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→‎Palawan Gov. Alvarez, PSU sign memorandum of agreement to grant scholarships
 
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==Governor won't press claim as Palawan not dependent on Malampaya share==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=560877
*Saturday, August 31, 2013
:By Ruth T. Rodriguez [(PNA), LAM/CARF/RTR/JSD]
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 31 (PNA) -– Despite the resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan authorizing him to seek other possible legal remedies to speed up the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) on the Malampaya share, Governor Jose Alvarez would rather leave the next move to the national government.
In an interview, Alvarez said he does not want to move ahead of the national government, and there is really no need to make fresh manifestations since Palawan could stand on its own without the Malampaya share for the time being.
In fact, he said the budget for expected projects and programs of the provincial government for the next three years of his leadership have been prepared by his team to ensure growth and development in Palawan.
The governor said the province will not depend on the Malampaya share because the SC is not ready to make any decision yet.
“You know I don’t want to open it again, or make a fresh manifestation to the SC regarding our claim because people might say we cannot do anything without the Malampaya. We will do something even without it. In fact, the provincial budget for the next three years has already been prepared. I want to move forward, if they want, they can do it. Anyway, the money is there, and if the SC resolves in favor of us, well and good,” he said.
Alvarez added that if President Benigno S. Aquino III sees that Palawan can make development and progress without depending on the gas share, then the President might decide to give the province's share.
“We cannot demand,” the governor told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) following the approval in the first and final reading of the measure at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan that was filed by board member Winston Arzaga.
But Arzaga said there is really a need for a new manifestation of interest. On Monday, he said there will be a media conference in Manila, where the Kilusan Love Malampaya (KLM) will state Palawan’s claim again on the gas share.
“What we need to really do is file an urgent motion for intervention to speed up the decision of the SC,” he said.
Governor Alvarez and Vice Governor Dennis Socrates will also be in Manila to attend the press conference to show the national leadership that the people of Palawan are ready to achieve its goal of getting its share.
==DOE blocks group's oil exploration deal in Palawan==
*Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/business/69728/doe-blocks-groups-oil-exploration-deal-in-palawan
*Friday, August 30, 2013 5:10 pm
:By Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo (InterAksyon.com)
MANILA - The Department of Energy (DOE) has blocked a group's bid to explore for oil in offshore Palawan.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp said the DOE did not approve the farm-in proposed by Peak Oil & Gas Philippines Ltd, Blade Petroleum Philippines Ltd and VenturOil Philippines Inc in Service Contract (SC) 6B.
The department's decision was "primarily due to the failure of the farminees to demonstrate the required financial capacity."
SC 6B contains the Bonita field, one of the marginal oil fields the three companies have been keen on re-developing in offshore Palawan.
Under the agreement signed with the SC 6B consortium, which includes Trans Asia subsidiary Trans-Asia Petroleum Corp, the three firms would have acquired 70 percent of the contract area in exchange for shouldering the expenditures and work program of the contract.
Trans-Asia's partners in SC 6B are The Philodrill Corp, Oriental Petroleum & Minerals Corp, Forum Energy Philippines Corp and Cosco Capital Inc.
==TESDA awards Malampaya foundation for its BEST program==
*Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=711377671538
*Thursday, August 29, 2013
: (LBR/VSM/PIA4B/Palawan)
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Aug. 29 (PIA) -- The Technical Education Skills Development Authority  (TESDA) recently confered the KABALIKAT Award  Industry Category to Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) for its scholarship program Bridging Employment through Skills Training or BEST.
The KABALIKAT Award was given as part of TESDA’s 19th year celebration where it recognized outstanding partners engaged in the promotion and enhancement of technical education and skills development, cognizant of good practices and contribution in the enhancement of the country's technical and vocational workers.
The BEST program has already benefitted 1,600 scholars from Batangas, Mindoro Oriental and Palawan since it began in 2006.  The program aims to provide out-of-school youths and unemployed adults with employable trade skills and matching successful trainees with industry employment.
Short term courses are taken in TESDA accredited technical/vocational institutions.
In Palawan, MFI has already graduated 116 scholars in 2 batches.  The first batch of 58 scholars graduated in December 2012 after three and a half months of training in welding and integrated construction skills at the TESDA-accredited Puerto Princesa School of Arts and Trade (PPSAT).
The second batch of 58 scholars graduated at PPSAT in June 2013 completing modules in Integrated Construction Skills-Building Operations and Shielded Metal Arc Welding. 
At present, it is accepting applications for the third batch of BEST scholarship program for short term courses on integrated construction skills-building operation, shielded metal arc welding, information technology, and food and beverage courses.
