Philippines

Palawan News August 2013

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Palawan - Archived News
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Provincial Capitol of Palawan

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Undergroud River in Palawan
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Underground river in Pureto Princesa, Palawan
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Baracuda Lake, Coron, Palawan

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney and USAID/Philippines Environment Office Chief Daniel Moore witness the safe and sustainable collection of ornamental fish by certified Marine Aquarium Council collectors in Palawan

Palawan Gov. Alvarez, PSU sign memorandum of agreement to grant scholarships

(PNA), FPV/CARF/RTR/PJN

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug 20 (PNA) -- Palawan Governor Jose Alvatez and Palawan State University (PSU) President Dr. Jeter Sespeñe signed Monday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that would accommodate the granting of scholarship support to indigent students.

The signing of the MOA coincided with the opening of the PSU Intramurals 2013 at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex.

The MOA contains the “Programang Pang-Edukasyon para sa mga Palaweño” (PPP) under IHELP or Infrastructure, Health, Education, Livelihood and Protection of Environment.

With the signing of the MOA, the provincial government will be responsible in helping pay the tuition fees of around 10,000 marginalized students who will qualify in the scholarship grant.

Provincial Information Officer Gil Acosta said the scholarship is open to all students who will apply under different courses available at the university.

Initially, the provincial government had proposed to make the scholarship grant to students who will be willing to take up college courses that it felt are needed by currently flourishing industries.

However, Acosta said this had been changed to in respect of the would-be-applicants’ freedom to choose what course they like that would make a difference in their future.

He said to be able to continue qualifying to the scholarship offer at the university, students who will apply must maintain good grades, and must sustain the highest respect of the opportunity they were given to complete college to be able to help their families.

“At first, we were talking in the provincial government to allow the scholarship to be availed under selected courses only as suggested by the governor because these courses are what he felt needed, and where they have good chances to be hired. But the Sangguniang Panlalawigan decided that it be opened to all courses and that is the rule of the majority,” he said, adding a strict system will be placed to ensure those who will qualify will be monitored to maintain good grades.

He clarified that only the tuition fees will be paid for by the provincial government. Miscellaneous and other incidental fees will have to be shouldered by the families.

“The provincial government will pay for the tuition fees, which is already a big help to the families of these 10,000 students. We encourage students in the municipalities that if the university has branches in their areas, they should no longer come to Puerto Princesa so there will be lesser expenses for them,” he told the Philippine News Agency (PNA)

Around 38 million have been allocated for the first semester that has been filled as of this writing.

Aside from the scholarship grant, which is estimated to support thousands of Palaweño students, the agreement also includes the plan of the provincial government to construct a provincial hospital and the establishment of a College of Medicine at the PSU.

The signing of the MOA between Alvarez and Sespeñe were witnessed by Palawan Vice Governor Dennis Socrates, Provincial Information Officer Gil Acosta, deans of the PSU, and the university’s teaching staff and professors. PSU Student Government President Jaybie Arzaga was also present.

Reef Watch Team undergoes Green Fins training in El Nido, Palawan

(PNA), LAM/CARF/CIC/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug 19 (PNA) -– Personnel of the Municipal Tourism Office (MTO) in El Nido in northern Palawan under the Reef Watch Program concluded Monday its participation in the more than half-a-month Green Fins program.

Reef Watch is a section in the MTO that is tasked to protect El Nido’s eco-systems from the damages caused by leisure activities.

They educate tourists, clean up the islands, gather crown of thorns, a type of starfish that feed on coral polyps, monitor boat anchorages and repair damaged mooring buoys.

Green Fins is a program funded by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) that accredits dive shops around the world that practice sustainable tourism. In El Nido, where they will accredit snorkeling tours operators for the first time.

The partnership between Green Fins and Reef Watch program was made possible through the El Nido Foundation, Inc., the implementing partner of Green Fins in the town.

The training will continue through a series of field works, assessment and participation in different Green Fins activities.

Both El Nido Foundation and the Municipal Tourism Office are hoping that the Reef Watch program would fill the missing component in the Green Fins program: the visibility of enforcers in the area.

PNOC-EC, Shell set joint study of Offshore West Palawan Basin

By Myrna M. Velasco

State-run Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) is joining forces with Dutch firm Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) for the conduct of a joint study of the petroleum potential of offshore West Palawan.

Based on the timetable drawn, the study will stretch for a year starting 2013. The parties intend to gather data that may show the potential of the area for prospective upstream oil and gas developments.

“The project focuses in understanding the geology and petroleum potential of the area,” a document from PNOC-EC has emphasized.

It has been qualified that “the joint study will be an opportunity to exchange ideas and insight derived from collaborative work between Shell and PNOC-EC including transfer of technology.”

PNOC-EC and Shell are currently interest-partners in the existing Malampaya gas field project under Service Contract (SC) 38, with the former taking the minority stake; while the Dutch firm is the operator. The other major interest-holder is Chevron Malampaya LLC.

