ISSUE NO. 31, August 10, 2006

DENR launches simultaneous massive tree planting nationwide
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will launch “Green Philippine Highways,” a massive tree planting on August 25 which will simultaneously take place along the country’s three major highways, covering a total length of 3,439 kilometers.

Thus, Secretary Angelo T. Reyes of DENR will spearhead the ceremonial tree planting on August 15, 2006 (Tuesday) here at the Provincial Capitol Area or the Kilometer Zero at 8:30 in the morning, to be followed by a program at the Macias Sports and Cultural Center at 9:00AM.

DENR Sec. Angelo Reyes said that the “Green Philippine Highways” project is meant to promote the image of every Filipino as a planter of trees.

The areas to be covered in the synchronized tree planting will include the 2,176.40 kilometer Pan- Philippine Highway that stretches from Laoag City through Cagayzan de Oro to Davao City; 439.20 kilometer Manila North Road that meanders from Laoag City through La Union to Bulacan; and the ; 823.90 kilometer West Nautical Highway stretching from Batangas City through Mindoro, Aklan, and Negros Oriental to Zamboanga Sibugay.

Around 500,000 seedlings will be needed for the activity to be able to plant both sides of the highways at an interval of 10 meters per seedling.

Reyes has issued instructions to senior DENR field officials to assure the availability of the seedlings and coordinate with provincial, city, and municipal government units to take part in the activity.

He also ordered DENR field offices to hold consultation meetings with local government officials to formulate memoranda of agreements on the proper maintenance and protection of the planted trees to ensure their survival and growth. (JCTilos)

BSP launches coin collection campaign
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) here has launched its Tulong Barya Para Sa Eskwela at the West City Elementary School, as coin collection center on August 4, 2006 to give pupils the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility.

BSP strengthens its coin collection not only in schools but also in bank and retailers associations to recirculate the coins effectively. This coin collection campaign has created due to the perceived shortage of coins in some regions of the country.

In its information campaign forum at Silliman University last week, the BSP official said, that to produce more coins would translate into significant costs because the intrinsic value of the coin is greater than its nominal value especially for the lower denominated coins, such as 25-; 10-; 5-; and 1-sentimo.

As of December last year, there were 11.1 billion pieces of coins in circulation, 6.7 billion pieces of which were low denomination coins. This brought coins per capita to 121, way above the ASEAN standard of 50 pieces. Yet, demand remains unfilled in many parts of the country because coins are not being recirculated, or used regularly by the public. Coins are kept inside bank vaults, piggy banks, inside drawers, used as washers, or thrown away as inconvenience.

The low regard towards lower denominated coins is one of the main reasons coins are not circulating efficiently. School children as agents of change in their homes and communities, however, can generate better appreciation of the use of the coins.

Collected coins will be exchanged with designated banks which will in turn issue a check for deposited bank under the Tulong Barya Para Sa Eskwela account.
Meanwhile, the country is on the right track in preparing the runway for economic takeoff as the government is working on a concrete blueprint to consolidate the economy, draw investments, create jobs and channel revenues to build more infrastructure and human capital.

Malacañang asserts that although the country has a long way to go to realize its economic vision, “everything is doable.” (PIA/JTilos)

NORECO 2 launches campaign to clean-up electric posts
The Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative (NORECO 2) is set to launch a clean-up campaign of electric posts in the city in an effort to instill among electric cooperative subscribers the need to preserve and safeguard the life span of electric poles and other related facilities.

Dubbed as Operation Linis Poste, the all-out clean up activity will be conducted on Saturday, August 12, 2006, from 9:00 in the morning at the following designated areas: V. Locsin & Ma. Cristina Streets; Cervantes Street and Meciano Road; Colon, Pinili and Mabini Streets; and Perdices Street and Silliman Avenue
The campaign, according to NORECO 2 General Manager Ephraim Taclob, will hopefully encourage cleanliness in the city while promoting awareness that every citizen has a duty to keep his or her environment safe and clean.

“NORECO 2 of course will focus on our electric poles which is mostly the object of this massive proliferation of commercial materials,” says Taclob.