==Palawan health office conducts school-based adolescent immunization==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=7&rid=559612
*Wednesday, August 28, 2013
:(PNA), PDS/CARF/SSC
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 28 (PNA) -– The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has started Wednesday its school-based adolescent immunization in public elementary schools in this city and all over the province, according to medical officer Dr. Vina Crisostomo.
With the theme “Malusog na Kabataan, Kabalikat at Pag-asa para sa Kaunlaran: Magpabakuna,”the immunization is a program of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Center for Health Development IV-B in cooperation with the Department of Education, PHO, City Health Office, and the municipal health offices.
Crisostomo said it targets to immunize elementary students from grade 7 to fourth year high school. Two types of immunization will be administered: one for measles (tigdas) and mumps (beke), and the other is for tetanus and diphtheria.
The school-based immunization, she added, will continue until the month of September in the city and the province.
She explained the project is being done following surveys that claim there has been an increase in the number of adolescents that suffer from measles even if they have been vaccinated.
“The program will be implemented in Palawan first as part of the MIMAROPA region,” she added.
The school-based immunization was launched on August 15 by Dr. Faith Allerto, assistant regional director ng Center for Health and Development IV-B. It was also attended by Dr. Eduardo Cruz, Provincial Health Officer; Dr. Ric Panganiban of the City Health Office, and Dr. Peter Hew Curameng, Provincial Health Team Leader of the Provincial Health Team Office, CHD-Mimaropa; Servillano Arzaga, Division Superintendent, of DepEd Palawan and Dr. Ruthelma Gejon, representative of the City Deped.
==PMA holds entrance exams in Palawan==
*Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=721377222964
*Tuesday, August 27, 2013
:By Orlan C. Jabagat (LBR/6CRG/OCJ-PIA4B/Palawan)
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Aug. 27 (PIA) -- The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) conducted the entrance examination or PMA Cadet Qualification Test (PMACQT) on August 25 at Holy Trinity University (HTU) in Puerto Princesa City.
PMA, the premier military school in South East Asia held the exam in 36 other examination centers all over the country.
The  exam cover Algebra and Geometry, Grammar and Composition, Reading and Comprehension, Verbal and Numerical Reasoning, and Pattern Analysis.
Earlier, the PMA Public Affairs Office has listed the qualifications for admission in PMA. In order to qualify, the applicant must be a natural-born Filipino citizen; physically fit and of good moral character; single and has never been married; at least high school graduate; minimum of 5’0 but not to exceed 6’4 for both male and female; no administrative/criminal case; and should be born from April 01, 1992 to April 01, 1997.
Applicants must pass the PMACQT to proceed to the next phase of the cadet selection which is the Complete Physical Examination where they will undergo medical and physical fitness test as part of the requirements for the military training in the Academy.
Successful applicants will compose the PMA Class 2018 who will be officially received in the Academy in an Oath-Taking Ceremony and Reception Rites on April 1, 2014.
==7 killed as van collides with bus in Palawan==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/475083/7-killed-in-palawan-road-collision
*Monday, August 26, 2013 6:18 pm
:By Jamie Marie Elona and Redempto D. Anda  (Inquirer Southern Luzon, INQUIRER.net)
PM PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines– Seven persons, including two children of prominent persons here, were killed in a vehicular accident involving a passenger bus and a private van outside the city proper Monday afternoon.
All seven passengers of the van, a Toyota Innova, died at the scene after their vehicle figured in a head-on collision with a passenger bus operated by a roll-on roll-off (Ro-ro) bus line at around 3:30 p.m. in Barangay Sta. Lucia, approximately 30 minutes south of Puerto Princesa.
One of the fatalities was identified as Gathmeen Payuyo, daughter of former Rep. Ponciano Payuyo of the Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (Apec) party-list group, who rushed to the site of the accident while the bodies of the victims were being recovered.
The fatalities were on their way back to the city from target shooting practice in Barangay Iwahig, according to Nilo Gallieneto, the owner of the van whose son was driving the vehicle and also died in the accident.
Another fatality was Ariel Rocamora, a son of provincial administrator Agustin Rocamora, according to relatives.
The entire front of the van was crushed, according to Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) operatives who asked not to be named as the investigation into the incident was ongoing.
==2 Chinese ships still in Ayungin Shoal==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/24/1128651/2-chinese-ships-still-ayungin-shoal
*Saturday, August 24, 2013 12:00 am
:By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - Despite the prevailing rough weather condition in the West Philippine Sea, two Chinese surveillance ships have remained in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.
Local fishermen reported yesterday to the satellite office in Puerto Princesa City of Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon the presence of the two Chinese paramilitary vessels near the Philippine-owned territory.