The SC-38 consortium members are currently working on the phases 2 and 3 of the Malampaya field development. This entailed additional investment of $1 billion.

For this venture, the cash call on PNOC-EC amounted to $101.98 million, according to company documents.

The state-owned firm made two-tranche allocations: $25.34 million for Malampaya phase 2 or the scheduled two well drillings; and $76.64 million for Phase 3 for the installation of depletion compression platform at the gas production facility.

The company said the total financing can be sourced from internally-generated cash. Project completions are slated 2014 for phase 2; and 2015 for phase 3.

Such round of investments, according to the Malampaya contractors, would be necessary to enhance the level of gas extraction from the field and for them to meet their committed volumes under their gas sale and purchase agreements (GSPAs) with off-taker power plants.

Nation-building, one community at a time

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - For over 30 years, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) has been answering the oft-repeated call of national development. In that span, Philippine presidents have come and gone, and had encouraged the Filipino people to play more active roles in nation-building. PSFI has taken concrete steps in establishing programs that directly respond to the call. More than that, PSFI’s programs are committed to providing lasting and meaningful solutions to beneficiaries and stakeholders.

Established in 1982, PSFI is responsible for managing and implementing Shell’s social development programs in the Philippines, both on national and local scale. It includes leadership enhancement and attitude development; technical, vocational, and agricultural skills development; training and employment; health care and services, sanitation, and safety; livelihood and entrepreneurship development; and environmental stewardship.

Shell, as a global leader in power, energy, and gas technology, continuously works to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, smarter infrastructure, and by developing new energy sources while addressing their impact on society and the environment. Most importantly, “at our operations, we aim to address social concerns and work to benefit local communities, protecting our reputation as we do business,” explained PSFI president and Pilipinas Shell country manager Edgar Chua.

Just recently, Chua and other PSFI officials hosted media representatives in a tour of Puerto Princesa, Palawan where many of the foundation’s most successful and replicated social investment projects on health, livelihood, and education can be found. Among the programs covered during the event were the Kilusan Laban sa Malaria (KLM); Integrated Farming Bio Systems (IFBS); Sanayan sa Kakayahang Pangangalakal (SAKA), Tribal Education & Livelihood Program (TELP); Impok Pang-Kalusugan (IPK); and Sustaining Conservation Gains in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Development Project.

PSFI’s Kilusan Laban sa Malaria (KLM) is a community-based malaria control program which aims to help control and eliminate malaria in Palawan through early-case detection and prompt treatment, vector control, community organizing, awareness raising, capability building, research, advocacy, and networking.

Since blazing the trail in 1999, the program has seen a significant decline in mortality and cases. In 2012, deaths have decreased by almost 97 percent based on 2000 figures while cases have gone down by 92 percent. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

PSFI has also been training microscopists and supplying laboratory equipment for diagnosis, blood smearing, and other malaria-related purposes. During the media tour, PSFI showcased such activities in a Malaria Awareness Day for the indigenous Tabak tribespeople at Sitio Tagnaya, Barangay Concepcion in Puerto Princesa. Fun and games, blood smearing, lectures, and distribution of treated mosquito nets highlighted the event.

Since its inception, the KLM program has turned out to be so successful that it merited the attention of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria in 2006. The organization granted KLM $14.3M to continue operations in Palawan, and to replicate the KLM project nationwide—rechristened as the Movement Against Malaria. It now operates in Apayao, Quirino, Tawi-Tawi, and Sulu. In 2010, the Global Fund gave an additional $31.4M consolidated malaria grant to PSFI to increase the coverage to 40 more provinces.

“The global fund portfolio manager asked us why we’re successful with implementation,” narrated PSFI executive director Edgardo Veron Cruz. “I said that most of the projects of PSFI are community-based. To us, it is important that the community knows what we would like to achieve in addressing their needs. We engage either government officials or community leaders to ensure that the communities are aware of what we are doing and what we expect to achieve.”

Indeed, the success of KLM and its eventual evolution into the Movement Against Malaria is largely due to its partnership with the Department of Health and private institutions as well such as the Global Fund.

In Palawan, SAKA is a program under the Western Philippines University that is staunchly supported by PSFI. It entails a one-year scholarship program for rural out-of-school youth leading to a Certificate in Agricultural Entrepreneurship. The project empowers the youth in agricultural technologies and entrepreneurship designed to improve farm productivity and management, family income, and leadership skills.

“We pay for the youths’ tuition, provide their dormitories, give them stipends and uniforms,” explained PSFI program manager Marvi Trudeau during a visit to the SAKA Center in the municipality of Aborlan, more than 60 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa. “At the end of the program, we provide these scholars with a start-up fund for their income-generating projects.”

IFBS, meanwhile, is an ongoing week-long capacity-building program for training farmers on appropriate farming technologies, focusing on organic farming, soil analysis, and water conservation techniques.

“We teach farmers how to make full use of the resources available around them through environment-friendly, financially rewarding, and market-driven practices,” said Trudeau.