In a NORECO Board Resolution approved on October 17, 2005, a set of guidelines was drawn up on the posting of commercial materials on NORECO 2 poles and other related facilities.

“As a general rule, commercial materials attached or installed such as billboards, posters, streamers and other mode of advertisements on NORECO 2 electric poles are not allowed as it may not only obstruct the linemen’s sight and direction when going up and down the pole but also tend to get entangled with the linemen’s gear,” states Resolution No. 181.

It also states that commercial materials posted on electric poles tend to hide from view any metal attachments, which may be connected and fastened at or near ground wires that can cause electric shock when in contact with bare skin.

Only temporary billboards, posters, streamers and other mode of advertisements commemorating activities of LGUs and non-commercial institutions such as schools are allowed, for a maximum period of only two weeks.

The resolution also mandates the immediate removal of any unauthorized billboard or posters without prior notice.

Penalties for unauthorized posting of commercial materials range from P100 to P500 for each piece of material used in the posting such as metal brackets, wooden and bamboo brackets and metal sheets directly stapled or nailed to the post.

The campaign is in line with the government’s efforts to fix up the entire energy system – from generation to distribution and retail – to ensure that the average Filipino family obtains maximum benefit from a free market.

Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is at the helm of the energy independence program that includes rationalizing energy use in all fronts and increasing investments in alternative fuels.


PMA entrance exam set on August 27
The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is once again encouraging all patriotic Filipino youths to join the PMA and take the annual entrance exam on August 27, 2006 at Silliman University.

Successful candidates shall be provided a well-rounded and free college education, receive stipend while studying, have a progressive career as an officer in the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy or Philippine Air Force and the rare privilege to serve the country.

To qualify to the stringent cadet admission requirements for PMA Class 2011, an applicant must be a natural born Filipino citizen, of good moral character, single and never been married, 5’4” in height for male and 5’2” if female, at least high school graduate with a minimum general average of 85% or a senior high school student with a general average of 85% during third year and able to perform the minimum requirements for physical fitness test.

Applicants should also be not a day older than 22 years old and not a day younger than 17 years old on April 1, 2007.

The following documents are required for application: Form 137; NSO birth certificate and two pieces 2”x2” ID picture with white background.

Processing for the examination starts at 7:00 a.m.

Applicants are also advised to prepare for the examination that will cover Algebra, Geometry, Grammar, Composition, Reading Comprehension, Verbal/Numerical Reasoning and Pattern Analysis.

Application forms are available at the nearest AFP/PNP units in the localities.
Interested applicants may apply through mail and online via this website: http://www.pma.ph.

Walk-in applicants are also accepted.

NegorNet announces 2006 Timbayayong awardees
Three non-government organizations and local government units in the province have bagged around P200,000. worth of projects after winning this year’s Timabayayong Awards for Outstanding Local Government Unit and Non-Government/People’s Organization Partnership.

The awardees are the Bayawan Multi-Purpose Agricultural Kilusan Bayan and the city government of Bayawan; St. Catherine Family Helper Project, Inc. and the municipal government of Dauin; and the Ting Matiao Foundation and the municipal government of Valencia.

The three winning LGUs and NGOs were chosen from seven finalists submitted by the Search Committee headed by Prof. Emervencia Ligutom.

According to Negros Oriental Network of NGOs (NegorNet) Executive Director Greg G. Fernandez, Jr., each winner will receive P200,000 worth of projects which will be undertaken by the LGU & NGO/PO partner.

This year’s board of judges was led by Prof. Carlos Magtolis Jr. as chairperson with members composed of Engr. Eduardo Pedrosa, Adriano Gregorio, Dr. Vicente Jurlano, Raul Villanueva and PIA Infocen Manager Jennifer Catan-Tilos.

NegorNet spearheads the Timbayayong search in coordination with the provincial government of Negros Oriental to recognize successful partnership work between LGUs and NGOs or POs that has generated significant development in the localities.

The nominees were evaluated based on their effective working relationship in local development council and other special bodies as well as the quality of the process of service delivery to its beneficiaries.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 7 Director Rene Burdeos, lauded Governor George Arnaiz for coming up with the Timabayayong Awards.

