Palawan News December 2013

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Palawan - Archived News
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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

Biggest news stories that made Palawan’s 2013

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA),FPV/CARF/UTB]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 31 (PNA) – Before 2014 gallops in as the Year of the Wooden Horse in the Chinese Zodiac, Palawan takes a look back at top five stories that made 2013 the most challenging year in recent times.

USS Guardian Grounding in Tubbataha

On the morning of January 17, while in transit at the Sulu Sea, the USS Guardian (MCM 5) mine countermeasures ship hit a coral reef 80 miles off east-southeast of Palawan at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park (TRNMP), surprising dedicated caretakers, environmentalists and residents, who hold the UNESCO World Heritage Site exceptional in their hearts.

It was just 17 days after the New Year, and already, the first month recorded perhaps one of the toughest marine environment destructions the Tubbataha would experience after its out-and-out advocates successfully ended the advent of dynamite and cyanide fishing perpetrated by unscrupulous fishermen, including a seaweed farm that was on the verged of over-exploiting it.

In the following days, the people of Palawan and the world would know from Washington that the grounding of the Avenger class ship commissioned on December 16, 1989, was caused largely by an eight nautical mile discrepancy on the reading of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGIA) map.

Someone made a costly and an environmentally-destructive blunder, and this weighed heavily on the marine protected area. To quote an NGIA spokeswoman: “It really was just a terrible fluke that caused the error.”

The NGIA ordered an “agency-wide review of the nautical charts detailing the entire surface of the earth covered by the oceans” and to make sure the incident is never repeated, but that would have no use for Tubbataha that has already suffered from pitiable leadership and planning.

The Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) headed by Angelique Songco, the office mandated to take care of the world famous reefs, and the Tubbataha Protected Areas Management Board (TPAMB) then headed by former Palawan governor Abraham Kahlil Mitra, expressed strong dismay over the incident and demanded the U.S. Government to remove the mine countermeasures ship off where it ran aground, and pay the damages it had incurred.

From January, the USS Guardian was finally completely removed from Tubbataha on March 30, a Black Saturday on the Philippine calendar, by the salvage team from Singapore chartered by the U.S. Government, according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Palawan Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista.

On April 3, in Japan, the commanding officer of the former minesweeper USS Guardian and three others have been relieved of their duties.

As of this writing, it is not known if the U.S. Navy has already settled the amount it owes the Filipinos for the accidental grounding. Per estimate by the TMO under Republic Act 10067, the U.S. Government should pay 1.4 million dollars for 2,345 square meters of destroyed important marine ecosystem in Tubbataha.

Grounding again: F/V Min Long Yu

As if the grounding of the USS Guardian mine sweeper is not enough for Tubbataha, on April 8, after only a few days of its successful removal, a second grounding occurred, this time involving a Chinese steel-hulled fishing vessel – F/V Min Long Yu with bow number 64958.

Registered in Fujian, China, the F/V Min Long Yu’s grounding more than one nautical mile off the northern atoll was another blow to Tubbataha that is still planning on how to recover and rehabilitate lost corals to the USS Guardian.

This time too, the damage caused by the new grounding was over that of the USS Guardian. F/V Min Long Yu destroyed over 4,000 square meters of coral reefs.

An inspection of the fishing vessel conducted by Palawan environment and maritime authorities yielded too, some foul-smelling 400 boxes of frozen pangolin meat, illegally transported from other Asian countries, like Malaysia and Indonesia.

Charges for illegal entry, violation of the Philippine Wildlife Act, and destruction of the corals under Republic Act 10067 were filed against 12 Sino crewmen of the fishing vessel. The vessel was lifted off the northern atoll by a Malaysian towing vessel.

Two groundings and yet until this writing, it is not clear if the U.S. Government has paid the damages it caused. The owner and operator of the Chinese fishing vessel, on the other hand, cannot be located.

NPA roadside ambushes

The year 2013 did not only see marine environment destructions, particularly in the Tubbataha Reefs. It also saw a seemingly persevering insurgency problem involving the New People’s Army (NPA) although what remains of its strength is considered “pocket force.”

In April this year, government troops belonging to the Philippine Marines scrambled to Taytay town in northern Palawan to rescue around 10 workers and three security guards of a pearl farm at Cagdanao Island in Caluag.

Then provincial police Sr. Supt. Atanacio Macalan said the attackers also took five handheld radios and eight shotguns owned by the Salvamar Pearl Farm. The captives were later on released.

Four months after the raid on the pearl farm, the armed members of the communist-terrorist NPA hurt a Marine soldier on August 26 in an ambush again in northern Palawan involving the two-vehicle convoy of Col. Vince Blanco, the commanding officer of the 4th Marine Battalion Landing Team.

A brief exchange of gunfire ensued but the rebels were able to flee the ambush site. The convoy was traveling then from San Vicente to Puerto Princesa, according to Brig. Gen. Andrei Costales, then commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Brigade stationed in Palawan.

On September 19, Costales ordered a manhunt for around 12 suspected armed members of the NPA believed to be behind the ambush that wounded two Marines on a military truck that just came back from a regular log run in Taytay, northern Palawan.

The ambush site had gone from far northern Palawan to closer to Puerto Princesa, just in Barangay Langogan, the last outlying barangay of the city.

There had been ambushes in the past, but they were not as bold and audacious as how members of the leftist movement are conducting them now in Palawan, says former Western Command chief Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero.

The top ranking Marine officer said there will always be attempts to disturb Palawan’s peace and order, and security, but the leftist movement will not succeed primarily because it does not have the support of the residents of the province, who shun violence.

Pro- vs anti-coal supporters

Since the beginning of 2013, power has become a very noticeable problem in Palawan with constant outages, some of them happening twice a day. Residents, especially the private sector, were not remiss on demanding the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) for a dependable and reliable supply.

Before 2013, PALECO conducted a bidding activity for a new supplier, which was won by DMCI Power Corporation (DPC) for a combined fuel-fed and a 15-megawatt coal-fired power plant supposedly in the southern Palawan town of Narra.

