Chinese New Year Celebration in the Philippines
DOTC OKs grant for Marinduque Airport but Capitol still pushing for loan for same project despite protests By: Eli J. Obligacion, marinduque rising With three months to go before the national and local elections, and even as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has approved a P100-M grant for development of airports that include the Marinduque Airport (see article below), the administration of Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes is still pushing for a term loan with Philippine National Bank (PNB), for the very same project for which P100-M has been earmarked. In Resolution No. 865 series 2013 the Sangguniang Panlalawigan reaffirmed the intention of the Provincial Government to pursue the loan "notwithstanding the objection of some sectors". It will be recalled that in October last year the Marinduque NGO, Marinduque First Saturday Movers (Marinduque Movers), protested the loan proposal through a resolution. The said resolution stated that "the flip-flopping SP Resolution only shows how the proponent of the loan (Provincial Government of Marinduque), has no clear idea on the exact amount they need and it follows that they do not have, again, a clear idea on what projects are to be undertaken". The group added that "the repair of airport runway is a national government concern and repairs should be undertaken by the DOTC and not by the Local Government. In an article published in this blog in November last year, the DOTC confirmed to Cong. Lord Allan Velasco, its fund allocation for the development of the Marinduque Airport with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), appropriating separate funds to complete the project. The project involves the concreting of the asphalted portion of the runway measuring 636 meters in length and 30 meters in width. The municipal council of Gasan has likewise earlier opposed the loan stating it will aggravate the province's financial situation and stressing that the loan "has no clear program of works and the timing of the loan is suspect".
Copy of Resolution No. 865 series 2013 "Reaffirming the intention of the Provincial Government of Marinduque to avail the Loan with the Philippine National Bank (PNB) as expressed in Resolution No. 762 s. 2012/Provincial Ordinance No. 102 s. 2012, notwithstanding the objection of some sectors"
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The MIMAROPA SUNRISE/ February 5-11, 2013
Ay...Marinduque Ni: NOEL V. MAGTURO
Blessing of the new Provincial Hospital Building A, Boac, Marinduque. Photos courtesy of: Pie Hirondo
LEFT PHOTO: (L-R) Sta. Cruz Mayor Percival Morales, Torrijos Mayor Gil Briones, Bishop Rey Evangelista, Gasan Mayor Vicky Lim, DOH Secretary Enrique T. Ona, Gov. Nanay Reyes, Buenavista Mayor Russel Madrigal and Vice-Gov. Tonton Uy.
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No. 15
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Legislator bats to institutionalize healthcare coverage for indigents By Luis T. Cueto CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro PIA) -- A senator emphasized the importance of the passage of a measure that will institutionalize mandatory healthcare coverage for poor families in the country. Sen. Loren Legarda, principal author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill 2849, which aims to amend the charter of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), said that even as the national government is doing its share to cover the health insurance needs of indigent Filipinos, a law that will institutionalize such arrangement is needed to ensure continuity of the program. “It is encouraging that through the Department of Health’s Kalusugan Pangkalahatan, the poorest 20 percent of Filipinos identified in the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction have been automatically enrolled by the national government to PhilHealth. It is now the task of Congress to institutionalize this program through an amended National Health Insurance Act,” she explained. The Senator pointed out that the bill, which was recently approved on second reading, mandates that an affordable and accessible healthcare coverage should be made available to all citizens and that the national government will subsidize the contributions for indigent enrollees and abandoned children. “As we race to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, the health of the public deserves to be on top in the scheme of priorities of the government. By institutionalizing this program through the Amended National Health Insurance Act, we can extend quality and cost-effective healthcare to families in need,” Legarda concluded. (LBR/ Tere Robenta/LTC-PIA 4B, Calapan City)
