ISSUE NO. 23 JUNE 8, 2006

PNP heightens internal security operations
Paradigm shift to combat terrorism – Dir. Alarcio

SIQUIJOR-- Despite claims that peace and order situation in Central Visayas remains stable, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is more active in the conduct of anti-insurgency operations along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In a regional peace and order council (RPOC) meeting hosted by Siquijor Provincial Government, newly-installed Director Police Chief Superintendent Silverio D. Alarcio Jr. said the PNP is undergoing a paradigm shift that allows them to be in “equal footing with the AFP.”

The PNP can already conduct tactical operations against insurgency alone or with the AFP unlike before when they only served as a support agency, Alarcio explained.

Department of Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz has earlier expressed the government’s optimism in outwitting the New People’s Army in a defense meeting held recently in Singapore.

Sec. Cruz said there is no reason the government could not capture the rebels as about 16% of their total number were captured in 2001.

Alarcio, whose assignment in Region VII is perceived to be a special task to oversee the preparation for ASEAN summit said the PNP and the AFP treat internal security as the highest priority because of the upcoming activity. Both agencies counted the recently concluded SEA Games and the forthcoming ASEAN Summit, among others, as threats of terrorism.

Director Alarcio said police visibility is further enhanced and improved to ensure security and safety of tourists coming in the region as he stressed pro-active policing as an effective way to combat terrorism.

Alarcio dismissed rumors that the recent Cebu bombing was a “scripted, stage-managed affair.”

We hope to raise awareness in Metro Cebu and get people’s support to believe that terrorism is not only the problem of the AFP or the PNP but is everybody’s concern, he said.

Echoing the same sentiment on the rumor, Cebu Provincial Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia lauded the police for having preempted the horrendous bombing incident and hoped that the detractors would be fair and rational enough to discern what is best for the country and act accordingly.

Gov. Garcia expressed confidence on the police force saying she is fully supporting the PNP or the Central Command in its fight against insurgency as she put in place vital infrastructure in the province, setting aside politics, she said.

Attended by local chief executives, regional directors, representatives from the academe and religious sectors composing the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), the meeting was held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Capitol, Siquijor, Siquijor.

DepEd7 warns public students against joining frats; recruiters to face expulsion

DepEd-7Regional Director Dr. Carolino Mordeno warned public elementary and high school students not to join fraternities and that those who are directly involved in the recruitment will face the possibility of expulsion from the school.

The warning came amid the rising tide of violence in fraternities that have resulted to a number of deaths among the youths in Cebu especially between archrivals Tau Gamma and Akhro fraternities.

Mordeno bared that he has instructed all school principals in the region about the department’s policy against joining fraternities.

However, most recruiters are not school insiders but belong outside, says Mordeno.

Police Regional Office (PRO-7) Administrative Officer Erlina Comeros meanwhile said police visibility will be increased near the schools’ premises to discourage recruitment of new frat members.

Policemen in the different provinces in the region have also been tasked to ensure the safety of school children especially during the opening of classes in the “Balik Paaralan” program, according to Comeros.

Increased police visibility is not only meant to ward off the possible recruitment of new frat members but also secure the safety of students and the people as well.

As traffic is seen to worsen when classes open, Comeros said the policemen assigned in nearby schools are asked to help traffic enforcers particularly in helping school children cross the streets safely.

Comeros also said they have coordinated with different civic groups and barangay officials to help the police maintain peace and order especially in their respective communities. Parents must do their share in watching over their kids and ensuring that they are all well and safe.

Philippines removed from US Trafficking in Persons Tier 2 Watch List
Philippines scored a small victory after the US State Department announced in its 2006 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report that Philippines has been removed from their Tier 2 Watch List and upgraded to Tier 2.

This developed after the Philippine government implemented strategies to combat trafficking in persons in the country.

The US State Department annually releases the TIP report wherein it classifies each country depending on the concrete actions taken by the government to combat the trafficking problem.

The 150-country report is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat “severe forms of trafficking in persons,” or modern-day human slavery.

A spot on the report’s watch list could mean diplomatic sanctions in the release of financial aid for development programs for the country, warned Vic Abadesco, Visayas Coordinator of the Visayan Forum during a Kapihan forum held earlier this year.

