungo sa malawakang kaunlaran.”

Aquino asks Congress to look into pension system for soldiers and policemen

President Benigno S. Aquino III revealed in his State-of-the-Nation (SONA) address Monday concerns in the pensions of the country’s uniformed personnel saying he will asked the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to look into the problem.

The President said nobody is contributing for the pension of AFP and PNP personnel but there is an obligation that must be paid.

The retired personnel’s pension is indexed in the compensation rate of active personnel making the pension increases automatic when there are adjustments in the salaries of active personnel, he said. Since many members of the AFP and PNP retire each year, the government is obliged to pay the increases.

“Ang masaklap, pambansang budget ang sumasalo nito. Noong 2012, P54.48 billion ang inilaan para sa pensyon ng sundalo at kapulisan. Ngayong taon, P61.29 billion, at aabot po ito sa P80.64 billion sa 2016,” the President said.

He said the state support will continue to rise in the future and it will likely affect the government’s ability to fund many other social services including hiring more soldiers and policemen.

“Kailangan ng sistemang tutugon sa obligasyon ng lipunan sa ating mga sundalo’t kapulisan; malamang po, GSIS ang hihilingan natin ng tulong para rito. Pinag-aaralan na rin po ang posibilidad na gamitin ang mga reclaimed area para makakalap ng pondong ipapasok sa papandaying solusyon,” the President said.

The government must study the issue to come up with a fair, long-term, and clear mechanism that will guide the pension system of retiring soldiers and policemen.

“Nananawagan po ako sa Kongreso na pag-aralang muli ang PD 1638 at RA 8551 upang maiangkop sa panahon at sa pambansang pangangailangan ang pensyon at benepisyo ng ating pulis at kasundaluhan,” the President said.

The Social Security System is also facing concerns in its overall fund, the President said.

Since 1980, the SSS has carried out 21 across-the-board pension increases while it only adjusted its contribution rate twice. This is problematic because it is estimated that the SSS already had P1.1 trillion unfunded liability based on a 2011 study, the President said.

Experts said this liability could increase by 8 percent each year and with this rate, the SSS will drain its fund 28 years from now.

“Kapag nangyari ito, walang ibang malulugi kundi ang susunod na salinlahi ng Pilipino,” the chief executive said.

With this concern, the President said it is time for Congress to amend the SSS Pension Scheme. The SSS must carry out investment initiatives now to avoid a grim scenario in the future, he said.

Experts said that if SSS could only increase its contribution rate by 0.6 percent, it could cut P141 billion in its unfunded liability, according to the President.

“Kung ngayon na tayo magsisimulang mamuhunan sa kinabukasan, wala nang problemang ipapamana sa mga susunod sa atin,” he said.

Aquino tells Congress to start crafting Bangsamoro Basic Law

President Benigno S. Aquino III asked Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law before the end of 2014 so that there will be enough leeway for the government to prepare for the Bangsamoro election in 2016.

The Transition Commission has already been created and the President said the Bangsamoro Basic Law will be concluded based on the principles of the comprehensive agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The President said he expects every Filipino to support the peace process with the MILF to once and for all achieve a lasting peace in the region.

“Umaasa po ako sa pakikiambag ng bawat Pilipino sa layunin natin para sa Bangsamoro. Ipakita po natin sa kanilang hindi sila nagkamali sa pagpili sa direksyon ng kapayapaan; ipamalas natin ang lakas ng buong bansa upang iangat ang mga probinsya sa Muslim Mindanao, na kabilang sa mga pinakamaralita nating mga lalawigan,” he said.

“Tagumpay ng lahat ang ating hangarin; hindi tayo papayag na may kababayan tayong mapapag-iwanan habang may ibang nakakalamang,” the President said.

The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring continuing peace in Mindanao by saying whatever peace pact the government and the MILF could reach the central government will be committed to enforce it.

The President also mentioned in his SONA the recent agreement on wealth sharing between the government and the MILF adding he hopes that both sides could soon agree on the remaining annexes in their discussions.

In October last year, the government and the MILF signed the historic Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro aimed at ending four decades of Muslim separatists struggle in the south.

Department of Science and Technology to create team of experts that will screen government purchases, says Aquino

President Benigno S. Aquino III said he instructed the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to organize a team of experts that will analyze and approve government purchases and project implementations especially for those involving big-ticket items.