But opposition to the alleged destructive project not only the environment but also on human health, echoed in the first class municipality, with the Katala Foundation, Inc. and other non-government organizations leading the anti-coal campaign.

Shortly after the middle of the year, the DPC had to go looking for a new site per agreement with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development. The new site it found was in Barangay San Juan, Aborlan, also in southern Palawan.

However, just as the DPC was preparing to conduct public consultations for the acceptability of the coal-fed project, oppositions have again mounted, this time led by the academic community at West Philippines University (WPU).

These oppositions led to the court and the issuance of a local judge of a temporary environment protection order (TEPO) that will stay until the ongoing arguments and the debates have been resolved.

The TEPO has now placed the future of the 15-megawatt coal-fired power plant to uncertainty.

Super typhoon Yolanda

The biggest news for Palawan in 2013 would, of course, come just a month before it ends. Super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) barreled with strong winds and rains on Coron island in the Calamianes Islands Group far north of the province on November 8, and dislocated from their homes over 2,000 families, or more than 14,000 people.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said it was a good thing that the municipal government, headed by Mayor Clara Reyes, conducted mandatory evacuation two days before the super typhoon hit, or more people would have died from its destruction. Less than 20 people died in Coron that day.

On November 9, even if there were still traces of Yolanda, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez, Vice Governor Dennis Socrates, and other local government officials braved the weather and headed to Coron via a private helicopter to personally assess the damages, and to begin relief operations.

Without depending on national government support, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) in Coron, and the PDRRMO started the sending out of relief assistances to the survivors of the monster typhoon.

Local residents, public-private organizations, and other sectors banded together to bring help to the people of Coron and the other devastated areas in the Calamianes, such as Busuanga, Linapacan and Culion.

Despite the challenges faced in 2013, local officials headed by Alvarez, are positive that Palawan is looking at brighter developments in 2014.

Coron will rise again as one of the prime tourist destinations in the province, and that its people will recover from the onslaught of Yolanda. The governor said that with the support of the Palaweños, nothing will break the “Bayanihan spirit that Yolanda awakened for good among the people.”

Puerto Princesa commemorates 117th Rizal Day

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA), LOR/CARF/JSD]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 30 (PNA) -– Flower wreaths and garlands were offered early Monday morning at the monument of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal by this city’s local government officials in front of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral to commemorate his 117th death anniversary.

Led by Vice Mayor Luis Marcaida III, Philippine Coast Guard Commander Ernesto Efren Evangelista, Provincial Police Office Supt. David Martinez, Western Command Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Peñafiel, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the academe, the military and the police, the flowers were offered to give importance to the national hero’s death anniversary which led to the eventual liberation of the Philippine from the Spaniards.

Following the theme “Rizal: Inspirasyon Noon, Ngayon, at Bukas,” Marcaida III called on the academe and various sectors in the city to inspire students, and generally all young people, to keep the legacies of the national hero alive in their hearts and never forget his important non-struggle contributions that helped unshackle the country from the clutches of the Spanish colonization.

He took note to also relate to the attendees at the Rizal monument that aside from the educational institutions, it is the parents of the children that have special roles in making them aware about the love and sacrifices of our national hero, and the others who gave up their lives for the Philippines in the past.

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 and executed on December 30, 1896. Widely considered as the greatest hero of the Philippines for his non-struggle fight against Spain, he authored Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

Noli Me Tangere which means “touch me not” is a novel that exposed the atrocities of the Spanish friars. The El Filibusterismo (The Filibuster), on the other hand, was a sequel to the first novel.

Marcaida III said the national hero is not the only important thing in the celebration of his death anniversary; it is also history because “the people are the past, the sum of all events in the past, and the reasons for the present.”

‘Tagbanuas’ of Coron rise from scourge of ‘Yolanda’

(Manila Bulletin)

Manila, Philippines - Super-typhoon “Yolanda”-ravaged Coron town in Palawan has already showed signs of getting back from the aftermath of the destructive storm, which struck in November.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said more than 500 houses in the island barangay of Cabugao alone were damaged.

The DSWD said most of the residents are “Tagbanuas,” an indigenous people’s group.

All agricultural products such as banana, coconut, cashew, kamote were wiped out, while seaweed farms were also damaged. The small boats that they used to earn a living were also destroyed.

With the initiative of the residents themselves, new but smaller houses have risen. Although smaller, the residents believe that it is best to have an immediate shelter for their families since the repair or construction of a sturdier one would take some time and would be more costly for them.

Since they are used to simple living, Cabugao residents were able to build their houses using light and indigenous materials such as bamboo and coconut leaves. Some used old galvanized iron sheets.

“We needed to build even a smaller house because it is difficult without a place to sleep. I am building this (house) little by little using old materials,” said Pablo Avellera, 37, a native Tagbanua who has his wife and two children to secure.

“Almost all houses here were damaged. It is a good thing there were no houses hit by trees, otherwise, many would have died),” added Rowena, Pablo’s wife.

Jacqueline Victorino, 35, a solo parent of two kids related that with the help of a niece, she wove coconut leaves which she used as roof and walls of her new house. She is confident that having a house of her own again would come sooner.

Rainy start for 2014 in eastern Luzon, PAGASA says in special outlook

(LBG, GMA News)

The first day of 2014 will be rainy for Eastern Luzon and may bring isolated rain showers and thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, state weather forecasting agency PAGASA said late Friday.

In its special outlook for the New Year, PAGASA also said the last day of 2013 will bring rain over Palawan, Eastern Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

"On January 1, 2014, Eastern Luzon will continue to have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms while Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms," PAGASA OIC Vicente Malano said.

He added moderate to strong northeasterly winds will continue to prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Malano advised fishermen along the seaboards of Luzon to be alert against moderate to high waves generated by the strong northeasterly winds.

