Former rebels avail Local Social Integration Program grant in Samar province

By 87th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
June 14, 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process (OPAPP) in coordination with Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and 87IB spearheaded the conduct of Resource Mapping Activity relative to the drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the implementation of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) in Samar Province.

Initially, LTC Cerilo C Balaoro Jr INF (GSC) PA, commanding officer of 87^th Infantry Battalion, gave a brief presentation on the current stating of the former rebels relative to the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) and synopsis on the case of Mr. Artemio Labong of Brgy Pagsanjan, Paranas, Samar former NPA militia courier and custodian of explosives. Highlighting said activity is the awarding of educational assistance for Labong’s children.

The salient points discussion for the welfare of Former Rebels (FRs) were: Half-way house, Health and Medical Assistance, Psychological Debriefing, Livelihood Training or Economic mainstreaming among others.

In march 13, 2012, cash assistance was already issued and received by the former rebels from the municipal government of Paranas, Samar worth of P20,000 thru Local Social Integration Program (LSIP). It was discussed that the success of the integration program with Labong family as a model to encourage other NPA members to return to the mainstream of our society. Other significant matter discussed is to institutionalize the integration program for the benefit of current FRs and anticipation for the influx of surrenderees.

Said activity was attended by the following participants: PHO, Dr Dulce Cemal; TESDA, Ms Cleta Omega; DepEd, Dr. Thelma C. Quitalig; CSO, Ms Albine Valdes; DOLE, Ms Fe Estrelles; OPA, Ms Anila Taran; and representative from OPAPP, Ms. Imelda C. Bonifacio.

CSOs unite to fight Bt talong, calls the supreme court to issue TEPO and continuing mandamus

Press Release
June 14, 2012

QUEZON CITY  –  Farmers, scientist, doctors, lay leaders, members of the academe and consumers today unite to fight the Bt talong field testing, and calls the Supreme Court to protect the constitutional rights of the people. Members of Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-Unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG), Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT), Consumer Rights for Safe Food (CRSF), Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc (PMPI), PILIPINA, SEARICE, MIRIAM Peace, Lingkod Tao Kalikasan (LTK) and SARILAYA joins the petitioners call for the Supreme Court to immediately issue the Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) to stop the Bt eggplant field trials.

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.

“We praise the Supreme Court for acting swiftly on the petition of the people to stop the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant field testing. Through the issuance of the Writ of Kalikasan, it has temporarily stopped the new application of permits to field test Bt talong.  We praise the court for its decision to protect the Filipino people’s constitutional right to health and to a balanced and healthful ecology” said Dr Chito Medina, national Coordinator of farmer-scientis group MASIPAG.

The Writ of Kalikasan (writ of nature) is a legal remedy for environmental cases to protect and advance the constitutional right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology. Recently, petitioners sought for a Writ of Kalikasan against the field testing of the Bt eggplant, which the Supreme Court en banc granted.  The petitioners include former Senator Orlando Mercado, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, Rep. Teodoro Casiño, Dr. Charito Medina of Magsasaka at Siyentipiko sa Pagpapaunlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG), lawyers Harry Roque and Maria Paz Luna, scientists Dr. Ben Malayang III of Silliman University and Dr. Romeo Quijano of University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, Catherine Untalan of Miss Earth Foundation, Leo Avila, representing the City Government of Davao, and activist-musician Noel Cabangon.

The group however is still very much concerned, as the Supreme Court has yet to issue a writ of continuing mandamus and Temporary Environemntal Protection Order (TEPO), while field testing of Bt talong still continues. “We firmly believe that if the multi-location trials of the genetically modified (GM) eggplants persist, they will pose serious threats not only to the farmers, but also to the consumers’ health and the environment as well” added Medina.

SIBAT whose work focuses on developing groundbreaking technologies using science and technology that are appopriate for community development, sees that if the multi-location field trial of Bt talong continue, this will affect organic farmers due to possible contamination of native eggplant varieties. “Studies show that cross-pollination among eggplants is high, where insects acting as pollinators could travel a reasonable distance. The inevitable occurrence of contamination could greatly affect the rich biodiversity of eggplants and related varieties in the Philippines. Contamination of the non-GM plants would undermine not only the farmers’ freedom of choice in seeds and technology, but the consumers’ right to information and freedom of choice as well. Also, GMOs is inconsistent with the Organic Agriculture Law that excludes the use of such products” said Shen Maglinte of SIBAT.