Abedesco in that forum said Philippines was placed on the Tier 2 watch list last year due to the lack of convictions made on traffickers.

In the forum, Abedesco disclosed that Negros Oriental has been identified as one of the trafficking “hostpots” or a major recruitment ground for victims and potential trafficking of victims.

“Negros Oriental is a transit area and at the center of development, commerce and transportation and it is a fertile recruitment ground for traffickers,” he said.

But following the release of last year’s TIP, the Philippine government right away “stepped up efforts to implement its anti-trafficking law and made initial progress in implementing strategies to combat trafficking in persons, particularly in prosecuting human traffickers.”

The report noted that over the last year, the country made discernible progress in its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts particularly in prosecuting human traffickers.

In 2005, 67 cases were under preliminary investigation and another 31 cases were filed for prosecution under the 2003 anti-trafficking law. Of those, two cases resulted in the conviction of four individuals for trafficking offenses, with courts handing down life imprisonment sentences to the traffickers and awarding compensation to the victims.

The TIP report also cited the move of the Department of Justice to triple the number of prosecutors at the national level handling trafficking cases and assigned additional prosecutors at the regional level to focus on trafficking cases, resulting in a four-fold increase in the number of investigative cases presented for prosecution under the 2003 anti-trafficking law.

However, the report, while lauding the “impressive protection efforts” of the Philippine government for trafficking victims, pointed out the financial constraints of the government’s witness protection program to accommodate the large number of trafficking victims.

It also noted that despite its progress in the fight against trafficking in persons, Philippines does not fully comply yet with the minimum standards and remains a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor.

US State Department data shows that a significant share of the over one million Filipino men and women who go overseas each year to work as domestic servants or in the construction and garment industries are subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude.

Still, the US State Department remains hopeful that the Philippines will show continued progress as it expressed its support to the country’s ongoing anti-trafficking efforts.

PCCI, NOCCI host visayas biz conference in Dgte
For three days this month, Dumaguete City will become a hub for business trends, opportunities, discussion and all things business as it plays host city to this year’s Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC).

Hosted by the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) led by its president and conference host Ernesto Quiamco, the conference from June 15 to 17 is expected to welcome around 200 industry leaders and business people from Visayas.

This year’s VABC is unique from the past conferences as it will be held at the academic or “university town” setting of historic Silliman University, which for two days will be transformed into a vibrant business atmosphere for current and future investors in the region.

The conference’s theme this year is: “One Visayas, One Region, One Vibrant Economy” which, according to City Councilor and Conference Chairman Manuel Sagarbarria, intends to prod Visayans to think and go beyond the traditional provincial or regional boundaries.

VABC is one event where business and leisure mix together. It is an annual activity sponsored by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry that serves as a venue in which business leaders can discuss, compare notes, learn new business opportunities and explore the possibilities of doing business together while unwinding and enjoying the best that the host city can offer through trade fairs and tours.

The two-day conference will open with a Trade Fair on June 1 which will showcase business potentials in tourism, education, agribusiness and financing - four booming economic sectors of Oriental Negros.

A Franchising Expo and Business Matching will also be held to give a chance for the public and conference delegates to inquire and strike business deals with the participating franchising companies.

Delegates will also be treated to a golf event, social gatherings and tours.

Plenary sessions will be conducted on the second day with the following industry luminaries serving as keynote speakers: Presidential Consultant on Economic Affairs and Albay 3rd District Congressman Hon. Joey Sarte Salceda; Teletech-Philippines Vice President and General Manager Craig Reines; PCCI Vice President-Tourism Saime Lim; PCCI Vice President for Transportation and WG&A Vice President Xavier Aboitiz; PCCI Vice President – Productivity & Global Competitiveness and DOST Packing R&D Center Consultant Raul Hernandez; SPI Technology Executive Vice President for Global Operations Ian David Bellord; Globe Telecommunication Visayas Region Chief Operating Adviser Andrew Buay; and Francorp Philippines Legal Associate and Global Franchise Marketing Franchise Sales Consultant Bernard Eugenio.

