Power forum resolves to work for power rates reduction in Region 8

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 29, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  – The Power Forum held last Thursday at the Governors’Hall at the Leyte Provincial Capitol which was called as the first of its kind by Atty. Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr., the Chairman of the Energy Regulatory Commission, marked the resolve of the various sector to seriously work for power rates reduction in Region 8.

Chairman Albano who was the Special Guest Speaker in the said occasion spoke on the Role of ERC under a Restructured Electricity Industry.

He was joined in by resource speakers Mr. Pete Ilagan, the President of the National Association of Electric Consumers for Reforms who discussed the topic Consumer Empowerment in a Deregulated Power Industry and Atty. Francis Juan, the general counsel and acting executive director of ERC who talked on the Rates Setting Determination.

Miss Elaine de Gizman of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation explained the Role of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in a Competitive Regime while Mr. Edgardo Orencia of Transco talked on the Transmission Development Plan.

The proposal of NASECORE was to merge all the electric cooperatives in Region 8 to lessen the administrative cost and so that the Region will have a stronger bargaining power with the coming in of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

Tanauan Mayor Roque Tiu, however, pointed out that it will need an act of Congress to amend the creation of the cooperatives and allowing the cooperatives to merge. He proposed that NASECORE be clothed with an authority to make representations and articulate the matter to the Region 8 Congressmen so that they can file the necessary amendatory law.

To this, Chairman Albano said that it is very timely since the Senate is now in the process of interpellation of the EPIRA Law. So Mayor Tiu sponsored the resolution, seconded by Vice Mayor Boy Cayunda of Baybay and concurred by all present.

The participants also decided to look into the transmission lines and submarine cables to determine whether Leyte shoulders the maintenance cost of the same. It is the general contention that the maintenance and systems loss must be shouldered by the receiving area already.

Noting that DORELCO has the highest rate, the body decided that the mayors under the area of jurisdiction and NASECORE have a dialogue with the management.

South Leyte solon favors change of school opening to September

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 28, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  – Southern Leyte Representative Roger Mercado, together with a multi-partisan congressmen, proposed a bill revising the school calendar from the present June–March to September through May.

Congressman Mercado, one of the principal authors of the measure urged his colleagues in both Chambers of Congress to fast track the passage of the bill saying that it is about time the school calendar is changed and adopt a more appropriate period which is more convenient and practical for everyone.

He said that the changing of the opening of classes to September will save the students and the teachers from the dangers of braving monsoon rains just to be able to go to school.

Congressman Mercado added that changing the school calendar will solve the perennial problem of classes being suspended because of typhoons which frequently hit the country from June to August.

Besides, he said that many school children get sick being exposed to rain. The worst thing is some children have to wade through flood waters just to be able to go to school.

Coming from a province which is frequently visited by typhoons and other disasters, Congressman Mercado knows the predicament of the school children and the teachers.

The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, chaired by Rep. Cynthia Villar (Las Piñas), has approved the measure proposing the school calendar change. The measure is a consolidated version of several house bills authored by Reps. Mercado, Villar, and Judy Syjuco (2nd District, Iloilo).

Other members of the house committee who expressed support for the measure said the school calendar change will also benefit pupils and students who wish to study abroad because this will make the Philippine school calendar in unison with those in other countries.

Samar town conducts carabao artificial insemination

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE, (PIA Samar)
July 28, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  Some 58 native carabaos have been artificially inseminated in Barangays Banquil, San Fernanado and San Rafael in Villareal town.

This was revealed by the Samar Provincial Agriculture-designate Romeo Reales in a talk with PIA. The same information was confirmed by Villareal town Mayor Reynato ‘Boy’ Latorre.

Reales said that the cross breeding between the native carabao and the so called Buffalo Bull will result to bigger carabaos; with better quality meat and more milk supply.

Reales added that while a native carabao weighs some 100 kilos, the crossbred could weigh 30 kilos more; and could produce some 6-8 liters of milk while the native can only have some 4 liters on the average.

The mayor also added that he owes the project to the Department of Agriculture 8, the Carabao Center, Leyte State University (formerly VISCA) and the technical expertise from the OPA.

When asked why the penchant for the carabao, Latorre explained that since Villareal is an agricultural municipality, it has to rely on the good old carabao for land preparation in rice production. It also has to support the village’s cottage industries that rely on milk like quiseo (white cheese) and pastilles de leche.

