ISSUE NO. 17 APRIL 27

Senate urged to pass anti-terror bill

Intelligence gathering and deep preemptive measures against terrorism are now in place across the country as the government calls on the Senate to pass the anti-terror bill, which would further boost the country’s anti-terrorism campaign.

Following the approval on second reading of the Anti-Terrorism Act at the House of Representatives, Speaker Jose de Venecia said the final enactment of the measure would greatly help the country’s efforts to wage war against all forms of terrorism.

SPO4 Hilbert Arinaza, chief intelligence police non-commissioned officer of the Provincial Police Office, says there is a compelling necessity to pass the bill so there would be appropriate guidelines to follow and charges could be filed against those arrested for terroristic acts.

The proposed law provides for a 72-hour detention period within which the State must file formal charges against any suspected terrorist.

It also defines the acts that the State would consider as terrorism.

Arinaza says the Senate should prioritize the anti-terror bill to address the global reach of terror. “Lasting peace is a pre-condition for progress and the anti-terror bill will give more teeth to our anti-terrorism campaign,” he said.

Arinaza also disclosed that security measures in vital installations here have been beefed up following reports indicating that armed regulars and party elements of the CPP-NPA-NDF remain intact in the province.

NPA members recently tried to attack the PA/CAA detachment stationed in Brgy. Villegas, Guihulngan, on April 22.

Arinaza said they are not discounting the possibility of future attacks and that the armed troops in the province are ready to quell attempts to disturb the peace and order in the province.

The government is sending out a stern warning to those who intend to overthrow the Government not to test the mettle of the authorities who will move forcefully in the case of a clear and present danger to the Republic.

No increase in Ceres bus fares yet; management still studying oil price situation

With the global oil price reportedly set to soar higher in the following weeks, the management of the biggest bus liner in the province said they haven’t implemented any fare increase yet.

According to Mr. Joel Borromeo, manager of the Vallacar Transit-owned Ceres bus liner here, they are studying the situation right now before considering an increase in local bus fares.

“We are evaluating the oil price movements on a weekly basis,” says Borromeo, adding that it could be possible that oil prices would reduce next month so any fare increase is not definite yet.

It can be recalled that despite the hike on the Expanded Value Added Tax in February, the Ceres bus liner unexpectedly cut down their bus fare by 10 centavos per kilometer to lessen the burden of the local passengers following the wave of repeated price increases in 2005 and early this year.

But now that the public is facing the inescapable global trend of oil price hikes, transportation fares are seen to increase again along with prices of basic commodities and services.

Since the global surge in oil price is beyond the control of the government, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is leaving no room for complacency and ordered the entire Cabinet with the Department of Energy at the lead to search and implement alternative renewable sources of energy and carry out stringent energy conservation programs and belt tightening measures.

The Congress was also urged to work on energy-related bills.

Environment friendly biofuels alternative to expensive crude fuels

With the soaring prices of crude oil in the world market, the government is aiming to reduce the country’s dependency on imported oil through supporting the production of biofuels.

President Arroyo announced last Wednesday the plans to promote utilization of ethanol, found mainly in sugar canes which is abundant in the country, and other biofuel products as an alternative fuel to the high-rising crude oil.

In a presidential palace statement, Arroyo ordered the Department of Enery to set up production facilities that will mix diesel and bio-fuels. Further, Mrs. Arroyo ordered her Cabinet last Sunday to intensify the search for alternative energy sources.

The Philippine National Co., the state owned energy company, is said to enter a joint venture with the armed forces to plant an abundant bio-diesel herb, jatropha.

Rep. Miguel Zubiri, the author of the recently approved Biofuel Act, hopes that four years from now ethanol will replace gasoline consumption in automobiles in the country.

According to Jacinto Tangente, Manager of Shell – Dumaguete, the government’s support in the production of biogas, sugarcane gas (ethanol), and virgin oil as a replacement of the expensive crude oil is indeed laudable.

Tangente said 90% of the country’s gas is imported and with the production of natural fuels would at least help the country from depending much to oil-producing nations and in the same manner promoting clean environment.

Peso’s Strength

Tangente said the strengthening of peso against the dollar helped curb the pressure of high oil prices in our economy.

The previous months has seen the stability of the peso-dollar exchange rate. Forex exchange traders predicted that the exchange rate of peso will surge further to 48 to $ 1.

Energy Crises

Despite the skyrocketing of oil prices, Tangente said this isn’t deterrent that our country is experiencing energy crises. He explained that our country has an adequate supply of oil imported from Venezuela, one of the growing oil producing countries in the world, therefore we don’t have an energy crises. “Besides every country is affected by the high oil prices, so this isn’t a factor of energy crises”, he added.

Oil prices hit $75.35 a barrel in New York Mercantile last Friday (Saturday in Manila), marking it the highest increase by far.

Oil firms in the country has added 50 centavos a liter last Saturday and this trend will likely continue for 4 –6 weeks according to Energy Undersecretary Peter Abaya.

To counter this, the government is making a lot of pro-poor program to help impoverish Filipinos from coping with the high prices of daily commodities due to the skyrocketing oil prices. (PIA/CMamigo)

Cong. Fua funds Siquijor water projects

Two completed in Enrique Villanueva and Lazi

Congressman Orlando B. Fua of the lone district of Siquijor recently funded water projects in Siquijor province.

Taken out of his Countryside Development Fund (CDF), a P1M water system was completed in Enrique Vilanueva, Siquijor through the Department of Public Works and Highways recently. This includes construction of four spring sources and laying-out of pipes connecting to the main pipelines to augment the water supply in different barangays in the municipality, DPWH said.