Saying that this program is the first of its kind in the entire country, Dir. Burdeos encouraged Gov. Arnaiz to make the Awards as the province’s entry in the next Galing Pook Awards.

Rotary Dumaguete to help Red Cross acquire P.5M refrigerator
The Rotary Club of Dumaguete is set to help out the Philippine National Red Cross of Oriental Negros in acquiring the much-needed blood refrigerator costing P.5 million pesos.

The blood refrigerator will be used to store hundreds of bags of donated blood collected province wide.

Club President Rodolfo V. Gonzalez, Jr. stressed that the blood ref is critical in sustaining the blood program of Red Cross in the province, especially those undergoing surgery and transplantation.

The board of RC-Dumaguete has already approved the move making the acquisition of the refrigerator as one of its projects this year.

The club will also lobby for other Rotary Clubs in the province to support the project, especially in raising the money.

It was noted that RC-east, north, and south are also bent on supporting the project.

Louella Bael, PNRC-Negros Oriental chapter administrator, said she is happy with the development as her office’s current refrigerator can only accommodate 40 blood bags.

She said that with the new refrigerator, the PNRC office here can accommodate the 150 blood bags coming from Japan.

Following the intensified blood donation campaign during the celebration of Blood Donation Month in the province last July, Red Cross here experienced an over supply of donated blood.

Around 15 bags of donated blood were collected during the Zone 3-D blood letting activity.

All donated blood will undergo screening for Hepatitis A and B, HIV-Aids, Syphilis, and Malaria.

Rotary Club, an organization of business and professional people promoting friendly cooperation, high ethical standards in all vocations and supports charities and welfare services, has been supporting Red Cross in generating more blood donors.

Valencia town wins first Timbayayong Awards
The Municipality of Valencia came out as one of the winners in the first Timbayayong Awards sponsored by the provincial government of Oriental Negros in collaboration with the Negros Oriental Network of NGOs (NEGORNET).

Timbayayong Awards highlights outstanding LGUs-NGOs that has established a functional partnership programs with an NGO that brought development in the countryside.

Valencia town was cited for its outstanding partnership with the Rtn. Martin “Ting” Matiao Foundation, Inc., a non-profit, self-sustaining institution, in launching the banana production, a priority livelihood program of Valencia Mayor Rodolfo Gonzalez, Jr, located in Barangay Apolong.

The municipality’s partnership with Ting Matiao started in 1994 when TMF implemented its three-year Banica River Watershed Development project in Barangay Sagbang and Apolong, Valencia.

The partnership continued with an Integrated Farming system in Barangay Lunga in 1997, and Barangay Bongbong in 1999. Another remarkable partnership of Valencia town and TMF was the eight-year Mt. Talinis Twin Lakes Biodiversity Conservation Project.

The latest partnership program, the banana production, launched in 2004, is a World Community Service grant from Chiba, Japan of Rotary, which was implemented by TMF and counter-parted by the LGU-Valencia in the amount of P20,000.

Its initial beneficiaries planted banana in a one-hectare lot in Barangay Apolong. The beneficiaries, who have now increased to 105, are sustaining the project.
Their product, a certified organic banana, is exported to countries like Japan and Taiwan.

Sibulan holds 1st inter-brgy boxing bout
The municipality of Sibulan, the lone town in Oriental Negros that produced one of the most popular professional boxers in the country today, is set to launch the 1st Inter-Barangay Boxing Competition this Friday, August 11, 2006 at the Sibulan Covered Auditorium.

Sibulan Mayor Antonio Renacia said that boxing is a fast rising sport in the country and it is truly good for Sibulan to be ahead in this area and to have produced a champ boxer.

It can be recalled that boxing champion Jemuel “Jimrex Jaca” Divino hails from Brgy. Boloc-Boloc, Sibulan town.

“Thru this boxing competition, our young boxers would be encouraged to develop their skill,” says Renacia.

The Sports Development Program staff of Sibulan are pinning their hopes on the inter-barangay boxing competitions to produce another Jaka in the future.

The public is invited to watch and support the Mano-a-Mano Boxing Competition.
Green chain project to boost eco-tourism in Siquijor - DENR
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here recently signaled the launching of Secretary Angelo Reyes' project "Green Philippine Highways".

