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Armed with flaglets in red, yellow, blue and white colors and not placards and posters, progressive activists numbering close to two thousand gathered at the Bulua Gym chanting “Pilipino Para sa Pagbabago! Pagbabago para sa Pilipino!”
Not in their usual mode of shouting on the three “isms” that plagued society: imperialism, bureaucrat capitalism and feudalism, members of partylist groups Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP), Anakpawis, Kabataan Party, Migrante, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Courage and Katribu Partylist are abuzzed with militant spirit and candor with the launching of Makabayan coalition, an alternative party organization advocating for change.
Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Women Partylist Rep. Liza Largoza-Maza were the keynote speakers of this activity. Ocampo and Maza were welcomed in a traditional “salubong” by members of the different partylist groups in coalition in a flag parade upon their entrance at the Bulua Gym.
Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan or MAKABAYAN is a coalition of national, sectoral and local progressive partylists, organizations and individuals advocating for politics of change. It champions the democratic interests of the people --- the peasants, workers, urban poor, women, indigenous peoples, youth and other basic sectors whose welfare and interests have been continually neglected by the government.
“As a political force, the progressive parties in coalition have proven in the past three elections its consistency in pushing for significant economic and political reforms within the halls of Congress and in other venues amidst brutal political repression among its ranks and will continue to advance the people’s programs despite challenges in the coming 2010 elections, Kristin Lim, Makabayan Northern Mindanao spokesperson said.
Makabayan holds responsible the Arroyo regime and its agents for the latest killings and harassments citing the recent deaths of Katribu members Datu Mampaagi Belayong and Datu Aladino “Mansubaybay” Badbaran, the tailings and harassments against youth leaders and members of the Kabataan Party, and the smear campaign launched by the military against the progressive block .
“The people’s struggle for change will persevere amid this environment of violence and injustice and today’s gathering shows the people’s will for change is ripe,” Lim said.
Makabayan also elected its new set of officers for the city and provincial chapters of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, respectively.
The following day the group proceeded to IliganCity to launch the movement in that are and in Lanao del Norte.
Cong. Ocampo and Cong. Maza are being endorsed by Makabayan for the Senate in the 2010 elections. In the presscon tha followed they said that they are now in talks with opposition groups for a coalition and to include them in the slate of the groups.
Upper photo, part of the 2,000 crowd that attended the launching of Makabayan at the Bulua Gym. Lower photos, from left, Congressman Satur Ocampo (Partylist Bayan Muna) gives his keynote speech at the launching. At right, Cong. Ocampo and Cong. Liza Masa (Partylist Gabriela) answer questions from members of media in a press conference
MisOr PPOC gears for drug prevention week celebration
Symposia, brass-band showdown, anti-drug concerts, and radio plug and television ad contests are among the activities to drumbeat the drug abuse prevention campaign in Misamis Oriental, according to the organizers of this year’s National Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week.
Spearheaded by the Misamis Oriental Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), the weeklong celebration will kick-off on November 14 with a launching program and the culmination activity on November 20 at the provincial capitol ground.
Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar S. Moreno, chair of the PPOC, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 10 regional director Gilberto B. Abanto Jr. and Philippine National Police (PNP) 10 regional director Chief Supt. Danilo Empedrad are expected to give their messages during the opening program, anchored on the this year’s theme, “Kilos Pamayanan: Sa Droga Patuloy na Lumban”.
PPOC executive officer Teodoro A. Sabuga-a, head of the provincial social welfare and development office, said that before the opening program, a motorcade in Cagayan de Oro City’s main streets will be held.
Sabuga-a said that the motorcade will be participated in members of the PPOC and Municipal Peace and Order Councils, municipal officials, police and military officers, personnel from the Department of Education (DedEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), and representatives of non-governmental organizations and other regional line agencies.
Meanwhile, PDEA 10 regional director Abanto announced that their office will be conducting symposia and film showing in various secondary schools and colleges in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental as well as in selected barangays, all geared toward creating greater awareness of the menace of drug and substance abuse.
He said they have already invited rehabilitated drug dependents to share their first-hand experiences during these symposia.
Moreover, to sustain the drug prevention campaign, the PPOC has also launched a radio plug and television advertisement competition which is open to all interested individuals, including professional broadcasters and mass media practitioners.
Provincial Press Office head Maricel Casiño Rivera, who also heads the PPOC publicity committee, emphasized that the content of the radio plug and TV ad must be engaging, relevant and appropriate to desired audience.
Rivera said the entries, which must be submitted to the Misamis Oriental PPO not later than 5 p.m. of November 11, 2009, will be judged according to content (25%), visual design (30%), concept (25%), and quality of craft (20%). Cash prizes await the top three winners of both contest categories; P10,000 for first place, P7,000 for second place, and P5,000 for third place. Winning entries will become properties of the PPOC and would eventually be aired on all radio and television stations, she added.
Other highlights of the drug abuse prevention and control week celebration include brass-band exhibition interspersed by performances of Cagayan de Oro Dance Sports Council members at 2 p.m. on November 12 and the anti-drug concert of the members of the Samahan ng mga Mag-aawit and Musikero ng Kagay-an (Sammaka) at 5 p.m. on November 20, and will be followed by a culmination program. (MisOr PPO)
Photo above, MisOr PNP PPO Dir. Sr.Supt Alberto D. Patrimonio, together with PDEA10 regional director Gilberto B. Abanto Jr. meet with members of media to announce the plans for the celebration of the National Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week.
Self-Rated Poverty up to 53%; Self-Rated Food Poverty up to 41% in 3Q
The Third Quarter 2009 Social Weather Survey, conducted from September 18-21, 2009, found that 53% (estimated 9.7 million) families consider themselves as Mahirap or Poor, 28% put themselves on the Borderline, and 20% consider themselves as Hindi Mahirap or Not Poor.
The new Self-Rated Poverty rate is 3 points up from 50% (estimated 9.3 million) in June 2009. It has been at levels of 50% and above since March 2008 except in February 2009 when it was at 47% .
The September 2009 survey also found that 41% of Filipino families (est. 7.5 million) consider themselves as Food-Poor, 35% put themselves on the Food-Borderline, and 24% consider themselves as Not Food-Poor.
Self-Rated Food Poverty rate has steadily risen from 36% in February, 39% in June, and 41% in September of 2009 after declining from 42% in December 2008.
Self-Rated Poverty declined by 5 points in Mindanao, from 62% in June to 57% in September.
It rose by 7 points in Balance Luzon, from 44% to 51%, and by 4 points in the Visayas, from 56% to 60%.
It barely changed in Metro Manila, from 42% in June to 41% in September.
Self-Rated Poverty rose slightly by 2 points in urban areas, from 44% to 46%, and by 1 point in rural areas, from 58% to 59%.
Self-Rated Food Poverty also declined in Mindanao, by 4 points, from 47% in June to 43% in September.
It rose by 6 points in the Visayas, from 42% to 48%, and by 3 points in both Metro Manila, from 32% to 35%, and in Balance Luzon, from 35% to 38%.
The Self-Rated Poverty Threshold, or the monthly budget that poor households need in order not to consider themselves poor in general, remain sluggish for several years despite considerable inflation. This indicates that poor families have been lowering their living standards, i.e., belt-tightening.
As of September 2009, the median poverty threshold for poor households rose to P15,000 in Metro Manila, and to P10,000 in Balance Luzon. Both amounts, however, have already been reached several times in the past in those areas.
The median poverty thresholds of poor households stayed at P5,000 for those in Mindanao, while it declined from P8,000 to P5,000 in the Visayas. In both areas, median poverty thresholds had already reached P10,000 in the past.