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Unity walk at Inter-faith rally para sa eleksyon, isinagawa ni: Luis T. Cueto CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -Kaugnay sa darating na halalan ngayong taon, nagsagawa ng isang Unity Walk at Inter-faith Rally kamakailan sa lungsod. Nagsama-sama para sa isang mapayapa at patas na eleksyon ang mga kawani ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Calapan sa pangunguna ni Mayor Doy C. Leachon, ilang religious groups, mga estudyante, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), Philippine National Police (PNP)-Calapan, at mga opisyal mula sa iba’t-ibang bayan sa lalawigan. Ganap sa ika-4 n.u. nang simulan sa harap ng bagong gusali ng City Hall sa Barangay Guinobatan ang paglalakad o pagmamartsa ng mga nakilahok para sa Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) 2013 patungong City Plaza kung saan ginanap ang Inter-faith Prayer Rally. Dito ay pinangunahan ni Bishop Warlito Cajanding ang Inter-faith at Ecumenical Prayer gayundin ang pagbasa ng 10 Commandments para sa SAFE 2013. Sinundan ito ng pagsisindi ng mga symbolic candle na kumakatawan sa katuparan ng layunin nang isinagawang aktibidad. Matapos ito ay ginanap ang Signing of Pledge of Commitment ng mga dumalong government employees at NGOs bilang simbolo ng pagkakasundo na magtulungan upang makamit ang isang tapat, ligtas, matiwasay at makabuluhang eleksyon para sa kasalukuyang taon. (LBR/LTC-PIA4B, Calapan City)
The MIMAROPA SUNRISE/ February 5-11, 2013
Pagdiriwang ng 15th Founding Anniversary ng Calapan, pinaghahandaan ni Luis T. Cueto LUNGSOD NG CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- Maaga ngayong pinaghahandaan ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Calapan ang pagdiriwang ng ika-15 taong pagkakatatag nito. Ang maagap na paghahanda ay upang masiguro na magiging maayos at maganda ang gaganaping pagdiriwang sa darating na ika-21 ng Marso. Noong nakaraang buwan ay ilang pagpupulong na agad ang isinagawa sa pangunguna ni Mayor Doy C. Leachon kasama ang mga hepe ng iba’t ibang departamento upang mailinya na ang mga gawain na magpapasaya sa selebrasyon na tatagal ng halos isang buwan. Ayon sa unang napagkasunduan, gaganapin ang pagsisimula ng mga aktibidad sa ika-8 ng Marso at magtatapos ito sa mismong araw ng anibersaryo. Ayon kay Leachon, inaasahang mas higit na magiging makulay at kapana-panabik ang gaganaping pagdiriwang sa taong ito kumpara sa mga nakalipas na taon lalo pa nga at ngayon ay isa nang kilala at multi-awarded city ang Calapan dahil sa di na mabilang na tagumpay na natanggap nito. (LBR/CIO/LTC-PIA4B Calapan City)
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No. 15
Complan, binalangkas ng syudad ng Calapan By Luis T. Cueto LUNGSOD NG CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -Binalangkas ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Calapan kamakailan ang Strategic Internal Communication Plan nito matapos ang unang pagpupulong ng Multi-Sectoral Governance Coalition (MSGC). Ang pagbalangkas ay pinangunahan ng Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) na may layuning higit na mapagbuti ang mga serbisyong ipinagkakaloob ng pamahalaang lokal sa mga mamamayan. Ang pagbuo ng complan ay isa sa mga kailangan upang maipasa ng lungsod ang second stage ng pagkakaroon ng isang epektibong Performance Governance System (PGS). Sa pangunguna nina Marilyn Castino, Ace Cabalguinto at Jay Arguelles, ISA program assistants for LGUs, laman ng naganap na talakayan at pagsasanay ang pagtukoy kung patuloy na nasusubaybayan at kung nakikibahagi ang bawat kawani sa mga inisyatiba o proyekto ng pamahalaang lungsod na nakasaad sa ISA-PGS ng syudad. Kabilang sa mga inisyatiba na matagumpay na naipatutupad ay ang Green Calapan Program, Orange Card Plus at Masigasig Kalap Buwis. Naging makabuluhan din ang talakayan dahil sa isinagawang pagsusuri sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon sa pamahalaang lungsod at ang pagbuo ng strategic shifts upang higit pang maging mabuting kabalikat ng pamahalaan ang mga kawani sa pagbibigay ng dekalidad na serbisyo-publiko. (LBR/ CIO/LTC-PIA4B Calapan City)
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DOTC OKs P100-M grant Bagong gusali ng to include development of DOST-PSTC, By Dinnes Manzo Marinduque Airport pinasinayaan By Mayda N. Lagran