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Oscar Magallones said the project is aimed to enhance a healthy environment through green national highways, clean surroundings and sustainable management of the natural resources.

PENRO Magallones expressed high hopes this green chain program is expected to spur economic development in Siquijor through eco-tourism.

He expressed high hopes for the outcome of the project in terms of a more dynamic appreciation of tourism as an agent of positive change for social equity and economic progress.

He said this is line with President Arroyo’s vision and development plan of making Central Philippines as the country’s main tourist destination.

On August 25, 2006, a simultaneous tree planting will take place nationwide spearheading DENR and enjoining other government agencies and other sectors.

These participating agencies are DILG, PNP, AFP, DepEd, PIA DPWH, and non-government and people’s organizations, and the business and religious sectors.

“We need to work hand in hand because this is not an exclusive work of the DENR alone, but of everyone. The urgent call to restore our natural resources is something we can’t shun away because it is everybody’s responsibility. That’s why this has become a mass movement”, he said.

In Siquijor, over 5,000 indigenous species such as mahogany, acacia, gemilina, and the like will be planted alongside of all its circumferential coastal highways covering 75 kilometers.

According to PENRO Magallones, about 50 million trees are needed to be planted along major thoroughfares of the country to offset pollution, mostly coming from vehicle emissions, and if this will be fully realized, we can have an assurance that air quality in the country will be restored.

Being the lead agency, DENR is in charged of providing technical support on the identification and preparation of planting sites, provision of planting materials and coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways. Other agencies are tasked on mobilizing the active participation of citizenry, providing transport services and other logistical or financial projects.

A Memorandum of Agreement will be inked among lead agency, support agencies, cooperators and adopters while a certificate of tree stewardship shall be awarded to the adopters for planting, care and maintenance for a minimum period of three years.

A standard placard/billboard showing the name of the adopter shall also be put up to reflect sponsorship of project areas of the highways.

PGMA training for work scholarship opens
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Siquijor province encourages qualified jobseekers to apply for the PGMA training for work scholarship offered by the government.

Technical Education and Skills Development Specialist and Information Officer Philpio L. Padayhag said PGMA training for work scholarship is offered to any individuals qualified to work in the following industries: business process outsourcing, aviation, agriculture, medical tourism, health and medical services, hotel and restaurant, metals and services.

“Priority is given to ‘near-hires’ or jobseekers who were once turned down by business processing organizations (BPOs) for lack of skills and other requirements, says Padayhag.

Padayhag, however said that TESDA-Siquijor only accepts applicants for referral to other provinces since the Siquijor province has no training center that offer programs under the priority areas. Apllicants will have to take the examinations in TESDA offices in Dumaguete and other nearby provinces due to the office’s lack of internet connection here, Padayhag also said..

To note, the DepEd, CHED and TESDA are working together with the educational sector to hammer out an integrated blueprint that would match skills to jobs, and enable the youth to take advantage of opportunities sprouting out of President Arroyo’s economic plan.

President Gloria Arroyo’s plan in her recent State of the Nation Address is broad, deep and solid – double and on track – contrary to the criticism and skepticism aired by some analysts.

She also pointed out that in the entire country, the government is also allocating big chunks of the national budget to improve health services and the quality of education.

"Our reforms are taking root and our growth is irreversible and your government is underway to further improve our country’s economy," the President said.

DOST holds training on packaging, labeling
The Department of Science and Technology-Siquijor Provincial Science and Technology Center conducted Training/Seminar on Packaging and Label Design and Current Product Development and Market Trends at Dapdap Sunset Grill on July 25-26, 2006.

The activity was co-sponsored by the Provincial Government, SMED Council and Department of Trade and Industry. The participants of the training are food processors, bakers and others who are into food processing for domestic market.

The over-all goal of the training is to introduce appropriate packaging and standard label design to our locally processed food products. It is obvious that a well-packaged and labeled product can increase its marketability. The processors have two options for a good packaging, either rigid or flexible materials depending on the products to be packaged.

On the other hand, label design plays also an important role. The design must be eye catching and to contain all necessary information such as product name, brand name, nutrition facts, shelf life, bar code and others.