Another water project was completed in Talayong, Lazi, Siquijor. Amounted to P500,000 the water project was sliced out of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) also of Cong. Fua.

The scope of work also includes pipe laying of GI pipes from the spring source down to Horing-horing, Campalanas up to lower Cabangcalan.

“This is very timely, it’s summer time and most of the water supply need to be augmented,” says Project Engr. Clini Ocao.

The project is part of the government’s effort to provide potable water and sanitation facilities in waterless areas of the priority programs of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Search on for Child-Friendly Town

The Presidential Awards for the Child-Friendly Municipality and City is enjoining this year all municipalities and cities nationwide.

The Awards is being conferred in recognition of the vital role of the local government units (LGUs) in promoting children’s rights on survival, development, protection, participation and child-friendly governance, pursuant to EO 184 series of 1999.

Its aim is to encourage LGUs to prioritize and address issues/concerns affecting the full realization of the rights of children.

In line with this, an orientation on the Search guidelines and mechanics was done at Dapdap, Sunset Grill, Siquijor, Siquijor recently.

Nemia Antipala, chief of the Technical Assistance Division, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 7 office said all cities and municipalities are encouraged to join the search.

She said in order to level the playing field, considering the different socio-economic status of the different LGUs, there will be three categories of winners which are: a) 1^st – 3^rd class municipalities and component cities; b) 4^th – 6^th class municipalities; and c) highly urbanized.

Interested municipalities shall submit accomplished entry forms and required reports.

Along with this, a Provincial Technical Working Group (PTWG) was formed in Siquijor to promote the Awards and provide technical assistance in preparing and organizing the documents/reports submitted by municipalities and conduct initial screening of selection of municipalities.

The PTWG is composed of representatives from different local sectors or departments such as health, nutrition, social welfare, education, provincial planning, budget and accounting offices and child-related non-government organizations operating in the province.

Provincial screening and submission of provincial nominees to the regional committee/sub-committee for the Welfare will run from May 1, 2006 to June 16, 2006.

NSO Siquijor awarded as top province in Region VII, 4^th best nationwide

The National Statistics Office (NSO) here was awarded as the top performing NSO provincial office in Region VII and 4^th best nationwide for calendar year 2005.

This was bared during the Annual NSO Field Awards Ceremony held in Legazpi City, Albay recently. For this peat, the provincial office received their 5^th consecutive glass trophy and cash prize from Hon. Carmelita N. Ericta, Civil Registrar-General and Administrator of National Statistics Office (NSO) and Senator Aquilino Pimentel, this years Field Awards guest of honor, says NSO Information Officer Rizalyn Teodora Gaviola.

NSO Siquijor which is only one of the three provinces nationwide who were consistently included in the “magic 15” or the top 15 performing provincial offices nationwide for the last five years now also won awards as 2^nd best in General Administration, 3^rd best in Partnership and Linkages and 4^th best in the field of Civil Registration besting more than 80 NSO provincial offices nationwide, Gaviola added.

She said that the annual NSO Field Awards (NFA) is a system of rating and awarding regional and provincial statistics offices for exemplary performance. The FA was established as an internal tool of NSO to increase productivity and intends to raise the level of performance of the filed offices in the field of production of statistics, and for its services in civil registration, its partnership and linkages with other government and non-government agencies and organizations, information dissemination campaigns and advocacies and in the field of general administration and management.

Police to undergo training on criminal procedures

Some 80 law enforcers in the province will undergo an orientation-training on some rules on criminal procedures to arm them with adequate knowledge of laws that will help in the filing of drug cases.

Police Provincial Director, Col. Melvin Ramon Buenafe said, there is a need for the police personnel to be trained since drug cases filed by them in court are at times dismissed because of some technicalities and sometimes did not concur with some legal procedures.

According to Col Buenafe, from the preparation of complaints and documentation of evidence in inquest cases are oftentimes will not succeed in the filing of cases due to some deficiencies, with this problem, it is hard to reach for a convictions.

The training on the amendments of Rule 112 of the revise rule on criminal procedure and warrantless arrests is being organized by Negros Oriental Drug Abuse & Prevention Council (NORDAPC) on May 31, 2006 at Plaza Maria Luisa, this city.

Invited speakers are Judges Cresencio Tan, Joseph Elmaco, Provincial Prosecutor Diosdado Hermosa, and City Prosecutor Adrian Borromeo.

Meanwhile, Dr. Felix Sy of Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH) has announced that the Drug Testing Center of the province is open to the public at the Diagnostic Center of NOPH. A minimal of P200 only will be charged for drug testing fee per patient. The center is open from Monday to Friday at 8:00AM to 4:00AM.

Ist CTEC drafts the Cebu Concord

Cebu (22 April)—The Ist Counter-Terrorism Experts’ Conference (CTEC) at Shangri-la, Mactan, Cebu ended with the 454 participants representing 56 foreign countries completing the draft of the Cebu Concord.

Ambassador Benjamin Defensor, Jr. CTEC task force chair said that the draft Cebu Concord will be presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a testimony of support of the global community in its fight against terrorism.

The Cebu Concord reflects the consensus and agreements of the CTEC participating countries after a 3-day exhaustive and expansive plenary and panel discussions on the various topics and sub-themes on how to defeat dilemmas in counter-terrorism.