On New Year's Eve, PAGASA said Palawan, Eastern Luzon and Eastern Visayas will experience "cloudy with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms."

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms on Dec. 31, it added.

Palawan health officials tell residents 'to keep safe' on New Year vs dangerous firecrackers

(PNA), PDS/CARF/RTR/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 27 (PNA) -–Health officials Friday called on residents of Palawan “to keep safe” during the celebration of New Year after a child was admitted to the Ospital ng Palawan (OnP) due to a piccolo firecracker incident five days before the celebration.

Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Ariel Valencia said he was hoping that nothing would follow the incident, and that parents should urge their children not to play with dangerous explosive paper cartridges, such as piccolo, that are being sold before New Year because they can seriously harm them.

Valencia said the piccolo, although small, is a banned firecracker in the Philippines.

He said it is better to look for noise-making alternatives for children to celebrate the New Year, like used cans, sticks that make sounds when hit together, and others.

To ensure that no serious firecracker incident will happen again, Valencia said the DOH was monitoring and disseminating information on banned firecrackers.

”The target is reduction on firecracker-related incidents so, we remain monitoring and conducting information dissemination for a safe New Year celebration,” he said.

In related news, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in this city and its municipal counterparts are conducting massive information drives to ensure that banned firecrackers do not hit the stands.

Fire Inspector Herald Castillo said firecracker stores allowed to go on business at the New City Public Market are constantly being monitored to prevent the sale of those that have been banned, like piccolo, triangulo, sinturon ni hudas, Yolanda, and even watusi that can be ingested and is poisonous.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday also conducted monitoring and inspection of the firecrackers stalls to make sure that those being sold have passed Philippine standard, and are priced correctly, according to Percival Labunita.

He reminded that cigarettes and candles should not be used to set off any firecracker on New Year’s Day, and for families to at least have first aid kits at home.

“We gave away informative materials to those who wish to buy so that they will know what to look for, and buy only those that are safe,” he said.

Malampaya Foundation, Inc. constructs dorm for B.E.S.T. student beneficiaries

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA), LOR/CARF/JSD]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 26 (PNA) -– The social arm Malampaya Foundation, Inc. (MFI) of the Malampaya-Deep-Water-Gas-to-Power Project (MDWGP) joint venture partnership has recently finished the construction and inauguration of a two-floor provisionary dormitory building in this city for its B.E.S.T. (Bridging Employment through Skills Training) student beneficiaries.

The dormitory which can accommodate 72 skills student scholars. It's construction was finished this month and was inaugurated on Dec. 20 by top executives of the joint venture partners composed of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX), Chevron Malampaya LLC and the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) with local partners Puerto Princesa School of Arts and Trade (PPSAT) and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).

Cecilia Formoso of the MFI said on Thursday that the dormitory building which stands on a 216-square meter property at the PPSAT school compound will serve as “provisionary home” for the B.E.S.T. student beneficiaries, who take up technical and vocational courses on housekeeping, food and beverages, shielded metal arc wielding, and integrated construction skills and building operatives (ICSBO) with five exclusive short courses.

The second floor can accommodate 48 scholars, while the first floor can provide quarters to 24 more, she added.

Complete with a multi-functional dining area, the dorm was constructed with the support of the PPSAT school administration, and TESDA, that have become active partners of the MFI to support qualified youths, whose families do not have financial capability to give them education.

The MFI will eventually turnover the building to the PPSAT when B.E.S.T. ends in 2015, said Formoso.

On the same day of inauguration, 69 B.E.S.T. scholars received their NCII certificates after completing their three--month vocational schooling at the PPSAT.

Graduates were composed of 15 in Integrated Construction Skills, 15 in Shielded Metal Arc Welding, 19 in Food and Beverage Services and 20 in Housekeeping.

The ceremony was held after the inauguration of the small dormitory built within the premises of PPSAT.

The back-to-back ceremonies were graced by Palawan provincial board representatives, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, TESDA, PPSAT and representatives from the First and Second district congressional offices.

Xpress Money ties up with Palawan Pawnshop

(Manila Bulletin)

International money transfer brand Xpress Money has partnered with Palawan Pawnshop, pioneer Philippine pawnshop, to provide overseas Filipinos and their beneficiaries more payment outlets to receive remittances.

Xpress Money has 10,500 agent locations in the Philippines and this number increases with the addition of Palawan Pawnshop’s 959 branches, which are locatedin over 42 provinces across the country. This includes NCR, Batangas, Palawan, Mindoro, Antique, Capiz, Masbate, Negros, Iloilo, Cebu, Leyte, Samar, Davao, Zamboanga, Misamis, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan. With almost three decades in the business, Palawan Pawnshop has extended its pawnshop business to bill payments and money transfer services.

“We are committed to helping the OFW community by providing reliable and affordable services, thus we are always on the lookout for opportunities to expand our network. With this partnership, we believe this will greatly benefit our customers by making transactions more convenient and accessible, especially in Visayas and Mindanao, where Palawan Pawnshop is strongest,” said Xpress Money Country Manager Eduardo Cobangbang.

“We are honored to have this tie-up with a global remittance company such as Xpress Money, and we are looking forward to a long and successful relationship to provide fast and affordable money remittance transactions to our customers,” said Palawan Pawnshop Vice President Karlo Castro during the signing of the Memorandumof Agreement.

The partnership with Palawan Pawnshop strengthens Xpress Money’s thrustof expanding its network in the Philippines to provide OFWs, their families, and other beneficiaries more convenient ways to pick-up remittances, wherever they are in the country.

Food, water testing laboratory opens in Palawan

(Manila Bulletin)

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan — A P6-million microbiology laboratory was opened to save time, effort, and money for members of the local food industry from waiting for water sample testing from Manila.

The laboratory project serves hotels and restaurants, drinking water facilities, food and drinks/beverages processors, and other establishments in the industry of food and water, said Dr. Ma. Josefina P. Abilay, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) regional director.

Abilay said the project, launched last week, will bring microbiological test services closer to Palawan’s micro-small-medium enterprises (MSME).