TELP is a project that takes on poverty alleviation for indigenous people. Trudeau said that PSFI wanted to uplift the lives of indigenous families through modules on livelihood, education, and enterprise development.

“What we are trying to do is to help them improve their family’s production and income, and encourage them to protect the environment and natural resources. It does not mean that just because their lives are improving they will neglect the very culture and environment that nurtured them,” she said.

Similarly, IPK is a community-based health micro-insurance program that provides hospitalization to its members. Families pay as little as P360 annually for a two-time hospitalization benefit amounting to P2,500. In rural areas such as those in Palawan, this amount already covers even major health situations such as normal child delivery.

Also among the most noteworthy ventures of PSFI is its involvement in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Development Project. A comprehensive information, education, and communications campaign was the product of its partnership with PSFI. The program proved to be beneficial for the conservation of the world-famous Tubbataha — because of the campaign, people became more aware of the reef’s importance as a source of coral and fish larvae.

Chua shared the secret of PSFI’s successes thus far: “Our people make all the difference. These individuals are very professional and dedicated. They love what they do and being part of a team. Their job is not easy because they are front-liners, but they carry out their task above and beyond the call of duty.”

And Chua is not only referring to Shell employees, but also the numerous volunteers and partners in government and fellow private organizations. Above all, it is the beneficiaries themselves who are impacted for the better and who become advocates of the programs. “It is more of a mindset for them to realize that the program is well-meaning and all-giving. This involves fostering love of country, taking responsibility for one’s actions, and being able to share time and talent with those in need. These help ensure the sustainability and success of the program.”

Sandigan convicts Palawan Ex-Mayor

By Jun Ramirez

The Sandiganbayan has sentenced to 10 years imprisonment a former mayor of Rizal town in Palawan for pocketing more than P68,000 in public funds during his incumbency in 2002.

The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) announced the other day the conviction of former Mayor Samson Degillo by the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division.

In a 17-page decision penned by Justice Maria Cristina Cornejo, Degillo was found guilty of four counts of falsification of public documents.

Court records showed that the ex-mayor received several checks for his signature from municipal treasurer Rufina Bundag Bungalso for the payments to the town’s suppliers of goods and services.

Instead of returning the checks to Bungalso, Degillo enchashed the checks and pocketed the money, thus prompting the suppliers to bring the case to the OMB.

Health Dept to conduct school-based adolescent immunization in Palawan

By Orlan C. Jabagat (LBR/OCJ/PIA4B/Palawan)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Aug 15 (PIA) -- The Department of Health-Center for Health Development IV-B (DOH-CHD IV-B), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) will conduct a school-based adolescent immunization program.

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the City Health Office (CHO) will conduct the program on August 16 to September 15.

Target of the DOH to be vaccinated with MMR or Measles-Mumps-Rebulla and Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) are the students enrolled in all public secondary schools in Palawan.

The vaccine provides protection against severe measles, mumps, german measles, tetanus and diphtheria with possible complications which usually afflict infants, children and adolescents.

The activity will be launched on August 15 at the A&A Plaza Hotel, Puerto Princesa City from 8 a.m. to 12 n.n.

Iwahig Prison & Penal Farm inmates use earnings from souvenirs for SSS savings

(PNA), PDS/CARF/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 14 (PNA) -–Almost a hundred inmates from the Iwahig Prison & Penal Farm (IPPF), a low security prison in this city, are set to join the micro-savings program of the Social Security System (SSS) dubbed “AlkanSSSya,” using their profits from handcrafted souvenirs sold to tourists to pay their monthly contributions.

SSS Vice President for Management Services and Planning Division May Catherine C. Ciriaco and IPPF Superintendent Richard W. Schwarzkoph, Jr. will lead the inauguration of the AlkanSSSya unit during ceremonies at the penal farm compound in Barangay Iwahig, Puerto Princesa City on Thursday.

The IPPF is home to some 700 inmates with about a hundred already making a livelihood out of making handicrafts, such as decorative miniature galleons, photo frames, key chains, accessories, jewelry boxes and unique bamboo souvenirs called “rainmakers” that mimic the sound of rain when tilted.

The items are sold inside a souvenir shop at the IPPF, and also supplied to various souvenir shops in the center of the city, hotels and establishments, and cafes.

In a media conference Monday at a hotel in Puerto Princesa, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros, Jr. said “the AlkanSSSya program helps inmates become active SSS members even while serving their jail terms.”

“Inmates who are existing SSS members but have ceased paying contributions may now also reactivate their SSS membership with as little as about P10 per day, or at least P312 per month, under this program,” de Quiros, Jr. said.

He said 92 out of 100 personal coin slots in IPPF’s AlkanSSSya units are already taken, and SSS Palawan has assigned an account officer to tally and collect the inmates’ SSS savings before the 10th day of every month.

Participating inmates will put their first AlkanSSSya program, after more than 100 members of the Honda Bay Boat Owners Association, Inc. (HOBBAI), an organization of pump boat operators that cater to island hopping tourists, joined on July 12.