BOAC, Marinduque (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) recently approved a P100-million grant for airport development projects in the provinces of Marinduque and Southern Leyte along with seaport development projects in Aklan and Camarines Norte. DOTC announced that these projects of upgrading and improving airports and seaports will help meet the government’s goal in providing Convenient, Affordable, Reliable, Efficient and Safe (CARES) air transport system as well as will cater for the anticipated increase in local and international visitors in the said provinces. The construction on parts of the Marinduque airport runway have been experiencing delays since last year and an airline company even threatened to stop its operation due to the runway’s condition. According to DOTC, the Marinduque Airport will entail around P29.1 million in concreting its runway which has a length of 636 meters and width of 30 meters. There will be a pre-bid conference on Feb. 11 and the actual deadline of submission and opening of bids will be on Feb. 28. DOTC invites interested parties in an open and transparent bid process for the airports and seaports development projects.(LBR/ MNL-PIA4B, Marinduque)
Medical mission team gives free services in Boac, Marinduque By Mayda N. Lagran BOAC, Marinduque (PIA) -- Patients from the area and various neighbouring towns and barangays of Boac flocked the Dr. Damian Reyes Provincial Hospital’s new building to avail the free services of the medical mission team on February 4. The medical mission team, with 25 foreign and local delegates that include five surgeons and four other medical practitioners from the Risen Savior Missions and Feed My Starving Children organization, provided free consultations, free minor operations, free eyeglasses and free medicines and food. The mission was successfully carried out with the support of the Diocese of Boac led by Most. Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista and the Provincial Nutrition Office (PNO), under the provincial government led by Gov. Carmencita O.Reyes. The provincial hospital and rural health unit staff, barangay health workers assisted in the activity. Apart from the medical services, the organizers/proponents have been supporting each other in various provincial initiatives and programs to address the malnutrition problem in communities through the “manna packs” they provide. The province’s feeding project was awarded by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) with the Outstanding Province in Nutrition in the MIMAROPA Region, while the Municipality of Mogpog was also awarded as the Regional Outstanding Municipality. Aside from Boac, the organizers plan to also provide the other barangays and municipalities of Marinduque with the same medical services. (LBR/MNL/PIA4B/Marinduque)
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ODIONGAN, Romblon (PIA) -- Pinasinayaan na ang bagong gusali ng DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Center na itinayo sa Barangay Tabing Dagat, Odiongan, Romblon noong Pebrero 5, 2013. Sinabi ni Provincial Director Dr. Bilshan F. Servanez ng DOST Romblon na ang naturang gusali ay nagkakahalaga ng P5 milyon na inilaan ng DOST para sa proyektong ito. Panauhing pandangal sa nasabing pagbebendisyon at pagpapasinaya sina Dr. Carol M. Yorobe, undersecretary for Regional Operations, DOST at Dr. Ma. Josefina P. Abilay, regional director, DOST IV-B. Pinasalamatan ni Dr. Abilay ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Odiongan sa suportang ibinigay nito sa DOST upang matupad ang pagtatayo ng bagong gusali ng DOST-PSTC Romblon at dahil sa ipinagkakaloob ng libreang lupang kinatatayuan ng gusali. Aniya, makakaasa ang mga taga-Romblon na higit pang makakatulong ang DOST sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo publiko at mga proyektong pangkabuhayan upang mai-angat ang ant as ng p amu mu ha y ng mg a mama ma yan. Sa talumpati naman ni Dr. Yorobe, isa-isa nyang pinasalamatan ang matataas na opisyal ng lalawigan sa hindi matawarang tulong ng mga ito sa lahat ng mga programa ng DOST at dapat aniya nakikita ng taumbayan ang potensiyal ng local technology sa kanilang lugar at nakahanda ang kanilang ahensiya na tumulong na paunlarin ito o magsagawa ng makabagong inobasyon para pagkitaan ng mamamayan. Kabilang rin sa mga dumalo sa naturang selebrasyon sina Governor Eduardo C. Firmalo, Odiongan Mayor Baltazar Ll. Firmalo, 2nd District Board Member Felix Ylagan na tumayong reprentative ni Congressman Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona, Provincial director/heads ng mga National Government Agencies at mga mamamayan na nais makasaksi ng nasabing kaganapan. Nagpasalamat din ang mga matataas na lider ng probinsiya sa pagtatayo ng bagong gusali ng DOST sapagkat maluwag ito at mas kumportable na sa mga taong dumudulog sa tanggapan. Patuloy din ang pagbibigay ng ayudang pangkabuhayan sa mga taga-Romblon upang marami pang matulungan na umangat ang pamumuhay. Matagumpay at punong-puno ng saya ang mga dumalo lalo’t higit sa mga empleyado ng DOST -PSTC Romblon sa katatapos na inagurasyon. Nakapag-uwi rin ang lahat ng dumalo ng souvenir items na iniregalo ng mga negosyanteng natulungan ng DOST na magkaroon ng puhunan para sa kanilang negosyo. (LBR/DM/PIA-IVB/Romblon)
