Government to ensure that relocated families are prevented from returning to danger zones

The government will ensure that families relocated to safer areas will not go back to their previous dwelling place through strong cooperation among agencies, the Palace said on Wednesday.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the government’s plan to move families to safer areas also entails a mechanism that will ensure that they won’t re-occupy the dangerous housing sites particularly in the cities.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government was given an instruction to make sure that those who are relocated will stay in safe relocations sites, he said.

The police and barangay officials will also work together to prevent them from coming back, Lacierda said.

The Palace official said the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will carry out projects in abandoned areas immediately after those families leave.

“Sinisigurado natin na hindi na sila makakabalik sa danger zones. ‘Yan ay mahigpit na instruction ni Pangulong Aquino, at i-enforce ‘yan ng DILG. At saka may mga proyektong gagawin doon ang DPWH pag-alis ng mga estero families, aayusin natin ‘yan, ng DPWH, ng MMDA,” Lacierda told reports.

He also said the Department of Justice vowed to go after professional squatters.

The present relocation sites will be attractive to those contemplating to move out, he said, adding that these are very different from previous projects that usually made families leave the sites. Those who agree to be relocated could visit the relocation site, he said.

There are structures already in place and families who are willing to be relocated will receive P18,000 as government support, according to Lacierda.

But for the housing projects that are still being constructed, the government will extend 1,500 a month or P18,000 a year for each family to rent a decent home. They will be transferred once the structures are completed, he said.

The Palace official also defended the government’s plan, saying the move isn’t a band-aid solution but a long-term one.

“Ang sabi ng iba 'band aid' ito, ang sinasabi namin, 'first aid' ito dahil ito ay unang tulong sa ating mga pamilyang who are in danger zones, in the esteros, in those eight major waterways,” he said.

“We need to move them out in order to make sure that come typhoon season, hindi sila maaapektuhan. This is not the only solution; our solution is to relocate them to decent structures off site, in city, or near city.”

Aquino always expects government agencies to perform their utmost best, says official

The recent “scolding” given by President Benigno S. Aquino III to the National Irrigation Administration led by Administrator Antonio Nangel for its failure to meet its targets should not serve as a wake up call for other agencies to improve performances, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

In a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Lacierda said from the very start, government agencies and its officials were expected to perform “to their utmost best” in order to “deliver our commitments” to the Filipino people.

“This is not the first time he has done it (expressed dismay over the poor performance of a government agency). The President is always frank and candid with respect to an agency’s accomplishments or non-accomplishments. So, this should not be a wake up call. From the very start, the President has said that we have six years to deliver our commitments and he expects every agency to perform their mandate to their utmost best,” Lacierda said.

At the 50th Anniversary of NIA yesterday held at the NIA Open Grounds, NIA Building Complex in Diliman, Quezon City, the President underscored the need for the NIA to work harder after it failed to meet its target to irrigate 81,170 hectares of farmlands last year.

In his speech, the President reminded the NIA to fulfill its mandate to develop and rehabilitate irrigation systems in support of the administration's Rice Self Sufficiency Program and provide an adequate level of irrigation service on a sustainable basis to help the country's farmers.

Aquino government believes that relations with Taiwan remain strong despite Balintang Channel shooting incident

The Aquino government expressed strong belief that its relations with Taiwan remains strong despite the Balintang Channel shooting incident, a Palace offical said on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a regular press briefing in Malacanang that both the Philippines and Taiwan remained committed at enhancing their multi-cultural relations.

"Maganda naman po ang trato ng mga Taiwanese sa atin.... Ang relation po natin sa Taiwan ay hindi lang dito nakasalalay sa isang isyu. Marami pa tayong multi-cultural exchanges," Lacierda said.

Last May, President Benigno S. Aquino III said the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) coordinated with their Taiwanese counterparts to resolve the issue regarding the reported harassment and assaults against Filipinos in Taiwan in the wake of the tension caused by the death of a Taiwanese fisherman last May 9 off Balintang Channel.

"Hindi na po nagpatuloy ang karahasang ginawa ‘nung nauna. Tayo po ay umaasa na magiging normal na ang ating relasyon," Lacierda said.