With the highest national and international standards of quality and reliability, Abilay added that the laboratory will make MSME’s in the province more competitive in the light of the ASEAN 2015 community.

“Next to come is the ISO 17025 certification, the single most important standard for calibration and testing laboratories around the world,” said Abilay.

SM Prime Holdings to start constructing mall in Puerto Princesa in 2014

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

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 23 (PNA) -– SM Prime Holdings, Incorporated (SMPHI), the owner of the giant SM shopping chain in the Philippines, is set to begin next year the construction of its new mall right in the heart of this city.

Mayor Lucilo Bayron told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Saturday during a hosted Christmas party for members of the local press that SMPHI has communicated with his office, signifying intention to set off the construction a “city mall” in Puerto Princesa by second quarter of 2014.

“If earlier the plan was to construct only a Hypermarket, this time they said it’s going to be a city mall,” Bayron told the PNA in an exclusive interview.

The mall will be constructed on a large property block just a stone’s throw away from the Old City Public Market along busy Miguel Malvar Street, and the People’s Amphitheater in Mendoza Park along Jose Rizal Avenue.

“SM is coming to Puerto Princesa, and next year it’s one of the biggest investments we’re going to welcome,” the mayor said.

Bayron said they are looking forward to the construction of the new mall as it will provide many jobs to residents of Puerto Princesa.

“Our agreement with them is a big share of their workforce should come from the city. This is for construction, and for their operation,” he said, adding their agreement is for 60 percent of the required labor force.

The company that operates the malls was started by Henry Sy, Sr. in 1958 as Shoemart, with a store in Manila.

In the 1960s Shoemart expanded its shoe store chain. It is one of the pioneers in the new urban centers in Makati and Cubao. By the 1970s, Shoemart was a full-line department store, shifting its name from Shoemart to SM.

In the 1980s, the company diversified and ventured into the supermarket and home appliance store business, then finally opening the first "Supermall" store in 1985 in Quezon City called SM City North EDSA.

Harnessing BIMP-EAGA's full potential

(Manila Bulletin)

“The theme of the 2013 BIMP-EAGA Conference, ‘Strengthening Sub-regional Socio-economic, Institutional and Environmental Cooperation,’ is indeed timely and relevant.” — FVR, BEC2013

LAST 16-17 December, this writer was keynote speaker at the 2013 Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area Conference at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. It was largely at the initiative of the Education Sector that BEC2013 took place, principally thru the initiatives of the Palawan State University and Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

Based on the economic realities of the early 1990s, FVR developed the idea of a BIMP-EAGA growth subregion as a win-win solution to bring about enduring peace and sustainable development in the Southern Philippines – with benefits for all sides, and without the relinquishment of the Philippine claim to Sabah (which was “placed in the backburner”). Ramos proposed this concept to ASEAN leaders at the sidelines of the 25th Anniversary of the Sultan’s Ascension to the Throne in Brunei in October 1992.

Before long, formal endorsements for the establishment of BIMP-EAGA came, and it was at the ASEAN Ministers’ Meeting in Davao City in March, 1994, that our BIMP-EAGA was officially born.

BIMP-EAGA was designed to develop contiguous maritime and land areas that used to be the ancient fishing and trading communities of our early Malay ancestors. By establishing a virtual borderless growth zone with minimum protocols, the actualization of the BIMP-EAGA concept would contribute to durable peace in the marginalized and far-flung (but interconnected) areas that was our tribal “commons” before the age of colonization.

Demographically, the BIMP-EAGA has a combined area of 1.6 million square kilometers and a population of some 70 million people – or more territory and people than the present United Kingdom. Although the “focus” areas are distant from the capital cities, they are intimately bound by irreversible ties of environmental interdependence and one aspiration of a better future for all.

The four BIMP-EAGA components are: (1) the entire Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam; (2) Irian Jaya, Maluku, Gorontalo, and all provinces of Kalimantan and Sulawesi in Indonesia; (3) the states of Sabah and Sarawak and the Labuan Federal Territory in Malaysia; and (4) Mindanao-Palawan in the Philippines.

Early Gains And Achievements

For growth in the sub-region to be sustainable, BIMP-EAGA’s progress is anchored on strong Public-Private Partnerships. From the very start, the hypothesis was that it should be market-driven, and private sector-led.

The public sector’s role is more of a facilitator and enabler, providing a facilitative framework created by public policies conducive to socio-economic-political networking. Governments are expected to provide adequate physical infrastructures to link businesses in the sub-region and improve their access to regional and global markets. Equally important, Governments must insure adequate commercial arrangements in terms of financing, information, and skills.

BIMP-EAGA continues to be among the so-called “growth polygons” in ASEAN. Within its first five years since its organization, the four participating Governments enabled EAGA to achieve tangible results. National policies were adjusted, cooperative agreements developed, and cross-border arrangements liberalized. Notably, they expanded the transport sector to allow for greater mobility of people, goods, and services. Direct commercial air- and sea-linkages were established between major urban areas. To support tourism, policies on travel (including procedures and documentary requirements), were streamlined and exit taxes within EAGA waived.

The tourism-travel sector initially benefited the most, with significant increases in investments in hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related facilities. Regular EAGA-wide cultural events, trade fairs, and sports events continue to be organized by various public-private organizations.

Constraints And Setbacks

By end-1996, optimism was running high, and BIMP-EAGA was on the verge of sustained economic takeoff. Collaborative activities and cross-border investments had quickly developed, aided by the perception of economic stability and enlightened local leadership.

However, the evolution of BIMP-EAGA had not been all successes; there were also major setbacks. The 1997 Asian financial crisis seriously disrupted its momentum. The twin El Niño (droughts) and La Niña (floods) weather aberrations at that time inflicted damage even worse than the financial problems.

Many firms downsized or postponed their expansion programs. These factors, combined with reduced government spending on sub-regional activities, resulted in slowing down EAGA development.