In the State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA on Monday, he said the government must learn from the past and not commit similar mistakes when buying major items and carrying out large projects that require huge budgets.

“Kailangan pong maging mas mahusay tayong mamimili. Hindi puwedeng palagi tayong nakasalalay sa sales talk ng mga supplier sa pagpili ng mga kagamitan natin. Inatasan natin ang DOST na bumuo ng grupo ng mga ekspertong hindi kayang bolahin ng mga supplier, lalo na po pagdating sa mga big-ticket items,” the President said.

“Ang patakaran natin ay ang tamang pagkilala sa ugat ng problema; tamang pag-aaral na tutukoy sa tamang solusyon, na maaabot naman sa pamamagitan ng tamang metodolohiya,” he added.

For instance, the President mentioned the purchase of eight brand new combat helicopters that he said does not meet the specifications of the air force.

The government bought the choppers for fast transport of soldiers, but the President said the helicopters’ guns are mounted in the entry point making it difficult for soldiers to enter the aircraft.

Another example of wrong decisions in the past is the Telepono sa Barangay project, he said. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) spent more than P5 billion for the program, which eventually became unnecessary with the current wide use of cellular phones among Filipinos.

President Aquino says Philippines is now to brave the challenge of nature

The Philippines is now more prepared to brave the challenges of nature, President Benigno S. Aquino III said as he thanked the combined efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program and the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Project NOAH.

In a two-hour speech for his fourth State of the Nation Address delivered at the Batasan Pambansa on Monday, President Aquino said that a multihazard mapping of the 28 most vulnerable locations in the country has been completed in 2012 and a similar endeavor for the Greater Metro Manila Area will be done by next year.

He added that geohazard maps for 496 cities and municipalities have also been completed while the remaining 1,138 covering every last corner of the country will be finished before the end of 2015. “Not only have these maps increased in number, they are also more detailed and refined, which is why we will be able to more accurately identify high-risk areas,” he said.

The Chief Executive also reported that since Project NOAH was launched, the government was able to deploy 525 automated water level monitoring stations and automated rain gauges to 80 major river basins in the country. We also continue to modernize our weather detection technology, with Doppler radars, tsunami detectors, and alerting sirens, he added.

The President noted that these mechanisms were the keys toward enhancing the country’s disaster preparedness since they enable our weathermen to accurately anticipate the amount of rains that would fall in a specific area, thus giving adequate warning to an affected community.

He, however, stressed that simply distributing high-tech equipment and new technology is not enough since we also need to train the end-users of this equipment in understanding, using, and disseminating the information gained.

The President, moreover, mentioned that the administration continues to address the worsening flood situation in Metro Manila brought by the problem of informal settlers and other illegally built structures that clog the waterways.

He said the executive is coordinating with various local government units to safely and successfully relocate our informal settlers. A legal team led by Secretary Leila de Lima was also formed to prepare cases that will be filed against those who have closed or obstructed our waterways.

“We are not content with simply passing the blame and pointing fingers,” the President said as his government allocated some 6.2-billion pesos to fund its flood mitigation programs throughout Metro Manila, including the construction of the Blumentritt Interceptor Catchment area.

The entire project, according to the President, is 3.3 kilometers in length and will be able to catch the equivalent of 14 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water once it is completed.

“When the rains hit, the rainwater now has somewhere to go, and will no longer accumulate on our streets. This project was started in March, and we aim to complete it by next year,” the President said.

Meanwhile, as the government keeps on fulfilling its obligation to the people, President Aquino appeals to the public to do its share in protecting the environment.

“Let us ask ourselves: How have I contributed to the solution? If someone dumps trash into a river, confront them; if you see a building being built above a creek, report it to the correct authorities. We will only drown in our problems if we do nothing,” he concluded.

President Aquino tells Filipinos to “seize chance to make change permanent”

“We did not achieve our current success by chance. Let us not allow this transformation to be temporary; let us seize this opportunity to make the change permanent.”

Thus said President Benigno S. Aquino III in his fourth State of the Nation Address delivered during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday, as he called on Filipinos to step up and join him and forge on towards the straight and righteous path.

“There are those who always ask: What will happen in 2016? What will happen when you step down? Will that be the end of good, honest governance? Will we have reached the end of the straight and righteous path?,” the President said.

“My Bosses, let us remember: where did we begin? If you have doubts now, compare them with the doubts we all carried in 2010. Were we not happy enough then just to see the darkness end? Was it not enough for us to be able to replace those in power?” he added.