CRSF is a network of advocates who aims to build a pro-active and empowered network of consumers and producers working, coordinating and cooperating towards the availability and affordability of safe and nutritious food. Grace Chua of CRSF said that genetically modified produce which contains a gene of a foreign species such as that of a bacteria is not equivalent to natural crops and therefore needs extensive tests for its safety for human consumption and environmental impact. “International studies have shown that GM products have adverse effects on the digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems of laboratory animals. If Bt talong will be commercialized, it will greatly threaten the health and safety of the Filipino consumers. We believe that consumers should have the right to choose to be free from consuming Genetically Modified Organisms but is not given this right because of the lack of proper labeling laws” said Chua.

Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc said that they are very much concerned with the recent developments on agriculture in the country. According to Yolly Esguerra, PMPI secretariat that “the government has the obligation to provide a balanced information on any technology that could potentially harm so as the people can have an informed opinion on the issue. However, government agencies and their scientists harp on the supposed benefits and advantages of Bt talong and continue to downplay new data and information presented by independent scientists, experts and institutions on the possible dangers of Bt talong.”

In India, the Ministry of Forestry and Environment imposed a moratorium on the release of Bteggplant, citing its impacts not only on food safety and security, but also on the Indian peoples’ culture. Considered to be the world’s center of biodiversity of eggplant varieties, the crop plays a tremendous role in the everyday life of Indian peoples. In the Philippines however, there were no known studies made by regulators such as the National Committee on Biosafety or the Bureau of Plant Industry on the effects of Bt eggplant on human health and the Environment.

“The Indian government chose to uphold the welfare and interests of its people after extensive consultations across the nation. But here, the Bt talong field testing commenced even without proper consultation and information to the community. This has prompted Brgy Pangasugan of Baybay, Leyte, Sta Barbara of Iloilo and the City of Davao to stop the field test in their areas. In Davao, the Bt talong field test was ordered to be uprooted because of lack of consultation” added Basilio Prado, a MASIPAG farmer based in Nueva Vizcaya.

Prado added that there are many options to control the fruit-and-shoot borer which is safer and less expensive. “Bt talong is just a ploy to further commercialize agriculture and take away the rights of the farmers to seed sharing and appropriate, safe technologies. It is puzzling why the proponents has been focusing on Bt talong, whereas in India a moratorium on the commercialization was passed by the Minister of Environment of Forestry and Environment as they are also cautious on the damages that Bt eggplant may cause” added Prado.

“We therefore implore the Supreme Court to likewise protect the Filipino people against a possibly harmful technology. We urge the honorable justices to immediately halt the field tests until the proponents can present objective and empirical data that could satisfy the multitude of farmers and consumers. And until there is no independent and scientific study on the safety, environmental sustainability and socio-economic impacts that is both acceptable to the public and the proponents, we urge the Supreme Court to issue the proper orders to cancel all the field tests, and revoke all the permits related to the said project. There are better alternatives and agricultural systems that will ensure better incomes for the farmers, safe food for the consumers and protection to the environment. Finally, we pray that the Supreme Court to uphold Republic Act 10068 to ensure the protection of the farmers and the consumers as well” added Medina.

RAFI Micro-finance eyes expansion

By RAFI
June 14, 2012

CEBU CITY  – With the aim to serve and help more women micro-entrepreneurs, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Micro-finance is set to establish more branches in the provinces of Leyte and Bohol, and Cebu City.

During the June 9 episode of “Pagtuki”, the official radio program of RAFI, Noneto Gonzales, area manager of Micro-finance Leyte, said that there are plans of putting up additional branches in Central and Eastern Visayas, especially in rural areas.

A branch in Jagna will soon open in June for Bohol clients. More branches in the northern part of Leyte will also be set up.

According to Richard Candelada, branch manager of Ormoc City, Leyte, there are currently around 800 active members in Ormoc and more than 1,600 members in the entire Leyte.

RAFI Micro-finance already has branches in Ormoc, Sogod, Baybay, Maasin, Albuera, Bato, Merida, Kanangga in Leyte and in the municipalities of Ubay, Tubigon, Talibon, and Dawis in Bohol.

RAFI Micro-finance is a program under the Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship focus areas, which believes that a better life begins with a stable and rewarding livelihood.

RAFI Micro-finance also trains their members in saving for their future.

“In RAFI Micro-finance, we discipline our clients to have savings. Membership process is also very easy. Giving of loan is individual. We don’t have collaterals and character is one of our bases. We also accept big amount of loans,” Gonzales said.

