Gov’t addressing classroom shortage – Malacanang says

In order to meet President Benigno S. Aquino III’s directive to address the 66,800 classroom shortage by this year, the Departments of Education (DepEd) and Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are on top of and are addressing the situation, a Malacanang official said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government is cognizant of the need to close the classroom gap in order to advance the learning of Filipino students by providing a conducive study atmosphere for all.

“Of course, tinutugunan natin (ang classroom shortage). We are very well aware of the classroom shortage that we have apart from the year-on-year requirements that need to be met. That’s why meron na nga pong ongoing project ang DepEd at ang DPWH to address the classroom shortage,” Valte said.

She pointed out that the DepEd and DPWH are acting towards constructing more two-storey classrooms in the province and in Metro Manila.

“So, yes, that is being addressed and we’re looking to cut that backlog (of classrooms) significantly,” Valte said.

She noted of the headway gained by the government under the President’s instructions to address the textbook and school furniture shortage.

“As you have seen, nabanggit po ng Pangulo ‘yung shortage doon sa mga textbooks, that has already been addressed. ‘Yung shortage doon sa mga upuan at sa mga furniture, that has already also been addressed,” Valte said.

“And even in typhoon-hit areas, if I may mention,’yung doon sa…Davao at sa Compostela Valley, ina-address na rin po natin ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, kasi meron po yatang mga structures that cannot be used because of the damage caused by the typhoon,” she added.

President Aquino appoints new officials to various position in government

President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed new government officials for various positions, a Palace official said on Tuesday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief Executive signed the appointment letters on May 22.

President Aquino appointed Arell F. Bañez and Ruel B. Paclipan as Directors II (Provincial Director) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Bañez obtained his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Saint Louis University in 1990, Master of Management from the University of the Philippines in 2000 and Bachelor of Laws from the Abra Valley Colleges in 2009.

Since joining the DTI, Bañez was intrumental for the successful implementation and wider participation to the Padaya 2012 Provincial Trade Fair in Abra. He also initiated the development of the Loomweaving Village in Bulbulala, La Paz in Abra and Coffee Industry Development Project and contributed to the peace-keeping efforts of the government.

Paclipan earned his Bachelor of Business Management from the University of the Philippines in Cebu City in 1985, Master in Public Administration from the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro in 1993, and Doctor in Management from the Liceo de Cagayan University in Cagayan de Oro in 2001.

While working in the government, he spearheaded the barangay-based enterprise development program dubbed as One Barangay One Product and initiated network with Iligan Chamber and Lanao de Norte Chamber in mounting projects and events geared towards enhancing business confidence in Lanao del Norte. Through the active advocacy of the DTI in the province, the Local Price Coordinating Council of Iligan has been mobilized during the the typhoon Sendong.

The President, likewise, appointed Ralph Pastor A. Salazar as member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine National Oil Company-Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC), to serve the unexpired term of office ending June 30, 2013. He will replace Carlo L. Cruz.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Divine Word University in Tacloban City in 1986 and had served in various private corporations and civic organizations.

President Aquino also appointed Blesila A. Lantayona as Assistant Secretary of the DTI, replacing Ma.Theresa L. Pelayo-Ty.

Lantayona graduated Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Major in Economics (Cum Laude) from the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City in 1979, Master in Agribusiness (Certificate) from the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City in 1986 and MBA in International Business European School of Management in Paris, France in 1994. She had served as DTI Regional Director (Director IV) in Region III since August 13, 1999 until her appointment.

President Aquino vetoes consolidated bill that grants 75 percent discount to centenarians

President Benigno S. Aquino III has vetoed a consolidated bill that will grant 75 percent discounts to centenarians, saying the amount will obliterate profit margins and result in capital loss, a Palace official said on Tuesday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte announced during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief Executive vetoed last May 15 "The Act Honoring and Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Filipino Centenarians”

In his veto message, President Aquino acknowledged the intent of the measure but said that, “the 75% discount exceeds the usual mark-up rate of most businesses and will obliterate profit margins and result in capital loss” because “the proposed measure does not provide for a tax deduction to recover the said discount.”

