ISSUE NO. 39, Dec. 29, 2005

PCG assures safety of riding public
With Coast Guard personnel on duty 24 hours a day this holiday season, travelers in Negros Oriental are assured of their safety as the Dumaguete Coast Guard Station beefed up their security measures and monitoring of sea vessels that leave and dock in the province daily.

Chief Petty Officer Valeriano Caro, Petty Officer in Charge of the Dumaguete Coast Guard, said that 24-hour Passenger Assistance Centers have been put up in the ports in Dumaguete City, Guihulngan, Larena in Siquijor, Sibulan, Tandayag, Tampi and Malatapay.

Caro said the centers are manned by Coast Guard personnel round-the-clock to respond to passenger inquiries and any untoward incidents.

The centers started operating on December 22 and will end on January 9.

Aside from this, security measures such as no-ticket-no-boarding policy, no overloading for vessels are strictly observed. "We also check dangerous cargos such as flammable items before they are brought on board," says Caro.

So far, Caro said port operations in Siquijor and Negros Oriental have gone smoothly and no untoward incidents have occurred.

In Cebu, PCG Deputy District Commander Senior CPO Lemuel Alquiza said that apart from requiring the frisking of all passengers by vessel guards, the passengers are also made to pass through a terminal in which each of them has to have their luggages manually checked and x-rayed by combined elements of the military and police, and re-examined by canines for bombs and illegal drugs. He also said that it is part of their function to be on guard against terrorist acts, bomb threats, and other illegal activities.

Alquiza added that PCG is thankful that no untoward incident happened in the past two days when the bulk of passengers were yet leaving for Manila, Mindanao, and other areas in the country. He also noted that passengers helped smoothen the process now by reserving and buying their tickets days before their scheduled departure. Among the travelers, Alquiza observed only occasional booking problems among those traveling to Leyte for lack of vessels plying the area.He, however, assured that his office will be there for the public by putting up passenger assistance centers and help desks in strategic areas where passengers arriving and departing Cebu may ask for assistance when needed. The move is part of the national internal security plan laid out by the national government.

Subic welcomes p 1.6 billion in fresh investments
The coming year may be more auspicious for Subic as investors from the Asian business community committed to infuse more than P 1.6 billion in fresh investments before the year end.

"The fresh capital infusions in Subic would be a big step in realizing President Arroyo's 10-point economic agenda, which includes the development of Subic as a trade and services hub for the Southeast Asian region," SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga said.

The additional investments are in the form of new projects, as well as expansion programs by existing locators.

Among the new investors which signed contracts with the SBMA are Asia E-Solutions Inc., which promised to infuse some P5.4 million for a business outsourcing operation; Chancor's Corp., a Korean firm which will set up a P3.8-million restaurant and retail foodshop ; and Harvadis Educational Foundation Phils. Inc. which is set to invest P1.8 million for an English language learning center.

Meanwhile, JP Material Recycle Co. Inc. will invest about P 1 million to operate a recyling plant for polyethylene terephtalate bottles and mixed plastics. La Jolla Subic Inc. will bring in some P761,000 to operate a seafood restaurant and catering service while Subic Cosco Corp. will set up a hotel and restaurant business with a P33.8-million capital.

Five new Taiwanese locators recently committed a total of P432 million worth of fresh investments during the visit to Subic of Taiwan's Economic Minister Mei-Yueh Ho.

Meanwhile, six existing locators in Subic have announced their plans for expansion next year.

Koryo Subic Inc., manufacturer of high precision plastic molding for electronics products, has recently signed an amendment to its contract, which extends its lease until the year 2025. Koryo's expansion program will entail additional investments worth P607.5 million and will allow the hiring of 524 more skilled workers.

At the same time, five existing Taiwanese locators also said they will expand operations next year. They are tailin Abrasives Corp., manufacturer of resinoid grinding wheels, which will infuse an additional P162 million; Hwa Fuh Plastic Co. Ltd., Office stationery maker, which is expected to pour in additional investments of P162 million.; Limech Garments Manufactruing Corp., with fresh investments of P108 million ; Hokei Subic Corp., which makes luggage carts, with P140.4 million new investments; and Elltong subic Inc., an importer and exporter of used office machines, which has an expansion project worth P9.1 million.

NFA serves food-for-school program
The National Food Authority in Negros Oriental has implemented the Food for School Program 2 "Bigas Para Sa Mag-aaral at Pamilya" for Grade 1 pupils and pre-school children in various elementary schools in the different barangays of San Jose and Amlan towns.

A total of 566 bags of NFA well-milled rice were already served to the pupil beneficiaries to date- 254 bags for San Jose and 312 bags for Amlan.

The NFA here together with the Department of Education implemented the program last November 21, 2005. A memorandum of agreement was signed between NFA and DepEd Central Office officials for the program which aims to benefit the Grade 1 pupils and pre-school children in identified schools of the 5th and 6th municipalities nationwide.

