This was learned from
Lt. Col. Federico Tutaan, the Commanding Officer of the 19th IB in a
brief meeting yesterday. Tutaan shared the information immediately
after the formal signing of the said MOA with PSSupt. Wilson C. Caubat,
the PNP City District Director.
The forging of efforts
between the two agencies was held at the City Mayor’s Office with no
less than Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez witnessing the occasion. It was
also attended by 1Lt. Donato A. Molina, 2Lt Ricalyn Paula L. Corleto,
PSI Amancio T. Longjas, PSI Francisco T. Calumba Jr. and PSI Leo D.
Laraga, OIC of the Tacloban City Police Office.
“We’re still
scheduling the dates for the MOA signing in two more provinces namely,
Biliran and Maasin Leyte”, Tutaan explains while stressing that the
six areas mentioned are under his command of responsibility.
The creation of the
JPSCC was made after assessing a very successful implementation of the
same partnership during the
May 10, 2010 election where JSCCs were activated. It has allowed
for a smooth integration of security operations between the AFP and
the PNP.
Furthermore, in
January 2009, the Office of the President issued Executive Order No.
733 which empowered the Peace and Order Councils in the national and
local levels. The said order provides specific Internal Security
Operations (ISO) duties and functions to promote convergence efforts
intended to improve peace and order as well as public safety in their
respective areas of responsibility.
In addition, a
Centcom-DIPO-Vis Joint Implan (Implementation Plan) dated Dec. 23,
2010 furthermore served as the legal basis for the creation of Visayas
JPSCCs.
“The JPSCC is a
concrete proof for the successful conduct of an integrated approach
for any peace and security concerns. We will be working hand in hand
with the Local Government Units in the preservation of peace and order
and in addressing peace and security concerns occurring in my area.
This will allow the local folks to live in a secured environment
conducive to development”, adds Col. Tutaan.
The JPSCCs shall craft
and implement plans for intensified security operations against
lawless and criminal elements, private armed and other threat groups
in support of the LGUs; assume functions during elections; monitor and
assess peace and security situations; coordinate the implementation of
necessary measures to ensure peace and security in their area of
responsibility; conduct intensified law-enforcement; initiate and
coordinate trainings and exercises; conduct information dissemination
of timely and relevant information and enhance awareness program.
Under the Joint
Implementatin Plan, the 19th IB headed by Lt. Col. Federico Tutaan
will maintain its role as the lead agency in ISO while the Tacloban
PNP will be in active support.
On the other hand, the
Tacloban PNP will be the lead agency in anti-criminality and
law-enforcement functions with the support of the 19th IB.
The 19th IB Commander
is glad with this development as he considers cooperation and
coordination with other law-enforcement agencies as a vital move
towards achieving their targets. He believes in the importance of
collaboration and consultation with stakeholders. He vows to ensure
the protection of human rights as guiding principles in the pursuit of
these efforts.
In a related story, a
Regional MOA between the AFP and PNP has already been signed last
January 25, 2011 at the Governor’s Hall, Leyte Provincial Capitol,
Tacloban City. The Joint Implan was signed by MGen. Mario F. Chan, 8ID
Army Commander, PRO8 Regional Director PCSupt. Arnold Revilla, and
PRO7 Regional Director PCSupt. Ager P. Ontog Jr. Governor Jericho L.
Petilla was represented by Vice-Governor Bagulaya.
Nurses backing out in
the last minute; worries DOLE
By NINFA QUIRANTE, PIA Eastern
Samar
February
17, 2011
BORONGAN, Eastern
Samar – While partner agencies thought it was all well with the
deployment of the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement And Local
Services (RN HEALS), they find out about the last minute jitters of
some nurses.
Department of Labor
and Employment (DOLE) Eastern Samar head Alexi Abellar lamented that
some nurses assigned to the islands of Guiuan town, like Homonhon and
Manicani have not yet reported to their area.
Abellar urged them
just to inform DOLE if they had a change of heart as there are nurses
placed on a wait list and can be tapped anytime.
“All they have to do
is tell us immediately,” Abellar appealed over Radyon ng Bayan DYES
Borongan on February 17, 2011.
“The longer they hold
back on their decision, the longer we will deprive our people with
needed services,” he added.
Abellar clarified that
these nurses have been asked if they were willing to be assigned
anywhere in Eastern Samar and work overtime when they applied online
and during the interview.
To this, the nurses
repeatedly answered, yes.
Abellar said he is not
privy to their reasons, but whatever these are, these nurses should be
honest to admit, by this time, whether they are willing to do the job
or not.