The Cebu Concord “calls on all nations, agencies and organizations to recognize and further explore the middle way as addition to the various approaches to counter the growing threat, spread and impact of global terrorism.” It also acknowledged that there is a need for a comprehensive long and short-term strategies; that there are gaps in the counter-terrorism capacities particularly of developing states that need to be bridged through international cooperation and that counter-terrorism maybe best supported through appropriately attuned donor country mechanisms, assistance coordination within and among donor and recipient countries and bridging of gaps in education and training, legal frameworks and counter terrorism regime.

Participants also agree that terrorism is a global challenge best responded to at the global level through the United Nations but also most effectively addressed by a mix of policy responses at the individual state and regional levels to complement global efforts. The Concord also urges all countries to become parties to the international convention and protocols on terrorism and to fully implement these instruments and relevant resolutions.

Finally, the participants accept that in counter terrorism, there remain barriers and challenges to regional cooperation on account of disparities in understanding, needs, capacities, resources and priorities, thus, the Cebu Concord reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations which constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, should be CONDEMNED.(PIA-Cebu)

DOLE spearheads Labor Day celebration on May 1

Around 200 participants are expected to join in the activities initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here to mark the Labor Day celebration on May 1.

According to Atty. Jose Ogang, who heads the provincial DOLE office, they have invited employees from all national government offices here, city and provincial governments as well as members of the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council and labor groups in the province.

The celebration will kick off with a motorcade caravan at 3:00 p.m. on May 1 followed by a culmination program during which there will be parlor games.

Ogang said this year’s celebration is highlighted by the awarding of outstanding pioneer members of the employers and labor sectors.

In the employers sector, pioneer businessman Atty. Antonio Ramas-Uypitching will be awarded for his contribution to the local business industry as well as his active participation in the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council while a posthumous award will be given to Mr. Ybarra Teves in the labor sector.

Ogang said this is the first time that the pioneer awards are given and he hopes that this will be continued in the following years.

ISSUE NO. 16 APRIL 20, 2006

Construction of CGMA classrooms in NegOr ongoing

Construction of six classrooms in three identified areas in Negros Oriental under the Classroom Galing sa Mamamayan Abroad (CGMA) program are now ongoing according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here.

Atty. Jose Ogang, chief of DOLE office here, said that two classrooms are now being built in each of the following identified areas: Nagbinlod Elementary School in Sta. Catalina, Matambok Elementary School in Manjuyod and Bonbonon Public High School in Sta. Catalina.

CGMA aims to alleviate classroom shortage in the country with the total number of classrooms built under the program now steadily approaching the 400 mark nationwide.

A report reaching Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas indicated that a total of 312 CGMA classrooms have now been finished, while another 62 are in various stages of construction in several regions.

Also, seven classrooms are undergoing school area identification and 19 are undergoing site validation and documentation prior to construction.

Undersecretary for Employment Danilo P. Cruz, Executive Head of the DOLE CGMA Program, reported that six new classrooms were recently inaugurated and turned over to Paggulayan Elementary School in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, Francisco Benitez Elementary School in Tondo, Manila and Tagulod High School in Candaba East, Pampanga.

Cruz also acknowledged the latest donations for the construction of eight CGMA classrooms from the overseas Filipino communities and other individual/group donors.

Cruz said the CGMA Program is a continuing global initiative of the DOLE in collaboration with the Departments of Education (DepEd), Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).

Gov’t offers scholarship prog for ‘near hires’ in IT industry

Job seekers in Negros Oriental will soon increase their competency and up their chances of employment with the government’s scholarship program dubbed as PGMA Training for Work Coupon.

According to Engr. Samuel Jordan of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) here, the scholarship is open to “near hires” or job applicants who fell short of hiring standards in call centers, animation, software development and medical/legal transcription.

These are the applicants who for some reason did not qualify for the job due to lack of competency and skill required, says Jordan.

It will also be offered to job seekers in other industries with critical skills requirements like aviation, agriculture, medical tourism, health, metals and services.

Jordan said that the scholarship program will be implemented here once their office receives the implementing guidelines.

The government has earlier allocated a total of P500 million for 100,000 scholars nationwide under the PGMA Training for Work Coupon program.

The program aims to provide rapid, effective and efficient training assistance to job seekers and minimize wastage of resources.

Under the program, TESDA will distribute training coupons thru the umbrella organization of business process outsourcing and call centers, the Business Processing Association of the Philippines or BPAP, who in turn will distribute training coupons to the “near hires” of the firms to avail of the specified training in any of the private training provider accredited by TESDA and BPAP.

Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has earlier stressed that the operation of a “finishing school for call centers would assure investors of a steady and adequate pool of trained workforce.

The over $400 billion business processing outsourcing industry (BPO) worldwide has been growing by 11 percent annually. Many BPO firms reportedly prefer the Philippines over other countries because of the availability of a pool of talent, an environment conducive to the call center business and adequate infrastructure facilities.

The information technology business, particularly call centers, has been the major contributor to the President’s job creation program which targets to create 10 million jobs by 2010.

Starting with less than 2,000 employees in 2001, the BPO industry is expected to employ 100,000 Filipinos this year.

BFAR turns over its biggest fingerling dispersal to NegOr this year

To boost the tilapia production in the fish farms and fish ponds in Negros Oriental, some 550,000 genetically enhanced tilapia for excellence (GET-EXCEL) fingerlings were turned to the province today by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The said fingerlings, which came from Clarin Freshwater Fishfarm, Caluwasan, Clarin, Bohol is the biggest dispersal done by BFAR this year.