The President, meanwhile, is still studying the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) report on the Balintang Channel incident. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima submitted to the President earlier this month the NBI report of its investigation into the death of a Taiwanese fishermen.

De Lima, who has jurisdiction over the NBI, said the report recommends the filing of criminal and administration charges against Philippine Coast Guard personnel involved in the incident.

The Philippine Coast Guard patrolling the Balintang Channel fired what they claimed as warning shots against the Taiwanese vessel, resulting in the death of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-Cheng last May. The PCG personnel said the vessel was attempting to ram their vessel.

Lanao del Norte gears up for 54th Foundation Day

By Lorry V. Gabule

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, June 25 (PIA) – Various activities have been lined up for the week-long celebration of the 54th Araw ng Lanao del Norte come July 4.

The opening salvo of the annual festivities will be on June 28 with the Agri-Aqua, Livestock and One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) Fair.

As kick-off, there will be a grand parade along the arena where booths are installed for the product display, followed by a program and the first judging of booth contest. This is in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Provincial Agriculture’s Office (PAO), and the 22 local municipal government units.

Likewise, there will be nightly activities/Midnight Order (Diskwento Caravan) at the MCC Agora starting June 28.

On June 29, there will be the Environment Day with a coastal clean-up at Adam & Eve Beach Resort in Samburon, Linamon town at 8 a.m. It will be followed with the presentation of candidates for Miss Lanao del Norte 2013 at 11 a.m. at the same venue. At 1 p.m. will be the Tree Planting at the Tinago Falls in Linamon, as culminating activity of the provincial government in the observance of Environment Month in June.

A two-day Mindanao-wide Motocross Event is set on June 29 to 30 at the MCC Sports Complex, with the Provincial Community Affairs Office (PCAO) as the committee chair.

The Kapuso Night on June 29 which promises to be an exciting and fun-filled evening as GMA Network’s stars Katrina Halili, Ryza Cenon, Mike Tan and Carl Guevarra to perform at the MCC Gymnasium.

On June 30, will be the First Provincial Women’s Fun Run (Run to fight Violence Against Women) a 2K, 3K, & 5K-Run for a Cause which will start at 5 a.m. at the MCC grandstand. Kapuso Star Ryza Cenon will join the Run. Following will be the Inaugural Session of the Provincial Board Council at 12 noon, SP session hall. In the evening will be the 4th Youth Concert for Peace at the MCC stadium.

On July 1 Youth Day, an event involving different groups to compete in the cheer dance, hip-hop and dance sport, at the MCC. At 8 p.m. will be a concert dubbed Maja Salvador UNVEILS @ 10!

There will be a Get-Together spree with the provincial/municipal government officials and its people with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP).

July 2 is Tourism Day where there will be the Showdown of 2013 Festival Competition and Sagayan-Municipal Festivals at the MCC grandstand, a competition locally participated in by different municipalities of this province.

The highly anticipated event is the Coronation Night for Miss Lanao del Norte 2013 in the evening of July 2 with Miss Philippines World 2006 Anna Maris Igpit and R&B prince Kris Lawrence as hosts.

MKD (Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo) Serbisyo Sigurado on July 3 dubbed as People’s Day which entails the following services such as special recruitment activity, medical/dental, National Government Agency Services (DFA, PhilHealth, NBI, NSO, PRC, GSIS, Pag-ibig, LTO), mass feeding, non-government-organization services, legal services, and Gov. Kids Day. A business opportunity seminar will also be conducted on this day. Ely Buendia Concert will be at 8 p.m.

The most-awaited part at 9 p.m. will be the Fireworks Display-(Ilaw ng Lanao del Norte-OPM Nights on Fire 2), on July 3.

The Araw ng Lanao del Norte on July 4, will be highlighted with a civic parade around the MCC grounds at 6 a.m. And a program will culminate the day’s event at the MCC gymnasium.

The series of events aim to showcase the peace-loving people and quality indigenous products of the province. The partnership will further promote Lanao Del Norte as the preferred sporting destination in Mindanao.