“Now, we are experiencing change. Change that has sprung from the seeds of kindness, solidarity, and good will; change that was brought about by the millions of Filipinos who have, in their own ways, big and small, pitched in and transformed the country,” the President further said.

He said all Filipinos now have the capacity to hurdle any obstacle that blocks their way to progress and prosperity.

“The road ahead of us is long; and we never said it would be easy—or that we could tread this path free of challenges. But I do not doubt our capacity to overcome any obstacle. We did not achieve our current success by chance. Let us not allow this transformation to be temporary; let us seize this opportunity to make the change permanent,” the President said.

“This is our fourth SONA. When I was a congressman, the people of Tarlac were my strength. When I became a senator and until now, in my Presidency, the people of our country have been there. Philippines, you are my strength. As we continue doing our part—and as we continue placing faith in our fellowmen and in God—I tell you: It will still be you who will make certain that what we have begun here will continue; you will be the ones who will make sure that we will completely eradicate corruption; you will be the ones who will make sure that we will never again stray from the straight and righteous path,” he said.

“Once, I was told: 'Noynoy, just begin the change.' So we did, and we can all see how far we have come. Now, my countrymen, let us continue to stand arm-in-arm. Together, let us foster, accelerate, and expand the transformation of society. I am Noynoy Aquino, and I proudly say to the world: I am a Filipino. How wonderful it is to be a Filipino in these times,” he said further.

 

Feature: Birth registration—IPs gateway for living an empowered life

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

“Taro” is a 59-year old member of indigenous people (IP), but feels like his life has just begun.

“I can now say that I am really who I am,” he said in ‘Binukid’ dialect minutes after becoming the first person in the Salumayag sub-village in San Fernando town to receive a birth certificate under a government organization and non-government organization (GO/NGO)-funded program.

“I have been refused a job as house or farm help, denied membership in Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and have been asked to prove my identity countless times, all because I did not have this ‘small paper’ called birth certificate,” added ‘Angaray’ a mother of two children, who also got her birth certificate just this year.

“Taro” is one of the more than 2,000 Manobo-Tigwahanon tribe members who had no identification for his entire life. He grew up in San Fernando town’s rainforest. The details and circumstances of his birth were unknown to him, as the lack of identity documentation in the community appears widespread.

“The process for obtaining identification is extremely complicated, time-consuming, and disempowering for them because no forms of supplementary identification exist. This creates significant barriers when attempting to access services taken for granted by the broader community,” said Fundador Binahon Jr, National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) Community Service Center head for southern Bukidnon.

But with the aid of the legal service of Higaonon, Umayamnon, Tigwahanon-Manobo Council of Elders and Leaders (HUTCEL), NCIP, National Statistics Office (NSO), Bukidnon provincial government and other stakeholders, Taro finally had his birth registered at age 59.

Everyone deserves to live in a community where they can feel safe and secure, and have a sense of belonging, Binahon.

“Birth registration opens the door to rights to children and adults, which many other human beings take for granted: to receive healthcare, to go to school, to protection from under-age military service or recruitment, to prove their age, to inherit property, and to marry, among other rights and privileges enjoyed by a birth certificate holder,” Binahon said.

NCIP data showed many reasons why births go unregistered in IP communities. These include cultural beliefs and attitudes, alternative documents and naming ceremonies, poor infrastructure, remote areas, fear of discrimination and bullying, conflict and unrest, or simply the fact that there is no system in place.

However, with this IP birth registration project, they can now live with confidence and optimism—to feel respected and valued, Binahon said. (RLRBalistoy-PIA10, Bukidnon)

Aquino cites success of elections in ARMM

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 23 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the successful conduct of 2013 midterm polls in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in his fourth State of the Nation (SONA) on July 22.

“Naging malinis at tapat ang halalan sa ARMM; natuloy ang bilangan, natuloy ang proklamasyon ng mga may bagong mandato mula sa taumbayan” (ARMM successfully held a clean, safe, and fair election; votes were counted, and those whom the people charged with new mandates were proclaimed), the President said.

The 2013 polls was the first time the national and ARMM elections were synchronized.

“Noon ay nakatutok ang buong pwersa ng estado sa iisang rehiyon, pero may failure of elections pa rin” (In the past, the full force of the State was focused on just one region, and yet it still had to call for a failure of elections)," he said.

