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