By end-2000, however, many Asian countries had recovered substantially from the crisis and renewed priority was placed on poverty and security issues. Accordingly, during the Brunei 7th ASEAN Summit in November 2001, regional leaders committed their support for revitalized cooperation.

Furthermore, BIMP-EAGA was designated as the test-area for eventual ASEAN economic integration. Also, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) accepted the role of BIMP-EAGA Regional Cooperation Advisor, and developed the “BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center” or Secretariat.

Revitalization Of BIMP-EAGA

In October, 2003, at the first BIMP-EAGA Leaders Meeting in Bali, as a demonstration of strong political will – four new development strategies were adopted: (1) improving transport linkages; (2) consolidating the sub-region’s comparative advantages in the agro-industry and tourism sectors; (3) promoting the development of external trade; and (4) instituting competitive investment regimes.

Called the BIMP-EAGA “Roadmap to Development,” it established guidelines for priority “flagship projects” that would have great impacts on ASEAN’s socio-economic development.

Such “Roadmap to Development” was, however, not implemented as originally planned. Many targets to expand trade, investment, and tourism achieved only modest progress. Thus, in October, 2010, the 15th Ministerial Meeting endorsed the successor document: “BIMP-EAGA Implementation Blueprint (IB)” which purportedly strengthened cooperation among Governments and the private sector.

The IB focuses on these strategies: First, promote intra- and extra-EAGA trade, investments, and tourism in selected sectors: agro-industry/ natural resources, tourism/transport, infrastructure, and information/ communication technology. Second, improve management of natural resources for sustainable development of the sub-region. Third, tighten implementation of infrastructure support to economic integration, with active participation of the private sector. And Fourth, strengthen BIMP-EAGA institutional structures and mechanisms, with four strategic pillars – (1) enhanced connectivity, (2) food basket strategy, (3) tourism development, and (4) sustainable environment.

Current Projects

EAGA has continued to make headway in the following areas – in line with above four strategic pillars:

On connectivity, the “no-frills” MasWings made its maiden flight last month serving the Kota Kinabalu–Puerto Princesa route. Work-in-progress is the “Protocol to Amend the MOU on Air Linkages” as well as the “Revival of Travel Tax Exemption” within BIMP-EAGA.

We look forward to the “Roll-On, Roll-Off” (RORO) shipping services scheduled for 2014 like the: (1) Davao City–Bintung (Indonesia) route; and (2) Brooke’s Point–Kudat route. It is also good to note that support infrastructure projects are finally underway, notably the Zamboanga Port Expansion, the Davao–North Sulawesi (Indonesia) Sub-Corridor, the Kudat Port Development, and the Palawan Ports Development.

The BIMP-EAGA Submarine Terrestrial (BEST) Cable System – set for 2014 – will link all BIMP-EAGA centers using Hybrid Communications Platforms. The project, estimated to cost $150 million, will have high impacts on eco-tourism, and can also significantly contribute to the planned ASEAN Broadband Corridor.

This week at Puerto Princesa, the Agribusiness Cluster committed its effective implementation of various programs, specifically: (1) Food, Agribusiness and Logistics Corridor; (2) Hybrid Rice/Corn Seeds Production, (3) Web-Enabled Food Security Information System; and, (4) Fisheries Priority Projects.

BIMP-EAGA stakeholders look forward to the forthcoming 2nd BIMP-EAGA and Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand-Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Consumer Fair in Davao City in October, 2014. This is a sequel to the 1st BIMP-EAGA and Consumer Fair, held in Melaka, Malaysia, last December, 2012, where the Philippine participation resulted in US$75 Million or (R3 Billion) worth of trade opportunities.

The Community-Based EcoTourism (CBET) Strategy of the tourism development pillar is worth pushing, with the Palawan Underground River, Lake Sebu, Tiboli Cultural Village, and Turtle Island Development among its newest attractions. Also being promoted by the private sector is the “Equator Asia Tourism Brand” thru media, forums, and marketing events.

Modern-Day Connectivities

The need to accelerate project implementation in BIMP-EAGA has acquired a higher meaning in view of the ASEAN Economic Community come 2015. The AEC target date has compelled more careful thinking on how BIMP-EAGA, as a subregion of ASEAN, can contribute directly toward AEC goals.

We commend BIMP-EAGA for respecting the critical role of the Environment Pillar. Indeed, our sub-region’s bountiful resources have to be developed in a sustainable manner. Let’s give a strong push for the implementation of its priority components: (1) E-waste Disposal and Management; (2) Building Local Community Resiliency for Climate Change Adaptation; and (3) Turtle Conservation and Ecotourism Development in the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area.

The imperative to establish more meaningful linkages between sub-regional components and ASEAN itself has intensified recently with the launching of the Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity. The regional economic integration initiatives of ASEAN are likely to have important ramifications on BIMP-EAGA’s medium to long-term strategic goals.

The academe is one of the "loose connections" in the complex chain of institutional relationships within BIMP-EAGA. Simply said, BIMP-EAGA needs more dynamic and pro-active participation from higher educational institutions. This is because greater intellectual power and more reliable empirical data/research information are needed for judicious regional planning and competitiveness.

THE MOST ACTIVE MOVERS-SHAKERS PRESENT AT THE 2013 BIMP-EAGA CONFERENCE IN PALAWAN LAST WEEK WERE SECRETARY LUWALHATI ANTONINO, CHAIRPERSON, MINDANAO AUTHORITY; DR. JETER SESPEÑE, PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT; DR. SHARIFF KADIR, UNIVERSITY OF MALAYSIA-SABAH DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR; PUERTO PRINCESA CITY MAYOR LUCILO BAYRON; AND PALAWAN GOVERNOR JOSE ALVAREZ.

WHERE WERE THE OTHER RESPONSIBLE/CONCERNED TRADE, TOURISM, EDUCATION PHILIPPINE OFFICIALS? WHO KNOWS?? THEY WERE NOT IN PUERTO PRINCESA; NEITHER WERE THEY PROPERLY REPRESENTED!!!