“Ngayong 2013, dahil buong bansa ang kinailangang tutukan at lumawak ang kanilang responsibilidad, may mga nag-akalang lulubha pa ang situwasyon sa halalan ng ARMM” (This 2013, because our uniformed forces had to safeguard elections across the entire country, there were those who thought the situation in ARMM would only get worse), he further said.

However, the elections in ARMM has greatly improved, the President cited.

The successful and peaceful election according to him was due to the diligence of the uniformed forces and the coming together of the nation.

In Lanao del Sur, the joint police and military forces played a vital role in minimizing election-related violence in the province.

The successful conduct of the 2013 midterm polls in the province was earlier attributed to the timely response of uniformed forces where tensions were reported. (APB/PIA-10)

DepEd-Tangub conducts mass deworming of schoolchildren

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 23 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd), here, has embarked on a mass deworming of school children, from July to August, this year.

Undertaken with the Department of Health (DOH), through its Integrated Helminth Control Program, the first dose mass deworming, which is also implemented nationwide, will be done in all public elementary and secondary schools of the city.

Targets of deworming are all elementary pupils, from kindergarten and Grades I-VI and secondary students, from First Year to Third Year only, said Victoria A. Gazo, Ph.D., Superintendent of Tangub City Schools Division.

She said the Division Health & Nutrition Unit will conduct the first dose mass deworming to the target school children and secondary students, who are required to submit the consent forms signed by their parents.

Last February, a Mass Weighing and Height Monitoring for Nutritional Assessment (Endline) of all school children, both elementary and secondary, was also conducted, in all schools of the Division.

The mass weighing was conducted by school personnel trained by the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards (WHO-CGS), who consolidated the nutritional assessment of their respective schools, Gazo added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Payment of SNPLP loans starts after 2 years of employment – CHED

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

  

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 23 (PIA) – Payment of loans under the Study Now Pay Later Program (SNPLP) will be done only after a period of two (2) years from the time the student-debtor has acquired an employment.

The interest rate of not more than six (6) percent shall accrue to the balance of the SNPLP loan, said Patricia B. Licuanan, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), administrator of the SNPLP.

In a recent memorandum to all Presidents/Heads of Public and Private Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in the country, Licuanan explained that any loan granted under the SNPLP shall be paid after the student-debtor has finished the course or profession for which the loan was expended.

Such provisions are in accordance with Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1994 and in consonance with RA 8545, also known as the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (EGASTPE) Act.

Meanwhile, Dr. Zenaida Gersana, Regional Director of CHED, region 10, said the Legal Service of CHED has come up with the following interpretation of the above-cited provisions:

The student is a debtor to the CHED for the amount of the loan that he/she availed of under the SNPLP program.

The loan should have been spent to enroll in a degree program or a profession and the student have graduated in the degree program that he/she enrolled in.

The student-debtor is obliged to pay CHED the amount of the loan availed of only two (2) years after acquiring an employment. If he/she has not acquired an employment, then the period of two (2) years does not even begin to run.

The interest shall accrue only after the above-conditions have been met or actually exist, in which case, the period of repayment of the interest will actually commence even if the student is unable to sustain that job and becomes unemployed again. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Disaster council bares Gawad Kalasag 2013 tilt winners

By Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 23 (PIA) -- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDDRMC) in Region 10 conferred recognition for excellence in disaster risk management and humanitarian assistance to this year’s winners.

The 15 winners in the regional Gawad Kalasag were announced during this year’s RDRRMC 2nd quarter meeting.

Bukidnon was awarded the top prize in the province category, while Lanao del Norte got second spot, said Ana C. Cañeda, regional director, Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and RDRRMC-10 chairperson.

Cagayan de Oro city was awarded top spot for the Highly Urbanized city while Ozamiz city is declared as the sole winner for component city category.

The winner for the 1st to 3rd class Municipalities Category went to Quezon Municipality and for the 4th to 6th Class Municipalities the sole winner is Mahinog town in the province of Camiguin.

Barangay Bañadero of Ozamiz City won first place for the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee (BDRRMC) while Department of Education (DepEd) Camiguin Disaster Risk Reduction Management Team was chosen for the best volunteer organization category.

Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr Regional Training and Teaching Hospital won first place under the category Regional Training and Teaching Hospital while Camiguin General Hospital was chosen the best hospital under the Provincial Hospital Category.

