Congressman Chong bares programs, projects to be funded by his CDF

By RODRIGO S. VICTORIA (PIA Biliran)
July 5, 2007

NAVAL, Biliran  –  The newly sworn representative of the Lone District of Biliran, Representative Glenn A. Chong, publicly announced infront of the Biliranons who swarmed the jampacked NIT Gymnasium on Saturday, June 30, 2007 how the P70 million Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) commonly known as “pork barrel” he is entitled to for this year will be spent.

He informed that the P70 million CDF will be allocated to the following programs and projects that were part of his campaign promises and where the young representative believed could help improve the lives of the people he is representing in Congress.

He said that he will give the amount of P200,000 in each of the 132 barangays in the province of Biliran or P26.4 million in all which will be spent to finance various infrastructure projects in the barangay. However, he urged the barangay captains to also ask a counterpart from Governor Rogelio J. Espina in triple amount of what he will release to the barangays since the province has a bigger budget in the form of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) coming from the national government than his CDF.

On the aspect of education, Rep. Chong promised to allocate P5 million to further improve the educational status of Biliranons. He also made mentioned of continuing to support the scholarship program provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) especially in the provision of technical-vocational education to Biliranons. However, he requested the agency to facilitate the monitoring of the number of the Biliranons who have already landed a job thru the agency’s tech-voc program in the province.

Furthermore, he informed that he will also allocate the amount of P5 million to help finance the different economic activities, undertakings, programs and projects that are geared towards propelling the economy of the province to greater heights that in one way or the other will help improve the economic conditions of the Biliranons.

Not leaving behind the welfare and development of the eight municipalities comprising the lone legislative district, the young representative who is a lawyer and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) by profession will allocate the amount of P16 million to be proportionately accorded to the eight local government units.

He specifically cited the provision of a school bus in the municipality of Naval as part of his commitment to help ease the transportation cost which financially burden parents in sending their children to school especially to those who are living far from the schools where the students are studying.

The remaining P17.6 million will be spent for the continuation in the concreting of unpaved roads mostly found in the municipalities situated in the eastern part of the province starting from Biliran-Cabucgayan-Caibiran-Culaba-Kawayan road sections covering approximately 53 kilometers of the province circumferential road.

However, Rep. Chong vows the completion in the concreting of the remaining 53 kilometers of unpaved circumferential road despite the very limited fund of his CDF since this was what he promised to Biliranons during the campaign.

Despite the very limited fund of his CDF, the young solon is very optimistic that he can stand on what he promised to his constituents and swear that he can finish the road concreting within his term.

Meanwhile, Rep. Chong reveals in public the different bills of national and local significance he will espouse or support when the 14th Congress opens its regular session this month.

He said that he will strongly support the aborted cheap medicine bill principally authored by Senator Mar Roxas in the Senate or when bill of the same nature will be re-filed in the House of Representatives since it is very helpful to the majority of the Filipinos who are facing financial difficulties in securing medicines especially branded ones due to its high costs.

The neophyte lawmaker would like also to introduce amendments to a provision of the Labor Code prescribing the training spent by medical students during their internships in hospitals to only eight hours.

He also proposes to introduce a bill that would consolidate the registration of lands for a faster and easy registration that will directly help landowners in facilitating release of financial loans where their registered real properties will serve as collateral.

Likewise, he publicly informed the people who attended the oath taking ceremony that he will refile the bill espousing the conversion of the Naval Institute of Technology (NIT) into its university status since it is the dream of every Biliranon that a university will soon rise in the province.

Though the universityhood of NIT was not realized by the previous set of lawmakers in the Lone District of Biliran for a long period of time, he promised that he will work for the realization of NIT’s university status within his term of office as representative of the people in Biliran to Congress.

The first timer representative stressed in his inaugural speech that his winning in the congressional seat of the Lone District of Biliran is a big miracle and that only a miracle will also help realize all the gargantuan tasks that lie ahead as representative of the people in Biliran province.

Rep. Chong said miracle can only happen if one has faith in oneself, hardwork and a great belief in God.

Electric Jeepneys welcomed in Makati City with first official test drive

Press Release
By GREENPEACE
July 4, 2007

MANILA, Philippines  –  Electric-powered jeepneys are set to revolutionize the Philippines’ most recognizable icon. Electric Jeepneys (E-Jeepneys), the first public transport system of its kind in Southeast Asia, were launched today in a historic test drive in Makati City, the country’s financial capital, by GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producer), Greenpeace, and the Makati City Government.

The Electric Jeepneys are part of an innovative project led by GRIPP which intends to steer clear of the use of fossil fuels to help mitigate climate change, even as it addresses urban problems such as air pollution and solid waste.

"The Electric Jeepneys demonstrate how cities can help mitigate the problem of climate change. Given the urgency of the need to address this global threat, it is encouraging to see pioneering cities like Makati take the initiative in implementing measures that would avoid the use of climate change-inducing fossil fuels," said Greenpeace Southeast Asia Campaigns Director Von Hernandez.