Bito-onon said the fishermen left the area for Palawan after cooking and eating their meals without the Chinese ships seeing them.
“Our local fishermen who sought shelter in Ayungin for them to be able to cook their meals which they could not do in the open sea due to bad weather, spotted the two stationary Chinese surveillance (ships) also in the area,” he said.
“But unlike in the past (when) they chased other boats sailing near the shoal, the presence of the Filipino fishing boat caused no alarm to the Chinese vessels.
“We have yet to get clear visuals of these foreign ships because of bad sea conditions.”
Having just arrived in mainland Palawan from Pag-Asa, Bito-onon again called for the national government to fast-track the planned construction of a safe harbor in Pag-Asa island to boost the local fishing industry.
Last week, several groups of fishermen from Batangas and Iloilo dropped anchor in Pag-Asa but immediately left because they could not find safe mooring for their fishing vessels, he added.
Since May, Chinese ships, including missile-firing frigates, in varying numbers were monitored  near Ayungin, where a contingent of Philippine Marines are deployed aboard a grounded Philippine Navy logistic ship.
In Pag-Asa Island, the seat of Kalayaan town, three unidentified big ships with booms were seen engaged in the destruction of coral reefs five kilometers away.
==Palawan to join anti-'pork' protest==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/323327/news/regions/palawan-to-join-anti-pork-protest
*Friday, August 23, 20136:39 pm
:By ROUCHELLE DINGLASAN (KBK, GMA News)
Anti-pork barrel advocates in Palawan are also set to gather on Monday in solidarity with their counterparts in Manila as well as in Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, and Iloilo cities.
According to an event posted on Facebook, the assembly will be at Puerto Princesa Baywalk at 8 a.m.
Palawan is locked in a wealth-sharing dispute with the national government over the Malampaya funds, the supposed misuse of which is being blamed on fugitive businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind in the P10-billion pork barrel scam.
About P900 million on Malampaya funds that were supposed to be distributed among areas affected by Typhoon Pepeng and Ondoy in 2009 were allegedly funneled to Napoles’s bogus non-government organizations.
Malampaya is a natural gas field located in the West Philippine Sea, off northwest Palawan. Natural gas from it feeds three power plants with a combined capacity of 2,700 megawatts equivalent to 40 percent of Luzon’s power generation requirements. 
Despite President Benigno Aquino III's pronouncement that the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or pork barrel, will be abolished, anti-pork barrel advocates said Monday's gathering, dubbed in social media as the Million People March, will still push through.
In Manila, the assembly will be at 9 a.m. in front of Luneta Grandstand, while in Baguio it will be at Burnham Park at 12 noon.
In Cebu City, the assembly will be at  Fuente Osmeña after which the participants will march to Plaza Independencia. In Davao, the assembly will be at Rizal Park at 9 a.m.
Anti-pork barrel advocates in Dumaguete City will gather at Rizal Boulevard at 9 a.m. while those in Iloilo will meet 9 a.m. at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
In the Manila assembly, there will be a group of bikers that will also join the activity. They will assemble at Mehan Garden in Luneta Park at 8:30 a.m. They will ride around Quirino Grandstand while having a bikers’ noise barrage.
Meanwhile, a group will bring 200 pieces of native musical instruments bungkaka and tungatong for their own noise barrage called “Tugtugan Hindi Sigawan” during Monday’s Luneta gathering. The assembly will be at Museong Pambata at 8 a.m.
Another group plans to take spirit of the Luneta gathering to Malacañang. Around 2 p.m., after joining the activities in the grandstand, the group will march to Mendiola.
There will be merchandise like T-shirts and stickers available during the Luneta gathering.
One concerned citizen even posed online a printable template to make paper-made pig ears and snout for the August 26th event.
==Coron, Palawan police bent on cracking down on drug trafficking==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=557749
*Thursday, August 22, 2013
:(PNA), HBC/CARF/RTR
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, August 22 (PNA) -– Police authorities in the island municipality of Coron in northern Palawan are bent on clamping down the insistence of unscrupulous individuals to proliferate illegal drugs and rescind its flourishing industries.
As sample, the Coron Municipal Police Station headed by Insp. Niserato Sabando conducted an anti-illegal drugs raid Wednesday night at a lodging place in the town that resulted to the arrest of two individuals following tip offs from concerned citizens and continual surveillance.
Those who were arrested for alleged possession and pushing of illegal drugs are 36-year old Terence Salinas, and 21-year old Regine Tolentino (not the actress). They were nabbed under a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Lovella Hitosis.p>Confiscated from them were 4 grams of shabu, known also metamphetamine hydrochloride, and over P13,000 suspected to be “fruits and profits” from sales already made.