Coast Guard: German, Malaysian stranded off Palawan rescued

(VVP, GMA News)

Two foreign nationals were rescued last Friday after they were stranded off Starfish Island in Palawan province, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday.

In a post on its Facebook account, the Coast Guard said the two — a German and a Malaysian — were aboard an unregistered motor boat that ran out of fuel.

Rescued by the Coast Guard were German Alexander Nicolas, 32; and Malaysian Jessica Lee, 32.

The initial investigation showed that the two were aboard a 3GT motor boat that ran out of fuel at 2:00 p.m. last August 9.

The Coast Guard dispatched a team that conducted search-and-rescue operations at Starfish Island, where the two were stranded.

Both Nicolas and Lee were in good condition and were brought by the SAR team to Honda Bay wharf.

Modern ranger station in Tubbataha to be built with new P40M grant

By Yasmin Arquiza/RSJ (GMA News)

In two years, the remote Tubbataha Reefs in Palawan is expected to have a new state-of-the-art ranger station after the government's Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) provided a P40-million grant for the project Sunday.

During the celebration marking the marine park's 25th anniversary, TIEZA chief Mark Lapid signed the grant agreement and handed over a symbolic check to the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board and WWF-Philippines head Lory Tan, one of the TPAMB members.

The new station, which will commence construction in October, will greatly increase the capacity of the rangers to protect Tubbataha, a World Heritage Site in the middle of the Sulu Sea that has suffered significant destruction from two grounding incidents this year.

The most controversial damage came from a USS minesweeper that had to be dismantled on site after it rammed into the reef last January.

Designed by WWF-Philippines consultant Dylan James Melgazo, the new station is envisioned to have three interconnected structures: the command center that will house the rangers, a research building, and a helipad.

Tan said they have raised the project cost of P50 million for the project, which will replace the aging, rickety shelter that the park's rangers have been using year-round to protect Tubbataha from intruders.

"We have been asked by the Coast Guard if they can use the same design and we said, yes please do," said Tan, adding that it may also be freely utilized in other tourist attractions in the country.

The hexagon-shaped main center features a glass dome that will provide the rangers with a 360-degree view of the park, and overhanging troughs to collect rainwater. It will also house a visitor center, a mini-museum, and stepladder planters for growing vegetables.

Solar panels and micro wind turbines will be used to generate renewable energy for the station, which is located 150 kilometers from Palawan's capital city of Puerto Princesa, the nearest urban center.

Meanwhile, the TIEZA chief pledged to provide more funds for the station if needed. He added that the agency assist infrastructure development in other tourism attractions in the province, such as the long beach in San Vicente facing the West Philippine Sea.

"We will support Palawan, not only Tubbataha but the whole of Palawan," Lapid said.

TIEZA, the repository of travel taxes collected from Filipino tourists traveling abroad, is mandated to use the funds for tourism infrastructure projects in the country.

Foreign oil giant to explore in the seas of Palawan

(PNA), PDS/CARF/EBP

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 11 (PNA) –Forum Energy Company (FEC), a United Kingdom-based gas and oil exploration and production company with a portfolio of projects in the Philippines, is reportedly interested in exploring for oil and natural gas in the waters within the disputed West Philippines Sea.

According to information release by the provincial government on Wednesday, the expression of interest was made and presented by the FEC to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) on August 2 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall in front of Governor Jose Alvarez and the board of directors.

The FEC is the holder of Service Contract Nos. 40 and 72 and is authorized to look for oil and gas 18 nautical miles off the waters of Palawan in the West Philippines Sea area.

Alvarez, who reportedly listened and watched the presentation, assured the FEC that it would not hinder its exploration, particularly adding that the PCSD would be supportive of pro-development projects where the people of the province can benefit from.

He also encouraged the members of the PCSD to move fast in making decisions on project proposals that can provide Palawan shares for the development of its projects and programs.

“If a new deposit of oil and gas is discovered in Palawan, the province can have shares from income generated from this that can help fund other development projects and programs,” Alvarez said.

As chair of the PCSD, he also reminded FEC to be cautious and careful in the exploration to avoid oil spillage, destruction of corals, and other similar incidents, because he would not allow them to happen and they will be made to answer just in case.

Meanwhile, Col. Emmanuel Salamat, chief of staff of the Western Command (Wescom) and representative of Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, said FEC has nothing to worry about in terms of exploring for oil and gas in the disputed West Philippines Sea since security in the area is paramount in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He reportedly assured the FEC that it could conduct its exploration safely, and with utmost support from the Wescom.

The FEC also has a 2.27% interest through its wholly-owned subsidiary Forum Energy Philippines Corporation (FEPC) in the second phase development of the Galoc oil field under SC-14.

As joint venture participants in the Galoc field, Forum Energy and FEPC, together with Otto and a subsidiary of Otto, have entered into a facility agreement with BNP Paribas (the “Facility Agreement”) to provide a total of US$ 40 million project financing for the Galoc field’s Phase II development.