“We are not
necessarily short of applicants,” said Abellar.
Abellar also expressed
satisfaction that in the northern part of the province, even in remote
areas like Maslog, Arteche and Jipapad, all nurses have reported and
have started their health services immediately; according to the
feedback the DOLE has received.
Presently, DOLE and
partners Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare
and Development promised to address the problem so that the nurses can
deliver the health services to the barangays as promised.
DepEd ties up with
Southern Leyte government for school buildings construction
By R. CADAVOS, PIA Southern Leyte
February 17, 2011
MAASIN CITY, Southern
Leyte – A Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of
Education and the province of Southern Leyte was approved by the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Board Member Atty. Teopisto Rojas disclosed
in a meeting held at the DepEd Conference Hall here.
Through SP Resolution
No. 063-s. 2011, SP member Rojas said that the agreement was relative
to the counter-parting program for the costing of the construction of
public elementary and secondary school buildings throughout the
province. “The provincial government will provide the 50% of the cost
of the project, while DepEd will allocate the remaining 50%,” Rojas
bared, Monday.
The local government
through the leadership of Gov. Damian G. Mercado has agreed to
collaborate and assist the national government in the formulation and
implementation of the programs affecting local government units,
particularly in addressing the classroom shortage of public elementary
and secondary schools in the province.
And in order to
effectively address the said problem, the provincial government
voluntarily agreed to participate in a nationwide cooperative endeavor
called as the “counter-parting” program (CPP) where the province of
Southern Leyte shares with the national government the cost of the
construction of at least two-room school buildings, Rojas revealed.
Rojas further said
that the DepEd District Supervisors can recommend the area where the
school building be built and “to identify what areas need most school
buildings,” while urging the Head Teachers to submit project proposals
to the SP Office so that proper preparations be made.
Atty. Rojas, the
Committee Chairman on Education was one of the guest speakers during
the orientation of the Enhanced K+12 basic education program initiated
by DepEd.
Barangay officials
object planting of Bt talong at Visayas State University;
Visayan farmers says no to Bt talong
Press Release
By MASIPAG
February 16, 2011
LAGUNA, Philippines –
Farmer-scientist network MASIPAG (Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa
Pag-Unlad ng Agrikultura) commends Barangay Panasugan officials in
passing a resolution objecting the planting of Bt talong at the
Visayas State University (VSU). VSU campus is located in Barangay
Panasugan and the university falls under its jurisdiction. VSU is one
of the multi-location sites selected for the open field testing of
genetically modified talong.
According to the
resolution penned last January 22, 2011, “the people surrounding the
Visayas State University (VSU) campus are concerned about their field
testing experiment because the technology has not been thoroughly
studied or assessed in the Philippines and this will eventually result
in contamination of related plant species growing near the area, among
other health, environmental and socio-cultural aspects which are not
yet fully understood.” Copies of the resolution will be forwarded to
the offices of the VSU president, Mayor and Vice-Mayor of Baybay and
the Governor’s office of
Leyte.
The barangay
resolution also pointed out that the barangay council has yet to
receive data on ‘pollen flow’ which may contaminate surrounding plants
in the area due to cross-pollination and may pose risk to health, and
that the area is critical in terms of biodiversity and is a
biodiversity ‘hotspot’ in
Leyte. It also stated that no public consultation was made,
especially to the farmers of the barangay about the intended field
trial on Bt talong.
Before the year 2010
ended, Clarito Barron of the Bureau of Plant Industry ordered Dr.
Desiree Hautea, Project Leader of the Bt talong project based in UPLB
to suspend the field tests in UP Mindanao and VSU due to
non-compliance on the posting of the Public Information Sheet (PIS) in
the Baybay Municipal Hall and the
city hall of
Davao.
Further, two
additional resolutions were also passed requesting the offices of Dr.
Rosario Salas, Project Leader of the open field trials of Bt talong in
VSU and Dr. Hautea of UPLB to provide a copy of the memorandum of
understanding between VSU and UPLB about the said project. It also
requested details of all research activities and biosafety measures to
be undertaken related to the Bt talong project.
Dr. Chito Medina,
national coordinator of MASIPAG said that the action undertaken by the
barangay is just, as they are using the precautionary principle to
protect their constituents. “We commend the officials of Barangay
Panasugan for making the right decision in order to promote the
general welfare of their constituents. In effect, the farmers of
Visayas region are objecting to the planting of Bt talong as the
municipality of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo has also objected the planned
field trial in their area.”