Clients are also given health insurance upon membership. They can benefit from this for hospitalization purposes.

"RAFI Micro-finance program continues and never stops thinking of ways to enhance the business skills of its clients, such as giving them free trainings,” Candelada said.

Ma. Luisa Olita, Ormoc Client Advisory Board (CAB) president, shared the big changes in her life when she joined the program, saying, “As a member of five years, I was able to build my own house, expand my sari-sari store, buy things for our house and two motorcycles. I also learned to have discipline in handling money, such as being thrifty.”

RAFI Micro-finance Leyte will have a general assembly on June 16 at the Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay, Leyte. Members from Bato, Baybay, and Ormoc are expected to participate in the activity.  There will be a medical mission, which includes free general consultation and pap smear.  PILMICO will also conduct a seminar on hog-raising.

“Pagtuki” is aired over DYLA every Saturday at 10 a.m.-11 a.m. The program tackles timely and relevant issues affecting the Cebuano community.

For more information about the radio program, visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.

VP Binay renews call for return of Balangiga bells

By OVP Media
June 14, 2012

MANILA  –  Vice President Jejomar C. Binay Thursday reiterated his call for the return of the Balangiga bells to the Philippines.

“The Balangiga Bells are a remembrance of the men, women and children of Balangiga who died in our struggle for freedom. They hold a special meaning to Filipinos,” Binay said.

He said that the return of the bells is as an act of goodwill that would further strengthen the longstanding diplomatic relationship of the United States and the Philippines.

On May 3, Wyoming Governor Matt Mead wrote Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stating his opposition of the Bells’ return to the Philippines.

“I strongly oppose any efforts to deconstruct our war memorials that honor our fallen soldiers,” he wrote.

“While we respect the fact that the Bells serve as a war memorial for US soldiers who were killed in Balangiga, I hope that the United States will take into consideration that the Bells are a memorial as well to the many innocent civilians who were murdered in the wake of the indiscriminate retaliatory attack ordered by General Jacob H. Smith,” Binay said in response to the opposition.

In 1901, General Jacob H. Smith issued an order to "kill everyone over the age of ten" and make Samar island "a howling wilderness” after Filipino freedom fighters killed an estimated 48 of his men and wounded another 22.

The Balangiga Bells were then taken by US forces as a war trophy in the aftermath of the Balangiga Massacre in Samar during the Philippine-American War.

The Vice President wrote to United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas in October last year, expressing optimism that the US Congress will decide favorably on a pending resolution to return the bells.

“Since the Filipino populace, the Wyoming Veterans Council, and the Catholic Church are considered as the major stakeholders in this issue, it would be safe to assume that the people’s voice calls for the return of the Bells to the Philippines,” he said in his letter.

Efforts to return the Bells to the Philippines have started in 1957 when Jesuit historian Father Horacio de la Costa requested the 13th Air Force in San Francisco, California to repatriate the bells.

Meanwhile, the Balangiga Historical Society through the National Historical Institute and the Department of Foreign Affairs initiated formal government efforts in reacquiring the Bells in 1989.

Two of the three Bells are displayed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, while the third is being kept at the 2nd Infantry Division Museum in Camp Red Cloud, Uijeongbu in South Korea.

Herrera rebuked for harassing labor department

By TUCP
June 14, 2012

QUEZON CITY  –  The Department of Labor and Employment recently rebuked ex-Senator Ernesto Herrera for his rude objection on the representation of former SSS Commissioner and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) General Secretary, Victorino F. Balais, as adviser and delegate to the 101st Session of the International Labour Conference being held in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Mr. Herrera disputes the right of TUCP GenSec Balais to represent the Filipino workers in the ILC in Geneva. He forgets that Balais represents not just TUCP, but the two biggest labor federations in the country. His own PTGWO and, being its nominee, TUCP President Mendoza’s Associated Labor Unions (ALU),” stated Atty. Hernan Nicdao, TUCP Assistant General Secretary.

The ALU counts among its members the unions in Metrobank, Mitsumi and Philex Mining. More than half of unionized workers in Cebu are card bearing ALU members. On the other hand, the members of PTGWO of Balais are the unions in San Miguel Corp., Coca Cola, Security Bank, Maynilad, Manila Water, MIESCOR, Philippine Racing and Manila Jockey Clubs.