The top three for each category garnered at least a minimum score of 85% will advance to the national level. Those who won for three consecutive years in the same category shall be given a Hall of Fame Award, cited Cañeda.

The winners were chosen after the Regional Selection Committee (RSC) of Region 10 finished an exhaustive two week inspection and evaluation of the nominees in the region.

Members of the evaluation committee are composed of the regional office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as the Chairperson of the committee, OCD as the Vice Chair and Secretariat, Department of Heath (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Philippine Red Cross, Balay Mindanaw and Xavier University Engineering Resource Center (XU-ERC).

Given annually, Gawad Kalasag or KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan was initiated by the the NDRRMC in 1998, as the principal mechanism by which the NDRRMC advances the awareness of the best practices on DRRM, climate change adaptation programs and also humanitarian response and assistance. (OCD/PIA10)

CDO Golden Mermaid statue unveiled

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 23 -- A Golden Mermaid statue has been unveiled at the City Tourism Hall.

The statue was donated by Cagayan de Oro’s sister city Norfolk, Virginia, symbolically indicating closer ties between the two cities.

The unveiling ceremony was held during the four-day visit of Janis C. Weisberg, immediate past president of Norfolk Sister Cities Association, Guia Caliwagan, chair of the Norfolk-Cagayan de Oro Sister City Committee and Dr. Juan Montero, who spearheaded the Norfolk-Cagayan de Oro sister city ties.

Vice Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas, who welcomed the Norfolk delegates on July 18 expressed gladness over their goodwill visit as he expects more exchanges between the two cities.

It may be recalled that the city forged sistership ties with Norfolk, which is known as a Mermaid City.

The program was attended in by former Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula, Councilor Dante Pajo and Councilor Lourdes Candy Darimbang, chair of the City Council committee on tourism, among others.

It was facilitated by Eileen San Juan, chairperson of the Events Committee of the City Tourism Office.

Dr. Montero informed the vice mayor that after the five-year hiatus, the city can expect more friendly links with the Mermaid City.

Councilor Pajo thanked Norfolk, Virginia for its continuing collaboration with Cagayan de Oro as its only sister city in the country.

The mermaid statue will be mounted at the soon to open Duaw Park adjacent to the tennis court near the Cagayan de Oro River.

“This is the symbol of friendship and partnership with our sister city,” Councilor Pajo added. (LCR/ELB/CdeOSP/PIA)

Level of irrigation development in Region 10, 56.2% in 1Q

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 22 (PIA) – A total of 68,265 hectares (has.) of irrigable land has been developed in region 10, during the first quarter of the year.

Considering the region’s total potential irrigable area of 121,432 has., the level of irrigation development (LID) in the region have been placed at 56.2 percent with 53,167 has. remaining area left to be irrigated, as of the period.

This is 10,246 has. or 17.7 percent higher compared to 58,019 has. developed in the same period of 2012, Engr. Felix M. Razo, Regional Manager of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), region 10, said.

Razo said the province of Misamis Occidental with 3,505 has., was the biggest area served by the irrigation facilities of NIA, during the period, followed by Bukidnon, 3,412 has., Misamis Oriental, 2,975 has., Camiguin, 270 has., and Lanao del Norte, 84 has.

This LID in Misamis Occidental resulted in the increase of 18.37 percent in palay production of the province due to the re-cultivation of areas served by the NIA rehabilitated irrigation canals in the municipalities of Aloran and Bonifacio and additional areas in Baliangao, Lopez Jaena and Tangub City, Razo also said.

Meanwhile, the remaining areas still to be irrigated in the region, as of the period were as follows: Bukidnon, 44,200 has. Lanao del Norte, 3,554 has., Misamis Occidental, 3,135 has., and Misamis Oriental, 2,278 has.

In the case of Camiguin, however, all of its 655 has. or 100 percent of its potential irrigable area have already been developed, as of the first quarter of the year, Razo added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Region 10 supplies 68.75% of energy in the Mindanao Grid in Q1

 By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 22 (PIA) -- The Mindanao Grid had an installed capacity (IC) of 1,521.08 megawatts (MW) and a dependable capacity (DC) of 1,236.54 MW during the first quarter of 2013.

A total of 1,045.80MW or 68.75 percent of the grid’s IC and 890.27MW or 71.99 percent of its DC was supplied by the electric power plants (EPP) from Northern Mindanao, according to Engr. Leon Dacanay, Jr., regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Region 10.