For the 2006 VABC, PCCI is collaborating with NOCCI as host, the Visayas Chambers, Negros Oriental Business Development Foundation, Provincial Government of Oriental Negros, Dumaguete City Government, DTI, DOST and Silliman University in organizing the event.

Tropical cyclones expected this month, warns PAGASA
Now that La Niña has ended and the onset of the rainy months has begun, weather bureau PAGASA has warned of at least 2 tropical cyclones expected to hit the country this June.

According to Provincial Meteorological Chief Edsin Culi, PAGASA’s seasonal climatological outlook from April to June indicates that this period signals the start of the rainy season, associated with the southwest monsoon season or locally known as “habagat” which is expected to bring about heavy rains that can cause landslides and floods.

Rainfall conditions during the period are expected to be near normal to above normal in many parts across the country.

The climatological outlook states that “rainfall amounts of more than 600 mm are expected over the mountainous areas of Luzon, Quezon provinces, Camarines provinces, Albay, Samar, CARAGA and Compostela Valley. Rainfall of less than 300 mm are expected over Cagayan, some areas in Central Luzon, Palawan, and the southern portions of Panay, Negros and Zamboanga.”
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has earlier declared the third week of June as “Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week” due to the onslaught of rains.

The president has directed the weather bureau to lead an awareness information campaign on disaster preparedness during the period, as well as assist private agencies in the said campaign.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs has warned residents near Mt. Kanlaon in Central Visayas to stay away from the permanent four-kilometer danger zone within the perimeter of the volcano because of an impending hydrothermal explosion.

Public schools warned vs rejecting stude enrollment for failure to pay miscellaneous fees
With the opening of classes this week, public schools in Negros Oriental has been warned not to reject enrollment of students who are unable to pay miscellaneous fees.

Anabelle Ramirez of the Department of Education, in an interview with reporter Victor Camion, said that based on an order from DepEd Secretary Fe Hidalgo, public school heads who turn down enrollees based on inability to pay fees such as Red Cross or Boy Scout/Girl Scout fees are likely to face sanctions.

However, as of press time, the DepEd provincial office has not received any complaints of public schools refusing to enroll students.

The DepEd Action Center remains open for complaints, says Ramirez.

Provincial Superintendent Dr. Aleli Abne has earlier created a four-man team of monitoring officers to address enrollment-related complaints.

Ramirez said the monitoring officers have been going around the public schools in the province to look into problems that crop up during enrollment and opening of classes as well as warning school officials against discrimination of children.

Parents who wish to air their complaints may call the Action Center at the DepEd provincial office through 225-1622, 225-2838, 225-2376 or 422-0267.

The local Action Center is in line with the call center opened by the DepEd central office in Manila to respond and attend to the complaints and queries of parents and students concerning the opening of classes and other school matters.

Parents and students may send their complaints and queries through text messages to 2622 or by calling (02) 631 6033.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has earlier commended DepEd together with other agencies and local government units who have teamed up to ensure the smooth and peaceful opening of classes this school year.

The president stressed that education is a flagship concern of her administration and “we will not stop until we can deliver all available resources to build more classrooms led by competent teachers, and with better books, facilities and modern tools of learning.”

Pres. Arroyo has instructed the DPWH and AFP through its engineering units to coordinate with DepEd officials for the construction of makeshift classrooms in overpopulated schools and those affected by the on-going rehabilitation of school buildings.

Around P4 billion was added to the budget of the DepEd in the bicameral conference of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The lawmakers also tackled ways and means on how to solve the shortage of textbooks and waning number of teachers in the country.

NegOr forest cover increase; PENRO pushes for lifting of cancellation of CBFM
In the midst of grim reports of a dying environment, data from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources here of increasing forest cover in Negros Oriental show that not all hope is lost after all.

Although still subject to ground verification, recent land satellite data show a marked increase in forest cover in Negros Oriental of about four to five percent, says Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Charlie Fabre in yesterday’s Kapihan forum held to mark Environment Month this June.

Earlier satellite data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have shown the apparent deterioration of greenery in the province down to 3%, which according to Fabre worsened in 1987 after the government cancelled the logging concession in the country in 1980.

“DENR was not (then) prepared to protect the remaining forest from logging concessions,” Fabre said.