I REMEMBER THAT MORNING

By Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan (WWF-Philippines Vice-chair and CEO)

I remember that morning, as if it were yesterday. We woke up to the sound of slaps and splashes on the surface of a slick summer sea. In less than 15 minutes, we were underwater, swimming with mantas, above the endless drop offs of Tubbataha Reef, in the Central Sulu Sea. At the time, I described it as a submarine Serengeti.

That happened more than 30 years ago. Last month, a string of WWF trips visited Tubbataha as part of our multi-year pledge to the province of Palawan to help make sure that this special place remains special. And yes, the mantas were still there. As were turtles, sharks, rays, mollusks, dolphins and fish – large fish, schooling and swirling around us, in the hundreds. Nesting, hunting, feeding throughout this 100,000-hectare park, that has few comparisons anywhere in the world.

People have said that this marine park stands head and shoulders above most because it boasts ‘a full range of biodiversity.’ For me, Tubbataha has always defined the meaning of that phrase. Not just little reef fish, coral species, or miniature life forms, but also everything you expect to find in a UNESCO World Heritage site. At Tubbataha, you expect to encounter megafauna. And, you will. Every dive. Every day. It remains the standard against which all marine parks are judged.

Tubbataha Reef’s exceptional fauna are not confined to the sea. The thousands of seabirds that breed, nest and feed off this giant larder of life give this park an enthralling dimension that have thrilled the most seasoned of birdwatchers.

I remember strolling along the Lighthouse Islet’s beach in 1978. Terns rose in the air, as we walked past, furiously fighting us off their turf. There were so many of them nesting there, that a nest with an egg occupied every square foot of space. Small sharks cruised the knee-deep shallows, waiting for a meal. It was as if we had stepped into the pages of the National Geographic Magazine.

After more than three decades since I first slipped into Tubbataha’s warm embrace, it is gratifying to see how well she is today. It has not been easy. There have been many challenges from illegal fishing boats and shell gatherers, from El Nino and Crown-of-Thorns outbreaks, from a seaweed farm, from several ships that ran aground and from financial challenges that the people of Palawan have somehow managed to overcome, time and time again. This gives us hope to press on doggedly, and we will.

Last month, at the Delsan wreck, I espied a very large aggregation of white and yellow parrotfish, descending. Flanking them were packs of white-tip reef sharks accompanied by several pairs of giant trevally. This was a hunting expedition and I was hypnotized by the dynamic tension that filled the water. The scene reminded me of lions and hyenas nipping at the heels of wildebeest as they thundered across the green savannah. This is what living reefs are all about - a robust, thriving synergy that dramatically spirals beyond taxonomy and track lines. It is the world as it should be. This is the image that will constantly fill my thoughts and reassure me that, truly, my submarine Serengeti is alive.

PAGASA: Rainy weekend ahead as TD Labuyo moves closer to Bicol, LPA hovers over Palawan

(VC, GMA News)

A rainy weekend is expected over parts of the country as Tropical Depression Labuyo moved closer to Bicol while a separate low-pressure area hovered over Palawan Friday afternoon, state weather forecasters said.

PAGASA said that as of 4 p.m., the Tropical Depression Labuyo was estimated at 875 km east of Bicol with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, and forecast to move northwest at 19 kph.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA also said the LPA affecting Palawan and Western Visayas was estimated at 400 km northwest of Puerto Princesa City.

"Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western and Central Visayas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms," it said.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be "partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms," it added.

PAGASA also said light to moderate winds from the northeast to northwest will prevail over Luzon and coming from west to southwest over Visayas and Mindanao.

The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate, it added.

Bad weather causes cancellation of 2 flights

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation and Communications said bad weather caused the cancellation of at least two flights.

These included Air Philippines flights 2P-777 and 2P-778 from Manila to Tagbilaran (Bohol) and back.

The DOTC cited bad weather conditions in Tagbilaran for the cancellation.

Puerto Princesa to launch new anti-drug task force

(PNA), JBP/CARF/RTR/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 8 (PNA) -– The city government here is preparing to launch soon the new anti-drug enforcement task force BANAT, or Bayan Against Narcotics, Addiction and Trafficking.

Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron designated Vice Mayor Luis Marcaida III to be the overall director of the Task Force BANAT by coordinating it with lead enforcement agencies such as the City Police Office, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, Aviation Security Command, the PNP Maritime, the Western Command, and other stakeholders.

On Wednesday, and in preparation of the launching, Marcaida III gathered all representatives of said agencies to an Inaugural Conference Against Drugs in Puerto Princesa and discussed with them the restructuring of the former Task Force DEAD (Drug Enforcement Action Division) then headed by now 3rd Palawan District Rep. Douglas Hagedorn.

Marcaida explained that aside from “demand and supply reduction,” he is set to include in the responsibilities of the BANAT the component of educating the public against illegal narcotics.

“Eventually, when we launch, we will coordinate and cooperate with the barangays for education and information campaigns, as well as the schools. We believe that by educating the residents and the students, we can stop drug proliferation in Puerto Princesa,” he said.

The inaugural conference, he explained, was done to establish the foundations of BANAT and create it with inputs from the invited law enforcement agencies.

