ISSUE NO. 28, July 13, 2006

Provincial police office beefs up security in time for SONA
The provincial police office is beefing up security measures in the province in preparation for the State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 24.

SPO4 Hilbert Arinaza, chief intelligence unit police non-commissioned officer of the provincial police office, said that they required all police units in the province to submit intelligence requirements on identified threat groups in their areas. “We are gathering the necessary information on any threat group that may endanger the SONA,” says Arinaza.

He expects that the PNP provincial office will be declared on heightened alert on the day when the President delivers her SONA.

“We also expect the usual rallies, demonstrations and mass actions to happen that day not only in the province but throughout the nation as well,” he said.

He agrees that the province is relatively peaceful compared to other provinces, but stressed that the local police force continues to be on guard due to the existence of three guerilla fronts of the CPP-NPA group here.

He explained that the Negros Oriental police force continually implements target hardening measures in view of constant threats to the nation’s security.

Security measures are continually being beefed up in potential terrorist targets in the province such as police camps, vital installations, and tourist spots.

“We will make it hard for them to create chaos in such places by enhancing defense measures,” Arinaza stressed.

In Siquijor province, provincial police director P/Supt. Orlando Domingo Oalat disclosed that field units will be directed to be on red alert which he says has been the usual procedure during SONA and other similar events.

Oalat however assured that Siquijor has remained peaceful during SONA in the past years.

“Right now, we are concentrating on updating our Barangay Information Network,” says Oalat.

Meanwhile, Arinaza lauded the recent expose on the plot to launch a coup which has been decisively broken in time for SONA.

Arinaza said this is a welcome development, but stressed that utmost vigilance is still needed in the police and the community.

President Arroyo has earlier vowed to impose the full force of the law against the six Magdalo soldiers and their lawyer who were recaptured by a joint operation of the military and police recently.

Tactically, the authorities have aborted a plot to bomb Congress during the SONA.

Lawmakers are now pushing for an investigation into how the six rogue military officers arrested were able to obtain blueprints of the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quzon City.

Malacañang has nevertheless assured that the SONA remains secure and will be an event of looking forward to “a brighter future rather than belaboring the mess of the past.”

The Administation leaves to the law enforcement authorities the task of further exposing to the public the intricate web of destabilization involved in the Oplan Trident.

LGU officials back PGMA’s mega-regions
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is reaching out to various local government leaders in the country to review and revitalize their investment and development blueprints from a supra-regional perspective in preparation for her State of the Nation Address (SONA) when Congress opens on July 24.

In a recent full council meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) in Bohol, Negros Oriental Governor George P. Arnaiz disclosed that the President has pledged a P75-billion funding to set up the “supra-regions.”

Arnaiz in an interview with Philippines News Agency here said that the President in an executive order has created four super regions in the entire country, namely: North Luzon, Metro Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Arnaiz said that the Bicol region has been added to the Visayas cluster of regions 5, 6, 7 and 8 and the provinces of Romblon and Palawan to compose the Visayas Mega-Region.

The governor is supporting the President’s move because the through the mega-regions, provinces will not compete but instead complement each other.

He says that larger urban areas like Cebu in Region 7 and Iloilo in Region 8 usually get the bigger share in terms of development funds and projects.

But through the mega-regions, “whatever Cebu does not have then we provide, and we can ride on to their tourism advantage,” cites Arnaiz.

The President recently told Congress that the SONA vision should come from the perspective of the regional development councils as her partners in governance.

Regional leaders and sectors will now participate more intensively in planning, monitoring and fine-tuning development programs and projects in the their regions.

The enlarged development areas will boost economic and market potentials beyond what each region can generate, with economies of scale, synergies and complementation that will be more attractive to investors, the President said.

In addition, a larger resource base of each mega-region will be available for the provision of social services and pump-priming infrastructure, particularly for the poorer provinces.

Dumaguete City Vice Mayor William Ablong also threw in his support to the creation of supra-regions, which he says is a good approach to development.

According to City Public Information Officer Andrey Tumulak, the vice mayor believes that centralization is not as effective in responding to people’s concerns.

In fact, the collaboration of local government units has already been implemented here through the concept of Metro Dumaguete, says Ablong.

Metro Dumaguete is the cluster of LGUs composed of Dumaguete City, Bacong, Sibulan, Valencia and Bacong.