In a statement issued by DOLE Undersecretary Danilo P. Cruz, the Labor department said that in the designation of the Worker’s Delegates to the convention, the DOLE used the criteria of being the “most representative status” under Convention 144 is being used who may represent. The statement conceded that “the first and second largest federations [in the country are] Mr. Democrito Mendoza’s Associated Labor Unions (ALU) and Mr. Victorino Balais’ Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization (PTGWO)”.

“On the other hand, what labor group is Herrera representing? He is president of a very small labor federation which may not even qualify by DOLE standards for lack of the requisite 10 company union members with valid collective bargaining agreements,” continued Nicdao.

“Herrera should stop his illusions of being a labor leader. He is not a labor leader as he leads no groups of workers. His band of TUCP renegades is not just a pocket minority, it is a group of paper labor federations without affiliates or union members. The only ones with actual members are not even legitimate TUCP affiliates,” emphasized Nicdao.

The General Council, the highest governing body of TUCP has expelled Herrera on March this year for alleged financial mismanagement. He was also fired the same month by his former mother union of the ALU for 43 years for being a discreet president of another labor federation.

Cayetano seeks wider access to tertiary education for top students of public high schools

Press Release
June 14, 2012

PASAY CITY  –  Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano has asked the national government to provide more deserving public school students easier access to tertiary education.

He said it is the State’s duty to ensure that quality education is accessible to all regardless of the economic status of students.

He filed Senate Bill No. 3225 entitled the Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2012, which aims to help outstanding graduates of national high schools to gain access to college education.

“The bill seeks to enable students of public high schools who graduate among the top ten of their class to earn full scholarships provided by the government in the state college or university of their choice,” he said.

Cayetano said he expects some 24,905 top ten students from the public high schools to benefit yearly, providing them the opportunity to pursue their dreams of a better a life armed with a college education.

He lamented that according to the 2010 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey, 16% of the estimated 39 million Filipinos between 6 to 24 years old are Out-of-School-Youth (OSY).

“This translates to 6.24 million OSY or one out of eight Filipinos aged between 6 to 24 is an out-of-school youth,” he said.

He noted that the survey also revealed that the foremost reasons were: 1) high cost of education; 2) employment/looking for work; and 3) lack of personal interest.

“These data is indicative of the need to make education more accessible to the students,” he said.

The minority leader said he is hopeful that this incentive will encourage deserving but underprivileged students to study and work harder to excel academically in order to qualify for a full scholarship until they graduate.

Local talents shine in Talentadong Catbaloganon

By LAIMINH MABULAY
June 13, 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  Talentadong Catbaloganon (TC), the two-day competition sponsored by the City Government of Catbalogan in line with the city’s 5th Charter Day Anniversary Celebration, has produced two sets of winners after competitions conducted separately in the barangays of Silanga and Guinsorongan last June 10 and 11 respectively.

Jake Santos, a resident of Brgy. Guinsorongan, bested nine other contestants in Silanga to claim the grand prize of P3,000. A former semi-finalist in the nationwide talent show “Pilipinas Got Talent”, Santos wowed the audience and judges with his ability to change vocal range from male to female in his “doble-cara” style of singing “Aray Naku!”.  GV Rondalla, a 12-member group comprising students from the Special Arts Program of the Samar National School placed second. Maikee Mendiola, an 18-year old girl from Brgy. 03 Poblacion completed the top three with her rendition of “And I am telling you, I am not going”. The second and third placers received P2,000 and P1,000 respectively.

In Brgy. Guinsorongan, Samuel Thomas, proved that the adulation of his neighbours was not just a matter of hometown pride when he bagged the grand prize after a song and dance performance of Michael Jackson’s classic hit “Billy Jean”.  Aira Mae Contemplo and JLJ Crew completed the winners’ circle in this second leg of the competition. Aira Mae placed second after giving a touching rendition of the song “Liparin mo ang Pangarap” and was followed by the the all-male, four-member dance group, who landed on the third spot.  The winners also received cash prizes worth P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000 respectively. As with the Silanga competition, all the winners here will provide the entertainment on the fellowship dinner, which is the main event of of Catbalogan’s 5th Charter Day Anniversary.

All of the winners will have the chance to showcase their winning talents on the fellowship night on June 15, 2012 in front of city officials and other important guests. All of the 18 competitors in Silanga and Guinsorongan had to undergo a screening process which was conducted by the Waray-waray Youth Advocate, who are the main organizers of the event. The first screening was held on June 9 at the City Hall Lobby while the second round of screening was held in Brgy. Silanga on the morning of June 11. Ten contestants ended up competing in Brgy. Silanga while eight contestants competed in Brgy. Guinsorongan.