IC means the number of MW that a power plant can produce while DC is the number of MW produced during peak hours.

Meanwhile, the total dependable power source of region 10 had a power generation mix of five (5) hydro-electric power plants (HEPP), a coal-fired plant, and the embedded power of some electric service providers and electric cooperatives.

These embedded power was the reason why region 10 did not experience brown out or power outages during the quarter, while other areas of the grid suffered 4-6 hours a day brown out because of the network system deficiency of power supply in the grid, Dacanay said.

Particularly, the location of these HEPP’s and their DC’s, during the period, were as follows: Pulangi 4 in Ki-untod, Camp 1, Maramag, Bukidnon, 220MW, Agus 4 in Nangka, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, 158.10MW and Agus 5 in Datucalan, Agus 6 in Maria Cristina and Agus 7 in Fuentes, all of Iligan City, 47.57 MW, 145MW and 35.67MW, respectively.

The coal-fired plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental owned by Steag Power had a DC of 210 MW, while the embedded power had also a DC of 91.70MW supplied by the following: Mindanao Energy Systems, Inc. in Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City (CDO), 46.30 MW, Cabulig HEP in Plaridel, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, 8.0MW and FG Bukidnon Power Corp., in Damilag, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, 1.60 MW.

Photo-Voltaic Plant in Indahag, CDO owned by the CDO Power and Light, Company, 1.0MW and Crystal Sugar Bio-Mass in Quezon, Bukidnon, 21 MW.

First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative KEG-Diesel Power Plant (DPP) in Maramag, Bukidnon, 3.20 MW and Misamis Oriental Rural Electric Services Cooperative II in Gingoog City, 10.60 MW. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

BIR extends use of principal, supplementary receipts to Aug. 30

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 23 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announces the extension, from June 30, 2013 to August 30, this year, the deadline if using the principal and supplementary receipts/invoices printed prior to January 18, 2013.

This means that after August 30, all transactions with such receipts are deemed not properly substantiated and may not be allowed as a deduction, Atty. Judith G. Seno, Assistant Revenue District Officer, BIR RDO No. 100, this city, said.

Seno said the issuance of said receipts/invoices shall be deemed to be an issuance of an invalid receipt or deemed as if no receipts were issued, and a violation of Section 264 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

This is stipulated in BIR Memorandum Circular No. 44-2013 to all Revenue Officers, signed by Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares last June 11, who said this information should be widely disseminated to the public.

The circular is being issued to extend the effectivity date of Revenue Regulation No. 18-2012, from June 30, 2013 to August 30, 2013, the validity of all unused and unissued principal and supplementary receipts/invoices printed prior to January 18, 2013.

However, the deadline for filing an application for the printing of new receipts to replace all unused and unissued principal and supplementary receipts printed prior to Jan. 18, 2013, is maintained on April 30, 2013.

Meanwhile, the same circular provides that all applications received after such date will be considered late application and the penalties for late filing will be imposed.

On the other hand, all unused/unissued principal and supplementary receipts/ invoices printed prior to January 18, 2013, shall be surrendered to the Revenue District Office (RDO) where the taxpayer is registered on or before the 10th day after the date of printing stated in the new principal and supplementary receipts/invoices.

The date of the new principal and supplementary receipts/invoices is the date of expiration of the validity period of the unused/unissued receipts/invoices, pursuant to BIR MC 44-2013, Seno added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Artsada, local Mall showcase CdeO culture, arts

  

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 23 -- The LimketKai Mall will host an art exhibition of the Artsada team of artists on July 22 to 28 at LKK Mall, Lapasan, this city.

The exhibit is intended to help promote Cagayan de Oro as a place of unique culture, heritage and visual arts.

She added it will display oeuvres of the Artsada artists showcasing the city’s rich heritage and culture in recognition of the Kagay-anon cultural heritage, history, natural wonders, values and socio-cultural and economic aspirations.

The team members are “tubong Cagay-anon” promising artists. Some of them won in the various regional and national art competitions.

The exhibit is also supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Visual Arts Committee as part of their offshoot activities in promoting local arts and also R Productions for promotions.

The participating artists for this exhibit are visual artists with varied line of interests or medium in arts: Bo Daclan (contemporary artist), Shamae Casino (sculptor), Mark Bailo (anime artist), Lloyd Hinosolango (portrait artist) and Marigold Cherie Ramos-Garrido (pastelist). (Artsada/PIA10)