2,700 evacuees in Surigao del Sur receive aid

By ICRC
September 10, 2015

MANILA – Around 2,700 people fled their homes in Surigao del Sur, Eastern Mindanao, in the aftermath of armed violence last week. To support them, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) provided relief items on 8 September.

The displaced families, mostly from Lianga and San Miguel municipalities, took shelter at the provincial sports centre in Tandag City, where they are finding it difficult to meet their basic needs, having had to leave everything behind.

“We abandoned our home out of fear,” said 39-year-old Lita Tejero, a mother of eight, from San Agustin municipality. “Life at the evacuation centre is hard. We rely on aid. The unpredictable weather is also a concern.”

Working closely together, the ICRC and the PRC distributed household items, such as jerrycans, blankets and sleeping mats, and hygiene kits to ease the plight of evacuees. The PRC has also set up a soup kitchen, serving hot meals to evacuees once a day.

“Armed violence often results in the displacement of civilians, including women and children. Away from their homes, they must subsist in fear and uncertainty. We hope that normality will soon return to the areas allowing the displaced families to go back to their homes,” said Timothy Yates, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Mindanao.

The ICRC reminds all parties to the armed violence of the need to respect human life and dignity at all times. Civilians “regardless of their religion, ethnic group, gender or political beliefs” and their property must be spared from the violence.

The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization whose mandate is to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. It has had an established presence in the Philippines for over 60 years and a permanent presence in Mindanao since 1986.

RDC Peace Caravan kicks off National Peace Consciousness Month in Eastern Visayas

By BRYAN M. AZURA
September 9, 2015

CATARMAN, Northern Samar – The Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII, as a kick-off activity in its observance and support to the 12th National Peace Consciousness Month, brought its Peace and Development Caravan to Las Navas in Northern Samar recently in its stepped up determination to bring the government to the people and advocate peace as an integral part of development.

The National Peace Consciousness Month is being observed every September in the country and is aimed to promote a culture of peace and raise awareness and understanding among the public on the peace process.

The caravan was participated by 17 regional line agencies to include Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PFIDA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine Army (AFP-PA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Food Authority (NFA), Department of Justice-Parole and Probation Authority (DOJ-PPA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

All of which brought respective products and services with them. The event was also participated by the provincial government. Meanwhile, the community recipient was represented by approximately 600 residents from various barangays of the municipality.

Mayor Minda Tan of Las Navas, for her part, said that she is glad a program of the government is being carried out and that her municipality has been identified as a venue for this activity. “In behalf of my constituents, I would like to thank you all for coming and bringing with you the message of peace to my humble town,” Tan said in vernacular. She said she believes her town will have more economic opportunities especially if there is a real peace in the area.

Governor Jun Ong in his message through his provincial information office personnel said that he will continue to support the advancement of peace in the province as it is the “key to genuine economic prosperity in Northern Samar.” Peace and good governance according to him will provide development access to communities. Northern Samar is among the two provincial awardees of the DILG’s Seal of Good Local Governance in the region.

Regional Director Imelda Laceras of DBM VIII said that she will continue to work on to institutionalize the service mission so as to let the people and even local government units feel that they are not being left behind. In her message, she said that she desires that when the whole region experiences progress, communities even in hard to reach areas are included in the development. “We thank the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) for opening our eyes and leading the way to reach out to our people,” Laceras said.

The Peace and Development Caravan is a brainchild of PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) Samar Island team, program unit of OPAPP. It was being used as a tool to literally show to the people especially in far-flung towns and barangays that there is a government that cares for them. The activity was formally adopted by the RDC through a resolution in June, this year to conduct Peace and Development Caravans in the region.

Imelda Bonifacio, PAMANA Area Manager, said that her agency needs to forge stronger partnerships with LGUs to ensure the realization of an undisturbed peace in the Samar Island and in the whole Eastern Visayas. While Bonifacio admits that there is still so much to be done to totally eradicate insurgency in the area but she said there had been significant improvements in peace stability in her area especially with road constructions being implemented to make inaccessible towns and barangays accessible to land transportation.

Among the basic support services rendered by RDC VIII member-agencies included medical mission including immunization, dental services and distribution of medicines, demonstration, technical assistance and series of lectures for livelihood and capacity-building programs, scholarship grants on automotive and household electrical installation, one-on-one consultation with the Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) for specific community concerns, distribution of seeds and fruit-bearing trees seedlings, distribution of office and school supplies and feeding program.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), said that the National Peace Consciousness Month will be culminated by another caravan in Jipapad, Eastern Samar.