Charges of violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act, will be filed against the two, according to Sabando.
The confiscated grams of shabu costs around P60,000.
They will be transported to Puerto Princesa before Friday to be charged at the Provincial Prosecutors Office.
Sabando said they are thankful to tips and cooperation by residents of Coron, who fear that their peaceful communities might suffer if illegal drugs cooperate.
“They want Coron to remain peaceful, and of course, if there is drugs, peace and order will be disturbed as this is a touristy town,” he said.
He also thanked Coron Mayor Clara Reyes for supporting their efforts to get the town drug-free.
Coron is a first class municipality in the province of Palawan, where according to a 2010 census, 42,941 people live. The municipality covers the eastern part of Busuanga Island and all of the nearby Coron Island, as well as another 50 minor islets, stretching as far as Tara Island in the northeast and Canipo Island in the south.
The aquatic views of a dozen sunken Japanese warships at depths between 10 and 40 metres (33 and 130 ft) off Coron Island are making the town and its neighboring municipalities a popular diving destination, listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba diving sites in the world.
==Pacific Unity 2013 builds partnership by constructing a school in Palawan==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=557343
*Wednesday, August 21, 2013
:(PNA), HBC/CARF/CIC
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Aug. 21 (PNA) -- Aiming to strengthen “strategic trust” and improve coordination between the two armed forces, the Western Command and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces will join forces on a month-long activity called Pacific Unity 2013 starting Aug 26.
In a pre-construction conference Wednesday at the 570th Composite Tactical Wing headquarters, wing commander Brig. Gen. Conrado Parra said the PU 2013 will be participated in by the City Philippine National Police Office, the city government of Puerto Princesa, the Department of Education City Schools Division, and barangay officials of San Jose and San Pedro. Several humanitarian civil assistance and civil military operation activities in the city of Puerto Princesa will ensue on August 26.
“The AFP trhu WESCOM will conduct joint and combined HCA/CMO with the US PACAF and in collaboration with partner agencies of the government and private sectors in the Province of Palawan particularly in the PPC in order to enhance the response capability of both Armed Forces and stakeholders during the time of disasters and calamities,” Parra said.
Airmen from 570th CTW and US PACAF will be working in the tropical heat of Palawan for at least 28 days. Classrooms of the Virgilio Magbanua Memorial Elementary School in San Pedro will be renovated, and one brand new building will be constructed from the ground up through the hard work, dedication and teamwork of these Airmen, and local contractors.
Pacific Unity is a bilateral Engineering Civic Action Program conducted in the Asia-Pacific region in collaboration with host nation civil authorities and military personnel under the direction and coordination of 13th Air Force A7, Joint-Based Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
“It is one thing to see USAF Airmen working hand-in-hand with PAF Airmen and to know that this relationship helps build peace and stability in the region. It generates an entirely different sort of emotion to hear about what it means to these Airmen and contractors and their community,” Parra told the Philippines News Agency (PNA).
The scope of the project include adding new roofs to the existing classrooms, putting in new windows, renovating toilets and installing sinks to the bathrooms so the kids can wash their hands, creating drainage for runoff water when it rains, re-cementing classroom floors, and painting buildings among several other projects.
The most significant part of the project is the brand new school building they will build from the ground up that will serve as an additional classroom.
A medical and dental civic action program will also be conducted at the same site during the dedication and turn-over ceremonies by September 20. A classroom repair at the Kiddie Day Care in Abordo village, San Jose as the alternate site will also be conducted.
"We're here shoulder-to-shoulder, hand-in-hand as one, sharing skills and ideas. But this is not just for our Air Force to get civil engineering training. This joint project is for the children – it is for the Palaweños,” Parra said.
Pacific Unity helps cultivate common bonds, foster goodwill and improve relationships between the U.S. and the Philippines by conducting bilateral humanitarian and civic assistance operations.
The relationships built and sustained with Asia-Pacific region partners through exercises, civil military operations, and military exchanges help tremendously in humanitarian efforts and in preserving peace and stability.
By working together on exercises and exchanges such as Pacific Unity 2013, it increases the ability to respond quickly and effectively together to provide assistance now and for future disasters or crises.
Parra said the success of Pacific Unity 2013, however, is not measured solely by the renovated classrooms and new schoolhouse, but by the camaraderie of two nations working hand-in-hand and the long-lasting relationships that have developed over the course of this month-long project.
==Palawan Gov. Alvarez, PSU sign memorandum of agreement to grant scholarships==
==Palawan Gov. Alvarez, PSU sign memorandum of agreement to grant scholarships==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=556886
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=556886
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