The MIMAROPA SUNRISE/ February 5-11 2013
More power to... The MIMAROPA Sunrise Weekly Community Regional Newsmagazine
5 barangays in Coron get fund for KalahiCidss sub-projects By Lanie B. Ronquillo
Coron, Palawan (PIA) -- Funding of P12.42 million were granted to five of the 19 barangays who participated in the Kalahi-Cidss Municipal InterBarangay Forum (MIBF). The funds will be used for the implementation of sub-projects proposed by the community representatives of the winning barangays. The Forum is a strategy for community empowerment through localized decision-making. Simply put, it is a venue for the Barangay Representation Teams (BRTs), who are volunteers of Kalahi-CIDSS, to present their sub-project proposals and choose which among the community projects will be prioritized. The forum participants will choose what they think is the most viable and feasible based on the criteria set by the Kalahi-CIDSS Volunteers themselves. Several Regional Project Management Office staff attended the activity to provide the necessary technical assistance. Acting Mayor Ajerico Barracoso gave a short message during the activity saying that Kalahi-CIDSS implementation in the municipality of Coron will be of big help especially to those island barangays. He hoped that the activity will be successful, likewise with its implementation this year. The five barangays to get the Kalahi-Cidss fund are Tara, Borac, Marcilla, Poblacion 2, and Decalachao. Some of the priority sub-projects that they have identified were the Level II water systems, school building, health station and electrification. (Angelica Delas Alas/DSWD4B/LBR/PIA4B)
MABUHAY!!!
Pagbati mula kay:
SP Member-1st District Marindu-
Volume X
No. 15
ERC grants retail electricity license to DirectPower By Thelma B. Oliver QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued on January 28, a Retail Electricity Supplier (RES) License to DirectPower Services, Inc. (or DirectPower) which initially plans to supply the energy requirement of customers in the contestable market that has a total average peak demand of around 50 MW. It intends to focus primarily on supplying the electricity needs of Ayala-owned and managed malls, office buildings, business process outsourcing (BPO), hotels and affiliates in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The evaluation of DirectPower’s application for a RES license was based on the standards set in the ERC’s “Revised Rules for the Issuance of Licenses to Retail Electricity Suppliers” (Revised Rules). ERC’s evaluation of DirectPower’s submitted requirements to the ERC indicated that it has the technical, financial, and managerial abilities to meet the requirements of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) which is the Market Operator (MO), in order to secure generation and meet its contractual obligations. DirectPower showed that it has sufficient financial resources required in Article II, Section 2 of the Revised Rules in order to engage in the retail electricity business. It presented as proof the bank certificates of deposit and a certificate from its corporate secretary that its parent company (ALI) infused a significant amount of capital or PhP40 Million to support DirectPower’s operations. DirectPower presented proof that it has a team composed of five (5) officers who have managerial capabilities to run a retail electricity business. RES is any person or entity authorized by the ERC to sell, broker, market and aggregate electricity to qualified consumers in the contestable electricity market. Any of the following can apply for a RES license: a generation company or its affiliate; a distribution utility (DU) that will operate as a RES outside of its franchise area or an economic zone supplier that will operate outside of the economic zone; an affiliate of a DU with respect to the latter’s contestable market or outside its franchise area; an independent power producer (IPP) administrator; or any person who intends to sell, broker or market electricity to the contestable market. The license is valid for 5 years, is non-transferable, and must be renewed at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the current license. “A RES plays a very important role in delivering power to contestable customers. The ERC has to ensure all applicants for a RES license are strictly screened, evaluated and determined to be fit for business. Stakeholders can rest assured of a stable regulatory framework that supports both a healthy competition among players and one which guards electricity consumers against market abuse,” ERC Chairperson and CEO Zenaida G. Cruz-Ducut said. (ERC/TBO - PIA4B-Quezon City)