The fingerlings will be distributed to the fish farms in East Balabag, Valencia, Tanjay City, Maslog, Sibulan and Baywan City along with the Barangay Agricultural Development Centers (BADC’s) in the province and will be utilized by the Farmers Field School on Tilapia.

The fingerlings were turned over by Mr. Andres M. Bojos, BFAR Assistant Regional Director and Mrs. Anecita L. de la Peña, chief of the Fisheries Extension Training and Communication in BFAR-7.

BIR hikes last year’s collections, targets 30% more for this year

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Dumaguete and Siquijor recently announced that they have exceeded their revenue target for five successive years. This was bared earlier by Jose Senador, chief of the Taxpayers’ Service Section during an advocacy forum on the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) held by the Philppine Information Agency (PIA) in Siquijor province.

“Our goal for this year is P98.5 million which is 30% higher than the total tax we collected last year,” Senador said, stressing that BIR needs to hit this target and it is intensifying its campaign to collect more.

The office is undertaking surveillance method and other strategies to monitor business activities and make sure that business establishments are not violating government rules on registration, invoicing and bookkeeping. Aside from the series of information drives in Negros Oriental and Siquijor, a tax mapping activity or routine check up of all establishments is also being scheduled in the province. “We check on their administrative requirements like registration receipt and book of accounts as mandated by the tax code,” he explained.

“We hate to use administrative remedies to collect taxes but if we have to, we will not hesitate as long as it is within the bounds of law,” he added, citing that the office used the method against two big corporations in Dumaguete last year. “We were able to collect more than half million because of the remedy,” he said. “This time, we appeal that you pay promptly and correctly so we will not resort to this kind of collection,” Senador said.

He however claimed that some of the delinquent big taxpayers paid their taxes by way of appeal and not by threat, he said.

Likewise, Revenue District Officer Atty. Arturo Acabal said the centerpiece of their effort is revenue collection. Therefore, the BIR should be proactive and aggressive in their tax campaign in order to meet the target as he appeals to business establishments to make necessary compliance before the BIR team comes, inspects and verifies the legality of their operation.

To note, BIR exceeded its revenue collection target last month due to higher sales tax and strong performance by large taxpayers service (LTS). “This means that Filipino taxpayers are also doing their share to nation-building by paying the correct taxes,” Malacañang earlier admitted.

For its part, the Arroyo leadership will continue to seal the revenue leakages by running after tax dodgers and corrupt officials while keeping an eagle eye on its austerity programs.

“The goals that President Arroyo has laid out in her economic blueprint have placed the nation on the runway for economic takeoff, and no amount of political intrigue will delay the schedule,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

He stressed that the Arroyo administration is committed to increase tax collection efficiencies so that more funds can be allotted to poverty alleviation programs and services.

Under RA 9337 or the Reformed Value Added Tax Law, local governments will receive a 50% share from the revenues for the construction of public elementary and secondary school buildings, energy, environmental conservation and agricultural modernization.

Survey justifies info drive on Charter change

Little or zero knowledge of the Constitution among Filipinos bolsters the need for intelligent discussions on Charter change, experts from various fields came to conclude in an academic roundtable held recently.

The forum, spearheaded by the Ateneo School of Government and bringing together two dozen academics, law deans, top economists and opinion writers, cited recent polls to show that proponents and opponents of Constitutional revisions must conduct sedate debates instead of name-calling.

Pulse Asia reported in March that at least 68% of respondents have little or no knowledge at all of the 19-year-old Constitution. The same report, presented by Pulse Asia consultant Mario Taguiwalo, says 32% of the respondents claim significant appreciation of the Charter. The survey also shows a marked increase in advocates of Charter amendments, from 29% in March 2005 to 43% in March this year.

The survey also shows that majority of Filipinos still depend on opinion makers and local leaders in decision making, fellow Pulse Asia member Rapa Lopa added. He urged advocates and officials to start talking about Charter change in a sober manner.

"The survey is basically telling us (leaders): we (the people) are listening to you, we want to know what you think, and we will follow what you tell us," Lopa explained. "People who have access to information and power to communicate must see this and rethink and rethink what they are doing. They must inform our people or help people make more informed decisions."

The conclusions were an indirect dig at politicians who have been criticizing the methods for constitutional revision, instead of hearing out the reasons first. It also highlights, however, the recent call by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines for brisker information drives on the substance instead of the form of Charter change. Responding to that call, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, the largest labor federation, urged pro- and anti-Charter change groups to conduct sedate debates.

The Philippine Council of Ecumenical Churches, the umbrella of hundreds of born-again Christian denominations, also said it would conduct public discussions after educating its congregations since February.

Opinion writer and former Consultative Commissioner Alex Magno found impressive the percentage of Filipinos who feel they are fairly knowledgeable or competent about constitutional issues. "As far of I can gather, people who are open to changes doubled in a few months. What the survey tells me is that no great passions are involved here. What degree or constitutional literacy do we require before we accept these are morally valid?" he remarked.

Dean Andres Bautista of the Far Eastern University Institute of Law batted for more discussions on Charter reforms. "In a democracy, in order to build up consensus, you do need to get that number higher. It is my personal advocacy that we strive to inform and to educate," he said. "What's more important, the informing and educating should not be on the basis of what you feel and certainly not on the basis of personalities, but on tangible knowledge that can make you vote for or against the issue at hand."

