PIA-10 News

President Aquino joins PNP in commemorating 112th Police Service Anniversary

President Benigno S. Aquino III joined the officers and employees of the Philippine National Police in commemorating the 112th Police Service Anniversary that was held at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday.

Joining the President were Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP Police Director General Alan Purisima.

The PNP celebrates the month of August as Police Service Anniversary in commemoration of the joint founding anniversaries of the Insular Constabulary established in 1901 and the Integrated National Police, which was organized in 1975, as forerunner organizations of the PNP.

The President also led the awarding ceremonies to PNP individuals and units for outstanding achievements.

The awardees are: Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo, Jr. (Regional Director, National Capital Region Police Office) for outstanding achievement in the field of Police Administration; Police Officer 2 Webster Liwag (Malolos City Police Office) for outstanding achievements in the field of Police Operations; Police Regional Office 9 for outstanding achievements in the campaign against terrorism, regional level; Highway Patrol Group for outstanding achievements in the campaign against organized crime;

Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office for outstanding achievements in the campaign against organized crime, provincial level; Batangas Police Provincial Office for recording the most number of firearms accounted for during the May 2013 midterm elections; Ilocos Sur Regional Special Operations Task Goup (RSOTG) for recording the least number of violent incidents during the May 2013 midterm elections; and Lanao del Sur RSOTG for the most improved security preparations during the May 2013 midterm elections.

In his speech, the President lauded the winners saying the country could use more people and units like them in order to improve the peace and order situation in the country and become inspirations for others to emulate.

“Sa lahat ng ating mga pinarangalan sa araw na ito, kasama na ang libo-libo nating pulis na tapat sa serbisyo: saludo ang sambayanang Pilipino sa inyo. Kayo ang patunay na hindi mauubusan ng mabubuting halimbawa ang ating unipormadong hanay. Maraming salamat sa pag-ambag sa tinatamasa nating pagbabago,” the President said.

He added that because of their and the police forces’ dedication to their sworn duties is proof enough for the government to support reforms and the upgrading of their capabilities such as providing firearms, personnel and housing.

“Ang serbisyong hatid ng mga tulad ninyo ang patuloy na nagtutulak sa ating pamahalaan upang mamuhunan sa ating kapulisan. Ngayong napipinto na nating makamit ang one-to-one police-to-pistol ratio bago matapos ang taon, mabubura na sa bokabularyo ng Pilipino ang terminong “Pulis Patola.” Sa kasalukuyan, nasa 37,578 units na ng Glock 17 9mm pistol ang nai-deliver mula sa kabuuang 74,879 units para sa PNP. Bulto-bulto pang ihahatid ang natitirang baril sa mga darating na buwan, hanggang sa maisara na natin ang ating kakulangan sa larangang ito,” the President said.

“Bahagi naman ng ating PNP Operational Transformation Plan ang pagpapatatag sa puwersa ng ating unipormadong hanay. Sa naitala po kasing 146,085 nating pulis nitong Abril, nasa 30,000 ang may trabahong administratibo. Malayo po ito sa target nating magkaroon ng 1 is to 500 ratio para sa actual field personnel-to-population ratio. Ang ating solusyon: kumuha ng tatlumpung libong Non-Uniform Personnel sa susunod na dalawang taon. Ang resulta: Bukod sa malilikhang bagong trabaho, ay mas maraming pulis na imbes na humarap lamang sa computer o lamesa, ay haharap nang muli sa tao at tatanod sa kalsada,” he added.

“Kung umaasa po ang mamamayan sa mabuting serbisyo mula sa ating mga pulis, di po ba’t makatarungan lamang na tutukan naman ng estado ang kanilang kapakanan? Tuloy-tuloy po ang mga inisyatiba nating pabahay: Naipamahagi na natin sa Phase I ang 21,800 housing units para sa unipormadong hanay; 10,900 dito ang naihandog natin sa mga kasapi ng PNP. Sa Phase II naman, 26,050 units na ang ating natapos mula sa target na 31,200 ngayong taon, at ang pagkakaintindi ko itong buwan na ito, dapat matapos ang target na ‘yan; 14,040 naman sa makatatanggap nito ang mula sa hanay ng ating kapulisan. Sa tuwid na daan, hindi na maaaring maetsa-puwera ang kapulisan; habang pinapanatili ninyong mapayapa’t ligtas ang ating lipunan, titiyakin din ng gobyerno na nasa mabuting kamay ang inyong pamilya’t kinabukasan,” the President further said.