803rd Brigade in Northern Samar has new Commander

By DPAO, 8ID PA
September 9, 2015

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – A former Deputy Brigade Commander has assumed the post of the Army's 803rd Infantry (PEACEMAKER) Brigade during the turn-over of command ceremony held on September 8, 2015 at Camp Somoroy, Brgy Dalakit, Catarman,Northern Samar.

Colonel Mario G. Lacurom replaced Brigadier General Herminigildo C. Aquino who has been appointed as the Assistant Superintendent of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City.

Major General Jet B. Velarmino, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division presided the turn-over of command which was attended by the local government officials of Northern Samar headed by its Governor Hon. Jose L. Ong Jr., Col. Dinoh A. Dolina, Commander 802nd Brigade, PNP officials headed by PSSupt Daniel C. Mayuni, Provincial Director NSPPO, Civil Society Organizations, partners and stakeholders of the Brigade, the media, friends, Army's field commanders and the men and women of the 803rd Brigade.

In his message, Col Lacurom recognized the significant milestone of Northern Samar after the province was declared as Manageable Conflict Affected and Development Ready this year and confident to push Northern Samar as Insurgency Free province by urging the support from the stakeholders so that just and lasting peace will be realized.

Col. Lacurom further vowed to continue to support the initiatives of the local government units and closely collaborate with the stakeholders in line with the AFP Internal Peace and Security Plan "Bayanihan".

"This is a blessing to me from God and I am inspired for this designation and ready to face the challenges as I recalled my time when I was a Battalion Commander in Southern Leyte and now a Brigade Commander in Northern Samar is indeed a challenge in my life", Lacurom added.

Meanwhile, Major General Velarmino congratulated Brigadier General Aquino for a job well done during his stint as the Brigade Commander as the unit was conferred as initiated status of genuine transformation and reform thru Governance Strategy and Management and Col Lacurom for being selected to head the 803rd Brigade.

"Perform the given task at hand and put your heart into it, if we are truly committed then we are capable and competent as leaders of our men and our subordinates will trust us and give us their full support and cooperation", Velarmino added.

8ID participates blood letting activity

By DPAO, 8ID PA
September 8, 2015

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division represented by the Combat Life Saver (CLS) students of the Division Training School (DTS) participated and provided support and assistance to the Blood Letting activity organized by the Catbalogan City Health Office held at Pier 2, Catbalogan City on September 8, 2015.

The said activity dubbed as ‘Dugo Mo, Kinabuhi Ko Blood Letting Activity’ was also participated by Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) Catbalogan City, Philippine National Police (PNP) Catbalogan City, Catbalogan City Water District and Barangay residents of Catbalogan City composed of 47 donors facilitated by the City Health Office organizer headed by Dr. Gerarda C. Tizon, the City Health Officer.

This activity is just part of the efforts of the City Health Office for its continuing community relation service in cooperation with Local Government Units, Local Government Agencies, Private Sectors and Stakeholders.

The activity was also held in connection with the just concluded month long Fiesta Celebration of Catabalogan City where 8ID also participated.

Major General Jet B. Velarmino, Commander 8ID, encourages everyone to participate in the activity like this in order to strengthen the spirit of “BAYANIHAN” which is the trademark of every Filipino.

Increase IRA share of municipalities to spur inclusive economic growth in countryside, says Chiz

By Office of Senator Chiz Escudero
September 8, 2015

PASAY CITY – Sen. Francis Escudero called for the restructuring of the distribution of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) to local government units (LGUs) by increasing the allocation for municipalities in order to promote inclusive growth and spur economic development in the countryside.

“Inclusive growth is possible only if countryside development is provided with the much needed support. To make it happen, municipalities should be given a bigger share of the IRA,” Escudero said.

Escudero, who used to head the Senate Committee on Finance, lamented that the present set-up of IRA allocation has resulted in a lopsided distribution of funds among LGUs such that a few provinces and cities receive greater share while the majority, comprising of less developed or poor towns, receive less.

Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, provides that the LGUs shall have a 40-percent share from the national government’s internal revenue collection.

The 40 percent share of the LGUs is distributed as follows: 23 percent for provinces, 23 percent for cities, 34 percent for municipalities, and 20 percent for the barangays.

At present, there are a total of 81 provinces, 114 cities, 1,490 municipalities and 42,028 barangays nationwide.

“Certainly, the 34 percent shared by close to 1,500 municipalities is not enough to support economic activities in the countryside, especially in towns that have no sufficient sources of revenue and merely dependent on the IRA,” Escudero pointed out.

Escudero believes that even if the IRA allocation for cities is cut in half, it would not make much difference considering that they have more sources of local revenues like property and local business taxes unlike most municipalities.