The median food-poverty thresholds for poor households also rose in Metro Manila, from P5,000 to P6,500, and in Balance Luzon, from P3,000 to P5,000. It stayed at 3,000 in Mindanao, and declined to P3,000 in the Visayas. These amounts had already been reached several years ago.
In Metro Manila in particular, the median poverty threshold of P15,000 is barely above P10,000 as in 2000, even though the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has risen there by over 57% since.
The NCR median poverty threshold of P15,000 per month for September 2009 is equivalent to only P9,536 in base year 2000 purchasing power, after deflation by the CPI. The deflated poverty threshold for NCR of below P10,000 per month is similar to living standards of over ten years ago.
In four SWS surveys in 2000, the base year of the CPI, the median SWS poverty threshold for NCR was already P10,000 per month, equivalent to P15,730 per month at the September 2009 cost of living, given the CPI of 157.3. The difference of P15,730 – P 15,000 = P730 between the thresholds of 2000 and September 2009 measures the extent of belt-tightening that took place.
On the other hand, median food poverty threshold of P6,500 in Metro Manila is equivalent to only P4,257 in base year 2000 purchasing power for food.
The median food poverty threshold in December 2000 was P6,000 for Metro Manila. It is equivalent to P9,162 per month at the September 2009 cost of food, given the latest CPI of 152.7 for food items. The difference of P9,162 – P6,500 = P2,662 between the food thresholds of 2000 and September 2009 is the extent of belt-tightening made by food-poor Metro Manila households.
The Third Quarter of 2009 Social Weather Survey was conducted from September 18-21, 2009 using face-to-face interviews of 1,800 adults divided into random samples of 300 each in Metro Manila and Mindanao, and 600 each in Balance of Luzon and the Visayas (sampling error margins of ±2.3% for national percentages, ±6% for Metro Manila and Mindanao, and ±4% for Balance Luzon and the Visayas).
The area estimates were weighted by National Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2009 to obtain the national estimates.
The SWS survey questions about the family's poverty and food-poverty are directed to the household head. Both items are non-commissioned, and are always included on SWS's own initiative and released as a public service. (SWS)
When typhoon Ondoy struck the country relief efforts came not just from among Filipinos but from all over the world. Government agencies and private organizations went into relief operations, raising millions of pesos in cash and goods.
At first there were calls for donations to be given in cash to allow the groups to decide what to give to the victims, to be based on their needs. There was, however, some reactions with donations given to the government agency that handles the relief operations. People were hesitant to give cash to the government. The call the was to give in kind.
Foreign governments responded. Japan, Spain, the United States, to name a few sent in goods like blankets, beds, canned goods, pots and several other things.
Today, it is reported that these goods are still in warehouses and have not been distributed to the victims. Their reason is that they could not get volunteers to do the repacking and distribution.
The private groups like the major networks are doing a far more efficient job of handling their relief operations and by getting volunteers to do the work. Not only that, they have been very transparent in reporting how much they have received from donors, both in cash and in kind, and how much they have distributed some more.
This is not a criticism of the DSWD that has been tasked to handle the job but if somebody else can do it better why not pass on the task to them?
The problem with government is they think they are the best to handle anything in this world. They can never accept the fact that there are others who can do it better.
We therefore call on the administration to turn over everything they have collected to other private agencies for distribution to the victims, before they become unusable in the warehouse where they are stored.
It seems the Donkoy Emano machinery is in a panic mode. Up to now, with about 20 days or so to go before the final filing of certificates of candidacies he still does not have a legitimate candidate for governor and vice governor and no vice mayor, if he runs for mayor.
There were reports that he will field Mike Paderanga and one of the Calingins as his candidates for the province and people perceive this as just token candidates just to show that he has his ticket who will run with his son Bambi against the group of Oca Moreno. There are also reports that the son of former congressman Konkoy Chavez will be the running mate of Mike P.
On the other side Governor Oca Moreno has his ticket intact with a few replacements, perhaps.
Even in the congressional contest there are reports that it will be his brother Tony, who is an assistant secretary at DILG, who will run in the first district against Karen Lagbas, the daughter of the late Cong. Danny and Chicken King Peter Unabia.
In the second district the reports we got is that it will be Julio Uy who will be pitted against Bambi. This seems like a close fight because Julio used to be Mayor of Villanueva where he is still very strong with Juliet, his wife, now the mayor. Not only that, he has been Vice Governor and therefore is known in the district. Bambi though is an incumbent and therefore the man to beat.
There are reports that Jun Baculio will make a comeback. This we will have to see.
Donkoy though would have a problem completing a ticket for the provincial board. There would be names, as always, but winning is another story.
In the city Donkoy still does not have a legitimate running mate. Lately there were reports that he will no longer run but will ask Tinnex to run for another term with his daughter Nadia as running mate.
Tinnex has already said that he will no longer run because of his health and because he would rather spend time with his grandchildren and into writing his memoirs. I would doubt if he can get Tinnex to change his mind.
On the other side, Klarex Uy is rumored to run for mayor with Bebot Rodriguez, the Barangay Chair of Nazareth and sister of congressman Rufus as running mate. This is a very strong tandem and may give Donkoy a run for his money.
Why Tinnex? Because people perceive him as the only possible candidate the group can put up against Klarex, and I agree.
The ticket of Donkoy for councilors will not be a problem. There are so many who want to run and they would just be happy to be included in a legitimate ticket. Most of them though would be the same faces as in the past.
Donkoy is definitely banking on Rufus. They both have the same presidential candidate and he just might ask ERAP to tell Rufus to support him
I was told that Donkoy came out in one of the radio station saying that Rufus has approached him for help in his re-election bid. I cannot believe this and I do not think anybody does.
Why would Rufus ask for his support when there are no candidates interested to run against him? In fact, there is a strong possibility that he may run unopposed. He is just so strong that no one in his right mind would want to be pitted against him.
On the other hand I would tend to believe that it was Donkoy who ask Rufus for his support by not agreeing to allow Bebot to run with Klarex. That is more believable than Rufus asking for the help.
The wind is starting to change and it may just be for the better. In the next few days things will start to develop and the picture will become clearer.
The filing of the candidacies will be on November 20 to 30, 2009. After the 30th we will already know how the contest will run and what are the chances of each one.
Has your child ever said:“You watch it.Why can't I?”Of course there are dozens of good reasons:In their formative years, images, sounds and words have a greater impact than when they're matured and can choose to ignore them.
Youth are still forming their values.To allow children to watch gruesome or violent shows teaches them that life is cheap, easily ended.No wonder they have little respect for their elders.
Young people, and many undiscerning adults, are drawn to violent movies and shows.They have themselves fooled into thinking that they're “conditioned.”It doesn't bother them anymore.Why don't they just say:“My conscious is already seared.”
To say we're no longer affected by despicably worldly shows is like saying if we have a debt with the bank, it won't hurt to just keep building up debt.“I'm already in debt, I may as well go in deeper.”
Another analogy might be bleeding.If we have a small cut, why bother to stop it?We've already seen the blood.We've already lost some, why not just loose it all?The same could be true with a broken arm.We may as well break a leg too.
Some people will also say they “don't even notice the swearing anymore.”How sad.Do they also 'ignore' family members with struggles?They're too interested in entertaining themselves to even notice a family member is in emotional pain.
Indeed, many adults have “taught” their children to ignore them!Fathers come home and retreat to their TV.They may bark a few commands here and there.Generally, they just want everyone out of their way.They're teaching their kids to stay away.
Some mothers begin ranting at their kids as soon as they enter the gate:“How come you're so late.”“Who have you been with?”“What have you been doing?”These are all valid questions.They just need to be asked rather than 'ranted.'It also helps a lot if such questions are preceded with:“How was your day?”“Did you get to see your friend___today?”