The Pulse Asia survey of March 2006 also bothered some of the roundtable reactors. Atty. Raul Lambino wondered why a majority did not know the 1987 Constitution when it is being taught in schools for almost two decades. "When the Charter was ratified in 1987, was it possible that people did not have knowledge of the document at all?" he asked. "What degree of competence are we expecting from people before we can conclude that it is morally right or immorally wrong to vote for Charter change?"

In an interview, Charter Change Advocacy Commissioner Ramon Orosa labeled the present Constitution a failed experiment and presented reasons for amending it. "Over 600,000 people joining the labor force every year are not absorbed either by agriculture or industry. Ten million people are outside the country looking for job opportunities," said Orosa, "Politics is holding the economy hostage."

Orosa advanced that a unicameral-parliamentary form of government can make economic policies more forward looking and harmonized, compared to the current setup. The Constitution ties down the country's hands from coping with global economic pressures, he said. Thus, the Consultative Commission's proposals on economic liberalization and changing the form of government come in one package.

Other personalities at the Ateneo roundtable were University of the Philippines business professor Rene Azurin, former education secretary Florencio Abad, former education undersecretary Chito Gaston and media practitioners Cheche Lazaro, Emily Abrera, Malou Mangahas and Sylvia Mayuga.

ISSUE NO. 14 APRIL 6, 2006

No rice shortage in OrNeg during lean months- NFA
The National Food Authority here is assuring the consumers and retailers in the province of ample NFA rice supply with the onset of the lean season.

NFA Provincial Manager Marianito B. Bejemino assured consumers on the availability and stability of NFA rice at P18.00/kg in all local markets in the province following the arrival of imported rice here. Since January 3 to March 25, this year, the NFA Provincial Office has already received a total of 63,002 bags of Vietnam rice.

"We expect more NFA rice to arrive in the following months to maintain the agency's sufficient rice supply for food security and rice distribution in the province," says Bejemino.

He also urged accredited retailers to keep the price of government rice within the reach of ordinary consumers at P18.00 a kilogram despite the increase in the provinces of other commodities brought about by the increase in the price of fuel.

On the other hand, Bejemino encourages all farmers (individual, farmers associations, farmers cooperatives) to avail of the PALLGU Program on procurement this harvest season.

NFA's support price is P10.00/kg and P2.00/kg as an added premium on top of NFA's support price.

Mobile and buying stations are established at NFA GID I warehouse in Pulantubig, Dumaguete City, NFA GID II warehouse in Guihulngan and the cities of Canlaon and Bayawan.

'All systems go' for the 1st CTEC in Cebu
It looks like "all systems go" for the 1st Counter-Terrorism Experts' Conference (CTEC) that will be held in Cebu at the Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort and Spa on April 20-22, 2006.

Amb. Benjamin Defensor, Jr. chairman, CTEC Task Force, in a meeting here recently said, "counter-terrorism is a security issue worldwide and the Philippines can make a difference in trying to produce a middle ground approach in developing an anti-terrorist culture in the country."

Defensor added, the Counter-Terrorism Experts' Conference is a 3-day workshop cum conference hosted by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines for the international counter-terrorism experts from 40 countries (with diplomatic ties with the country) and we are expecting some 200-300 delegates who are counter-terrorism experts from the public sector, academe and civil society.

"Hosting the 1st CTEC will be a defining moment in the Philippine's security history highlighting the country's leadership in handling terrorism," Defensor said. Key objective of the 1st CTEC is to come up with a CEBU DECLARATION on counter-terrorism that will extensively explore a realistic middle ground to counter-terrorism, Defensor added.

The conference will also try to design a strategic policy response that takes into account sub-regional approaches, addresses peculiar causes and conditions that allows developing countries to strike a balance between receiving counter-terrorism assistance and protecting their cultures and religions.

To ensure quality discussions and outputs, experienced counter-terrorism practitioners, policy makers, civil society leaders and renowned scholars have been invited to participate in the 1st CTEC. Defensor mentioned prominent names as special guests that include the Prime Minister of Norway, Frances Townsend and Condolezza Rice of the U.S., officials of the UN-committee on counter-terrorism, Kumar Khrisna of Malaysia, Dr. Alawi of Indonesia and Davao Mayor Ronald Duterte, among others.

With the theme, "Defeating Dilemmas in Counter-Terrorism," the 1st CTEC will carry substantive discussions on the following topics: "Strengthening Understanding on the Basic," "Understanding Regional and Sub-regional Approaches to Counter-Terrorism," "Dilemmas in CT," with panel discussions on finding a realistic middle ground; bridging gaps in CT capacities; balancing CT assistance, among other topics and sub-topics.

According to the CTEC Task Force, the conference will follow the plenary-panel discussion-plenary format that will feature two distinguished speakers for each plenary session. Selected experts are invited to anchor and moderate the panel discussions.

The 1st CTEC hopes to come up with the following outputs: (a) Workshop Papers that convey stronger appreciation of the root causes of terrorism and their underlying conditions in the context of third world societies; clearer understanding of recent regional developments and corresponding ad hoc responses at sub-regional levels; clearer view of the various policy approaches to countering the spread of radicalism in current and future settings and list of relevant policy recommendations. (b) A CEBU DECLARATION that sums up the experts' positions and policy recommendations and (c) A collection of the workshop conference papers that will be revised and published in a book, with a foreword from the President, and will be distributed to the participants three months after the event.

La Niña Advisory No. 2
The weak La Niñover the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP) continue to persist.