The vice mayor, like Governor Arnaiz, welcomes the President’s move to create mega-regions because it will speed up socio-economic, political and security developments.

Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Peter Favila reaffirmed his optimism that investment would pick up due to renewed investor confidence.

The rise of exports by 17.3 percent year-on-year in May which marks the fourth consecutive double-digit growth since February, coupled with the first batch of beneficiaries of pump priming programs is an indication of sustainable trend, and a direct and immediate impact of Administration policies on the overall welfare of the nation.

Gov’t gears up disaster plans for more typhoons this year
As the country expects more typhoons to hit its shores for the rest of this year, the national government and local government units are gearing for more proactive measures to prevent, contain and act upon all disaster scenarios.

The Administration has in place a multi-level disaster management plan for calamity-prone areas and every effort is being made to save lives and property.

The President wants institutionalized preparedness to be the rule in dealing with disasters and calamities.

In the July 13 text update from PAGASA here, tropical storm Florita has intensified into a typhoon.

The center of the typhoon based on satellite and surface data is 280 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

PAGASA said public storm warning signal number three is now in effect over Batanes group of islands and Calayan with public storm warning signal number two over Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

In Negros Oriental, the weather agency expects overcast skies with thunderstorm and passing light rainshowers.

Bribery claim a sign of opposition’s desperation- Malacañang
Malacañang said recently that the way the pastoral letter of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is being twisted and allegations that the Palacade had bribed the bishops only show the desperation of some political quarters.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokespersons Ignacio R. Bunye said in a statement tha the CBCP pastoral letter “comes as a fresh wind to a nation growing tired and weary of too much politics.”

He said that the opposition’s attempts to taint the pastoral letter with malice is a stretch of their imagination and shows how, in their desperation, they will not hesitate to twist any story in their favor.

“The public and the church are tired of such political noise and want to move on,” stressed Bunye.

Opposition politicians had claimed that the bishop’s rejection of impeachment as a way of removing President Gloria Macapgal-Arroyo from office was a big letdown, with some claiming that the bishops had been bribed.

But Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita categorically denied the malicious allegations, saying that donations in other forms may be given to the bishops but certainly not in the context and manner that some people are trying to project such donations - - as bribes.

He appealed to critics of the administration to leave the bishops alone and not to drag them into political controversies to suit self-serving political agenda.

Palace downplays favorable PGMA rating
Malacañang has downplayed the favorable rise in the satisfaction rating of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, saying that whatever the survey says, it will always be a signal for the administration to work harder for the public welfare.

Results of the latest Social Weather Stations survey show that President Arroyo’s net public satisfaction rating has climbed several notches to –13 percent from –30 percent in the December 2005 tally and –25 percent last March.

Malacañang said that the President and her Cabinet are intensely focused on the aggressive and strong-willed implementation of the country’s political and economic reform agenda, and not weighed down by vagaries of the political situation.

Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said the Filipino people inspires the President, whether they agree with her or not, and she is bent on addressing the pressing issues of poverty, security, and the rule of law with consistent vigor and determination.

PCIC pays P10,000 death benefit to corn farmer in Cebu
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation of Region 7 paid a total of P10,000. to the beneficiary of deceased corn farmer Teodoro D. Arranguez of Brgy. Putian, Bantayan, Cebu.

All insured palay and corn crops are automatically covered with built-in death benefit of P10,000. regardless of the area covered.

GSP elects new prov’l senior planning board officers
The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Negros Oriental-Siquijor Council has recently elected the officers of its Provincial Senior Planning Board (SPB).

According to local GSP Council Executive Rosario Rosales, the election was conducted on July 8, 2006.

The new set of officers are the following: President- Sr. Scout Ma. Shiela Mae V. Maduro of San Pedro Academy in Valencia; Vice President- Sr. Scout Queenie T. Diaz of Dauin National High School; Secretary- Sr. Sct. TJ Harmony Cañolas of NOHS; Assistant Secretary- Sr. Sct. Sara Christa R. Alcantara, Tanjay City Science High School; Treasurer- Sr. Sct. Jenaree B. Timosan, Holy Cross High School; Ass’t. Treasurer - Sr. Sct. Honeylyn G. Banogon, Tanjay City Science High School; Auditor- Sr. Sct. BJ June C. Renquijo, Tampi High School; PIO- Sr. Sct. Mikka T. Bangay; Adviser- Teresita K. Albina, Dgte City High School.