Please send any comments to fvr@rpdev.org. Copies of articles are available at www.rpdev.org.

Palawan PNP warns against indiscriminate firing this Yuletide Season

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA), CTB/CARF/RTR/PJN]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 21 (PNA) -- The chief of the Palawan Provincial Police Office (PPO) warned Thursday that it will not hesitate to file charges against its staff and personnel who will indiscriminately fire their firearms to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

Senior Superintendent David Martinez issued the warning following the “muzzle taping” of the firearms of over 400 provincial policemen that he led at the PPO Headquarters on the said day in Barangay Tiniguiban.

The senior police chief said the activity is part of the preventive measure to keep the celebration of Christmas and New Year safe for Palaweños, and a reminder for policemen to use them responsibly, or only when extremely needed.

He advised that after the ceremony, policemen should also keep them in safe places in their homes that children could not find to avoid playing with the firearms and seriously hurting anyone.

Although they are not prevented from using them, Martinez reiterated they should only do so in extreme cases.

He also called on the residents of Palawan to be responsible in handling their firearms. “I am calling on everyone who owns guns to prevent celebrating the Yuletide Season and New Year by indiscriminately firing. That is against the law, and please have pity on other people who might be hit due to irresponsible discharge,” Martinez said.

The police head of Palawan furthered said that although he understands that setting off fireworks and making noise is part of the traditional celebration of the changing of the year, residents will be held responsible if they threaten, or hurt anyone.

Following the muzzle taping of the PPO in Puerto Princesa, Martinez said municipal police stations all over Palawan have already been advised to do so.

Meanwhile, at the City Police Office (CPO), Senior Police Superintendent Mamerto Valencia, announced Friday that the city PNP is prepared against any untoward incident that might be caused by the celebration of the founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) on December 26.

As part of its preparedness, the city police chief said the muzzle taping ceremony for his policemen will only be held after the leftist movement’s celebration.

Valencia said one of the places they are strictly monitoring currently is the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk Park, where residents are flocking to watch nightly shows organized by the city government.

Coron mayor leads opening of Metrobank Branch; 3 more banks to open soon

(PNA), PDS/CARF/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) -–Mayor Clara Reyes of the "Yolanda"-battered town of Coron in northern Palawan recently led the opening of the Metrobank Branch in her town, an occasion she considers as an optimistic sign that there is nowhere else for their place to go except “fast recovery.”

"This really shows we are rising up after super-'Yolanda' hit our town," the hopeful lady mayor said.

Aside from Metrobank, Reyes said three more banks are set to serve the people of Coron and help the local government rise again economically, after the disturbing effect of the super typhoon.

She said these banks are Allied Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines, and the Bank of the Philippine Islands.

On December 18, Reyes said in the opening of the bank branch that Coronians are thankful that investors continue to come in and share in the rehabilitation of the town’s economy.

She also thanked representatives of the Metrobank for taking its banking business to Coron not only to serve the people, but also the tourists who come and visit, and in dire need of their services.

Founded in September 5, 1962, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) has since become the premier universal bank and among the foremost financial institutions in the Philippines.

It offers a full range of banking and other financial products and services, including corporate, commercial and consumer banking, as well as credit card, remittances, leasing, investment banking and trust banking.

Metrobank currently spans a consolidated network of over 1,400 ATMs nationwide; over 760 domestic branches; and 38 foreign branches, subsidiaries, and representative offices.

Understanding the PH energy chain

(Rappler.com)

MANILA, Philippines – Consumers should anticipate increases in their December and January electricity bills. The reason: the maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya natural gas facility.

Malampaya, the offshore drilling facility in Palawan, is the biggest, and thus far, the only reservoir of natural gas in the country.

When it started operations in January 2002, the facility was a landmark for the Philippines—it signalled lesser oil imports, ensured a more stable power supply, and diversified power sources.

Malampaya provides natural gas to three power stations in Batangas: the Sta. Rita, the San Lorenzo, and the Ilijan power plants.

These plants have a combined generating capacity of 2,700 megawatts, making them major power suppliers in the Luzon grid.

Malampaya provides half of the power requirements of Luzon. This power is distributed by Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to millions of households in the island.

From November 11 to December 10, 2013, the natural gas facility stopped operations for 30 days. Power facilities are generally required to go on maintenance shutdowns every year to replace, update, and check parts to avoid sudden malfunctions throughout the year.

A shutdown of a facility this important means a significant drop in available energy resources. The result: energy shortages or blackouts reminiscent of 2010.

But this didn’t happen.

To avoid power loss, the power plants were forced to run on liquid fuel: Condensate for Sta. Rita, and bio-diesel for Ilijan.

But compared to natural gas, liquid fuel is more expensive.


The energy chain

Operating in a highly privatized energy sector, the country’s daily energy chain goes like this:

^National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) identifies the electricity requirements for the day, the supply and demand, and allots contingency reserves;
^Power plants are asked to run and supply the needed capacities. Ideally, the cheaper plants are prioritized;
^These capacities are traded in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). The WESM prices vary per hour, depending on the needs of the grid;
^Power (electricity) is then distributed to households by groups like Meralco.

The Philippines has three major grids in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Of these three, Luzon has the most diverse sources—ranging from natural gas to geothermal to coal-powered plants. Luzon also has the biggest system demand.

To fill this demand, various power plants are tapped. When a plant goes offline, other plants are required to double their energy outputs.

Sometimes, hydro plants are tapped to augment supply.


Higher electric bills

Power generators basically dictate prices, especially in situations when demands exceed supply. In times of power plant shutdowns, the grid suffers from potential energy shortage.

The energy department assures that during this period, other plants are tapped to provide power to the grid. This, of course, has a direct effect on power prices.

As Malampaya-fueled power plants are among the biggest suppliers of power in Luzon, electricity prices peak during the Malampaya shutdown.