President Aquino announces budget for PNP modernization program to be released soon

President Benigno S. Aquino III announced on Tuesday that additional tranches from the P9-billion additional budget that will be used for the Philippine National Police modernization program will be released soon in order for the upgrade of the country’s police force may commence immediately.

The President made the announcement in his speech keynoting the 112th Police Service Anniversary held at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

He said that additional budget, of which P2.86-billion had already been released over the weekend by the Department of Budget and Management under the 2013 PNP Capability Enhancement Program, will go to the purchase of equipment, such as firearms, radios and vehicles; the improvement of police offices and the hiring of more personnel to augment the PNP’s visibility in order to deter crime.

“Kanina po ay binanggit ng ating hepe (Police Director General Alan Purisima) na mayroon kayo sa first tranche na two-billion pesos na pondong dagdag...na ang kabuuan po niyan ay mahigit nine billion,” the President said.

He said that the additional budget, of which P2.86-billion had already been released over the weekend by the Department of Budget and Management under the 2013 PNP Capability Enhancement Program, will go to the purchase of equipment, such as additional firearms, radios and vehicles; the improvement of police offices and the hiring of more personnel to augment the PNP’s visibility in order to deter crime.

He underscored the importance of a strong police force as he called on all Filipinos to set aside differences and work together in helping the PNP become stronger and better.

"Kaya po ngayong magkakasama tayo, ito ang hiling at hamon ko sa inyo: magtulungan tayo sa pag-aangat ng dangal at kalidad ng serbisyo ng PNP. Tuldukan na natin ang kalakaran ng pagkakanya-kanya. Panahon na ng pakikilahok upang iangat ang isa’t isa. Kasama ninyo ako, at ang buong pambansang liderato sa pagtutulak ng pagbabago,” the President said.

“Maliwanag po ang hinaharap natin sa tuwid na daan: Katuwang ang hanay ng kapulisang pinatatag ng husay, disiplina, at dangal, abot-kamay na natin ang isang lipunang malaya sa agam-agam at pag-aalinlangan. Isang bansa nating ihakbang pasulong ang inaasam nating Pilipinas na bukal ng tagumpay at kaunlaran,” he added.

Comelec bids out P184.60M of carbonless paper for October elections

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Aug. 13 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has bidded out a contract price of P184,603,826.45 for carbonless paper and other supplies and materials for the October 28 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The amount is already inclusive of taxes, fees, delivery costs, and other incidental charges, in payment for the supply and delivery of the items under Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Reference No. 01-2013 BSKE.

Atty. Jubil S. Surmieda, BAC vice-chairperson, said these supplies, their volume and respective approved budget for contract (ABC) are as follows:

Carbonless paper (CB), 647 reams, CB, P5,075,132.70, carbonless paper (CF), 755 reams, P4,819,806.75, indelible stain ink, 253,000 bottles, P35,642,640 and plastic security seal for ballot box, 522,500 pieces, P20,967,925.

Paper seal, 3,425,500 pieces, P14,626,885; 2,139,550 pieces ballpens, P8,772,155; 178,500 padlocks, P22,369,620; and 345,400 thumbprint/fingerprint taker, P8,289,600.

Continuous forms, four-ply, 410 boxes, P536,690; three-ply, 14,700 boxes, P27,286,500; and one-ply, 21,820 boxes, P12,961,080.