To promote the myriad of events for its Charter celebration, the provincial government through Governor Khalid Dimaporo has forged with TV GMA Network, Inc., for its Araw ng Lanao del Norte partnership.

The MOA signing on June 19, 2013 was witnessed in by both GMA and provincial government representatives.

This TV network will feature the activities starting June 28 up to July 4. (lvg/PIA-10 LDN/PIO-LDN)

Companies urged to revolutionize green initiatives

By Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 27 (PIA) -- Presidential adviser for environmental protection Nereus Acosta challenged resource users and large plantations within the Cagayan de Oro river basin to go beyond what is reflected on its environmental responsibility plan.

Acosta sounded the call on Tuesday, June 25, during the round table discussion on sustainable agriculture and resource use in sloping land agro ecosystems which seeks in enhancing resilience and productivity of the Cagayan de Oro River Basin amid climate change.

“Present stronger cases or initiatives that contribute to better efficiency or productivity. Something that gives a better hold of the business because you have taken environmental interventions, something sustainable and programmatic,” he said.

Current interventions taken by the different resource users includes power saving measures, installation of material recovery facilities, tree planting and tree growing activities, installation of water conservation and preservation facilities (recycling), hazard waste management, Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT), irrigation, and the installation of diversion and retention ditches to prevent soil erosion.

The secretary added that better partnership between the people, government, civil society groups and private sector is the key in building back the CDO watersheds.

The FGD, meanwhile, is an initiative of the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council (CDORBMC) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Environmental Management Bureau in Region 10, Enterprise Works Worldwide Philippines (EWWP), B+WISER (Biodiversity and Watershed Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience Project), New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP), Xavier University, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG 10) and SULOG One Sendong is Enough Inc.

Pledging and action workshop planning sessions were among the highlights of the activity which was later capped with the symbolic signing of commitment. (JCV/PIA)

AusAID, PBSP turns over school buildings in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 25 (PIA) – The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) turns over today six (6) classroom buildings, two in Cagayan de Oro city and four in Iligan City.

Elaine Ward, acting minister counsellor of AusAID, said Filipino teachers and students deserve the highest quality disaster resilient buildings classrooms.

She said the two-storey six classroom school buildings are disaster resilient. This was conceptualized through the cooperative efforts of the Philippine government with the AusAID as immediate and primary answer to helping children and communities recover from the devastation of tropical storm ‘Sendong’ that hit the two cities on December 2011.

Ward said the primary and flagship program of AusAID in the Philippines is education. She said, we know how much and how important education is to the future of the Philippines and the children.

She added, our ongoing program in education is important but being able to help communities affected by the disaster, help children recover and rebuild their lives as part of their communities is part of the inclusive growth that Australia is trying to help the Philippines because we know that an investment in children, in education in disaster resilience is an investment for the future in the Philippines.

Rafael Lopa, executive director of PBSP, implementing agency of this project said that it is so important and powerful to dream, see and hope for what we want to happen in the future and in our lives. Equally essential is to also act on it and do something about it, he added.

He emphasized that imagination plus action equals to transformation.

Officer in charge of region 10 Department of Education (DepEd) Allan G. Farnazo, meanwhile, declared his commitment to preserve and take care of these new school buildings.

For his part, Schools Division Superintendent of Iligan City DepEd Randolph B. Tortola expressed his gratitude and said these new school buildings will provide wholesome learning environment and help improve academic performance of the students.

Students of the schools who received these new infrastructure said that they can finally go to a comfortable learning environment and study well and get good grades to be somebody someday. Also, they promised to take care of these buildings.

This project is a partnership between AusAID, PBSP and DepEd.

These AusAID funded school buildings can be found at Lumbia Central School, Bonbon Elementary School in Cagayan de Oro City and Northeast 1A Central School, Iligan City East 1 Central School, Luinab Elementary School and Iligan City Central School in Iligan City.

Currently, it benefits at least 13,397 school children and 315 public school teachers. The package of assistance includes bags and assorted school supplies for the children and learning guides plus starter kits for the teachers. (JMOR/PIA10)