With such hostility in the house, the kids learn to ignore their parents.Of course the kids retreat to their TV's, MP3's, etc..
But parents do more to teach their kids how to actually value indecent media.Parents watch it.
It is absolutely shocking to think about what was considered “pushing the line” of decency.Just 30 years ago married people could not be shown laying down in the same bed.Pregnant women were not allowed to be shown below their shoulders.
Now dramas seen by millions of Filipinos rejoice in alternative lifestyles and immorality of every kind.It's considered normal.It's not normal.It's marginal, and, should be treated as abnormal and in violation of God's law and society's norm.
There are so many other things families can do together.
Parents, stop teaching your children to watch/listen to horrible media.Play table games.Read a good book—many Bible books are actually enjoyable reading!
The Ateneo de Zamboanga University Concert Band is visiting Cagayan de oro for a two day performance on November 24 & 25, 2009. This concert tour is in celebration of the Sesquicentennial (150 years) of the return of the Jesuits to the Philippines.This is also in celebration of 100 years of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University from 1912-2012.
The band concert dubbed as "Stint" will be performed in XavierUniversity on the 24th, Tuesday, at 3.00 PM (Matinee) and 7.00 PM (Gala), and in Liceo de Cagayan University, Rodelsa Hall on the 25th, Wednesday, 7.30 PM. In XU tickets sell from P 30 to P 150 while in Liceo, tickets sell at P 100 (for students) and P 200 (for non-students).
The band was founded in 1932 with the aim to develop the musical talents of the Atenean to help build a well-rounded person in him as well as help him get an Atenean education with the use of this musical talent.
A member of the band during his high school and college days at the Ateneo, Apolonio G. Enriquez took over the band in 1991.A choir director, arranger, conductor and brass teacher, he studied conducting under Prof. Alfredo Santos Buenaventura at the Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music.He transformed the band from a marching and pep band into a concert band.
At present, the band has fifty (50) members, twenty four (24) of whom are college students, twenty (20) are from the high school and six (6) from the grade school.
Band members undergo a two-year beginners’ course training that requires them to finish the elementary and intermediate method books.They are the elevated into the regular band and are entitled to 50% scholarship (tuition only). After going through the first and second advanced books, they qualify for a full scholarship.Beginners mostly come from the grades 4 and 5 levels.
Today, the ADZU Concert Band performs a wide variety of music ranging from Classical to Rock.It performs Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, as well as Rossini’s William Tell, works of John Williams and themes from the movies. This includes hits of the seventies, eighties and nineties, etc.
Among the crowd favorites are Prof. Lucio San Pedro’s works- lahing kayumanggi, his suite pastorals, Dapithapon, Abot-tanaw, Pistahan sa Nayon, among others.
The concert, entitled “stint”, will feature Classics, Filipino compositions, themes from the movies, music of the big-band era, and even Rock numbers for our younger audiences.
The Ateneo de Zamboanga University in its desire to promote art and culture has established a Center for the Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA). It has also established a Gallery of the Peninsula and the Archipelago where now, artists from all over hold their exhibits and where students and ordinary citizens come to see and appreciate works of art. The Ateneo also established the Institute for Cultural Studies for Western Mindanao (ICSWM) and the Ateneo Peace Institute for the inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue for the promotion of PEACE.
The present President of Ateneo de Zamboanga University is Rev. Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ, a product of XavierUniversityHigh School and Ateneo de Manila University.
Upper photo is the full Concert Band of Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Lower right photo is the rock band and lower left is Band Director Professor Apolonio G. Enriquez
Last week, I wrote about the Opening Ceremonies so this week, though it’s a little late, I want to talk about the games and the Closing Ceremonies.
As the games started on October 24, all the teams were really all systems go! Luzon and NCR dominated the Tracks and the Swimming Pool right away that brought delight to the Parents who traveled all the way to Cebu to watch and support their kids.
In the swimming event, it was a little “high tech” compared to the other junior meets as the Dolphin Timing System was used. It is the same system used in the UAAP and the NCAA.
For most of the games, it was really close! People thought that the NCR will dominate all the events but to the delight of many, the Visayas pulled away with the Ball Games and Mindanao dominated Taekwondo and Chess!
As soon as the games were done, the hosts had the tally for the over-all championship updated right away and showed Visayas as the first ever National Over-all Champions!
For the closing ceremonies, it was as great as the Opening!
Instead of the parade by delegation, it was a solidarity parade this time with just one big group, in their MILO green hoodies but if you look closely, they had different linings thus it showed that they came from different delegations.
The delegates, whether athletes, coaches or officials were allowed just to do anything. They ran, jumped and some even danced!
Just that scene gave me goose bumps!
As the awarding of the Over-all Winners were set, each delegate from the Winning Delegations, Mindanao, 2nd Runner-up, NCR, 1st Runner-up and Visayas, Champion, were given medals as remembrance of their wins in the 1st National Finals of the MILO Little Olympics.
Now because of the great production numbers presented by the hosts, it seems that no one is interested in hosting next year!
My advice, the next year and the years to come need not to be as extravagant. The Cebu hosting was the 1st and it was just fitting that it was what it was!
City Mayor Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula awarded some P16,000 in cash prizes and trophies to the winners of the just-concluded Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas National Juniors Championship (City Level)- 3rd Mayor Tinnex Jaraula Cup 2009 held last month at the Congressman Jaraula Covered Court in Barangay #24 this city.
Mayor Jaraula, assisted by City Sports Executive Director Engr. Isidro Borja and City Information Officer Erwin B. Culanag, handed over the cash prizes and trophies ceremony at City Hall.
CapitolUniversity squad and Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School team each took home the P8,000 top cash prize and trophy after emerging as champions in the 19-under and 17-under categories, respectively.
XavierUniversity and LourdesCollege placed second and third, respectively in the 19-under category, while Corpus Christi (B) and Corpus Christi (A) finshed second and third placer in the 17-under category.
Second and third placers in both categories got a cash prize of P5,000 and P3,000 plus trophies, respectively.
As champions in the Cagayan de Oro City leg, CapitolUniversity and Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School earned the right to represent the city in the National Level Championships.
The said basketball tournament, which was participated in by 18 public and private schools in the city, was spearheaded by the City Government of Cagayan de Oro through the Advance Scientific Skills Efficiency Training (Asset in Basketball) under the close coordination and supervision of Secretary to the City Mayor Rogelio “Jigs” P. Jaraula Jr., who is also the SBP Regional Director in Northern Mindanao. (CIO)
Mayor Tinnex Jaraula and City Sports Executive Director Engr. Isidro Borja (left) pose for posterity with the winners of the just-concluded 3rd Mayor Tinnex Jaraula Cup 2009 shortly after the awarding ceremony at City Hall. CIO
SI Celebrates 33rd Charter Anniversary & United Nations Day
Soroptimists International, with its theme, “Building Teamsto Live our Dreams” celebrated its 33rd anniversary with a dinner and program at Philtown Hotel.
SI President Wilma Gomez delivered a message with Searsoliners as special guests. The program is featured in the pictures.