"The intent of the law is certainly very laudable and it was stated also in the veto message of the President when it was given to both Houses. Ang sinentruhan lang po ‘nung veto, just to give you an idea, 75 percent po kasi in the enrolled bill, the proposal was 75 percent po ‘yung magiging discount on sales of goods and services in favor of centenarians," Valte said.

"They should assess this in case the proponents of the bill want it refilled kasi maganda naman po yung pinupunto ‘nung batas. According to (Internal Revenue) Commissioner Kim Henares, the BIR was present even at the committee level, at the hearings for this particular one, and they have consistently made their position that the 75 percent may be too heavy without a tax deduction on the part of the establishment," Valte said.

The Centenarian bill was among measures vetoed by the President. The President earlier vetoed the Magna Carta for the Poor and the bill removing the height requirement for policemen.

COWD heeds DepEd’s call for support to Brigada Eskwela 2013

Tuesday 28th of May 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 28 (PIA) -- The Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) has readily made available its booster station in Macasandig to provide water to the firetrucks intended for delivery to schools for cleaning purposes, in response to the call of the Department of Education to assist the different public elementary schools in preparation for the school opening.

Apart from this, COWD donated construction materials to St. John Elementary School for the renovation and improvement of its Grade 6 classroom including its comfort room and wash area. It likewise provided hose bibs, sink, pail, dipper, bowl brush and caddy, non-slip tub mat for the toilet.

In order to promote proper health and sanitation, a trash bin, bottles of liquid soap and hand towels were also given.

Water Conservation stickers were provided for the wash areas to encourage the habit of saving water among the students.

St. John Elementary School is a public school located in St. John, Puntod this city.

It has around 520 pupils, including Badjaos, from Pre-school to Grade 6 levels. It has 7 instructional classrooms, a principal’s office and canteen. The school is located in one of the depressed areas of Bgy. Puntod where most of the families fall belong to below poverty line.

COWD has always given support to programs benefiting the students. Among these are the high school scholarship program it had for around two decades, the oratorical, essay-writing and poster-making contests it has conducted and recently, the Science and Math Quiz.

COWD hopes to contribute in whatever way to provide the youth with opportunities for a brighter future. (COWD/PIA)

Cebuano news: Pres choolers nakadawat ug libreng food packs

By Jorie C. Valcorza

Tuesday 28th of May 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, May 28 (PIA) -- Singkwenta ka preschoolers sa isla ang nakabenipisyo karon sa gipahigayon nga feeding sa pangagamhanang lokal sa probinsya diin giapu-apud ang libreng nutri food packs nga puno sa bitamina.

Matud pa sa Provincial Nutritionist ug Dietician nga si Telesfora G. Madelo daku kaayo kini ug importansya ang paghatag ug bili sa nutrisyon sa mga bata atol sa ilang formative age o edad 0 hangtud sinko (0-5) anyos.

Ang nasangpit nga mga benepisyaryo uban sa lista sa severely underweight nga mga bata sa probinsya.

Sulod sa siento biente (120) ka adlaw ang mga bata makakaon sa foods packs nga ihatag matag hapon isip snacks diin kini may lainlaig flavor sama sa champorado ug monggo.

Ang ubang bata usab nga wala mahiapil sa food packs mahiuban sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) feeding program sa mga day care centers, gawas pa niini ang gobyerno regular usab nga gaapud-apud sa micronutrient supplementation, Vitamin A, iron ingon man purga para sa mga bata.

Sa pagkakaron ang nagpakita ug maayong pagkunhod ang malnutrition rate sa probinsya, gikan sa 7.33 percent sa 2011 kini miubos pa hangtod 7.14 sa 2012.(PIA)

JICA rehabilitation project for COWD takes off

By Jorie C. Valcorza

Tuesday 28th of May 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 28 (PIA) -- The typhoon-hit facilities of the Cagayan de Oro City Water District shall soon undergo rehabilitation with the P40-million grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The said grant, according to COWD's Public Relations/Information Division, is in the form of provision of materials and equipment, which procurement processes has just been completed,

Facilities covered by this rehabilitation project include 11 booster pumps, 6 production wells, 5 generator sets, chlorinating set, controllers and transformer cables. It will also cover replacement of the biosafety cabinet (laboratory equipment) and damaged water meters.

Some 5,562 units of water meters were already delivered last week and the project is expected to be completed by the third quarter of the year. (COWD/PIA)