For the province of Samar through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) it has provided the technical expertise to the farmers through training on Carabao production and management; Dairy Enterprise development; Milk Processing and Dairy products and artificial insemination.

Another seminar for upgrading livestock maybe offered to Villareal town once Daniel Daguman and Samuel Estremera (OPA staff) arrive from an upgrading seminar in Bohol, offered OPA designate Reales.

Once the carabao project becomes successful in Villareal, other municipalities like San Sebastian, Paranas, Catbalogan and Basey will also join the project, Reales said.

Anti-Trafficking Task Forces in EV working

By ELI C. DALUMPINES, (PIA Samar)
July 27, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Despite the meager resources that these bodies operate, the local anti-trafficking task forces in the Eastern Visayas region have made significant advances in implementing Republic Act 9208, popularly known as the Anti-trafficking in Persons Act.

Jerome A. Alcantara, chief of the Visayan Forum’s Training and Organizing Division during the Rights-Based Approach for Trafficking in Persons Workshop on Monday, said there has been a remarkable increase of interception of trafficking victims in some points of the region in the previous months.

Alcantara cited this is a concrete proof that the anti-trafficking bodies here have intensified their campaign to address the seemingly rising problem of human trafficking in specific areas in the region and that this campaign is somewhat successful.

He likewise expressed his observation that the number of anti-trafficking advocates in Eastern Visayas has increased as he frequently saw new faces almost in every training that his organization conducted.

He noted though the slow pace in resolving trafficking cases but informed that this happens in all regions of the country due to either the unwillingness of some of the victims to cooperate with the law enforcers and the low level of awareness of the public on the issue.

Alcantara, however, informed that the recent convictions of trafficking cases, which was cited by President Arroyo in her recent State of the Nation Address, will serve as a learning experience to the anti-trafficking advocates on how to successfully prosecute similar cases.

To recall, the Philippines was remove from the list of countries which have reportedly high prevalence of human trafficking cases because of the said convictions.

This helped improve the image of the country in the international community as these prove that the Philippine government is really serious in curbing the problem of human trafficking within its borders.

Blessing of New Tacloban Transport Terminal held

By CATHERINE JANZ R. SICOY, (KIMRO)
July 27, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  – The City Government thru the active leadership of its Mayor, Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez and through the unwavering support of its staff gathered yet again on Tuesday to celebrate the Blessing one of its major projects this year, the P400M New Bus Terminal and Business Complex at Abucay, this city.

Amidst controversies and oppositions from the different private sectors of the city, the New Tacloban Transport Terminal and Commercial Complex will now be partially operational as it awaits the completion of the construction of the whole facility. Meantime, the Market Complex is anticipated to become functional when it is completed in September this year, according to Mayor Bejo.

Primarily, the New Bus Terminal was set to “decongest” traffic in the Rizal Avenue and Real Streets, as number of vehicles and busses entering the Old Bus Terminal will be reduced. Initially, only selected transport vehicles will be accommodated to the facility as the city tries to come up with a well-planned traffic scheme.

“Waray inopa ngan huna-hunaa nga an Tacloban magkakamay-ada hin sugad hini”, in a message by the 97 years old, Msgr. Rosales.

Similarly, Mayor Bejo Romualdez said that he sees this as an opportunity.  “This area was just a garbage dumpsite until it was developed. There are already numerous investors who are interested in doing business here.”

The activity commenced with a Holy Mass celebrated with Msgr. Julio Rosales (Calbayog City), uncle of the former Archbishop of Palo, Pedro Dean and Fr. Elmo Manching of the Guadalupe Parish.  The event was graced by the presence of City Administrator Jimmy Yaokasin, Jr, City Chief of Police Anacleto Limbo and other key officials and City Department Heads.

The Soft opening has already been set Tuesday, August 1, 2006 which will be attended by PUV and PUJ operators.

VP Noli pushes RP as global retirement haven

By Office of the Vice President / PNS
July 26, 2006

MANILA, Philippines  –  Vice President Noli “Kabayan” De Castro invited both Filipino expats and foreign  retirees to settle in the Philippines as he promoted the country’s growing retirement industry and its emerging reputation as an international retirement haven.

Speaking before visitors from Canada and the United States as well as local officials during the launching of the Alta Vista Residential Estate in Subic, Olongapo, De Castro said that the government has been working closely with the private sector to realize this goal.