SI President Wilma Gomez, center, at the Presidential Table
PP Fely Dacudao pins the corsage on President Wilma
The Searsoliners, Guests for the night
A Dance Number from the Searsoliners
The Sorpotimists do a dance number
PP Trining Go with Daylit Fabregas
The Soroptimists
Charman Rosario Salvaña with Trining Go, President Wilma and Doring Roa
Contest Judge Girlie Velez with Dulce Reyes
Sorpotimists pose with Searsoliners and guests
Dulce Reyes, Girlie Velez pose with Alice Lacson and Doring Roa
Ester Fernandez and Yoling Malferrari pose with Alice Lacson and Daylit Fabregas
(NEW YORK – C-FAM) A new paper investigating the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDG) asserts that the project could do more harm than good. The paper finds the sweeping global development project generally views the poor as “a problem to be solved rather than partners in achieving their own development and success.” It explains that world leaders set forth the MDGs with high hopes in 2001, but now at the midpoint for achieving them, they have become susceptible to politicization and influence by special interests.
In “The Millennium Development Goals in light of Catholic Social Teaching” authors Brian Scarnecchia and Terrence McKeegan say that one major problem is that implementation of the 8 goals along with their 20 targets and 56 indicators has tended to be top-down, expert-driven and technological. This approach is championed by the UN’s chief economic advisor on the goals, ColumbiaUniversity professor/technocrat Jeffrey Sachs but, the authors say, it fails to take account of the two bedrock principles of moral human development, solidarity and subsidiarity.
Quoting Pope Benedict XVI during his 2008 address to the UN General Assembly, the authors note that the UN’s poverty and hunger alleviation exacerbates the way the weakest have been left at “the margins of integral development, and are therefore at risk of experiencing only the negative effects of globalization.” “By promoting an ‘all-encompassing’ and ‘globalized’ culture,” they argue, the MDGs impart “false values that would tarnish a truly human way of life” and undermine national culture and traditions that support welfare at the lowest level.
For example, the goals for achieving primary education and reducing child mortality do not take sufficient account of the central role of the family. There is no UN treaty protecting the rights of the family as there is for the rights of child. Thus insufficient emphasis is placed upon the family, the most fundamental institution to child welfare according to the paper. The way the UN is promoting gender equality, “serves to instill a false notion that gender is a changeable social construct,” the authors argue.
The MDGs rightly promote the education of girls, but they do so primarily for the purpose of reducing their fertility, the study finds. Likewise, it finds that the goal of reducing maternal mortality does not treat women as whole persons but rather focuses on childbearing. Ensuring sustainable development similarly emphasizes population control.
The role of special interests is particularly evident in the relentless attempt to create a separate goal for “promoting sexual and reproductive health,” according to the report. It is the only one of the original expert-driven international goals that nations rejected when they adopted the eight MDGs. Instead, abortion proponents have had to settle with claiming a “target” under the goal aimed at reducing maternal mortality. While the claim has been refuted by UN member states, UN agencies such as the UN Population Fund and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) continue to assert it.
Robert Araujo, S.J. notes in his preface to the paper, “It is no longer the goals that are important but the manner in which they are pursued….there is wide and growing divergence on how best to proceed.”
IF health experts and activists aren’t feeling too good these days, it’s not just because the suddenly nippy weather could bring in chills, coughs, and even the flu (including the latest nasty version) among far too many people. It’s also because, the experts and activists say, effective healthcare remains beyond the reach of most Filipinos.
“Equity in health care means that every Filipino has a fair, just and equal access to medicines and hospital services,” said former health secretary Dr. Alberto Romualdez at a recent roundtable discussion on healthcare financing organized by the Philippine Legislators’ Conference on Population and Development Foundation. (PLCPD). Unfortunately, this has yet to happen – and may not take place even with the P33.7-billion proposed health budget for 2010.
The sum will be financing programs to reduce maternal and infant deaths, as well as cases of diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. It will also help foot the bill for increasing access to safe drinking water and cheap quality medicines, and upgrading primary, secondary hospitals, and specialty centers, increasing access to cheap quality medicines, and responding to influenza A (H1N1) and other emerging diseases.
The proposed health budget, which translates to an allotment of P358.23 for every Filipino (based on a 2010 population estimate of 94 million), represents 2.2 percent of the total government budget of P 1.541 trillion. But as Dr. Ma. Virginia Ala of the Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau of the Health department pointed out, “The government allocation for health should be seven percent to decrease out-of-pocket expenditures.”
She then echoed others at the meeting held last Oct. 28 in calling for a “massive reform” in the country’s healthcare sector.
Romualdez, for one, noted that the “imbalance” in the healthcare system has resulted in less than 50 percent of poor women getting vitamin supplements compared to 80 percent of high-income women. Each year, too, only less than five percent of the estimated 3,000 new Filipino end-stage renal disease cases are able to have kidney transplants.
Romualdez said that the inequity plaguing the healthcare system could be traced to high-priced medicines and other health supplies, disproportionate distribution of human resources, an inefficient organization of health services, and dismal healthcare financing.
Indeed, despite the recent implementation of the cheap-medicines law, he said that the prices of medicines vis-à-vis the household incomes of Filipinos are still among of the highest in world.
“The high prices of most medicines in the country are beyond the paying capacity of most Filipinos,” Romualdez emphasized.
As an example, he cited the drug Ranitidine, which reduces the amount of acid in one’s stomach. According to Romualdez, a Filipino would have to give up a month’s salary just so he could buy Ranitidine for a 30-day treatment. In comparison, an ordinary employee in Sri Lanka or Brazil would have to part with his earnings for only 10 days for the same period of treatment.
Meanwhile, those in need of more care may forego treatment altogether because of the ever-escalating fees. Romualdez remarked, “Only those with money can fully pay for out-of-pocket payments and often than not, they already have generous health insurances. On the other hand, near-poor and the lower middle classes can become impoverished just to (make) such payments.”
To make matters worse for the have-nots, there is also a disproportionate distribution of human resources in the healthcare system. An estimated 70 percent of all health workers happen to be employed in the private healthcare sector, which serves only 30 percent of the entire population.
Still, even those at the meeting last week weren’t ready to give up just yet. Ala, for instance, had suggestions for vital national agencies in helping ease the country’s healthcare financing pains. To start with, she said, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) should be critical in the identification of the poor to which subsidies will be entitled, while the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) must enhance the public spending on health.
The Department of Interior and Local Government should be able “to develop policies on retaining income of health facilities, secure resources to fund the minimum health package to be offered by (local governments) to their constituents,” said Ala.
The National Anti-Poverty Commission can coordinate policies to increase accessibility to healthcare of remote areas by putting pressure on PhilHealth, she also said, while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) must develop policies aimed at making every worker an active PhilHealth member.
“Health financing is an issue of nation welfare and competitiveness of our economy,” said Ala. “This will require a major effort from all of us.” – PCIJ, November 2009
Key Rates As of 06 November 2009 US$ 1.00 PhP 47.574 JAPAN YEN 0.524200 UNITED KINGDOM POUND 78.930000 HONGKONG DOLLAR 6.139000 SAUDI ARABIA RIAL 12.686400 EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION EURO 70.766300
ABOITIZ TRANSPORT SYSTEM (ATSC) CORPORATION - Preferred
ATSP
1,000
1.3
Top Losers
As of Nov. 06, 2009, 12:10 PM
NO.
SECURITY NAME
SYM
VOLUME
VALUE
1
TANDUAY HOLDINGS, INC.
TDY
10,000
26,000
2
EAST ASIA POWER RESOURCES CORPORATION
PWR
200,000
53,100
3
MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY
MER
1,054,650
213,452,980
4
ACESITE (PHILIPPINES) HOTEL CORPORATION
DHC
6,000
27,200
5
MEDCO HOLDINGS, INC.