TC was patterned after today’s popular talent competitions such as American Idol and Pilipinas Got Talent, where a panel of judges would critique contestants’ performances. But whereas the latter depended largely on viewers’ votes in determining the winner, here, the judges themselves carry the task of choosing the winner based on a set of criteria which included Performance (50%), Entertainment Factor (40%) and Costume (10%).

The panel of judges comprised of Vien Aying, the President of the Waray-waray Youth Advocates (WARAYA); Mr. Anecito Sultan, a Physical Education Instructor from the Samar State University; Hon. Dexter Uy, the SK Federation President; Mr. Juniel Tagarino, Catbalogan City’s first ever Catbalogan Idol, and Ms. Arlene De la Torre, who is the current Officer-in-Charge of the Music, Arts Physical Education and Health Department of Samar National School.

Chiz seeks nominations for CJ post from Visayas

By Office of Senator Chiz Escudero
June 13, 2012

PASAY CITY  –  Sen. Chiz Escudero is encouraging the people from the Visayas to participate in the selection of the next Chief Justice by nominating candidates from the region they feel fit to occupy the top post in the Supreme Court.

Escudero, the Senate representative to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), said the search for the next chief magistrate is not limited to applicants and nominees from Luzon and from within the Supreme Court.

“The hunt for the next Chief Justice is an open season and is not limited to the Supreme Court justices. We need someone who is neutral and not identified with partisan groups. Applicants and nominees within and outside the highest court of the land are welcome as long as he or she is qualified, reputable and has a clean record,” 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 been in the practice of law in the Philippines for at least 15 years.

In addition, aspirants for the top magistrate post are now required to submit a waiver on the confidentiality of bank deposits, income tax return (ITR) and the opening of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), as a result of the proposal put forward by Escudero to the JBC following the conclusion of the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“He can apply or be nominated either by a group, by an individual, by a classmate, by a friend, by a relative. It doesn’t really matter for as long as after being nominated, he should manifest his intent to accept and he should manifest before the committee that he is accepting the nomination. We will be accepting applications and recommendations until June 18,” Escudero said.

Among the nominees outside the Supreme Court as of June 8 are former University of the Philippines law dean Raul Pangalangan, Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares, family law expert Katrina Legarda, Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, dean emeritus of the Ateneo Law School Cesar Villanueva, and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.

Five sitting magistrates of the Supreme Court – Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion and Diosdado Peralta – are automatically nominated for the top post by virtue of seniority.

Another NPA camp seized by government troops in Samar

By 20th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
June 12, 2012

BRGY. MAGSAYSAY, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar  –  Due to the accurate and timely information given by peace loving residents in the area, the troops of 20th Infantry (We Lead) Battalion, 8ID, PA under the leadership of LTC Noel A Vestuir was able to engage local terrorists in series of encounters at the outskirts of Barangay E Duran, Bobon, Northern Samar last June 7-9, 2012.

According to LTC Vestuir, 20IB’s Commanding Officer, civilian informants in the area has tipped-in information about the presence of armed Communist Terrorists (CTs) that are conducting house to house visitation and collecting food stuffs from the residents in the barangays located the tri-boundaries of the municipalities of  Bobon, Catarman and San Isidro all of Northern Samar.

Reacting to the said information, 20IB has sent troops to verify the reported presence of the CTs in the area. On June 7, 2012, the troops under 2LT Al Peter Galula while approaching the forested area of Brgy E Duran, chanced upon a group of more or less 10 communist terrorists which resulted to an encounter that lasted for five minutes. During the conduct of pursuit operations, another engagement took place between the said group and the troops led by 1LT Franchild Dusil last June 8, 2012. It was followed by two (2) more skirmishes until the following day. As a result of the said encounters, a communist terrorist camp was seized on June 9, 2012. The said camp has thirty five (35) bunkers that can accommodate more or less seventy (70) communist terrorists.

The recent accomplishments of the government troops against the NPAs in the area of 1st district of Northern Samar have disrupted the impending terroristic activities that are being hatched to be conducted by the NPA. The government troops had dislodged them from their guerilla camps and cut-off their supply support lines that they forcibly take from the residents in the area. The discovery and seizure of the said camp in the area was made possible by the information provided by local populace and is a clear indication that enemy revolutionary organization has already alienated the people and the communities where they got their support through their forced extortion activities.