Despite this, DENR plodded ahead with its forest protection and conservation projects in the province, resulting to the slight increase in the forest cover here.

Fabre disclosed that there is now about 10% forest cover in the province, both man made and natural but excluding the alienable and disposable lands over which DENR has not clearly surveyed.

The environment officer also the marked forestry progress in Basay town. “In Basay in 1990, walay makitang kahoy pero karon aduna na tay mga 70 percent natamnan ug kahoy within Basay area,” declares Fabre.

He also attributed the increased forest cover to the eco-governance program, of which Fabre identified Bayawan City as DENR’s leading eco-governance partner in the province.

Bayawan City is set to embark on the establishment of rubber plantations and jathropa nursery, which is a plant variety capable of producing bio-diesel.

Currently, the PENRO here is pushing for the lifting of suspension on community-based forestry management (CBFM) sites.

DENR under then Environment Secretary Michael Defensor cancelled the CBFM after DENR received reports of minor violations allegedly committed by the people’s organizations managing the sites.

PENRO here conducted a people’s organization forum on June as a show of support for the people’s organizations. “Sila’y nagbantay for the past 15 years sa kalasangan nga ilang gitamon… it is not true that low performance and PO’s in terms of establishing their projects,” Fabre stressed.

Meanwhile, measures have also been instituted in Dumaguete City to arrest the degradation of the environment.

According to Vice Mayor William Ablong, in the same forum, Dumaguete City has initiated a project called Local Initiative for Affordable Wastewater (LINAW) project under the United States Assistance for International Development (USAID).

Dumaguete is one of four areas in the country identified to implement the three-year project, says Ablong.

“We are now waiting for the health clearance from DOH to proceed with the construction of a septage treatment facility in our dry river bed in Camanjac,” he disclosed.

The vice mayor also said the city government is strictly implementing the Septage Management Ordinance in the city.

Under the ordinance, one of the requirements for new construction of buildings is the properly designed septic tank. “We do not issue building permits to proposed building structures…or approve building of houses and subdivision if their septic tanks have only one or two chambers. Septic tanks should have three,” stressed Ablong.

PMA cadets, cadettes, officers to join NegOr’s independence day celeb
About 120 cadets, cadettes and AFP officers of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) are set to visit the province from June 10 to 14, 2006.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Director P/Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe in a letter said the group will participate in the province’s celebration of the Independence Day at Quezon Park as well as conduct a silent/fancy drill exhibition at Silliman University Ballfield.

The exhibition will start at 3:00 p.m. on June 12, 2006.

The visit is also in line with the government’s campaign to invite qualified young boys and girls to join the PMA.

The group will conduct an information drive here and visit key schools and universities to provide an opportunity for deserving Negrenses to benefit from the scholarship grant in the prestigious Academy.

Town to celebrate Independence with revelry
A unique and cheerful celebration will highlight the 108th Independence Day celebration in the town of Valencia in Oriental Negros with town Mayor Rodolfo Gonzalez Jr wanting to turn the celebration into a virtual fiesta revelry with dances, games, exhibitions at the park.

June 12 is designated as Philippine Independence Day, marking the proclamation by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898 – a liberation from colonial Spanish rule.

“ It is just fitting that Filipinos will celebrate the event with full of life and revelry,” said Mayor Gonzalez who conceptualize how this year’s Independence day be celebrated.

Traditional ceremonies like floral offering to the Philippine flag and parade, with participants coming from the PNP, barangays tanods, World War II veterans and military retirees, will remain the highlights of the event which Mayor Gonzalez will keynote. For the first time, an ecumenical prayer from various religious leaders in Valencia will be performed.

There will be booths that will feature Filipino food and specialty delicacies, as well as arts and crafts. The splendor and grandeur of Philippine culture and heritage will be showcased through dances and songs.

Chaired overall by Councilor Joseph Catan, this year’s Independence day – with the theme” Pagkakaisa Para Sa Matatag Na Republika, will present Filipino games like sack racing, habal-habal race competition, rapelling , a 3-legged race and a Pinoy Big Brother competition. Mayor Gonzalez invites everyone to celebrate Independence Day in his town Valencia.