Medina added that the
introduction of Bt eggplant would not solve the current woes of the
farmers. “There are alternative means to control pest infestation
which are safer and less expensive. Bt talong would only further
aggravate the problem of farmers on saving seeds and appropriate
technologies as these are being taken away through corporate control
of seeds and technologies.”
Clarissa Cruzada,
MASIPAG cluster coordinator in Leyte, said they have been closely
monitoring the site and the posting of the PIS in the barangay and the
municipal offices after reports from a newspaper stated that the field
testing would push through according to a university official. The
news also stated that PIS were already posted in immediate villages of
Panasugan and Guadalupe, but they have yet to see copies of the posted
PIS.
Bt talong is an
eggplant genetically modified to produce a toxin to combat the Fruit
and Shoot Borer (FSB). Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil
bacteria whose genes are inserted to the eggplant to produce toxins
against FSB. Bt talong, which was originally from
India,
is now being tested in different sites across the
Philippines
for planned commercialization this year. In
India
however, the Minister on Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh order a
moratorium on the commercialization of Bt Brinjal (Indian term for
eggplant) due to concerns on health, environment and control of
agrochem giant Monsanto in their food systems. The Bt brinjal
developer Mahyco is a local subsidiary of Monsanto.
Last December, Mayor
Sara Duterte of Davao City ordered the uprooting of Bt talong at the
field test area of UP
Mindanao because no public consultation was made. Meanwhile, a
congressional forum sponsored by
Cong. Teddy Casino was
held in January 25 to enlighten the lawmakers on the Bt talong project
and its possible effects on health and agriculture. This is in support
to the House Resolution 237 directing the House Committee on
Agriculture and Food to investigate the said project.
Passage of RH Bill in
the Appro Committee inspired supporters, call on P-Noy to take side
Press Release
By PLCPD
February 16, 2011
QUEZON CITY –
Leading proponents of the much clamored reproductive health (RH) bill
expressed appreciation for the support of pro-RH lawmakers who despite
their different political affiliations, have worked together to pass
the consolidated RH bills in the House Committee on Appropriations.
According to Ramon San
Pascual, Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee
on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD), the passage of
the RH bill in the Committee on Appropriations was received very
warmly by groups who rallied this morning in front of the House of
Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City. The said rally was organized
by the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) to manifest strong,
sustained and broad support from various groups for the passage of the
RH bill.
“We are happy and
grateful for the support of members of the Committee on Appropriations
for swiftly passing the RH bill,” said San Pascual. We know that the
anti-RH lawmakers are going to delay and block every step of the way
as we march towards the approval of the bill. With the continued
support and unity of pro-RH lawmakers, the RH bill has a better chance
of approval this year under this Congress, explained San Pascual.
Gaining 20 pro-RH
votes as against the 3 anti-RH votes is a clear indication that the RH
bill is supported by the majority of the members of the House of
Representatives added San Pascual.
The support for RH
rally gathered more than 2,000 participants from women, workers and
community groups.
San Pascual said, “we
can see clearly, by the warm support of the public who massed up at
the gates of Congress, that the bill is being supported by ordinary
masang Pilipino.” He calls on P-Noy to be on the side of the People
by certifying the RH bill as urgent.
“P-Noy has nothing to
fear because RH enjoys the support not only of the lawmakers but also
by the general public, he should take make his clear stand side now,”
ended San Pascual.
Former political
prisoners, victims under martial law hit Enrile proposal for Marcos
burial in Libingan ng mga Bayani
Press Release
By SELDA
February 16, 2011
MANILA – An
organization of former political prisoners, many of them victims
during Martial Law, today vehemently opposed the proposal of Senate
President Juan Ponce Enrile for former President Ferdinand Marcos to
be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, calling it an “affront to the
Filipino people and the thousands of victims of the Marcoses.”
Fr. Dionito Cabillas,
secretary general of the Samahan ng Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensyon at
Aresto, said almost two decades of military rule under Marcos spawned
numerous human rights violations, including summary executions,
enforced disappearances, torture, illegal arrests and detention,
hamletting and forced evacuation, among others.
“Immediately after
People Power I, when the Filipino people drove Marcos, his family and
military generals out of power, SELDA led the victims of human rights
violations in filing a class action suit against the Marcoses in the
United States Court. In September 22, 1992, the US Federal Court
issued its landmark judgment in favor of the Marcos victims. The said
decision has found Marcos guilty of gross human rights violations and
the Estate of Marcos is liable to pay damages to the victims. How can
a fascist dictator-president, ousted by the Filipino people, be deemed
a hero?” Cabillas asserted.