National science and technology week slated in July
Catch the latest developments in the local science and technology scene as the country celebrates the National Science and Technology Week on July 17 to 21 at the Philippines Trade Training Center in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

This year’s theme, “Saving Lives, Improving Lives through Science and
Technology,” highlights the important role of Science and Technology in public and environment safety and in raising the people’s quality of life. The five-day event will tour the audience on a wide display of Filipino developed technologies, research studies, scientists and activities that cover environment and disaster management, health, energy and industry innovations.

The annual event will also feature technology-based products and processes presentations, technology fora, and fair and exhibit booths with participants from the Department of Science and Technology’s 21 attached agencies, regional offices, partners and special guests.

Scientists, researchers, media and other interested parties may attend the scientific meetings to be held simultaneously at the Philippine Plaza Hotel, Ermita, Manila. Focus of the meetings will be on health technology, disaster preparedness through ICT and solid waste management.

To recognize major contributions in S&T activities and advocacy, DOST will confer several major awards, including Outstanding S&T administrator, national scientist (basic and applied), R&D (basic and applied), technology commercialization and S&T media awards.

DOST invites S&T-related organizations, schools and the general public to participate. The NSTW provides opportunities for individuals aiming for scientific careers and entrepreneurs looking for innovative products and services with commercial potentials. Parties interested to join the trade exhibits may contact Dir. Bernie Justimbase, NSTW secretariat at 837-2071 local 2073.

DOST announces PSHS system search for scholars
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here announces anew the opening of the Philippine Science High Schol (PSHS) System search for scholars for 2007.

The PSHS system consists of schools which offer scholarship to deserving students who are trained under a curriculum designed to prepare them for careers in science and technology. It is one of the agencies of the Department of Science and Technology contributing to the expansion and development of the country’s scientific and technological manpower.

Admission to the PSHS System is through its National Competitive Examination, a two-step screening given to all qualified elementary students. The first screening is the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) consisting of tests in verbal abstract reasoning and mathematics scheduled on October 14 at Siquijor State College in Larena, Siquijor.

The second screening is the Science Math Aptitude Test (SMAT) consisting of tests in Science and Mathematics. The students who will pass the first screening will undergo the second screening on December 26 at Silliman University, Dumaguete City.

Application forms are now distributed to all elementary schools provincewide. Deadline for submission is on August 25, 2006.

Phil. Navy invites applicants to its officer corps

THE PHILIPPINE NAVY through its mobile recruitment team will be coming over the region to spearhead a provincial recruitment activity which seeks to offer a rare opportunity for those residing in the country’s major cities outside Metro Manila who are interested to join the noble profession of arms as naval officers.

It is a five (5)- day recruitment process which will be held at the NFC Gymnasium, Headquarters Naval Forces Central, Brgy Canjulao, Lapu-Lapu City from July 17 to 21, 2006.

Interested applicants must be a natural born Filipino citizen (must present original birth certificate), single, between 21-29 years old, a baccalaureate degree holder, preferably a graduate of a technical course (must present original diploma and transcript of records), at least 5’4” tall for male and 5’2” for female and must have no obvious physical deformities that may hinder the applicant in completing the training. Likewise, interested applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- duly accomplished application form
- birth certificate (photocopy)
- college diploma (photocopy)
- transcript of records (photocopy)
- NBI clearance (photocopy)
- three (3) pcs 2X2 ID picture

Processing and registration of applicants are now going on at the Headquarters Naval Forces Central, Naval Operating Base Mactan, Brgy Canjulao, Lapu-Lapu City and at the Headquarters Naval Reserve Center Eastern Visayas, Arellano Blvd, Cebu City. Application forms are available at these headquarters. The provincial exams will start on July 17, 2006, 8 o’ clock in the morning at the NFC Gymnasium of Headquarters Naval Forces Central. Walk- in applicants will only be entertained on the first day of the provincial exams.

Successful applicants who will be commissioned as officers of the Philippine Navy will enjoy the basic salary of P16,026.00, additional allowances, cash gifts and bonuses and other benefits and privileges accorded not only to the individual officer but also to his/ her direct dependents.

For more inquiries, please visit or call the Headquarters Naval Forces Central at 340-9390 and look for Lt Junior Grade ARIEL COLOMA.

Join the Philippine Navy and secure your future in a professional career!!