Fisherfolk association in Palawan receives financial assistance

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA), LAP/CARF/EBP]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 7 (PNA) -- In a bid to improve the livelihood of fisherfolks in distant fishing communities in Palawan, Governor Jose Alvarez is giving financial assistance to organizations where they belong to strengthen opportunities for them.

On Monday, Alvarez through the Provincial Public Employment Services Office (PESO) gave a financial assistance of P20,000 to the Pinagpala Fisherfolks Association (PFA) at Sitio Pinagpala, Barangay Alacalian, Taytay in northern Palawan.

Daniel Gabinete, PFA manager, received the financial assistance from PESO manager Richard Rebote at the Office of the Governor, Provincial Capitol Building.

Gabinete said they received the financial assistance after writing a letter to the PESO and submitting a project proposal to request for a starting capital for the association that shall help in purchasing fishing contraptions.

He said fishing is not only the foremost livelihood of the residents of Alacalian, but the whole Taytay town.

“Malaki ang maitutulong ng halaga para sa pagpapatupad ng mga nakahanay na proyekto namin sa asosasyon. Salamat kay Governor Alvarez (The amount will help us in implementing our lined up projects for our co-member. We thank Governor Alvarez for this support),” Gabinete said.

The PFA was created in December 2011 by the fisherfolk of Pinagpala as a livelihood opportunity association where they can together improve their lives. The support it received is part of the IHELP program agenda of Alvarez’s leadership in Palawan.

IHELP stands for Infrastructure, Health, Education, Livelihood and Protection of Environment.

Plans for new Tubbataha Ranger Station unveiled

By Cielito Reganit [(PNA), HBC/CMR]

MANILA, Aug. 6 (PNA) -– Seeing the need to enhance the country’s ability and capacity to protect the country’s foremost protected coral reef -- the Tubbataha reef -- authorities and an environmental group, in collaboration with the private sector, have unveiled plans to build a brand new Rangers Station.

The Tubbataha Management Office and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) said the move to upgrade the station is part of celebrating Tubbataha’s 25th anniversary as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Heritage Site this Aug 11.

Situated 160 kms southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, the squat white barracks, which started as a makeshift base station built by Philippine Navy Seabees to shelter law enforcers in 1995, has since taken many forms.

Today it serves as a forward operations base for up to a dozen Park Rangers, drawn from the Tubbataha Management Office, Philippine Navy, Coast Guard and Local Government of Cagayancillo who spend lonely two-month shifts protecting the 97,030-hectare reef from both internal and external threats.

But after a decade of serious weathering, questions were raised if the aging offshore complex -- which has last seen renovation in 2000 -- can still function as a research hub and springboard for enforcement operations.

“The station has served the country well, but we must revitalize it to be able to deal with fresh threats,” explained WWF-Philippines Consultant Dylan James Melgazo, an architect who spent three weeks assessing the offshore complex in 2012.

“Poacher incursions, grounding incidents and climate change effects are critical issues. Enhancing our capacity to protect Tubbataha makes perfect sense, as the reef provides food and livelihood for millions of Filipinos,” he said.

The schematics for the planned Ranger Station jumps straight out of a science-fiction flick.

Designed by Melgazo plus a team from the Emerging Architects Studio composed of Kim Pullante, Dean Ramos, Don Sebastian and Marc Virtucio, the planned space-age structure draws on technology like solar panels, micro-wind turbines and rainwater collectors to maximize both resource sufficiency and operational capacity.

Proponents have slated the groundbreaking ceremonies for October 2013.

“Sitting in the middle of the Sulu Sea, it is hard to resupply the station, which is why we designed it to be as self-sufficient as possible,” Melgazo said.

Sunshades double as rainwater collection systems while wind slats provide continuous ventilation.

A helipad for medical evacuation purposes will also be added.

“Years back, a Ranger was bitten by a Great Barracuda and had to be rushed to Puerto Princesa by speedboat. He made it, but his scar will always serve to remind others that out there, the sea is boss,” the WWF architect said.

To be built beside the old barracks, the new structure will feature a research building for up to eight marine biologists, whose trips have always been confined by the weather to summer expeditions on live-aboard boats.

A library, visitor center and merchandise shop shall also be added to entice visitors not only to interact with the Rangers but to provide a needed mechanism for future fundraising.

The complex shall also house a museum, vital in showcasing Tubbataha’s rich history and even richer biodiversity.

WWF is currently raising funds for the construction of the station, estimated at around P50 million.

A host of institutions have already pledged to contribute to the station’s rebirth.

Leading the pack is the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, which pledged to provide PHP40 million in seed money to jumpstart the station’s construction.

Lafarge Philippines has committed to provide special Type 5 marine construction cement – explicitly engineered for the sea.

Enfinity Propmech and several private individuals have pledged financial and in-kind assistance.

In the meantime, Cebu Pacific Air, Banco De Oro Unibank, Gruppo Struktura, plus Magsaysay’s Travel People & Travel Solutions helped fund the architectural and structural designing of the new ranger station.