The Vice President revealed that the Philippines is now offering a special resident retiree’s visa (SSRV) with multiple entry privileges to all former overseas Filipino workers and foreigners who wish to settle in the country.

He said that the program is being implemented by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) as a come-on for those who are planning to retire in the Philippines.

SSRV holders are also exempted from customs duties and taxes for the importation of personal effects, appliances and furniture worth up to $7,000.

“SSRV also grants tax-free interest on foreign currency deposits payable in local currency, tax-free pension and annuities remitted to the Philippines, and exemption from exit clearance and re-entry,” he added.

De Castro said Subic is a perfect choice for retirees due to its natural attractions and the infrastructure projects that will soon improve transportation to and from the area.

He cited the ongoing Subic Clark Expressway and the Northrail project that will facilitate travel between key provinces, business hubs and other key areas.

“Our prospective retirees will probably think twice about retiring given the various opportunities available in the area,” he said.

De Castro urged former PNP Chief Gen. Eduardo Aglipay, PRA president, to ensure that retirement communities such as Alta Vista adopt a community concept that will integrate all the facilities and amenities needed by retirees.

New Wage Order in Region 8 to take effect in August

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 22, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The new wage order in Region 8 will take effect in August of this year, NEDA Director Junie Gosoco, who is the vice chairman of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board, revealed in an interview with PIA.

He said that by then, the regulation period for publication would have been met. He said that he does not foresee any violent reaction to the Wage Order because both the business and the labor sectors are represented in the Board. In fact, there was really no petition for wage hike from any labor group.

Director Gosoco believes that the P14.00 increase will already help the workers to at least regain some of their losses in the buying power of the peso.

He does not see any negative effect the new wage order will bring to the business in the Region because businessmen are innovative and they will be able to find means in order that the wage increase will not have any adverse effect to their business.

He said that the businessmen must find ways to increase productivity so that the business will not suffer. He added that in the consultations in Catbalogan, the workers proposed for a P20.00 increase while the business sector proposed P25.00 increase. He said that maybe the businessmen in Catbalogan, most of whom are fish dealers, are enjoying good business.

With the new wage order, the ordinary worker in the Region will already receive a minimum basic pay of P220.00 per day. The usual minimum wage is P188.00 plus P18.00 COLA.

In the new wage order No. 13 the P18.00 COLA was added to the P188.00 basic pay plus another P14.00 making the minimum wage P220.00 per day.

Director Gosoco encouraged the workers to be productive because the more productive they are, the more chances they will have of getting bigger pay. He said that productivity and work ethics count a lot in the workplace.

Region 8 is the second region after NCR to have announced a wage hike.

New PNP chief of Naval town vows to eradicate all forms of illegal activities

By FLOR JACKSON, (PIA Biliran)
July 22, 2006

NAVAL, Biliran  –  “I will do my best to eradicate all forms of illegal activities in the municipality of Naval”, thus said Police Inspector Marianito Malibago, OIC PNP Chief of Naval town during the regular Kapihan forum held recently here at Radyo Natin.

PInsp. Malibago revealed that one of the strategies he will implement to reduce crime volume in the municipality is police visibility saying that if policemen are visible in strategic corners in the area, their presence is a deterrent for rogues who are yet planning  to commit  crimes and other violations against the law.

He further revealed that during midnight and even during wee hours in the morning, he himself goes around the poblacion and the nearby barangays to check on the peace and order situation in the area. He added by saying “let’s win our streets to keep our families safe”.

The 35-year old police officer of Naval who is from Tacloban City urged the policemen under his turf to observe the 3M’s which stands for magalang, mabilis and malinis.  “Magalang” according to him means that policemen must show respect to the people they serve while “mabilis” means that policemen must be able to respond immediately to all situations especially during emergency situations and “malinis” means that PNP men must not only be neat and clean in their physical appearance but they must as well keep their surroundings clean because a clean environment is factor to work efficiency.

He bared that part of his accomplishments since he assumed as OIC of PNP-Naval was the relocation of vendors who were scattered everywhere near the market area to their new place inside the new market building.

Furthermore, he said that since his assumption to his new post here in Naval, the minors ordinance has been strictly enforced. Minors are no longer seen roaming around the streets of Naval and the nearby barangays beyond 10:00 o’clock in the evening.

When asked about the usual complaints of parents and the residents whose children indulge in drag racing which is a very dangerous pastime mostly among teen-agers in the municipality, he said policemen have already been assigned in areas where this is usually held to put a stop to this dangerous activity.