"Makati City welcomes the opportunity to be part of this initiative and is enthusiastic in pioneering it in the country. It is clear that, in addressing solid waste and air pollution issues, and in offering a much cheaper fuel alternative to jeepney drivers who service the city’s main routes, the project will result in clear, tangible benefits for Makati citizens," said Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay.

The two E-Jeepneys are part of a fleet designed in the country by Philippine renewables firm Solar Electric Company. They will undergo technical and commercial tests for 6 months in Makati City and eventually in key areas in the province of Negros Occidental. The electric fleet will be increased to 50 units upon the successful conclusion of the test phase. Also, as stated in the project’s MOA, the city will provide a facility that will generate power from the biodegradable wastes from the city’s food establishments and wet markets into which the Electric Jeepneys are meant to be plugged.

"The Electric Jeepneys aim to demonstrate that there are climate-friendly alternatives to the current polluting modes of public transportation in the Philippines. The iconic jeepney remains, but without wasteful and carbon emitting diesel, and while providing increased incomes to the vehicles' drivers," said Athena Ballestros Ronquillo, founder and chair of GRIPP, the lead proponent of the E-Jeepneys initiative. "The pilot test in Makati is meant to ensure the technical, commercial, environmental and social feasibility of the project. If the project is successful, our hope is that the project will be replicated in other cities in the country and possibly other Asian capitals," she added.

In support of the project, celebrities and Greenpeace supporters Angel Aquino, Amanda Griffin, Raya Mananquil, and Richard Gutierrez also graced the occasion along with officials of Makati's transport cooperatives. Leaders of the city's transport federations expressed their support for the test phase of the project.

"Greenpeace supports solutions-oriented technological and scientific innovations that can help stop climate change. The E-Jeepneys are a clear example of our ‘Simple Lang’ project that calls upon Filipino citizens and institutions to adopt simple yet effective measures to help avert catastrophic climate change. We applaud Makati for showing leadership by taking on the test phase of this project. We challenge other cities to implement similar projects and hope that Makati City can also take this opportunity to lead in the implementation of other solutions particularly in the areas of energy use and efficiency," added Hernandez.

Tanauan champ riders represent RP in skimboarding fete in Malaysia

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 4, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The champions in the 3rd National Skimboarding Competition held on Easter Sunday at the Tanauan, Leyte shores will have the chance to represent the country in the First International Skimboarding Competition in Penang, Malaysia on July 14, 2007.

Mayor Roque Tiu whose town, Tanauan, Leyte is tagged as the Skimboarding Capital of the Philippines, jubilantly informed that the champions were invited by the organizer of the said competition, Mr. Jet Shon who was in Tanauan as sponsor during the 2nd National Skimboarding Competition.

National Champion Dariel “Porac” Espada, 19 years old from San Roque, Tanauan and first runner-up Leo “Longcoy” Espada, 20 years old, also from San Roque, Tanauan will be joined by the Wahini champion Sheryl Pajelleno, 17 years old, in representing the Philippine Skimboard Association in the international skimboarding competition.

The young champion riders could hardly believe their luck, Mayor Tiu intimated. They never expected to represent the Philippines, more so to travel in foreign land. They do not even have the passport yet but thanks to the PIA Director who contacted the Regional Director of the Department Affairs, the young riders were assisted in processing their passports.

Mayor Tiu revealed that the trip of the champions is sponsored by the Victoria Skimboards based in the United States, as prize of their winning in the 3rd National Skimboarding Competition.

The Filipino representatives will be accompanied to Penang, Malaysia by no less than Mayor Roque Tiu who sees this as a great opportunity to invite the skim riders from other countries especially those from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Japan, to participate in the 4th National Skimboarding Competition in Tanauan, Leyte in December of this year.

This is the municipality’s contribution to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s thrust of making Central Philippines as the Tourism Capital of the country under the mega regions scheme.

Mayor Tiu said that even if the local skim riders will not win, the International Competition will give them the chance to observe other skim riders from the different parts of the world and to show that the Philippines is not far behind when it comes to the skimboarding sports.

Naval lady mayor dreams of a graft and corrupt-free local government

By RODRIGO S. VICTORIA (PIA Biliran)
July 4, 2007

NAVAL, Biliran  –  The first elected lady mayor in the municipality of Naval, Susan Velasquez Parilla, the widow of the former Governor of Biliran Atty. Danilo M. Parilla who was gunned down last September 7, 2006 as he prepared to disembark at the Cebu port from Naval aboard M/V Cagayan Princess, in her inaugural speech delivered after the oath taking ceremony held at the jampacked NIT Gymnasium on Saturday, June 30, 2007, said that she dreamed of a local government free of graft and corruption.

“Critics believe that it is a quixotic task. They say, quite rightly, that it is a national malady that has been absorbed into our culture.” Mayor Parilla said describing the idealistic yet hard task ahead in fighting graft and corruption which she considered as a disease that is already embedded in the nation’s culture.