The weather systems that affected the country were the northeast monsoon, tail end of cold front, easterly wave and low pressure area. One tropical cyclone T.D. "Basyang" (March 6 - 7, 2006) which developed in the Philippine Area of Responsibility and later weakened into a low pressure area enhanced the northeast monsoon and brought flashflood in Davao del Norte.

Rainfall for the month of March was above average in most parts of the country. La Niña priority areas in the eastern section that received above average rainfall were Isabela, Quirino, Camarines Sur, Albay, most parts of Samar and Leyte provinces and Davao Oriental.

Current conditions and most recent sea surface temperature predictions over the CEEP suggest a continuation of the weak La Niña through May this year.

Weather systems that may affect the country in April are northeast monsoon, tail-end of cold front, easterly wave, intertropical convergence zone (ITZ), ridge of high pressure area and one tropical cyclone.

Rainfall will likely be near to above average in most parts of the country except for western Mindanao, Panay Island, northern Masbate and Pampanga which are expected to receive below average rainfall.

PAGASA will continue to monitor the day-to-day rainfall/weather conditions and the large-scale climatic patterns that will affect the country. Updates on the ongoing weak La Niña will be issued as necessary.

95 front liners complete CREA training
Around 95 front liners from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and various local government units in Region VII and IX will cap their three-week Comprehensive Rural Entrepreneurship Academy (CREA) training with a graduation program on April 18, 2006 at Bethel Guesthouse, Dumaguete City.

The training was initiated by the Belgian Integrated Reform Support Programme - Technical Support and Coordination Office (BIARSP-TSCO) as a form of municipal-level intervention to capacitate the municipal front liners with leadership, entrepreneurial and functional skills.

The 95 participants are currently implementing their respective individual and group projects.

As part of the graduation program, a forum on rural development will be organized to expand the network of the CREA graduates, with speakers coming from the Delegation of the European Commission, office of the Governor, DAR, the industry and academe sectors and non-government organizations.

The forum will be highlighted by discussions on various topics such as Perspective of a Foreign Donor, Education and Development Perspective, Entrepreneurial Perspective, the Role of LGUs in Rural Development, Role of Agricultural Innovations in Rural Development and DAR in Post-LTI Scenario.

PBA, Nat'l Beach Volley highlight summer sports fiesta in OrNeg
Beating the summer heat, Oriental Negros has slated a series of sports tournaments and trainings highlighted with the "twin bang" of a Talk n Text Red Bull fight of the Philippine Basketball Association and the national Beach Volley Tourney dubbed as the April Sports Fiesta.

Oriental Negros Sports and Cultural Facilities Management Board (OBSCFMB) Co-Chair Glynda T. Descuatan said the April Sports Fiesta aims to captivate the young and tourists in the province via "sports-cum-tourism entertainment."

Engaging more challenges in local sports development, the Province responded to the call of the PBA that they are available on April 8 this year for the summer basketball extravaganza after General Santos City beggeds off not to host the Talk N Text vs. Red Bull fight.

The Talk n Text - Red Bull fight, a part of the Gran Matador-Philippine Cup National Championship 2006 is an action-packed thrillers as the likes of Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag, Willy Miller of the Talk n Text will slug it out for the best shots with Red Bill's Richie Alvarez, Rico Villanueva and Topix Robinson.

The Red Bull is the current team champion of the latest Reinforced PBA Team Competition this year while the Talk N Text, a new but stronger team, can pose a threat to the Red Bull, having displayed an awesome teamwork and fireworks at the national capital region's PBA competitions.

For basketball fans here, the Talk N Text Phone Pals vs. the Red Bull-Barako Coffee Mix grandslam will be slated on April 8, 2006 at 4:30 p.m., Macias Sports and Cultural Center. Tickets are available at Cang's General Supply or Macias Sports Center at P600, 500, 320, 220, 150 and P100 respectively.

Meanwhile, the volley-cum-entertainment dubbed Beach Volley Tourney will be held on April 19 - 23, 2006 with local and national beach volley teams vying for the championship at the Perdices Coliseum, "where the beach-sand will be made into a big court."

City Sports Coordinator Joe Guirit said the beach volley has the support and approval of Roger Vanzuela, con-current chair of the Philippine Volleyball Association and newly-formed Philippine Beach Volleyball Association.

Descuatan said this is the first attempt of the province to promote beach volley. "It will be open to the public at P5.00 minimal fee. There will be entertainment of bands, food and wide screen for the Summer Beach Wear which would follow right after the noon volleyball tourney," she added.

Guirit disclosed that there will be five teams from the province that will fight for the P58,000 combined cash prizes, aside from the trophies. Champion prize is P20,000; second place, P15,000; Third, P10,000; Fourth, P5,000; 5th to 12th place, P1,000 consolation prizes.

The local teams include Tanjay City, Foundation University, Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), Bayawan and the Oriental Negros composition. All teams have national players who have joined various competitions with proven track record in the beach volley tournaments.

In a related development, Provincial Sports Coordinator Buddy Ravello said the Summer Learn to Swim Program is now on-going. The First Term is slated on April 3 to 22, 2006 at the Aqua Center and the Second Term is on April 24 to May 10, 2006. Registration fee is P600.00.

Other summer sports fiesta activities this May include basketball, volleyball, badminton, arnis, lawn tennis and table or lawn chess clinics.

Guirit said the summer sports fiesta is a way of luring the young away from drugs and criminalities to involve youths more in sports and less in juvenile courts

For the April Sports Fiesta, the province has allocated P908,000 out of last year's surplus of P914,000.