MED
2,240,000
1,263,400
6
Arthaland Corporation
ALCO
570,000
109,400
7
INTERPORT RESOURCES CORPORATION "A"
IRC
10,000
7,900
8
PRIME MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC
PRIM
976,000
2,355,200
9
METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION
MPI
112,695,000
339,765,150
10
FIRST METRO INVESTMENT CORPORATION
FMIC
2,600
77,250
Monetary Board Keeps Policy Rates Steady
At its meeting last week, the Monetary Board decided to keep the BSP’s key policy interest rates steady at 4 percent for the overnight borrowing or reverse repurchase (RRP) facility and 6 percent for the overnight lending or repurchase (RP) facility. The interest rates on term RRPs, RPs, and special deposit accounts (SDAs) were also left unchanged.
In its assessment of the monetary policy stance, the Monetary Board considers the current settings as appropriate. The latest inflation forecasts reflected a slightly higher path, but remained closer to the lower bound of the targets over the policy horizon. Demand-side pressures on consumer prices continue to be limited and inflation expectations well anchored. On the supply side, price pressures from crop losses due to the recent calamities are not expected to have a significant long-lasting impact on inflation. With such flexibility, the Board also believes that keeping the policy rates steady will help support domestic demand, including the reconstruction efforts of the government, and economic activity in the near term.
Going forward, the BSP will continue to monitor the risks to the inflation outlook, which include commodity prices, and will adjust monetary policy settings if needed to achieve its price stability objective. At the same time, the BSP reiterates its support for non-monetary government measures to address supply-side risks to consumer prices.
October Inflation at 1.6 Percent
Headline inflation increased to 1.6 percent year-on-year in October from 0.7 percent in September. The year-to-date average of 3.2 percent is well within the target range of 2.5-4.5 percent for 2009. Core inflation, which excludes specific food and energy items to measure generalized price pressures, was slightly lower at 2.7 percent year-on-year in October from 2.8 percent in the previous month. Meanwhile, month-on-month headline inflation was higher at 0.6 percent in October from 0.2 percent in September.
The uptick in inflation was due mainly to the markedly higher prices of fruits and vegetables owing to crop losses and delivery bottlenecks in the wake of recent weather-related calamities. Rice and meat prices were also higher year-on-year. Meanwhile, the inflation rates of services and fuel, light, and water remained negative in October.
Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. observed that the October inflation outturn was within the 0.8-1.7 percent forecast of the BSP. He added that the most recent inflation reading and the latest inflation forecasts indicate that the inflation targets for both 2009 and 2010 continue to be attainable. He stressed that, going forward, the BSP will remain attentive to risks to inflation to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with price stability conducive to sustainable growth in economic activity.
Inflation Slows Down Further in Q3 2009
Earlier, the BSP announced the publication of the 32nd issue of the quarterly BSP Inflation Report covering the period July-September 2009. The full text of the Inflation Report has been released in electronic format (as a PDF file) on the BSP website. The BSP Inflation Report is published as part of the BSP’s efforts to improve the transparency of monetary policy under inflation targeting and convey to the public the thinking and analysis behind the Monetary Board’s decisions on monetary policy.
The following are the highlights of the Q3 2009 BSP Inflation Report:
·Inflation decelerates further. Quarterly inflation decelerated further in Q3 2009, largely reflecting base effects from significant increases in global commodity prices recorded during the same period last year. In particular, the drop in inflation was driven mainly by the slowdown in food prices, and the negative contribution of fuel inflation, following the very high kerosene and LPG prices a year ago. Core inflation also eased during the quarter, reflecting sluggish domestic demand.
·The domestic economy shows signs of recovery. Economic activity in the second quarter came out better than expected with GDP recording a 1.5 percent growth, driven by consumer and government spending. Various economic indicators also showed improvements, particularly increased vehicle and energy sales, the steady rise in capacity utilization of manufacturing, and improved consumer confidence and business expectations. Meanwhile, there
are still some soft spots in the macroeconomy including weaker property market activity due to the ongoing correction, continuous negative growth in exports, and the slightly higher unemployment level posted in July.
·Financial markets reflect some signs of stability. Stock market activity was generally upbeat in Q3 2009, driven by the improvements in global and domestic indicators particularly in July and August. Likewise, debt spreads narrowed at the end of Q3 relative to the end of Q2 2009 as emerging signs of global economic recovery attracted investors to higher-yielding emerging market assets. In the foreign exchange market, the peso appreciated against the dollar in September 2009 on a year-to-date basis, in tandem with other Asian currencies, as risk appetite for emerging market assets increased.
·Domestic liquidity growth remains strong, while credit continues to grow,
albeit at a slower pace. The growth in domestic liquidity was mainly driven by the increase in net foreign assets of depository corporations as the BSP continued to build up its international reserves, while banks reduced their foreign liabilities as they paid off maturing obligations. Meanwhile, bank lending continued to grow, albeit at a decelerating pace. The expansion of lending to some productive sectors was offset partly by the contraction in other sectors, including manufacturing, which comprised about 15 percent of total loans.
·Domestic interest rates continue to decline. Interest rates fell further in Q3 2009 compared to the previous quarter’s levels, following the decline in the BSP’s policy interest rates and as monetary conditions improved. The secondary market yield curve for government securities shifted downward in Q3 2009 as lower inflation expectations drove down interest rates across all tenors. Similarly, interest rates declined, as banks had passed on partially
to their borrowers the BSP’s cuts in policy rates.
·The Monetary Board reduces the BSP’s key policy interest rates further by another 25 basis points in July 2009 and holds policy rates steady in August 2009. The decision to reduce policy rates further took into consideration the Monetary Board’s resolve to provide support to economic activity to the extent that the inflation outlook would allow. This brought the cumulative rate reduction to 200 basis points since December 2008. Meanwhile, policy rates were kept unchanged in August with the assessment that the prevailing monetary settings were appropriate given the manageable inflation outlook and the encouraging signs of an economic rebound. In addition, the Monetary Board noted that the substantial monetary easing that has been implemented since the latter part of 2008 will continue to provide support to domestic economic activity. Maintaining an accommodative policy stance was
appropriate and would allow prior substantial monetary stimulus measures to fully work their way through the system.
·The latest baseline forecasts continue to indicate that inflation would settle within the target ranges for 2009 and 2010. The BSP’s latest baseline forecasts show inflation settling at the lower half of the target range for 2009 and 2010, gradually increasing over the next two quarters, and remaining stable until the end of the policy horizon. From 2009 levels, inflation for 2010 would likely pick up with the expected recovery in domestic and world economic activity, and as the impact of the BSP’s monetary policy easing becomes more evident. Prospects of an uptrend in food prices due to the recent typhoons and some base effects from a lower projected inflation path for 2009 could also contribute to higher but broadly stable inflation in 2010. Other upside risks to the inflation outlook include a stronger-than-expected
rebound in economic activity and its potential tightening effect on commodity supply-demand balances; adverse weather conditions; increases in utility rates due to cost recoveries; and an untimely unwinding of large global stimulus programs. On the downside, inflationary pressures are expected to be dampened by the likelihood of a slow recovery in global economic activity and the impact on consumer prices of the recent peso appreciation.
·The manageable inflation environment over the policy horizon provides room for policy flexibility. Given a favorable inflation outlook, the BSP has the flexibility to continue to provide adequate stimulus to the real sector amid the presence of soft spots in the domestic economy and the vulnerabilities brought by the recent calamities. Nonetheless, the BSP remains mindful of the emerging challenges to monetary policy particularly as economic growth gains momentum. Moving forward, the BSP will continue to carefully scan the operating
environment with a view to moving preemptively to address any risks to price stability.
[On 1 October 2009, the Monetary Board maintained the RRP and RP rates at 4.0 and 6.0 percent, respectively.]