In the past, Malampaya had similar maintenance shutdowns – on February 10 to March 9, 2010, and from July 13 to 21 in 2012. Electricity prices spiked after the shutdowns.

During past Malampaya shutdowns, the generation charge rose to PhP6.77 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in March 2010 and PhP6.74 per kWh in August 2012.

This means that a household that consumed 200 kWh of electricity paid around P1,300 for the generation charge alone. With additional charges on transmission, distribution, and taxes, the amount reached P2,400-P2,500.

For the first 10 months of 2013, generation charge only costs P0.80 to P5.70 per kWh.

This year, the shutdown also resulted in a substantial increase in the generation charges for the billing months of December 2013 and January 2014.

But the price adjustment is temporary. By February 2014, power rates are expected to normalize as the energy environment stabilizes.

Australia's Nido Petroleum hires Malaysian rig operator to drill off Palawan

By Euan Paulo C. Añonuevo (InterAksyon.com)

MANILA - Nido Petroleum Ltd has contracted a rig to drill the Baragatan oil and gas prospect in offshore Palawan.

In an announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange, Nido said it signed up UMW Standard Drilling Sdn Bhd (UMWSD) for the said task.

UMWSD owns the newly built UMW Naga 5 jack-up drilling rig, which can operate in water depths of up to 400 feet and drill up to 30,000 feet.

UMWSD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UMW Oil & Gas Corp Bhd, a Malaysian multinational provider of drilling and oilfield services that has a fleet of five offshore drilling rigs.

The company's rig will be delivered in May and start drilling the Baragatan prospect a month later.

"The Baragatan prospect is one of four wells that we will be drilling over the course of the next 6-12 months in the Philippines and Indonesia," Phil Byrne, Nido managing director, said.

The Australian company earlier estimated the prospect's recoverable resources at 115 million barrels and oil-in-place at 676 million barrels with an upside potential of 166 million and 977 million, respectively.

The Baragatan prospect is within the petroleum block covered by Service Contract 63 in offshore Palawan. The contract area is held by the joint venture of Nido and state-owned Philippine National Oil Co-Exploration Corp.

BIMP-EAGA officials highlight academe’s role in sustaining sub-regional growth

(PNA), FPV/JS-PR/UTB

PALAWAN, Dec. 17 (PNA) -- High-ranking officials of the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) underscored the role of the academe in sustaining the socio-economic growth and development of the sub-region.

Speaking during the BIMP-EAGA Conference (BEC) 2013 held at the A&A Plaza Hotel in Puerto Princesa, Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA and Mindanao Development Authority Chair Luwalhati Antonino recognized the potentials of strategic and relevant studies in narrowing the development gaps across and within the sub-region.

The Palawan State University and the Universiti Malaysia jointly organized the conference, which opened on Monday and gathered almost 200 participants from key universities and colleges in Palawan and Mindanao.

“It’s assuring to know that we have this pool of experts who may undertake social and scientific researches that will help our policy and decision makers craft the right policies that will help us fortify BIMP-EAGA’s four strategic pillars of development,” Antonino said.

BIMP-EAGA is a sub-regional economic cooperation designed to spur economic development in lagging sub-economies. Its four strategic pillars are connectivity, food basket, environment, and tourism.

She added that strengthening the research and development in BIMP-EAGA is a necessary preparation for the ASEAN integration by 2015, with the sub-region poised to become the food basket and agribusiness hub of ASEAN.

“We need to sustain this initiative to provide knowledge base in harnessing our market intelligence, innovating advancements, and harmonizing key policies with the end goal of strengthening BIMP-EAGA’s overall competitiveness,” said Antonino.

Former President Fidel Ramos, founder of BIMP-EAGA also graced this year’s conference and said that the academe plays a crucial role in the institutional relationships within the sub-region.

“The hope of BIMP-EAGA lies on the younger generation. True connectivity does not merely rely on physical connectivity, but also through the strengthened connection of its people,” Ramos said.

Now on its second year, BEC gathered papers and case studies on tourism, business entrepreneurship, information system, marketing, economics, law, culture, health, and agriculture. Studies submitted are regional in nature, but also bears a BIMP-EAGA perspective.

To further sustain the initiative and strengthen academic linkages, the BIMP-EAGA ministers are also exploring the possibility of a student exchange program among the universities of EAGA member countries.

OMB confiscates 8.4 M pirated DVDs, VCDs in Puerto Princesa

(PNA), LOR/CARF/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 16 (PNA) -– The Optical Media Board (OMB) in this city recently confiscated pirated DVDs and VCDs from vendors at the old and new public markets with a value of P8.4 million.

OMB intelligence officer Dean Perez, who is also the team leader, said on Monday that the pirated DVDs and VCDs were confiscated on Dec. 13.

Around 60-80 sacks were taken from the vendors, who were only given five days to present legal documents from the day of confiscation.

The OMB conducted their operation against illegal peddlers in the areas of Valencia and Malvar streets in the Puerto Princesa Old Public Market, and on the same day at the New Public Market in Barangay San Jose.

“It is our job to go to far-flung areas to check if vendors are complying, and if there is proliferation of selling of pirated DVDs and VCDs based on Republic Act 9239,” said Perez.

He said they needed three multicabs to load all the confiscated items.

“If they will not be able to provide legal documents within five days, we will give the confiscated items to the City PNP to destroy,” he added. As of this writing, the items are now under the custody of the City PNP.

Meanwhile, vendors at the two public markets are complaining about the confiscation and accused Perez and his men as not really belong as operatives of the OMB.

Fisheries bureau defers ban on galunggong fishing in Palawan

(JDS, GMA News)

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will allow fishing of round scad, or galunggong, in Palawan indefinitely since it is still studying the effect of a seasonal fishing ban on fish numbers and on economic activity.

"We haven't finished the studies on the effects of the proposed closed season," said Fisheries Director Asis Perez. "We haven't set a time frame for the ban just yet but the conduct of the study will continue until next year."