Job fair in Bayawan set in May
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here is set to conduct a job fair in Bayawan City on May 26, 2006 at the Bayawan City Quadrangle.

According to Kenric Villaluz of DOLE here, the job fair will facilitate local and overseas employment. Some national government agencies will offer their services such as passports and NBI clearances during the job fair, he said.

The job fair for local and overseas employment is conducted by DOLE in cooperation with the Bayawan City government.

Villaluz said job seekers should bring with them pertinent documents to help facilitate their application such as pictures (1x1 or 2x2 as appropriate), pertinent clearances, transcript of records, employment certificates, resume or bio-data, diploma and other necessary documentary requirements.

He disclosed that a Hire Purpose Job Expo will also be conducted at the SM Trade Hall in Cebu City on May 6 and 7, 2006. The expo will start at 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, some 38 local and overseas job fairs, or more than one fair per day on the average, have been scheduled nationwide for the whole month of April with thousands of overseas job opportunities to be made available to job applicants.

Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas said the 38 fairs are part of the continuing year-round program of DOLE to bring companies and job seekers together to facilitate hiring and employment processes in convenient venues nationwide.

The job fairs are under the supervision of DOLE regional offices in coordination with local government units, public employment service offices and schools.

MOA signed for elimination of child labor
Identified local government units, non-government organizations, church and the community is set to sign a memorandum of agreement seen to bolster local efforts towards the elimination of the worst forms of child labor in Negros Oriental on April 7, 2006 (Friday), 9:00 a.m. at Bethel Guesthouse, this city.

The memorandum of agreement stipulates the roles and obligations of the concerned institutions towards the protection and development of children particularly in the elimination of the worst forms of child labor in the province.

Spearheaded by the St. Maria Goretti Development Education Foundation, Inc., the signing of the memorandum of agreement on Inter-LGU/NGO/Church and community cooperation will be attended by representatives of the different participating LGUs and NGOs together with Governor George P. Arnaiz and Atty. Arturo Umbac who chairs the provincial council for the welfare of children.

Free Marathon Clinic launched in Dumaguete
Spurred by reports that lifestyle diseases are now on the rise in Dumaguete City, the Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club, Inc. (MDRCI) will launch a one-hour free Marathon Clinic starting April 9, 2006 and will continue every Sunday thereafter for nine months.

The free clinic is open to all interested participants who wish to participate in an easy, relaxed and recreational form of physical activity to improve their fitness, says Paultom Paras, MDRCI Vice President and Event Coordinator.

The free running and walking clinic will meet on Sundays except for three-day weekends, at exactly 5:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m.

Training route starts at Rizal Boulevard going to Gov. M. Perdices Street passing through the Sta. Catalina de Alexandria Cathedral Belfry to Pinili Street and back to Rizal Boulevard, ending at Café Tourismo.

Dr. Aparicio "Perry" Mequi of Foundation University and pioneer marathon clinic organizer in Quezon City, will lead the clinic with a brief lecture on topics such as training, nutrition, water intake, proper shoes and prevention and treatment of injuries.

Training groups will be led and paced by volunteers who have completed at least one marathon.

Groups during the clinic are classified as follows: Beginners or the sedentary types and people just starting their exercise programs; Intermediates or those who are already running but haven't transitioned yet to a marathon; and Advanced which is similar to Intermediates but at a faster pace.

The marathon clinic is inspired by the Honolulu Marathon Clinic founded by cardiologists Dr. Jack Schaf and Dr. John Wagner back in the early 70s.

The clinic aims to get sedentary people and even cardiac patients to participate in an easy, relaxed and recreational form of physical activity to improve their fitness and ward off what are called "lifestyle diseases."
City Health Officer Dr. Ava Vios earlier reported in a Kapihan forum held by the Philippine Information Agency that diseases caused by sedentary lifestyles are now on the rise in the city.

City Health Office records show that myocardial infraction or heart attack is now the leading killer disease in the city while cancer, hypertensive cardiovascular diseases, and liver cirrhosis, which are known as "lifestyle" diseases, are now the leading causes of deaths here, replacing infectious diseases.

"Lifestyle diseases are preventable through three preventive measures: proper nutrition and eating habits, participation in a regular physical activity and effective stress management," says Dr. Mequi.

The Dumaguete Marathon Clinic is spearheaded by the MDRCI together with the support of the City Tourism and City Health Offices.

BIR, PIA to hold advocacy forum on EVAT
In line with the government's advocacy campaign on the implementation of the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will hold an advocacy forum on April 6, 2006 at the SP Session Hall, Capitol, Siquijor, Siquijor.

The forum seeks to increase the awareness of government information officers and various stakeholders to support in the promotion and popularization of EVAT as a source of government revenue and funding for its different projects and services.

EVAT is a vital tax measure designed mainly to balance the mounting national budget deficit. With this new tax measure, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo aims to reduce the budget deficit in 2006 to 125 billion, 40 percent less than the record P211 billion posted in 2002. It was initially implemented last November 15, 2006 and fully implemented February this year.

Along with other fiscal measures and reforms, the Arroyo administration assured that the EVAT will not be a burden to the poor but eventually lift the poor from the tyranny of joblessness and economic rut.

"I'm optimistic about our nation and our people. But to fight poverty and grow our economy, we must purge the system of corruption, we must eliminate government waste, we must increase tax collection, and we must invest in our nation through revenue increases dedicated to job creation, education and health care," President Arroyo is recalled saying in one of her policy statements.

She said that dedicated tax increases are merely one element of righting the country and must go hand in hand with measures to weed out corruption and increase revenue collection.