The United States Agency for International Development expressed interest in deploying submerged closed-circuit TV cameras to monitor what really swims beneath Tubbataha seas year-round.

UNESCO will in turn donate equipment to enhance capacities.

A multi-awarded UNESCO World Heritage site, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park boasts of unparalleled marine biodiversity levels.

Tubbataha Reefs Protected Area Superintendent Angelique Songco said over 360 hard coral and 600 fish species inhabit the park, which continuously seeds the Sulu Sea with life.

Sadly, the Park lost 6,247 square meters of reef from back-to-back groundings of a US warship and Chinese poaching vessel in January and April this year.

As of July 2013, no fines have been collected for the damage.

“Though the USS Guardian and F/V Min Long Yu grounding incidents have left over 6,000 square meters of the reef in shambles, they have become a point of convergence,” Songco noted.

More and more public and private institutions – even individuals – are taking up the cudgels of conservation, she said.

"We call on all groups to help turn our dream into reality. A little support shall go a long way towards improving our Rangers’ home-away-from-home,” Songco added.

Corporations and individuals who want to support the undertaking can email WWF or deposit donations to BPI Account Number 1993-0531-94 or Paypal Account 4AU7PYC6BQ7TG.

If legendary heroes need great hideouts – Batman had his Bat Cave and Voltes V had Camp Big Falcon - dedicated Rangers standing vigil over the Philippines’ top coral reef is also in need of a great one: the brand new Tubbataha Ranger Station.

Palawan’s Team Wescom conducts coastal clean-up

(PNA), AP/CARF/CIC/SSC

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 5 (PNA) -– Troops from the Western Command (Wescom) conducted its Coastal Clean-Up Drive over the weekend in the coastal area surrounding the military camp as part of its thrust on environmental protection and preservation.

“Our soldiers will never stop participating in any environmental protection and preservation activities,” said Lt. Gen. Rustico O. Guerrero, commander of the unified command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Palawan.

Team Wescom and troops from the Naval Forces West also took part in a massive clean-up drive held earlier in Wescom Road, from the corner of the National Highway near Junction 1 up to the front gate of Camp Gen. Artemio Ricarte, sweeping and picking up stray garbage along the way.

“Environmental protection is everybody’s concern and our untiring participation in these activities is to stress the role of AFP as environmental protectors,” Guerrero said.

Incidentally, if it takes a village to raise a child, then raising an entire village of children calls for reinforcements. At least that’s the philosophy being adopted by the 3rd Marine Brigade in Palawan.

Partnering with various NGOs, the 3MBde is on an educational mission to deliver donated books and teaching supplies to needy schools in southern Palawan.

Recipient schools range from remote elementary schools with limited access to educational supplies to municipal high schools which have lost books due to natural disasters.

NGOs that prefer anonymity have sent dozens of boxes of books and other reading materials to distribute to students ranging from elementary to high school.

On July 30, the Brigade conducted a turnover of school library and books at the Panitian Interior Elementary School in Barangay Panitian, Sofronio Espanola, Palawan.

“After we established the library,” says Brig. Gen. Andrei Costales, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade, “we helped the school with the awareness campaign about the positive impacts of reading and worked on motivating them to use the library frequently.”

The simple turnover ceremony was attended by Municipal Mayor Mars Acoy, Dr. Servillano Arzaga of the Department of Education – Palawan, and school personnel of Panitian Interior Elementary School.

LPA nears Cebu; floods, landslides threaten Palawan, Vis-Min

(LBG, GMA News)

Residents in parts of Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao were advised before noon Sunday to brace for possible flash floods and landslides as a potential cyclone moved near Cebu.

State weather forecasters said the potential cyclone, a low-pressure area, was estimated in the vicinity of Mactan, Cebu as of 8 a.m.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said the LPA is embedded along the inter-tropical convergence zone.

"These weather systems are expected to bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms in Palawan, Visayas and regions of Zamboanga Peninsula Northern Mindanao, ARMM and SOCCSKSARGEN which may trigger flash floods and landslides," it said.

"Residents in these areas are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures," it added.

Earlier, PAGASA forecaster Joey Figuracion said the LPA has a low chance of becoming a cyclone. But if it does, it will be codenamed Kiko.

PNOC-EC seeks lifting of EO requiring bidding for exploration activities

By Iris C. Gonzales (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - PNOC-Exploration Corp., the oil and gas unit of state-owned Philippine National Oil Co., wants the government to lift an executive order requiring it to hold a bidding when tapping partners for its exploration ventures, according to company documents.

PNOC-EC said EO 556 “unduly restricts the company’s ability to undertake its exploration and production projects in timely and effective manner.”

Essentially the order, signed by former President Arroyo in 2006, states that there shall be no “farm-in” or “farm-out” contracts awarded by any government agency, including PNOC.

Instead, it said that, “all government agencies, including the PNOC, shall follow a strict bidding procedure in forging partnership with interested parties, including the Camago-Malampaya reservoir venture.”