Implementing Rules Signed for Tax-Exempt Long-Term Investments Under PERA Act
Five government agencies led by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas signed last week the implementing rules to encourage personal savings and domestic capital formation through tax-exempt long-term investments as provided under Republic Act 2505 or the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) Act of 2008. Signatories were (from left) Department of Finance Undersecretary Jeremias Paul, Jr., Securities and Exchange Commission Chairperson Fe Barin, BSP Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr., Insurance Commission Chief Eduardo Malinis, and Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Nelson Aspe. As incentive, an income tax credit equivalent to 5% of annual PERA contributions of up to a maximum of P100,000 per person and P200,000 for overseas Filipino workers is given. In addition, their future investment incomes are exempted from tax if the account is maintained until they reach age 55 and is held for at least five years. Voluntary contributions of private employers to employees’ PERA may also be claimed as tax deductions from the employers’ gross income. PERA investments can be made only on specific products approved by regulators that are non-speculative, readily marketable, and with a track record of regular income payments to investors. These can be unit investment trust funds, mutual fund shares of stock, insurance pension, government securities, annuity contract, pre-need pension plan, exchange-traded bonds, and shares of stocks listed in the local stock exchange. Supervised entities of the BSP, SEC and IC may apply as PERA Administrators provided they meet the required standards and have a networth of at least P100 million.
DBM calls for immediate passage of tax reform measures
By: Salvacion Beleo, MRS-PRIB
Department of Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Andaya today urged lawmakers to fast track the approval of several tax reform measures, now in their advance stages in the House of Representatives, to boost the government's infrastructure programs.
Andaya said the National Treasury can realize about P30 billion with the passage of the proposed rationalization of fiscal incentives bill, anti-smuggling amendments to the Tariffs and Customs Code.
Among the bills pending at the House of Representatives are House Bill 5241 or the proposed rationalization of fiscal incentives; HB 5068 or the bill seeking to institute reforms in and strengthen the processes in the Bureau of Customs; HBs 15, 155 and 1033 all seeking to curb smuggling, both technical and outright, by providing systemic solutions that will make it easier to detect smuggling and that which seeks to penalize mall and store owners’ engaging in the sale of contraband products.
During the recent budget hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations, Andaya said the capital outlay for the 2010 national budget was reduced due to poor revenue collections.
"Most of the time the construction of government projects are affected because of the availability of funds," Andaya said.
Members of the House of Representatives has approved on second reading the 2010 P1.541 trillion National Appropriation.
Some P40 billion-capital outlay was cut from the 2010 national budget. A huge chunk of the budget is being earmarked for infrastructure projects of the government.
Andaya said the government will have to work on the available fund to finance the ongoing government projects and will have to avoid foreign borrowings.
"We cannot resort to foreign borrowings. There will come a time when our budget will be allotted for our foreign debt and the remaining portion to cover only the salaries of government employees and pay the interest of official borrowings," Andaya said.
Andaya said the government option is push for the passage of several tax measures, which have been pending in Congress.
Andaya said certain laws has effectively reduced the government earnings of an estimated P33 billion. These laws are the exemption of minimum wage earners from income tax, the increase of personal exemptions for other salaried employees, among others.
RP's top BPO firms post $2 billion in revenues
The 29 largest business process outsourcing (BPO) providers in the Philippines, mostly engaged in contact center activities, reported P94.4 billion in combined revenues in 2008, up 21 percent or P16.1 billion from the P78.3 billion they posted in 2007, the House of Representatives Information and Communications technology committee disclosed recently.
"The Philippines has definitely secured its position as a leading player in the global BPO market, judging from the sustained double-digit revenue growth of the local branches of mostly multinational BPO providers," the report said.
The committee cited the need to further build up the BPO industry through ample infrastructure support, proper human resource development, sound policy environment, adequate fiscal incentives and effective business development.
It said the P94.4 billion in combined revenues reported by the top 29 BPO providers alone translate to almost $2 billion at the current exchange rate of $1:P47.63. Overseas clients pay BPO firms in dollars.
"What is remarkable about the BPO industry is that it is highly labor-intensive. Since the industry employs a growing number of Filipinos, it also supports an increasing number of families," it said.
The top 29 BPO providers and their corresponding 2008 revenues are: TeleTech Customer Care Management Philippines Inc. (P8.1 billion); Convergys Philippines Services Corp. (P8 billion); eTelecare Global Solutions Inc. (P7.9 billion); Sykes Asia Inc. (P7.5 billion); Aegis PeopleSupport Inc. (P5.7 billion); ICT Marketing Services Inc. (P4.3 billion);
Telus International Philippines Inc. (P4.2 billion); HSBC Electronic Data Processing Philippines Inc. (P4.1 billion); Sitel Philippines Corp. (P3.7 billion); Telephilippines Inc. (P3.6 billion); Deutsche Knowledge Services Pte. Ltd. (P3.2 billion); IBM Daksh Business Process Services Philippines Inc. (P3.2 billion); IBM Business Services Inc. (P2.9 billion);
Sutherland Global Services Philippines Inc. (P2.5 billion); JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. Philippine Customer Care Center (P2.4 billion); Dell International Services Philippines Inc. (P2.4 billion); SPI Technologies Inc. (P2.3 billion); Advanced Contact Solutions Inc. (P2.2 billion); ePLDT Inc. (P2.1 billion); APAC Customer Services Inc. (P2.1 billion);
Cyber City Teleservices Philippines Inc. (P1.8 billion); Sitel Customer Care Philippines Inc. (P1.8 billion); Parlance Systems Inc. (P1.7 billion); ePerformax Contact Centers Corp. (P1.6 billion); Synnex-Concentrix Corp. (P1.4 billion); West Contact Services Inc. (P1.2 billion); Vision-X Philippines Inc. (P1.1 billion); Genpact Services LLC (P1 billion); and ePLDT Ventus Inc. (P1 billion).
The 2008 revenues of the local units of the following large BPO providers were not readily available: Accenture Ltd., Affiliated Computer Services Inc., Citigroup Business Process Solutions Pte. Ltd., INFONXX Philippines Inc., Hinduja TMT Ltd., and Vocativ Systems Inc.
The committee pointed out that the country has more than 400 other BPO providers that generate annual revenues of anywhere from a few million pesos to just under P1 billion.
SMART seals enhanced mobile bankingcollaboration with MegaLink,expands mobile commerce networkThe network of partner banks of leading wireless services provider, Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) has been strengthened and expanded, with the inclusion of more members of MegaLink, one the largest ATM consortia of the country, that may avail of SMART's Mobile Banking facility. Under the Memorandum of Agreement sealed recently, SMART and Megalink will collaborate to enable more MegaLink members to facilitate SMART prepaid airtime and Smart Money reloading, balance inquiries, fund transfers, bills payments, checkbook reorders and statement requests, anytime, anywhere, all via a few clicks on a SMART mobile phone. The MegaLink and SMART partnership will also enable MegaLink members' cardholders to purchase SMART prepaid airtime at MegaLink ATMs nationwide. These initiatives reinforce SMART’s longstanding strategy of working closely with financial institutions, by providing them with communications infrastructure that will enable the banking industry to offer new innovative services to a wider customer base. Shown in the photo during the recent MOA signing ceremony (from left to right) are: Benjamin P. Castillo, MegaLink President and CEO; Nestor V. Tan, Chairman of the MegaLink Board of Directors and President and CEO of Banco De Oro; Napoleon L. Nazareno, President and CEO of PLDT and SMART; and Jojo M. Malolos SMART Group Head for Financial Services.
POPE BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER
VATICAN CITY, 30 OCT 2009 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intentionfor November is:
"That all the men and women in the world, especially those who have responsibilities in the field of politics and economics, may never
fail in their commitment to safeguard creation".