Ribbon toners for Lexmark 2400 series/2581, with 23,450 pieces, P18,642,750; Oki 520/521, with 338 pieces, P 116,272; Epson FX 2180, with 690 pieces, P686,550; Epson FX 2190, with 3,499 pieces, P 1,137,175; and Oki 721, with 8,543 pieces, P2,691,045. (RCA/PIA10, Misamis Occidental)

DBM releases P12.64M for death benefits of 900 barangay officials

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Aug. 13 (PIA) -- A total of P12.64 million had been released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the death benefits of 928 barangay officials, nationwide, as of May this year.

Released through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the amount was used to settle the claims of beneficiaries after they had completed and submitted the needed requirements.

Of the amount, P2.734 million was released in January, P2.826 million in February, P2.920 million in March, P1.478 million in April, and P2.678 million last May.

Per Executive Order No. 115, the death benefit for the punong barangay (PB, village head) amounts to P22,000, while those of the Sangguniang Bayan member (SBM), barangay secretary (BS), barangay treasurer (BT), and Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson (SKC) is P12,000, each, Atty. Rene Burdeos, regional director of DILG of Region 10 said.

Meanwhile, Burdeos said of the number of death claims, 150 were for village heads, 633 were for SBMs, 75 were for BS, 61 were for BTs, and nine for SKCs.

In Region 10, the death claims of 38 barangay officials, as of the period, amounted to P556,000, of which P220,000 was paid to the beneficiaries of 10 PBs and P336,000 to the beneficiaries of 24 SBMs, two BTs, and one BS and SKC each, Burdeos added. (RCA/PIA10, Misamis Occidental)

Camiguin emergency responders to undergo advance training drills

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, August 13 (PIA) – Emergency response teams around the province will undergo five days basic life support- cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS-CPR) and ropesmanship training, as well as, volcanic eruption, flashfloods and earthquake drills.

This activity is undertaken jointly by the provincial government together with the respective municipal local governments.

Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) Chief and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (PDRRMO) Felicisimo M. Gomez said this will be carried out on separate schedules, by municipality and will be participated by representatives from each barangays, schools and the DRRM task force.

The training, he noted, will also take up disaster risk reduction & climate change adaptation (DRR / CCA) management.

Furthermore, the training also aims to re-organize/organize municipal disaster risk reduction council (MDRRMC), task force and its response team.

Sagay town has already completed the week-long exercise last week, while the Guinsiliban LGU is up for this week’s schedule.The three remaining municipalities were likewise lined up to undergo the same, on the following weeks. (JCV/PIA)

DOST 10 awards scholar achievers

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 13 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 10 recognized and awarded achievers in their list of scholars in the recent National Science and Technology Week here.

Out of the 145 graduates in the Academic Year 2012 to 2013 in Northern Mindanao, 44 of them have topped and graduated cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude.

These students have courses in Chemical Engineering, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Math, Computer Science, Mathematics, Agriculture and Information Technology.

According to Teresita Baluyos of DOST 10, to avail of the scholarship, the student applicant must be natural-born Filipino citizen; poor, talented and deserving student who belongs to a family whose socio-economic status does not exceed the set values for certain indicators; top five percent of the regular high school graduating class or member of the graduating class of a DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) identified or Department of Education (DepEd) recognized science high school, among others.

Privileges of this scholarship include tuition and other school fees, book and transportation allowance, monthly stipends as well as uniform and monthly allowance added Teresita.

The DOST-SEI undergraduate scholarship program aims to develop a scientifically and technologically literate citizenry and accelerate the development of Science and Technology human resources needed for socio-economic development.

Currently, there are 373 ongoing scholars under DOST region 10. (JMOR/PIA10)

Malaybalay water district chief among finalists in CSC’s Pagasa Awards

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Aug 13 (PIA)—Malaybalay City Water District (MCWD) general manager Juanito C. Aroa made it into the list of semifinalists for the country’s 2013 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees, Pagasa Award of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Aroa was among 10 individuals selected out of the 97 qualified nominations.

He was cited for transforming the MCWD into the center of excellent innovation through his self-coined “Triple L” approach implemented through “Local Water District-Local Water Utilities Administration-Local Government Unit (LWD-LWUA-LGU)” collaboration.