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Water District nanawagang paghandaan ang epekto ng tag-init By Orlan C. Jabagat LUNGSOD NG PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan (PIA) -- Nanawagan si General Manager Antonio Jesus R. Romasanta ng City Water District sa mga konsyumer na magtipid ng tubig, bilang maagang paghahanda sa magiging epekto ng tag-init, bagama’t tiyak na may sapat na suplay ng malinis na tubig sa lungsod. Ayon kay Romasanta, sa unang linggo pa lamang ng Pebrero ay may indikasyon nang nararamdaman ang panahon ng tag-init dahil sa unti-unti nang bumababa ang lebel ng tubig sa dam sa Campo Uno, Bgy. Irawan, dito sa lungsod na pangunahing pinagkukunan ng malinis na tubig na isinusuplay sa mga konsyumer. Sa kasalukuyan, ani Romasanta upang maibigay sa mga konsyumer ang 100 porsyentp na pangkalahatang pangangailangan ng malinis na tubig, 60 porsyento ng suplay ng tubig ay mula sa Campo Uno dam at ang natitirang 40 porsyento ay mula naman sa tatlong pumping stations. Wala naman umanong dapat ikabahala ang mga konsyumer na magkakaroon ng kakulangan sa suplay ng tubig dahil tiniyak ni Romasanta na kung sakaling bumaba nang husto ang lebel ng tubig sa dam ay mayroong 18 deep well na maaaring paganahin upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga konsyumer. Gayunman, mas mabuti pa rin ang maagang maging handa sa posibleng magiging epekto ng tag-init, dagdag pa ni Romasanta. (PPCWD/OCJ/TBO-PIA4B Palawan)
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Ports Authority to adopt a UN training program MANILA (PIA) -- The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is set to adopt a training program for its junior and senior managers designed by an international entity in its bid to improve port efficiency and increase value-added service to port users. Dubbed, Train for Trade Training program, devised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the scheme aims to support port communities in developing countries in quest for efficient and competitive port management. Mark Assaf, UNCTAD’s Officer -in-Charge for Human Resource Development, on February 1 met with Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Juan C. Sta. Ana, other PPA officials as well as representatives from the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Finance, Department of Transportation and Communications, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority and other ports and shipping stakeholders to discuss the program. Sta. Ana said the country is in the midst of challenges. It is riding high on the crest of reforms and every sector, public or private, is expected to do its part in improving the country’s ranking in global competitiveness. “The port training program of UNCTAD is important to us because improving the efficiency of our ports depends largely on the knowledge and expertise of the people running them,” Sta. Ana said . “A well developed and managed port is beneficial to trade, transport and tourism, and ultimately to our national competitiveness,” Sta. Ana added. The salient features of the program, on the other hand, include Worldwide Network‐based Structure, Public‐Private‐ Partnership model, Sustainable training and capacity building program, Human Resources empowerment tool for talent management and local ownership, Powerful scheme to induce value ‐added solutions in port communities, Robust methodology for knowledge sharing and ICT advancement and High‐end course on “Modern Port Management”. This Certificate course, meanwhile, requires 240 hours of training involving eight modules and dissertation. The modules include International trade and transport; Organization of a port system; Functioning of a port system; Future challenges to ports; Methods and tools of port management; Economic and commercial management; Administrative and legal management; and Technical management and human resources development. The program is currently being implemented in different ports nationwide such as Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Namibia and Tanzania. (LBR/Christopher C. Paringit/ PPA4B/PIA4B)
The MIMAROPA SUNRISE/ February 5-11 2013
Flying Service of Hongkong wins Kintanar Award
Philippine Typhoon Committee Foundation Inc Chairman Angelo B. Palmones (5th-left) awards the plaque of recognition and cash prize to representatives of Government Flying Service, Hongkong, China . With Rep. Palmones are other members of the Philippine delegation (from left) Rep. Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga, Rep. Mark Llandro L. Mendoza, Rep. Joselito R. Mendoza, Rep. Robert Raymund M. Estrella, and (1st right) Rep. Agapito H. Guanlao.
ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
President: George Villaruel
Volume X
No. 15
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The MIMAROPA SUNRISE/ February 5-11 2013