His mission intention is:
"That believers in the different religions, through the testimony of their lives and fraternal dialogue, may clearly demonstrate that the name of God is a bearer of peace".
Mayor Jaraula cites 2 ‘wizards’ who reap awards in int’l math contest
City Mayor Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula congratulated two outstanding pupils from CityCentralSchool who brought pride and honor to Cagayan de Oro City when they reaped awards in an international Math competition held recently in India and Singapore.
The two outstanding awardees from the CityCentralSchool are Paul Carlo Diamond G. Salise and France Patrick C. Villamor.
CityCentralSchool Principal Shirley Merida, along with Math Supervisor Leobelito Obsioma, Coach Eden Toredes and Assistant to the Principal Andy Ligsanan presented the two pupils before City Hall officials and employees.
Mayor Jaraula particularly cited Salise’s excellent and sterling performance when he took home a silver and bronze medals after competing in the “Wizards at Mathematics International Competition (WIZMIC)” held on October 27-30, 2009 in India.
While Villamor bagged a bronze medal when he competed in the “5th International Mathematics Competition” held from August 20-24, 2009 in Singapore.
The City Government of Cagayan de Oro through Mayor Jaraula extended some financial assistance to the two pupils in order to help them defray the high international travel costs and expenses.
For their feat as members of the Philippine team delegation, Salise and Villamor will again travel abroad to compete in the “6th International Mathematics and Science Olympiad” slated on November 8-14, 2009 in Indonesia.
Salise will showcase his talents and wits in the Science category while Villamor will strut his skills in the Math Category during the said forthcoming international competition.
With the assurance of Mayor Jaraula, the two local genius in the field of Science and Mathematics will also receive financial aid from the city government for their travel and participation as they bring the name and honor of Cagayan de Oro City. (CIO)
Mayor Tinnex Jaraula lauds CityCentralSchool pupils Paul Carlo Diamond G. Salise (left) and France Patrick C. Villamor (2nd from left) who brought pride and honor to Cagayan de Oro City when they reaped awards in separate international Math competitions held recently in India and Singapore. Looking on are Principal Shirley Merida and Math Supervisor Leobelito Obsioma. CIO
Gov. Oscar S. Moreno is aiming to upgrade the Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital- Gingoog into a 100-bed capacity hospital making it to Level III status by next year. Moreno met with hospital employees led by the Chief of Hospital Dr. Ramon Nery the other day and appealed for support for his vision of building a decent government hospital that would best serve the healthcare needs of the people in this area. Beginning in 2004 under the watch of Moreno, five of the seven district hospitals in Misamis Oriental had experienced an unprecedented development in terms of infrastructure, facilities, equipment, human resource and management.
Alfonso Alamban named Regional Director of DOST Region 10
DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro announced the appointment of Dir. Alfonso Alamban as the new regional director of DOST Region 10 effective October 27, 2009.
The 52-year-old new regional director of DOST-10 is an Agriculture, cum laude graduate from XavierUniversity. He took his master’s degree in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) with concentration on rural development and marketing management.
Director Alamban’s expertise is on the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), public economic enterprise development and business plans, halal industry development, product and city branding, internal quality control system, product standardization, investment packaging, consumer survey management, value chain analysis management, investment promotion and packaging. His knowledge and skills in these areas would be very advantageous to his position as the new head of DOST Region 10.
Prior to his appointment as regional director of DOST region 10, Dir. Alamban has worked for a number of offices and organizations. He started his career working for the Small Business Assistance Center-10, a government agency under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10. He was then appointed Provincial Director of the DTI-Misamis Oriental and eventually became the Assistant Regional Director of DTI Region 10 until he retired in June 2003.
When he retired from DTI, he worked as consultant/national expert for the Industrial Development Programme for Income and Employment Generation in Mindanao of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). He also served as Senior Program Officer for the Philippine Development Assistance Programme-Promoting Rural Industries and market Enhancement (PDAP-PRIME), a project of the Canadian International Agency (CIDA). He also worked for the Mindanao Rural Development Program-Adaptable Program Loan 2 (MRDP2) as Livelihood/Enterprise Development Specialist.
Concurrent to his consultancy job with the other international organizations, including government and private offices, he serves as the ExecutiveDirector of Xavier University Agricultural Training Research, Advocacy, Consultancy and Services (Agri-TRACS) as its Executive Director, a position he held until June 2009.
During his first meeting with the DOST-10 staff where he was formally installed, Director Alamban thanked DOST Secretary for the trust and confidence she has bestowed on him.
“For me, that’s a challenge, and an inspiration to work hard, to be able to deliver results as expected of us by the clients of DOST Regional office, “ he said.
In his message to the staff, he stated, “I look forward to working closely with you. My greatest motivation is to do a good job. As an organization, we can do that if we are united and as we work together, we also have to look at the needs of our clientele.”
He also added that his specialization is on rural development management, and in marketing development. “Because I come from the government, I believe that we focus and look at the rural areas as means of developing the country and the economy. Also, government agencies should strengthen the marketing of their services. Combining the two areas, I believe we could deliver the results as expected of us by our clientele.”
He also expressed his high hopes as the new head of DOST-10. “Together, as we work, we strive to be able to deliver more innovations for our clientele. I understand that one of the challenges that confront us right now is to think out of the box. I would like to emphasize the need for us to inject more innovations into our plans and efforts, especially that science and technology is the source of innovation, “ he stressed.
“DOST-10 should lead in providing innovations into the plans, not only within DOST but with the inter-agency bodies as well. Innovation is the key in order to develop further. We can improve on client servicing. We have to project an image of being an agency that intimately knows the face of its client,” Director Alamban closed. # (Tess Superioridad Baluyos, superioridadtess@yahoo.com)
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) announces the opening, for application or recommendation, of the positions of (1) DEPUTY OMBUDSMAN FOR LUZON vice Hon. Victor C. Fernandez, whose 7-year term will expire on 3 March 2010; (2) SPECIAL PROSECUTOR vice Hon. Dennis A. Villa-Ignacio, whose 7-year term will expire on 24 February 2010; and (3) PRESIDING JUDGE MCTC, Calamba-Baliangao, Misamis Oriental.