Under this agreement, a total of 2,648 bags or 132,390 kg of NFA well-milled rice will be allotted for this program to be given to the 1,471 children beneficiaries daily for 90 days or up to the end of school year 2005-2006.

San Jose town has a total of 90 preschoolers and 523 pupils in Grade 1 while Amlan has 214 preschoolers and 644 pupils in Grade 1.

The program includes food assistance through the distribution of one (1) kilogram of rice in exchange for their attendance to school and at the same time conduct values formation activities and productivity skills training to their parents.

Elementary schools beneficiaries from San Jose are as follows: San Jose Central School, Basak Elementary School, Cambaloctot Elementary School, Cancawas Elementary School, Janayjanay Elementary School, Jilocon Elementary School, Naiba Elementary School, San Roque Elementary School, Siapo Elementary School, Sra. Acion Elementary School, Tampi Elementary School, and Tapon Norte Elementary School.

In Amlan, the schools are Amlan Central School, Bio-os Elementary School, Cantalina Elementary School, Canete Elementary School, Jantianon Elementary School, Jugno Elementary School, Marin Benjamin Elementary School, Panusuan Elementary School and Silab Elementary School.

NFA's local point man for the said program is NFA Assistant Provincial Manager Francisco L. Lorico.

NEGOR LGU/Legislator inks MOA with NFA
The local government unit of Negros Oriental entered into a marketing agreement with the National Food Authority under the Palay Marketing assistance for legislators and local government units (PALLGU) program.

Governor George P. Arnaiz signed the agreement with NFA represented by Director Flo G. Pascual of NFA Region 7 on December 15, 2005 and was witnessed by NFA Central Office Assistant Administrator Ludivoco J. Jarina, Engr. Marianito B. Bejemino and Mr. Francisco Lorico Jr., provincial manager and assistant provincial managers of NFA here, respectively.

Under the PALLGU Program Agreement, some important features include the LGU/Legislator shall provide a P2.00 premium in addition to the existing NFA support price of P10.00/kg for the purchase of palay from the farmers. The provision of such premium shall entitle the LGU/Legislator to the right to buy the subject stocks from NFA.

The purchased palay will be deposited at NFA designated warehouses for free for four months. Stocks not withdrawn after the free storage period will be charged correspondingly with 1.5% carrying cost for the 5th until the 6th month, which is the maximum period for storage.

The Cooperative Development Incentive Fund (CDIF) and the delivery and drying incentives shall not be applicable under the program.

Bejemino is urging all palay farmers organizations POs to avail of the program because it will give them the opportunity to maximize their income and the premium provided by the LGU/Legislator.

On the other hand, Lorico also added that premium provided by the LGU/Legislator is necessary because NFA, as of this time, cannot raise its palay buying price of P10.00/kg. POs can also maximize the use of NFA's post harvests facilities (PHF).

SOUNDBYTES:

Finance Sec. Teves says EVAT will bring faster economic growth
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves cited the 2 percent EVAT increase to many goods and services as a tool that will bring the nation sustained and faster economic growth.

Accordingly the government called on the nation to look at the bright side of the tax measure in terms of long term gains instead of short term pains, saying the first round of EVAT is already a proven harbinger of fiscal stability, confidence and investment in jobs. The government also approved wage increase for government workers and gave income tax exemption for minimum wage earners.

Teves said "we must work on the tax administration and collection efficiently. Trust and confidence in the government must always be present and the citizens must constantly ask the government to do an accounting of projects to prove that what the government is saying is true."

He added that taxes must be paid continuously "dahil iyan ay binabalik ng gobyerno sa tao in terms of projects and services."

Santiago urges Congress to approve compulsory use of biofuel
In a bid to reduce the country's dependence on imported fuels, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has sought the immediate approval by Congress of a measure mandating the compulsory use of biofuels in response to the call of Pres. Arroyo to use alternative fuels.

Manhattan Pinoys get own place of worship
In recognition of the Filipinos' devotion to their only saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz, the archdiocese of New York has established a pastoral center with its own chapel in downtown Manhattan.

Wage earners' tax exemption takes effect Jan. 1
Starting Jan. 1, the Bureau of Internal Revenue will no longer withhold tax from the take-home pay of minimum wage earners.

BI makes it to elite club of gov't agencies
The Bureau of Immigration posted a revenue exceeding a billion pesos with still three days left before the year ends, thus assuring itself of retaining its membership in the "billionaires' club" of government agencies.

We will enforce freon law, says LTO
The Land Transportation Office will no longer register vehicles, made in 1999 and later, if it does not comply with the Anti-Freon Law, LTO chief Anneli Lontoc said.

DFA to impose stiffer penalties against Iraq recruiters
The Philippine government said stiffer penalties will be imposed against illegal recruiters for Iraq since the deployment ban to the strife-torn state is currently in place.