Recognizing the district’s tough financial limitations, Aroa was determined to address the growing population’s problem on water supply.

Through Triple L, which in this case, the LWD as lead implementer, LWUA as the project’s technical expert, and LGU as the financer, the P130-million Kibalabag Water Source Development Project, now named Malaybalay City Government Water Supply System (MCGWSS), was completed.

At present, MCWD source out more than 70 percent of its water supply from the Triple L-completed project for distribution to more than 86,000 city residents, maintaining the lowest minimum rate of P120 per month.

The “Triple L” concept spared MCWD from getting huge loans from LWUA and other finance institutions.

“Generally, it is the loan’s interest rate that makes water fees too heavy for most people. Hence, this saved the paying public from the brunt of increased water rates,” Aroa said in an interview.

His other flagship project includes the P60 million Dalwangan Water Supply Development Project funded out of locally generated funds.

Consistent with his stand on “No loan policy,” he continued expanding water connections through prudent approach of generating resources.

Other local water districts finally emulated the concept as recognized and endorsed by LWUA.

As contained in the nominee’s individual accomplishments, Aroa’s endless dedication and commitment to the concessionaires and his meritorious achievements resulted in a big leap towards MCWD’s water services progress.

Earlier, the commission named the other 9 semifinalists, of which, eight were from Luzon, and one from Bayawan City, Negros Oriental in Visayas.

“The ‘Pagasa Award’ is one of the two distinctions given by our agency under the Honor Awards Program with the other one being the ‘Lingkod Bayan’ award,” CSC provincial field officer Lilia Baliguat said.

She explained that “Pagasa Award” is bestowed to an individual or group for excellent contributions that directly benefit more than one department of the government, while the “Lingkod Bayan Award” is conferred to an individual or group for extraordinary contributions that had nationwide impact. (Glenrose T. Ledesma, MCWD/RLRBalistoy-PIA10, Bukidnon)

DepEd Tangub on final stage in classrooms, schools evaluation

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental, Aug. 10 (PIA) -- The final evaluation of schools and classrooms in the public elementary and secondary schools of the Department of Education (DepEd), in the city, is now on its second month.

Victoria V. Gazo, Ph.D., Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) of the Tangub City Schools Division said the activity is aimed at establishing ideal and dignified schools for pupils and students in the division.

The final evaluation, she said, is conducted from July to December, by district, to ensure that schools and classrooms are maintained throughout the year.

The Public School District Supervisors (PSDS), Education Program Supervisors (EPS), District-in-Charge, School Heads and Head Teachers of the elementary and secondary schools assigned in each district will compose the evaluation team.

Among the items that the evaluators will validate are whether the classrooms guarantee safe and protective spaces for children, have proper ventilation and lighting, proper desk sizes to allow shared seat works, bulletin boards to display learning materials, such as posters and magazines, and regularly kept clean.

Also looked into are whether the school has a library for reading and for study, facilities and equipment for recreation and sports, sufficient lawn and space for vegetation, coordinates with the barangay for security of its premises, a policy against discrimination with regard to gender, cultural origin, social status, religious beliefs and others, and a program for children with special needs.

Teachers with the most improved classrooms and school heads that comply with standards and exceed the standards will be given recognition during Teachers ‘Day celebration in December 2013, SDS Gazo added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

16 posts open in Oct. 28 Barangay, SK elections

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Aug. 9 (PIA) -- A total of 16 positions per barangay will be contested during the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections in Oct. 28, this year.

This, as the officials to be elected in each barangay are the following: One (1) Punong Barangay and seven (7) members of the Sangguniang Barangay and one (1) SK Chairman and seven (7) members of the SK.

Per guidelines set in Resolution No. 9740 of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), a candidate for Punong Barangay and Sangguniang Barangay must be a Filipino citizen and a registered voter of the barangay where he intends to be elected.