Applications or recommendations for nos. 1-2 positions must be submitted not later than 9 November 2009 (Monday) and for no.3 position, not later than 1 December 2009 (Tuesday) to the JBC Secretariat, 2nd Flr. Centennial Bldg., Supreme Court , Padre Faura St., Manila (Tel. No.552-9512; Fax No.552-9607; email address jbc_supremecourt@yahoo.com.ph or jbc@sc.judiciary.gov.ph). New applicants or recommendees must submit six (6) copies of the following:
Application or Recommendation Letter with conforme
ITR for the past two (2) years
Personal Data Sheet (JBC Form 1 downloadable
from the JBC Website of the Bar Confidant and employer
Cert. of Good Standing or latest Official Receipt from the IBP National
Treasurer
Certificate of Admission to Bar (with Bar Rating)
Sworn Medical Certificate and results of medical examination
2009 Clearances from NBI, Ombudsman, IBP, Office
2009 Police Clearance from place of residence
The JBC also announces that the following are applicants for different judgeship positions:
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT (RTC), (REGION II) ALFONSO LISTA, IFUGAO (Br.15): BIWIT, Jaime D.; CAMPOS, Salvador B.; CHAUHAN, Anita M.; CORPUZ, Ferdinand M.; DE GUZMAN, Alexander V.; DULNUAN, Andrew P.; MALECDAN, Rufus Jr., G.; MAYAM-O, Pedro G.; ONGPAUCO, Jacqueline J.; PAWINGI, Albert D.; TIONGSON, Melvin P.; (REGION III) MALOLOS, BULACAN (Br.14): ABAD. Melvin J.; ACOSTA, Benedicto Jr., M.; ANTERO, Rogelio D.; ASUNCION, Miguel S.; BANDAY, Jose T.; BANTUCHAN, Ruth A.; BAUTISTA, Edgardo C.; BERNARDO, Elmer R.; BUAN, Francisco Jr., R.; BUSTAMANTE, Manuel R.; CABILES, Bernardino L.; CALDERON, Julita M.; CALONGE, Diosdado V.; CAPULE, Christine Marie C.; CHUA, Marifi P.; CONCEPCION, Renier P.; CONOS, Linda A.; CRUZ, Raniel S.; DABALOS, Nestor M.; DE JESUS, Abelardo P.; DELA CRUZ, Edgardo G.; DIAZ, Joy S.; DIZON, Medwin S.; DOCENA, Zaldy B.; DOJILLO, Jaime Jr., L.; DUMLAO, Florentino Jr. R.; DUPAYA, Ana Caridad S.; ESCOTO, Gina C.; FAJARDO, Alejandro Jr., D.; FRANCISCO, Evangeline M.; GALVEZ, Caridad V.; GAMMAD, Rita M.; GARONG, Rixon M.; GASCON, Juvencio S.; GEROMO, Reyes G.; GONZALES, Teodora R.; HERNANDEZ, Ireneo D.; HERNANDEZ, Nyriam Susan S.;HILARIO, Mary Catherine P.; IBAY, Marie Grace J.; INANURAN, Encebrin J.; JAMIAS, Bayani M.; JOSON, Hermilando S.; LIM, Ma. Jean C.; LIWANAG, Rico Sebastian D.; MATIRA, Rowena DC.; MENDOZA, Lenita O.; MORALES, Baltazar A.; OBINARIO, Tita SM.; ORDA, Domingo Jr., I.; ORETA, Marie Antonette G.; ORTILE, Anjanette DL.; PACHECO, Acerey C.; PACIS, Edward D.; PACOLI, Joel Victor E.; PENULLAR, Andrew M.; PINLAC, Renato D.; PINOY, Ma. Fe Carolyn G.; RAFA, Dennis J.; RAMOS, Larry G.; RAYEL, Roger R.; RAÑOLA, Juan Jr., G.; REDOÑA, Pedro M.; REYES, Alfonso Basil A.; REYES, Anarica C.; REYES, Eduardo Ramon R.; REYES, Luis E.; RIVERA, Mary Anne P.; RONQUILLO, Teodulo B.; RUIZ, Grace V.; SALINAS, Romeo S.; SAMPAGA, Maria Lelibet S.; SORDAN, Marie Claire M.; SOTTO, Lucena C.; TARUC, Gloria Victoria Y.; TECSON, Liza Marie P.; TIENZO, Efren B.; TIMOLA, Wilfredo V.; TOLEDO, Ismael V.; VEGA, Gregorio Jr., L.; VELASQUEZ, Gregorio M.; (REGION X)CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, MISAMIS ORIENTAL (Brs.18 & 20): ABUNDIENTE, Arthur L.; ALCANTAR, Dennis Z.; ALGODON, Eleuteria B.; ALTUBAR, Ruben F.; AMOSIN, Isidro I.; AZIS, Chuchi A.; BANGOT, Emelie Jr., P.; BELLA, Juvenal N.; BERNALES, Marites R.; BORJA, Gregorio G.; CABARON, Liberato T.; CAMANNONG, Ma. Theresa A.; CAPADOCIA, Michelia O.; CONCEPCION, Julius M.; DAMASING, Henry B.; DE LOS SANTOS, Thelma N.; ESTABAYA,Marissa P.; GUILING, Antonio M.; HIMALALOAN, James Stewart E.; LLANDERAL, Ma. Corazon B.; MACABAYA, Bonifacio M.; MARANGIT, Sittie G.; MARCOS, Dante Angel C.; MAUNTING, Macaurog Sr., G.; MORDENO, Richard D.; MOSLEM, Macacuna A.; MUSNI, Oscar P.; PADERANGA, Gael P.; QUINIT, Mario O.; SALCEDO, Roy L.; SARIP, Tago R.; TAGARDA, Longino G.; UNDALOK, Mirabeaus A.; VICOY, Dennis P.; VILLA, Dante L.; .
The public may submit sworn complaint, written report, or opposition against any of the aforesaid applicants not later than 9 November 2009 (Monday) to the JBC Secretariat.
All applicants for judicial positions must submit to the JBC ASAP via fax, mail or e-mail their updated JBC Form 1 (Revised September 2007); proof of age and Filipino citizenship; and 2009 Ombudsman, NBI and Police Clearances, sworn medical certificate and results of medical examination, and other requirements before the date of their interview.
Those who fail to submit the necessary requirements shall neither be interviewed nor considered for nomination.
Confab of Provincial Irrigation Engineers held in CdeO
By: Rizalina S. Carbon
NIA, Region 10 hosted the 2009 National Convention of Provincial Irrigation Engineers last October 22-24, 2009 that brought in the country’s leading exponent of irrigation development.
The city was chosen as the venue of the convention because it is a typhoon-free region with favorable climate which ensures an uninterrupted flow of activities; it is naturally endowed with lovely sights which delights even the most discriminating guest and because of its legendary hospitality. It was the fourth national assembly ofNational Association of Provincial Irrigation Engineers ( NASPIE) hosted by the newly appointed Regional Manager, Engr. Julius S. Maquiling within a span of four months.
NIA Administrator, Hon. Carlos S. Salazar who attended the convention, provided inspiration with his presence and bouyed the participants’ spirits with assurance of early year-end bonus, cash gift and other fringe benefits. Also on hand to lend support were Central Office guests, Gregorio S. Dumandan, Department Manager, Operations Department and Pedro F. De Guzman, Assistant Project Manager, CARP-Irrigation Component, Project Manager’s Office.
Administrator Salazar praised Regional Manger Maquiling who bagged his latest promotion, hands down, from a score of aspirants who were interested in the position.
The NASPIE meeting was the occasion where issues of common interest and concern pertinent to irrigation infrastructure, economic growth and unified goals for sustainable development were presented and deliberated on. It delved on the implementation of the administration’s current thrust under the Quick Response Fund Scheme and the National Development Corporation program for restoration and rehabilitation, the progress of CY 2009 CARP-Irrigation Component projects and the status of Irrigation Service Fee Collection, Cropping Intensity and Viability Index.
The affair was capped with a thanksgiving mass and luncheon party tendered by NASPIE President and NIA-10 Regional Manager, Julius S. Maquiling at the Ursuline Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Convent. The mass was co-celebrated by Monsignor Elmer Abacajin, SSV, HP and Rev. Fr. Ed Magtrayo, SSV of the Bulua Parish.
The three day event will have a long-lasting impact not only in making irrigation management more efficient but also in developing best practices and better solutions to the challenges of sustainable development consistent with the requisites for economic growth.
The NIA Administrator, Hon. Carlos S. Salazar, center, attended the 2009 National Convention of Provincial Irrigation Engineers last October 22-24, 2009 here in Cagayan de Oro. To his left is Engr. Julius Maquiling, Regional Director of NIA10 and President of NASPIE
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Upper photo, part of the 2,000 crowd that attended the launching of Makabayan at the Bulua Gym. Lower photos, from left, Congressman Satur Ocampo (Partylist Bayan Muna) gives his keynote speech at the launching. At right, Cong. Ocampo and Cong. Liza Masa (Partylist Gabriela) answer questions from members of media in a press conference