The lifting of EO 556 is among PNOC-EC’s list of recommendations to help the company achieve the government’s objective of making the country energy self-sufficient.

PNOC-EC also recommended amendments to Republic Act 9184 (The Procurement Reform Act) and other laws to speed up the procurement process in government.

Furthermore, PNOC-EC, which owns several exploration contracts, wants the government to mandate the use of locally procured commodities such as coal, oil and gas fuel for the state-controlled power plants.

The company has set aside a budget of P7 billion for its work program this year. It holds a 10-percent stake in Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project in Palawan.

LGU support can make Tabon Cave Complex a profitable tourism site in Palawan

(PNA), PDS/CARF/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 2 (PNA) -– An archeologist, who is at the same time a director and curator in a university museum in this city said that if the municipal government of Quezon in southern Palawan will make effort to coordinate and cooperate with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and commit to promote it, the Tabon Caves System can be a profitable tourism attraction in Palawan.

Dr. Jun Cayron, curator and director of the Palawan State University (PSU) museum told the PNA that the Tabon cave complex on Lipuun Point, which was named after the bird Tabon Scrubfowl, can become money-earning for Quezon’s tourism industry if the local government unit (LGU) will make efforts to support its preservation.

“It can become a source of livelihood for the locals and the municipal government if it can always be maintained and preserved,” Cayron told the PNA.

The Tabon cave complex, which is one of the concerns of the Prehistoric Heritage for Southeast Asia (PREHSEA), was discovered by the late Dr. Robert B. Fox and his team of archeologist from the National Museum in 1962.

It has yielded then a significant archeological find, which are fossil human bones of a Tabon man dating back 22,000 to 24,000 years ago.

Accordingly, there are 200 caves that can be found at Lipuun Point. Of these, only 29 had been explored, including Tabon Cave that had been used as a burial ground by ancient people. It is where the Manunggul jar that is now at the National Museum was found.

“The caves at Tabon have not been fully explored,” says Cayron. “If funding and collective efforts can be pulled, it can be an important tourist destination in southern Palawan as it is a site for human evolution.”

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 996, the Philippine government in 1972, declared it a Museum Reservation Site. Only three caves had been opened in the past for visitors.

With the holding of the PREHSEA in Puerto Princesa recently, Cayron said hopefully attention can be generated to fully preserve it as a showcase of early human habitation.

PREHSEA pushes Palawan’s Tabon cave system as World Heritage Site

By Clarinda Catimpo [(PNA), HBC/CARF/CIC/UTB]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 1 (PNA) -- Declaring Tabon Cave as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for Human Evolution will surely pour in tourists in sleepy Quezon town, according to the Prehistoric Heritage for Southeast Asia (PREHSEA).

At the 3rd PREHSEA International Conference in Puerto Princesa City that culminated Aug 1, paleo-anthropologist Dr. Eusebio Dizon of the National Museum of the Philippines told the Philippines News Agency there are only 10 in the world that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site for Human Evolution.

These are The Willandra Lakes Region in Australia; Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian in China; Lower Valley of the Awash and Lower Valley of the Omo in Ethiopia;

Sangiran Early Man Site in Indonesia; Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me’arot/Wadi el-Mughara Caves in Israel; Lake Turkana National Parks in Kenya;

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa; Ngorongoro Conservation Area 1 in Tanzania; and Khami Ruins National Monument in Zimbabwe.

"In the Philippines, Tabon Cave has the oldest human fossils found so far, but since Dr. Robert Fox's discovery, nothing has happened to the Tabon Caves. It has potentials to earn money for the municipality, the province, even the national government, in terms of tourism if only we drum up and fast-track its inclusion in the World Heritage Site," said Dizon, who has been doing a research for Tabon Caves since 1978.

In Palawan, there are already two World Heritage Sites for Environment, the Tubbataha Natural Marine Park in Cagayancillo town and the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Puerto Princesa.

Tabon Caves in Quezon will be the first World Heritage Site for Human Evolution in the Philippines, should it be included. But Dizon said there are documentations still needed for Tabon Cave to be considered.

"Our problem is the permitting system. In Palawan, because of the special permit needed, there are so many that hinders research. Our request is for research to be given consideration. We still need to learn other things than the Tabon man, his livelihood, his family, his culture, and more. These information are what we need to include it as a World Heritage Site,” Dizon said.

Dr. Francois Semah, executive director of the PREHSEA, said that by means of regional collaboration, international and inter-sectoral cooperation, and thorough local dialogue like this conference with stakeholders, the PREHSEA hopes to develop good management practices for prehistoric properties, help to safeguard their integrity, assess their authenticity and value, contribute to their access for all socio-cultural categories, and foster the local socio-economic development.

"The PrehSEA network provides the basis for a trendsetting and sustainable international collaboration in the area of research on hominid evolution in Southeast Asia, equally available to all participating partners," Semah said.

Semah is also the concurrent Academic Teaching and Training Programs of the Museum National d’histoire Naturelle in Paris, France.

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