He cited the cities of Quezon and Makati, which in 2014 received P3.18 billion and P775 million in IRA, respectively.

That same year, the annual budget of Quezon City was P13.8 billion while Makati City was P10.3 billion. Both spending plans were funded mainly by local revenues.

“Sa totoo lang kahit kalahatiin mo ‘yung IRA ng mga siyudad hindi nila halos mararamdaman. Pero kapag binigay mo ang kalahati ng IRA nila sa mga munisipyo, mabilis itong mararamdaman at kitang-kita kung saka-sakali ang magagawa ng maliit na halagang iyan para sa mga munisipyo,” Escudero explained.

Moreover, Escudero said the current formula for computing the IRA share violates the true meaning or intent of the 1987 Constitution on the right of LGUs to a just share in national taxes.

“Article XI, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution mandates that LGUs shall have a just share, as determined by law, in the national taxes, which shall be automatically released to them,” Escudero said.

MIMAROPA calls for strong climate deals at UN

Press Release
September 4, 2015

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan – During its 52nd full council meeting, the Regional Development Council of MIMAROPA in the central Philippines adopted a resolution calling world leaders especially of countries, which have been historically responsible for spewing large amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, to come up with a strong climate change agreement to reduce carbon emissions.

Unanimously recommended by the Social Development Committee, Regional Director Romeo Escandor, Jr. of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) said that the act of the council is to globalise the resolve of the archipelagic region to address the ill-effects of climate change during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to be held in Paris, France, at the end of the year.

“We aim to build disaster resilient communities and push economic growth under the principles sustainable development goals, however, our dreams and aspirations for the future generation needs global collective action,” said Escandor.

The main message of the resolution is to “call on the world leaders especially of countries which historically and until now emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases, to sign a strong agreement to reduce emissions, formulate and implement mechanisms on climate finance in the context of loss and damage and adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer and capacity building for countries vulnerable to climate change.”

Composed of the provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan with a population of 3 million, the regional development council resolution was also in support to the efforts of a climate campaign called Road to Paris initiated by the Climate Reality Project (CRP), a global movement founded by Nobel laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore.

“To resolve this biggest ecological crisis, development paradigm is to be rethought and what the council did is commendable while integrating climate action and disaster risk reduction in regional development agenda,” said Rodne Galicha, CRP country manager who also happens to be a voting member of the council as private sector representative.

Galicha explained that CRP’s initiative aims to mobilise grassroots communities from all over the world urging parties to the UNFCCC to finalise a bold climate agreement which does not only promote planet-wide shift to renewable energy but also address adaptation needs of climate vulnerable countries.

“MIMAROPA region has been endowed with beautiful islands which the global community admires – naturally, a destination of choice. However, our sustainable tourism industry and lives of our people are greatly threatened by extreme weather conditions,” said Eleuterio Raza, Jr., provincial planning and development officer of Marinduque.

According to Raza, the central Philippine region also hosts the famous Verde Island Passage, and its island provinces are known for its pristine beaches, marine and terrestrial biodiversity, and colourful festivals and traditions of different cultural communities.

“Our main thrust for development has been environmentally and culturally sensitive. We may have an iota of carbon emission compared to others but we need to seek climate justice and walk the talk,” said Raza.

Said resolution will be handed-over to the Climate Change Commission and sent to the secretariat of the UNFCCC-COP21.

Biggest union seeks COMELEC accreditation for its labor-based national political party

By TUCP-NAGKAISA
September 1, 2015

QUEZON CITY – The largest and one of the oldest labor federation in the country the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) announced they have formed the country’s first ever union-based national political party called Labor Party of the Philippines (LPP) and have sought Commission on Elections (COMELEC) accreditation for it last week.

“Unionized and unionized members from different industries who are the core members of the party intends to field and endorse national and local candidates including sectoral representatives in the forthcoming presidential elections on May 2016 who will espouse and promote our party platforms and programs,” said Alan Tanjusay, policy advocacy officer of the ALU and chairman of the LPP.

Established on December 2014, the LPP aims to bring together members and supporters who share its values and principles to develop policies and to make communities stronger through collective action and support on issues relating to labor rights and labor standards, wider-sharing of the country’s prosperity, social welfare, promotion and protection of local industries and enterprises in the face of globalization, a strong and self-reliant defense force.

“Once we get Comelec accreditation, we expect the LPP to expand its membership with our partnership with other groups from labor, cooperatives, financial institutions, chambers of commerce, industry groups, peasant, women, fisherfolks, urban poor, indigenous peoples, handicapped, veterans, overseas Filipino workers, professionals, senior citizens, youth and environment,” Tanjusay said.