DENR receives 128k signatures vs Romblon mining

Press Release
June 5, 2012

MANILA  –  Representatives from the province of Romblon, today, turned-over a total of 128,346 signatures to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expressing opposition to mining representing 75.85% of the total voting population.

Commemorating the World Environment Day, accompanied by environmental organizations, Dra. Leoncia Que-Firmalo representing Governor Eduardo Firmalo together with representatives of the Alliance of Students Against Mining (ASAM) and Romblon Ecumenical Forum Against Mining (REFAM) who have been leading the signature campaign against mining in the province of Romblon, met Sec. Ramon Paje of DENR.

“These signatures and local resolutions are the real sentiments of our people in Romblon – for Mother Earth and the generations to come. We have chosen the path of eco-tourism and agriculture in the principles of sustainable development,” said Dr. Firmalo, wife of the governor.

Governor Fimalo signed an Executive Order No. 1 series of 2011 declaring a moratorium on mining in the province of Romblon after the three municipalities in Sibuyan Island issued a joint resolution against metallic mining. The order was also issued because of the imminent danger brought by mercury use in small-scale gold mining assessed by Blacksmith Institute and NGO Ban Toxics.

“The students of Romblon are standing-up for their environmental rights, who will do this for us? We, ourselves are acting on the basic principles of environmental sustainability and human rights,” said Joje Constantino Mesana of the Alliance of Students Against Mining.

In the past few months, Romblon has been a hotspot for mining issues as all 17 municipalities had issued anti-mining resolutions. The local government units have been sued by a mining company for issuing local orders and resolutions against mining. The killer of slain anti-mining advocate Armin Rios Marin was only sentenced three years of imprisonment. However, the province successfully discouraged a Canada-based mining company to continue its mining explorations.

OVP laments Roxas mayor’s refusal to grant usual courtesies for VP Binay

By OVP Media
June 5, 2012

MANILA  –  The Office of the Vice President lamented the refusal of the mayor of Roxas City to allow the posting of customary welcome streamers for Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

“It is unfortunate that the usual courtesies extended to visiting national government officials were not extended to the Vice President in Roxas City,” said Joey Salgado, Binay’s spokesperson.

“We were informed that Mayor Allan Celino did not allow the posting of the customary welcome streamers. Still, we appreciate the warm welcome being prepared by the people and the sectoral organizations of Roxas City," he added.

Salgado also advised the mayor to set aside politics and respect the Vice President as second highest elected national official.

“We are reminding the mayor that the Vice President of the Republic is the one visiting his city. Dapat walang pulitika kundi respeto sa halal na lider ng bansa,” he said.

The visit of the Vice President to Western Visayas has been adjusted to accommodate requests of local executives, senior citizens and various groups to have time with him.

The Vice President will be in the region from June 7-9, instead of June 6-8.

In Aklan, Binay will meet with local government officials, senior citizens and representatives of non-governmental organizations of New Washington, Kalibo, Numancia and Nabas.

He will also hold dialogs in Panit-an, Mambusao, Dao and Dumarao in Capiz, as well as in Valderrama, San Jose and Hamtic in Antique.

While in Western Visayas, Binay will lead the medical and dental missions that his office organized in Numancia and Valderrama. He will also visit the scholars of the Vice President Grant-in-Aid Program in the University of Antique and inaugurate senior citizens' centers funded from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Binay allocated P150 million of his 2011 PDAF for the construction and repair of 300 senior citizens centers nationwide and P10 million for educational assistance to 10 scholars for each of the 109 state colleges and universities in the country.

As chairman of PDP Laban, Binay will swear in new members of the party from the Western Visayas region.

Joining him are United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial bets Mitos Magsaysay and Joey de Venecia, UNA spokesperson Atty. JV Bautista and former Cong. Rodolfo Plaza, UNA deputy spokesperson.

CJ applicants now required to submit waiver on bank accounts, SALN, ITR – Chiz

By Office of Senator Chiz Escudero
June 4, 2012

PASAY CITY  –  The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will now require aspirants for the chief justice position to submit a waiver on bank deposits, income tax return (ITR) and the opening of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), Senator Chiz Escudero said.