The training/seminar is very timely because none of the Siquijor processors is using appropriate packaging and label design. The sponsors of this training/seminar envisions the SMEs in making their products be competitive beyond the limited radius of the region by adopting appropriate packaging and label design and may be at par with other products at other regions or in the global market.

The resource persons are Ms Josie F. Elli from DOST Regional Office and Ms. Vina R. Antopina from DOST-Bohol Provincial Science and Technology Center.

They just finished their advance training on Packaging and Labeling at the Packaging Research and Development (PRDC) in Manila last month.

PGMA expresses elation over suspension of Senate probe on OWWA funds
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her elation today over the decision of the senators to suspend the Senate inquiry into the alleged diversion of the funds of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

"I’m happy that our senators heed well the voice of the people in suspending the investigation in the OWWA funds. That after all had been certified by the Commission on Audit (COA) as intact and readily available," the President said in her speech during the groundbreaking rites for the construction of the Pantal Bridge in Dagupan city recently.

The Admnistration made it clear earlier that no officials invited as resource persons on the Lebanon crisis will attend the Senate inquiry until the crisis is over.

She said the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stranded in Lebanon deserve undivided attention of the country’s political leaders until they are all rescued sound and safe from the war-torn country.

Malacañang said that energies should be vent on saving and helping the Filipinos in distress as the government has a job to do and what is needed is the unity of all the political leaders at all levels.

Malacañang is appealing to all political leaders to help tone down the political noice and muckraking to help promote the atmosphere of national solidarity behind the crisis team and beleaguered workers.

PGMA orders speedy provision of relief goods to Mayon evacuees
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sent out word to the government’s disaster officials to hasten the provision of relief goods and other necessities for the affected residents and evacuees in Albay province as a result of the imminent threat of explosion of Mayon Volcano.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) chief Glenn Rabonza made this known after coming out of the flood summit at the Bahay na Puti inside the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) here this afternoon.

"Ang standing order sa amin pag-ibayuhin pa iyong ating pag-aalaga sa ating mga evacuees," Rabonza said.

As of this writing, Rabonza said some 29,000 residents living near and inside the danger zone in Mayon Volcano have already been evacuated.

He said the evacuees from 23 barangays are now housed in 15 evacuation centers.

According to Rabonza, the disaster preparedness in the area is now centralized among the local government units (LGUs) and the national government would supplement whatever they lack.

He said that the Task Force Mayon has already been given the forced evacuation order since last week.

The Administration also commended the local officials of Albay, the concerned agencies of the national government, private sector and the affected communities for the successful evacuation of families exposed to the danger of the imminent eruption of Mt. Mayon.

The government assured those affected that there are enough resources to shoulder the basic needs and services in the evacuation center and that people will not be kept from heir homes a minute longer than necessary.

Int'l group’s report linking military to political killings preposterous – Palace
Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye branded today as "preposterous" the report of an international fact-finding mission linking the military to the spate of political killings in the country.

Bunye said the report of the International Peasant Solidarity Mission (IPSM) that allegedly found controversial Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan as being involved in the political killings, "smacks of another demolition job by the black propaganda machine of our detractors."

"It is preposterous for a self-proclaimed investigating body to come up with such a sweeping conclusion in just a few days of work and with very limited evidence to lean on," Bunye said in statement.

He challenged the group to back up their findings by filing a case with the proper courts to put an end to all the speculations surrounding the killings.

"We challenge the findings. If they have any clear evidence against General Palparan, or any officer for that matter, they should bring the proper case before the courts," Bunye said.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita seconded the statement of Bunye, saying it was one thing to charge a person of something and a totally different thing to produce evidence to support the charges.

In his weekly press conference at the Palace this afternoon, Ermita came to the aid of Palparan saying the general was an effective component in the government’s counter-insurgency measures.

The US Treasury Department recently tagged the Philippine and Indonesian branches of a Saudi-based Islamic charity organization as fund-raisers for the al-Qaeda terror network and moved to freeze the financial assets of one of its officials for allegedly helping bankroll terror attacks.

Malacañang welcomed the US action staunching the money flow of terrorist cells, saying that they shall maintain the country’s own lawful vigilance against suspicious fund transfers that fuel the forces of evil.