He/she must also be a resident of the barangay for at least one year, immediately preceding the day of the elections, able to read and write Filipino or any other local dialect and at least 18 years old on election day, Atty. Cirilo E. Nala, Jr., Provincial Elections Supervisor (PES) of Misamis Occidental, said.

Likewise, to be a candidate for Chairman and members of the SK, one must be a Filipino citizen, a qualified voter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan, and a resident of the barangay where he/she intends to be elected for at least one (1) year, immediately prior to the elections.

He/she must also be at least 15 years old but less than 18 years of age on the day of the elections, able to read and write Filipino, English or any local dailect, and must have never been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude, PES Nala sadded. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

NFA assures ample rice supply for lean months

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Aug. 13 (PIA) --The National Food Authority (NFA) here assured the public that there is ample supply of commercial rice and affordable government rice in all public markets, while dispelling fears that there is rice shortage due to the effects of lean season.

NFA Bukidnon Manager Victoria Real-Duray said there is price increase in commercial rice during the months of July, August, and September because this is planting season, and traditionally, rice traders take advantage of this lean harvest time of the year to rake in more profit.

She suggested that local residents should patronize government rice sold at only P27 per kilo in selected public market stalls, instead of buying high-priced commercial rice.

At present, market retail price of commercial rice in the province ranged from P36 to P42 per kilo while the special well-milled rice went up from P43 to P45 per kilo.

“The price increase will only be temporary because of the nature of the season. NFA, however, is prepared with its buffer stock in case intervention is needed,” Duray said.

As of today, more than 45,000 bags of rice and 40,000 bags of palay (unhulled rice) are available in NFA warehouses.

“There are also commercial and household stocks of about 286,656 bags,” she added.

Based on the data released by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Bukidnon has a monthly rice consumption of more than 90,000 bags.

“That volume of rice reserve therefore is more than enough to meet the need of the province in a month during lean season,” she said.

“As a government entity, NFA will continue to be at the forefront of the country’s food security to ensure stability in the supply and prices of its staple cereals, which is in full support to President Benigno Aquino III’s rice self-sufficiency goals through the AgriPinoy Program,” Duray said. (RLRBalistoy-PIA10, Bukidnon)

Lanao del Norte sets post Ramadhan free clinic

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Aug. 13 -- The provincial government of Lanao del Norte, in coordination with the provincial health office and provincial community affairs office, extends free medical and dental services on August 13 to September 2 this year.

This annual free-check up is usually done after Ramadhan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a time of fasting for Muslims, bared Lyndon Calica, head, Provincial Community Affairs.

There will be attending physicians to do the check up with free medicines to be given away for fever, cough and colds, high blood pressure, allergies, anemia, diarrhea, vitamins and others. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) medical team is also tapped for dental check up and tooth extraction.

Schedule of check-up to 18 municipalities is being posted at strategic areas for the community to avail, at the specific venue in their locality.

Anyone who would like to avail the services must consult first with the attending physician before given free medication depending on the illness.

Quantity of the medication given will depend on the availability of the medicines supplied by the province. It is a first-come-first serve basis, said Calica. (LAR-PIO, LDN/lvgabule/PIA-10 LDN)

CGH diagnostic building nears completion

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, Aug. 13 (PIA) -- The Camiguin General Hospital (CGH) reports the near completion of its P5-million diagnostic building which will house a new CT scan machine.

The hospital has now completed the installation of the CT-scan lead and will soon be facilitating the purchase of the equipment in the amount of P20-P30 million.

This is expected to cut transportation needs of patients to the mainland just to undergo CT-Scan diagnosis.

Several state of the art equipment are also made available in the CGH laboratories like X-ray, endoscopy, urinalysis, CBC, and 4-D ultrasound.

Dr. Arvin Sampilo of CGH likewise bared that the hospital is currently bidding the installation of sprinkler, electrical rewiring and commissioning of the 475 KW generator automatic transfer switch.

The European Union, meanwhile, released P1-million assistance for the improvement of the hospital’s façade and parking area. (JCV/PIA)