Escudero, the Senate representative to the JBC, made the motion in today’s deliberation of the council, the first since former Chief Justice Renato Corona was removed from office last week. The senator’s proposal was unanimously carried by the collegial body.

Since the conclusion of the five-month-long impeachment of Corona, Escudero has been pushing for the inclusion of waiver as additional requirement for all seeking to become the next top magistrate.

Aspirants who are from the government will be asked to provide their SALNs and those from the private sector will be required to submit the income tax returns (ITR) from two previous years.

“The new requirement covers applicants and nominees from both the private and government sectors. The waiver includes bank deposits on local and foreign currencies and the opening of their SALNs and ITRs in favor of the JBC. This will allow the council to check if indeed their bank accounts are reflected in their SALNs or ITRs,” Escudero said.

Under the existing JBC requirements, all court applicants must be Filipino citizens; possess proven competence, integrity, probity and independence and a member of the Philippine bar; at least 40 years old; and have served 15 years or more as a judge of a lower court or in the practice of law in the Philippines.

“The body’s approval of my motion is just being consistent to the general sentiment of the people during and after the tedious impeachment process: that is to set the highest bar for transparency and accountability among those who are in and those who wish to join government service. We just removed a CJ because of his deficient bank accounts, and the last thing we want is to choose another CJ whose bank accounts are not reflected in his SALN,” Escudero said.

In the next few days, the JBC will publish notices of vacancy and acceptance of application and nomination for the highest magistrate position which will now include the newly imposed waiver requirement.

Kidney Month 2012 highlights awareness and prevention of kidney diseases

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 4, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The month of June is observed all over the country as National Kidney Month by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 184 issued by the then President Fidel V. Ramos in May of 1993.

Leading the nationwide celebration is the National Kidney Institute which is determined to promote awareness and prevention of kidney diseases among Filipinos.

In line with this year’s theme “Ikaw at Ako Panalo sa Malusog na Bato,” various activities are being prepared for the nationwide celebration to include outreach programs, free clinics, team building activities and mass media information campaigns.

Chronic kidney disease is now tenth leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. The Philippines as a CKD country has pulled away from being comparable to Southeast Asian neighbors in incidence at 2.6 per 100,000 people in 2003, to 9.75 Filipinos having the disease within that same population as of 2008.

Kidney disease is cousin to diabetes and hypertension, and therein lies the roots of nearly 70 percent of the CKD problem as these latter two medical conditions go on a rampage of their own in the Philippines and around the world.

Kidney disease is described as a "multiplier," causing death in many people with diabetes and hypertension and increasing a person's risk of suffering a heart attack.

According to the Philippine Renal Disease Registry, diabetes mellitus was responsible for 42 percent of kidney diseases among dialysis patients in 2009.

Hypertension, on the other hand, contributed another 25 percent, closely followed by kidney inflammation with 20 percent.

Kidney disease and kidney failure are important public-health problems because of the increasing prevalence of genetically transmitted diseases like diabetes and hypertension, the two most common causes of CKD worldwide, not just in the Philippines.

While it is true that it may not be the no. 1 killer disease among Filipinos, renal disease has its own bizarre way of creeping into a complacent, sedentary population.

The DILG has ordered all governors, and all city and municipal mayors to give their full support to the Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) of the Department of Health (DOH).

The local government executives were tasked to designate Provincial City and Municipal REDCOP coordinators; conduct fora on Renal Health and Renal Disease Prevention; and spearhead activities to promote renal health.

The DOH, through the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and its REDCOP, conducts advocacy campaigns to increase awareness of renal disease prevention and the promotion of renal health.

BIDS conducted at PRO 8

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
June 4, 2012

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  PNP PRO 8 conducted a 2-day Bomb Identification and Detection Seminar (BIDS) at the Caboboy Hall on May 31-June 1, this year.