SMEDC sees bright prospect in Maria OTOP, backs LGU initiative
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council (SMEDC) in Siquijor province sees bright prospect in the One Town One Product (OTOP) project of Maria town.

SMEDC Chair Engr. Judy said Maria town is quite consistent with the whole concept of OTOP nothing that it has conformed with the successful OTOP's key elements such as dedicated LGUs, reliable raw material supply, rich cultural tradition and local talents and skills, among others. To cite the local government celebrated early last year its first Lubi (Coconut) Festival showcasing not only the local talents and skills but various local coconut products.

The town embraced coconut processing as its OTOP project after a thorough assessment based on the following: availability of resources and skills, infrastructure facilities and services that support production and marketing of local products and support from the LGUs, NGAs and other sectors.

In a report presented by its Municipal Agriculturist Danny Casalta, the local government unit of Maria is engaged in coconut processing through the five people's organizations (POs) mostly women. These PO's are now producing and selling coco products such as coco jam and candies, virgin coconut oil, munchkins, macaroons, cookie balls, coco cookies and burgers.

The LGU, Casalta said, is also planning to venture into coconut handicraft to further improve local livehood. "At present, we are still in the process of organizing and we need more trainings particularly on capability building, good manufacturing practices, as well as packaging."

The SMEDC, being primarily responsible for the promotion, growth and development of local enterprises, commits to support the program. The council's major focus for this year is development OTOP and has lined up OTOP-related trainings for funding from the provincial government.

In 2005, the SMEDC has conducted the following trainings and seminars: good manufacturing practices for the food sector; Bayanihan Center Entrepreneurship seminar; training on costumer service excellence for the service sector; and capability building training for Business Help Desk (BHD) and municipal SMEDC officers.

It has also sent local furniture manufacturers and food processors to a study mission in Cebu for exposure last February this year. The study mission, the participants said, allowed them to forge linkages with the successful entrepreneurs in Cebu to improve their products.

OTOP is a priority program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to promote and created entrepreneurship. "Entrepreneurship is not only the key to economic growth and stability, it's the ultimate solution to poverty. Because without entrepreneurs there can be no production; without entrepreneurs there can be no innovation; without entrepreneurs there can be no risk-taking. And if there is no risk-taking, well, no guts, no glory, no moving forward for a country," the President said.

Cebu City gets more than required 3% of total registered voters in people's initiative campaign

Cebu City's two districts have gotten more than the required number of signatures of at least three percent of the total registered voters per legislative district through the people's initiative campaign to call for a plebiscite to shift the current form of government from the Presidential to Parliamentary system.

Rep. Raul del Mar of Cebu City's North District in a radio interview over DYSS this morning bared that in his jurisdiction, the signature campaign has gotten more than 12 percent and is expected to increase as barangay leaders in his area continue to push for public support. In the city's south district, the signature campaign has procured over 10 percent of the overall voters in the area, according to del Mar citing South District Rep. Antonio Cuenco as source.

In the 2004 elections, there are a total of 473,678 registered voters in Cebu City based on Comelec-7 records.

Cuenco previously said that the people's initiative is the only option left to amend the Constitution as efforts for charter change through constitutional convention or constitutional assembly have failed.

Del Mar said he will soon submit the petition to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office which in turn, shall verify the authenticity of the signatures. If the nationwide petition goes well and shall already be submitted to the Comelec, a plebiscite is then scheduled in 60 days or not later than 90 days after verification of all signatures, the legislator said.

Early last week, Cebu City Election officer Simaco Labata said they have no basis for the verification of the signatures since their voters' records were sent to Manila for review in connection with the election protest filed by former Sen. John Osmeña.

Asked whether the country will have a new interim parliament by July as espoused by House Speaker Jose de Venecia after a referendum in June, Del Mar said they (Congress) did not mention a timeframe when the new parliamentary system shall take place but added that they (pro-'chacha' congressmen) are optimistic that the plebiscite would be scheduled within the year and not necessarily wait to be synchronized with the May 2007 national elections.

The Cebuano Congressman stressed the threats of coup against the government have damaged the country's efforts to hasten economic progress and added major political reforms are needed such as changing the system of government to address coup attempts. Developed nations except the US are adopting the parliamentary system while our neighbors such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are likewise adopting the same parliamentary form, del Mar further revealed.

Although the country has already adopted the parliamentary form of government during the reign of the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, but it did not show its worth since Marcos was ousted from power, Del Mar said.

Del Mar, an advocate for charter change clarified that he was against a similar move during the time of Pres. Fidel Ramos because the focus agenda then was to extend the term of the President which was self-serving and did not really cater to the interests of the people. (PIA-7)

MEDIA ADVISORY

The Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club, Inc. (MDRCI) will launch a one-hour free Marathon Clinic starting April 9, 2006.

The free running and walking clinic, inspired by the Honolulu Marathon Clinic founded by two known cardiologists in the early 70s, will be held every Sunday for one hour until the Finishers Marathon on November 19, 2006.

In view of this, you are invited to a PRESS CONFERENCE on April 7, 2006 (Friday), 3:00 p.m. at Chin Loong, Dumaguete City, with guests City Health Officer Dr. Ava Vios, MDRCI President Cecilio Tayko, Clinic Training Director and Consultant Dr. Aparicio "Perry" Mequi and Atty. Gary Tabios of the City Tourism Council.

Ref: Paultom Y. Paras
Tel: (035) 422-3588 / Mobile: 0920-518-0566