Cabillas recalled that
this similar proposal came up in 1999, under the Estrada presidency,
and was vigorously opposed by the public.
“It has been 24 years
since the ouster of Marcos, yet the victims during Martial Law have to
yet to be fully rendered justice, including indemnification, for the
horrific crimes against the Filipino people. This proposal insults the
victims and their families and the Filipino people’s struggle against
injustices and oppression,” he concluded.
LTIPC to go on selling
mission to Manila based firms
By Provincial Media Relations Center
February 15, 2011
TACLOBAN CITY – The Leyte Tourism and Investment Promotion Center (LTIPC) is set to go on
a selling mission to various companies in Manila geared for more
investment opportunities and employment for the province of Leyte.
Targeted industrial
firms to be visited are major companies in Metro Manila that represent
areas of hospitals, hotels, IT, pharmaceuticals, agri-aqua business
and food services.
Set this week from
February 16-18, the selling mission is set to promote
Leyte as an investment destination and to boost the
province of Leyte's
image in investment, increase inflows and encourage expansion of
investments. This as investment generation is seen to result to
employment opportunities.
Also, as earlier
disclosed by Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, one of the major
concerns of the provincial government is the employment of graduates
from the different colleges and universities in the province.
At present, majority
of these graduates end up unemployed or are forced to land in odd jobs
not related to their academic courses. The root cause of this problem
is pointed at the scarcity of employment opportunities in the province
and the mismatch of courses offered by local schools and the current
needs of present industries.
Data from the
Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (Ched)
showed that there are three million students who are graduating this
year, some 500,000 are college graduates and barely half of the total
graduates get jobs immediately after graduation.
The apparent reason
observed, is that college graduates’ skills do not match with the
available job vacancies. The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE)
earlier expressed concern that many of the graduates do not satisfy
what the industry needs.
The province through
the LTIPC is working to establish a tie-up between
Leyte schools and industries, particularly on how modern
technology requirements of industries can be matched with school
curriculum and to collaborate with the schools of
Leyte in upgrading the competency and competitiveness of their
grading towards the current skills requirements and related career
preparation of the leading industries.
After the selling
mission, LTIPC has likewise set the 5th Industry Forum on March 17 and
18, 2011. Selected graduating students from the different colleges and
universities in Leyte, Biliran and Southern Leyte as well as private
and government sector representatives will be invited during the
two-day forum.
MOA signed for bigger
4Ps in Leyte
By Provincial Media Relations Center
February 15, 2011
TACLOBAN CITY –
Seeing the positive effects of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program in the
province of
Leyte,
Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla gladly signed a Memorandum of
Agreement for the 4Ps expansion which has already served a number
indigent families in the province.
The signing was done
in Malacañang together with Leyte mayors, other governors and DSWD
officials.
4Ps is a poverty
reduction and social development program that provides conditional
cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health,
nutrition and education, particularly of children aged zero to 14.
Cash grants, amounting
to P1,400 monthly, are released every three months through a Landbank
cash card or over-the-counter payment.
In the province of
Leyte, 4Ps has been expanded from 10 municipalities to 22
municipalities after the MOA was signed Thursday.
Gov. Petilla said that
boosting the number of 4Ps beneficiaries is part of the agency's
efforts in reducing the vulnerabilities of the poor and the
disadvantaged sectors.
Aside from noting that
the conditional cash transfer would greatly help indigent families,
Gov. Petilla however encouraged family-beneficiaries to make use of
the amount conscientiously after observations made that other
family-beneficiaries use the amount for a different purpose.
“We advise them to
really utilize the fund for what it is intended for as they run the
risk of being disqualified to continue in the program,” Gov. Petilla
said.
The DSWD-8 has earlier
lauded the support of the provincial government through Gov. Petilla,
for his continuous support or poverty alleviation programs and
initiatives of the social welfare and development office.
Just this February,
about P5.460 million was released to 449 household beneficiaries of
4Ps in San Miguel, Leyte.
4Ps has dual
objectives. The first is Social Assistance to provide cash assistance
to the poor to alleviate their immediate need or short term poverty
alleviation; and Social Development to break the intergenerational
poverty cycle through investments in human capital.
4Ps helps to fulfill
the country’s commitment to meet the Millennium Development Goals,
namely, to Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger; Achieve Universal
Primary Education; Promote Gender Equality; Reduce Child Mortality;
and Improve Maternal Health.