The activity started at 8:00 o’clock in the morning with 65 active participants from the different PRO 8 units.

It aims to prepare each in responding and dealing with critical incidence arising from terrorism and other criminal acts similar to the Quirino Grandstand bombing in the 70’s.

The BIDS as part of the Enhancement and Specialization of Skills in the 10-Point Action Plan of the Chief PNP Police Director General Nicanor A Bartolome helps develop the competencies, specialization and enhancement of individuals skills of every police personnel.

“The PNP organization will continue to provide continuous trainings and seminars that can supplement vital knowledge and skills to augment the level of service of the police force and escalate our skills for progress” said PSSupt Felix Alberca Diloy, the Acting Chief of Regional Police Community Relations Division during his Welcome Address of the aforementioned activity.

Said activity ended at 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon on the next day (June 1, 2012) with a Graduation Ceremony at the PRO 8 Conference Room declaring the participants as graduates having completed said activity.

PSupt Carlito DG Gallardo, Chief, Explosives Ordnance Disposal team (EODT) presented the candidates for graduation; PSSupt Nilo Dumpe Donayre, Chief, RPHRDD declared the graduates; PSSupt Pepito Maregmen Pacada, CRDS distributed the Certificates of Completion and Appreciation while PSupt Eugenio Gabalunos and SPO1 Andrew D Ponay, PCO and PNCO Representatives respectively delivered the Impressions on said activity.

DENR, PNP & 8ID partnership vs. illegal logging in East Visayas yields positive results

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 4, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The sustained partnership against illegal logging of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippine National Police and the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, has yielded positive results.

A total of 391 pieces of assorted good lumber with a total estimate of 3,250 board feet from illegally cut logs were confiscated by the joint forces of said coordinating agencies from January to May 2012, Lt. Colonel Arvin R. Lagamon, chief of the Division Public Affairs Office of the 8ID, informed.

Lt. Colonel Lagamon disclosed that the joint anti illegal logging efforts in Eastern Visayas have resulted to the confiscation of 21,131 board feet of illegally cut logs with an estimate value of P 781,847 in calendar year 2011.

To recall, under EO No. 23, a moratorium was declared on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and the creation of anti-illegal logging task force was mandated.

The local DENR is designated as the head of the task force, while AFP and PNP units are lead agencies in confiscating illegally cut logs and illegal saw mills.

BGen Gerardo T Layug, Commander of the 8th ID gave the assurance that the Philippine Army in the Region will continue to support the DENR in the Anti-Illegal Campaign as mentioned in EO No. 23, through confiscation of illegally cut logs and saw mills in the Division Area of Responsibility.

The 8th ID Commander added that the Army, PNP and DENR will continue to unite their efforts in protecting the forests and will also intensify their tree growing activities to conserve the endangered forests while pursuing sustainable development in the area.

Youth Leadership Summit in Villaba, Leyte kicks-off

By 19th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
June 2, 2012

VILLABA, Leyte  –  The three-day leadership summit in Villaba, Leyte was officially opened as 100 members of the Holy Child Parish Youth Ministry (HCPYM) and out of school youths camped at Villaba Vocational High School on June 1, 2012.

The activity was a joint project of the Army’s 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion, DepEd-Alternative Learning System, Holy Child Parish Youth Ministry and Villaba Vocational High School (VVHS) with the special sponsorship of Michelle Mulet-Yu Foundation , in the quest towards a more responsive, knowledgeable, efficient and peace-loving youth in the town of Villaba.

Mr. Janby Earl Yu, co-founder of the Michelle Mulet-Yu Foundation remarked during the launching of the Youth Leadership Summit that within three days, the participants are expected to build among themselves camaraderie and leadership.

“By working together, we can succeed”, Mr. Yu said.

Mr. Janby Yu and wife Michelle opted to sponsor the Youth Leadership Summit believing fully in the capacity of 19IB to positively influence and uplift the attitude of the youth in Villaba.