Mayor Parilla pointed out that many believed that since everyone is into it, her administration might as well dance with the music. However, the newly sworn lady chief executive of the capital town of Naval in the province of Biliran categorically said “sorry”, her administration will make a difference.

The lady mayor who is known for her deep religiousity vows to refuse graft and corruption in her administration and issued a strong worded statement that she “beg to disagree with those who say that it cannot be eradicated”.

She said there is no problem that has no solution referring that the problem on graft and corruption in society has its own antidote for it to be cured.

“There is hope in this fight as long as the ones in power start the change themselves and have the will to impose it upon others. Without the will, there is no way we can,” Mayor Parilla boldy said.

She likewise issued a stern warning for those working and dealing with her administration to be the agent of change that the people wanted the world to see.

Mayor Parilla agreed with what the majority of the people think that the “money saved from graft and corruption, definitely, will go a long, long way to help our poor constituents.” Mayor Parilla said.

Arroyo to establish anti-graft body

By PIA-MMIO
July 4, 2007

MANILA, Philippines  –  The Arroyo government is indeed resolved to curb graft and corruption in the bureaucracy at once. This, as the administration pushes the establishment of an anti-graft body similar to a Transparency Information Bureau. Consultations are now being made with concerned sectors to ensure that the system does not unduly delay projects and/or introduce unnecessary layers of approval.

This creation of an anti-graft body reflects the present leadership's strong and steady effort to make the economy more business-friendly by lowering the cost of doing business through the reduction of red tape and minimizing graft and corruption.

The anti-graft body will compliment the efforts of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), which has investigated and recommended disciplinary action on several graft cases involving employees and ranking official of government.

Recently, the PAGC recommended the dismissal of five ranking government officials, who included an undersecretary, an assistant secretary and a regional director, and a three-month suspension for another on graft charges and this received an affirmation by the Office of the President.

In 2006, the PAGC recommended the dismissal of 32 government officials of which 14 were dismissed, four suspended and one was given a reprimand. Since January of this year, the PAGC made 31 recommendations for disciplinary action of which 6 had been given due course.

The government acknowledges that the problem of corruption need to be addressed and is exerting all efforts to counter this. Government successes in countering corruption was reflected the recent 2007 SWS Business Survey on Corruption. The survey showed that, though the scale of public sector corruption remains high, bribing for government contracts has declined particularly in Metro Manila. It, also, showed that 17 of 21 government agencies have negative ratings on sincerity in fighting corruption, however, compared to 2006, the ratings are nearly all either better or not as bad.

Sixty-one percent of the company managers interviewed, likewise, see good or excellent business weather over the next two years and this is up from 46 per cent in 2006 and 2005. One-half are satisfied with the National Government, and two-thirds are satisfied with the Local Government, on their promotion of a good business climate.

According to Cabinet Sec Ricardo Saludo the Transparency International survey showing that RP is the 8th most corrupt country in the world was merely based on perception. The recent SWS survey on corruption was more indicative of the actual situation as the questions were more objective. The government would make use of the latest SWS results as a basis for drawing up new strategies and programs to be strengthened or introduced to be able to dramatically reduce the opportunities of corruption.

PGMA affirms support for So. Leyte, says Gov. Mercado

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
July 3, 2007

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has expressed readiness to be always accessible for whatever assistance needs she can provide to the province of Southern Leyte.

This was disclosed by the new Provincial Governor, Damian Mercado, during a press conference held at his just-transferred office in the afternoon of Saturday, June 30, barely an hour after arriving in the provincial capitol to a rousing welcome from employees led by Vice-Gov. Mike Maamo, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, and heads of provincial and national offices.

In his meeting with the President in Malacañang last week, Gov. Mercado said the Chief Executive heartily thanked him for the support extended to her administration.

He likewise thanked her for the many projects the city got with her assistance, insinuating for the same strong back-up now that he will be serving the entire province, in which the President responded in the positive.

Asked what project the President may give, Gov. Mercado said there were no specifics just yet, adding that he did not request any particular intervention just yet, either.

The new Governor, along with new City Mayor Maloney Samaco, was in Malacañang Thursday, June 28, to take their oaths before the President, it was learned.

In the same press conference – his very first as Governor – Mercado stressed that in the first 100 days of his administration he would conduct joint sessions with the various municipalities to know their priority needs and projects.

His focus in governance will be the provincial roads, the hospitals, agriculture, and tourism, Mercado stressed.

It was moderately raining when Gov. Mercado arrived in the provincial Capitol from his former City Mayor’s office in a motorcade with hundreds of supporters, but the warm reception of officials and employees greatly made up for the slightly wet atmosphere.

Vice-Gov. Maamo, however, described the downpour as “liquid sunshine”, and Gov. Mercado himself took it as a sign of blessing on his assumption of office with emphasis on development for the common good.

In his brief speech in the steps of the provincial capitol, Mercado pledged that all employees would receive any benefits due them as mandated by law, even as he called for everybody’s cooperation “for a collective development and progress in line with the slogan on Aksyon, Solusyon, Inisyatibo.”