Lectures and team building activities were undertaken by the participants in the first day of the summit. Noteworthy of the lectures were Health and Sanitation by Mr. Anecito F. Sanaco, the Municipal Sanitary Inspector of Villaba, Leyte and Leadership by Engr. Sherlock A. Codilla, the Senior Manager, Industrial and Community Relations of PASAR Corporation.

On the other hand, Lt. Col. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, Commanding Officer of 19IB discussed the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” and Army Transformation Roadmap which according to him are the core of 19IB’s peace and development initiatives. He also thanked the Michelle Mulet-Yu Foundation who sponsored the three days activity.

“The whole-of-nation approach stipulated in the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” is a call for partnership of all stakeholders in all undertakings. So let us help each other”, Nacnac deliberately stressed.

The summit in Villaba was the second major activity facilitated by the 19th Infantry Battalion this quarter.  It can be recalled that same activity was successfully conducted in Carigara, Leyte on May 18 to 20 that benefited 175 Sangguniang Kabataan and active youth.

Prolonged stay at military stockade

Political prisoner in Cebu begins indefinite hunger strike today

By SELDA
June 2, 2012

CEBU CITY  –  A political prisoner began his indefinite hunger strike on June 1 in protest of his detention at Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City, four months after a court decision directing the Cebu Provincial and Detention Center to allow his stay in the civilian detention facility.

Ramon Patriarca, a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) charged with rebellion and formerly detained at Danao City Jail was transferred to the Cebu Provincial Detention Reformatory Center (CPDRC).

“Bending the rules of court- this is how former political detainees described the transfer of Patriarca to the AFP Central Command, Camp Lapu-lapu in Cebu City.” Angelina Ipong, SELDA secretary general said.

Patriarca, who has been imprisoned for more than three years now, lamented in a letter how he does not deserve to be detained at Camp Lapu-Lapu.

“I do not deserve to be detained at Camp Lapu-lapu.  Among other reasons, this was where I was first brought after I was abducted more than three years ago, where I was subjected to torture and human rights violations before I was finally turned over to the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO),” Patriarca’s letter stated.

To show their sympathy in Patriarca’s demands and call for the release of all political prisoners, 18 if his former co-detainees, one of which is a political prisoner at Danao City Jail will also make a sympathy fast on June 9-11 in support of Patriarca, just before the nation commemorates “Araw ng Kalayaan.”

“This is their way of supporting his legitimate demands, and also their way of thanking their former elected over-all leader in jail whom they trusted so much especially because he instituted many commendable changes in jail especially the Alternative Learning School where everyone who attended was able to graduate and many passed the exams,” SELDA secretary general Angelina Ipong said.

SELDA said it will continue the call for Ramon Patriarca’s immediate release and the release of all political prisoners in the country through a general, unconditional and omnibus amnesty.

Samar kids receive school supplies

By DPAO, 8ID PA
June 1, 2012

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan Samar  –  Army troops provided manpower assistance to GMA Kapuso Foundation Project dubbed as “Unang Hakbang Sa Kinabukasan” (UHSK) during the distribution of school supplies to six (6) Municipalities in the Province of Samar on May 22-24, 2012.

The UHSK project aims to distribute backpacks with school supplies to incoming Grade 1 pupils from the most remote and under privileged areas nationwide and assist the parents in enrolling their children to Grade school.

Elements of the 801st Infantry (Bantay at Gabay) Brigade, 8th Infantry Division (8ID), Philippine Army (PA) under the leadership of Col Romeo L Labador led the Army troops in the distribution of school supplies to incoming Grade 1 pupils in the  Municipalities of Pinabacdao, Calbiga, San Sebastian, San Jose De Buan, Daram and Talalora all of Samar Province.

The Provincial DepEd, Local Government Units and cause oriented groups also participated in the said activity. A total of 118 sacks and boxes of school supplies and goods where distributed to the beneficiaries.

“The 8ID is committed to provide all out support and assistance to all LGUs, cause-oriented groups and private organizations in delivering basic services to the communities of Samar,” said BGen Gerardo T Layug, Commander, 8ID, PA.