The government has been looking into declaring a closed season on galunggong fishing in Northern Palawan to give fish time to spawn and drive down prices. Although considered the proverbial "poor man's fish", low supply has seen prices reach from P60 to P120 per kilo.

A similar fishing ban on sardines, herring, and mackerel in the Visayas Sea from November 2012 to March 2013 resulted in an increase in yields of galunggong in the area. The BFAR also declared a closed season in the East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strat, and Sibuguey Bay from December 2012 to February 2013.

Navy to air-drop X’mas presents to soldiers on old shipwreck

By Redempto Anda (Inquirer Southern Luzon)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Philippines—The Philippine Navy announced on Friday it will send an aircraft to Ayungin Shoal in the disputed Spratlys before Christmas to air-drop gifts and donations pooled by volunteer groups for soldiers stationed on a shipwreck to guard territory claimed by the Philippines.

The air drop has so far been the main method used by the Philippine military in Palawan to resupply the small contingent of soldiers deployed in Ayungin Shoal, which is also being claimed by China and several other countries.

Naval officials said because there is no more scheduled supply run to the Kalayaan Island Group in December, they would organize the air drop operation solely to bring the gifts to the soldiers.

“We don’t often use this method of resupply anymore because it poses a greater risk both to the airmen and the people who are the recipients, but we want to value the efforts of these groups,” said naval pilot Lt. Herbert Estabillo.

The gift packages were donated by former cadets and solicited from various social networking sites, primarily Facebook. The donations include food, personal sanitation kits, batteries, flashlights, reading materials and personal letters.

“These packages will be sent through air drop by pilots and crew of the Naval Air Group, Philippine Navy,” Estabillo added.

The donations include items raised by the Cadet Alumni Organization of the UP Military Science and Tactics Department and two Facebook groups, #pagasaKIG and #Timawa Donation Group.

“Through this kind of initiative the three organizations hope to encourage other private organizations to support Philippine soldiers detailed at the KIG,” Estabillo said.

DSWD-MIMAROPA proposes P 71-M for recovery & rehabilitation operations in Yolanda-affected areas in Palawan

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso [(PNA), FPV/CARF/JSD]

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 13 (PNA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the MIMAROPA Region is set to propose an initial amount of over P71 million for recovery and rehabilitation efforts it will implement in the Yolanda-affected towns in northern Palawan.

DSWD-MIMAROPA Regional Director Wilma Naviamos told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview during a media forum in Puerto Princesa for the Listahanan (National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction) that the amount will be used to help over 7,000 families in the towns of Agutaya, Linapacan, Culion, Busuanga, and Coron, whose homes were partially and completely damaged by super typhoon Yolanda.

“We have received the number of families affected from the local government units, and initially, we are proposing more than P71-million for recovery and rehabilitation in gravely affected areas in northern Palawan,” Naviamos said.

The regional director also disclosed that the municipal government of Coron is working to acquire a piece of property within the Yulo King Ranch (YKR) that can be turned into a relocation area for those who will no longer be allowed to return within the 40-meter danger zone from the highest tide in the coastlines.

“The municipal government of Coron is proposing a site in the YKR, but they are still working on it,” she said.

Naviamos said that for families whose homes were partially damaged but are not in the danger zone, the DSWD-MIMAROPA is willing to provide a recovery and rehabilitation aid of P5,000.

For families whose homes were completely damaged but are not in the danger zone, P10,000 is being proposed.

For families that do not own home lots to rebuild, and who will transfer to the relocation site, the DSWD-MIMAROPA will propose to help them through the Core Shelter Assistance Project (CSAP) that can grant up to P70,000 each.

Through the CSAP, she explained that structurally-strong and environment-friendly shelter units can be built for homeless families provided they no longer return near the coastlines that are prone to storm surges during typhoons.

Aside from the CSAP, recovery and rehabilitation support may also be provided through the Cash-for-Work relief effort that grants cash in exchange for community service, such as cleanliness maintenance, repair and reconstruction of damaged homes and facilities, garbage collection, and others.

DSWD-MIMAROPA enlists Palawan media's partnership for Listahanan

(PNA), LAP/CARF/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 12 (PNA) –- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the MIMAROPA Region held a one-day media forum in this city in a bid for an information and dissemination campaign partnership for the second round of assessment of the Listahanan or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).

The DSWD’s Listahanan, which carries the tagline “Talaan ng Pamilyang Nangangailangan”is “an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country.”

Social welfare development regional director Wilma Naviamos explained in the media forum that Listahanan makes accessible to national government agencies (NGAs) and other social protection stakeholders a catalogue of poverty-stricken families that they may use in identifying prospective beneficiaries of social protection programs (SPPs).

“We are enlisting the help of the media community in Palawan in spreading the news about the Listahanan so that when we conduct the second round, they are prepared. This database project is important as it will give the government the leeway for the equitable distribution of resources and services to the poor,” Naviamos said.

The second round of the Listahanan will be held January to March next year involving a national target of 242,633 households in the MIMAROPA. Of this figure, the target for Palawan is 95,952 households identified as poor.

“Our target is ‘no one left behind’ in Listahanan, and the help of the media people in Palawan, who can translate its goals into local dialects so that people will understand will be highly appreciated. We want you as partners in identifying who are the poor and where are they located in your places for interventions can get to them,” Naviamos said.

During the media forum, the DSWD-MIMAROPA explained the Listahanan Project Cycle through Crisostomo Valenzona III, National Project Development Coordinator; the rationale and the history of the Listahanan logo through Krupska Lenina Apit, NHTO Social Marketing Specialist; the social safety net Proxy Means Test (PMT) used in identifying the poor through Edwin Libo, Regional Information Technology Officer, and the Listahanan 2nd Round Nationwide Assessment through Editha Ocampo, NHTS-PR Deputy Regional Project Manager.

Southern Palawan town receives DOH P250,000 incentive

(PNA), FFC/CARF/JSD

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 11 (PNA) –- The southern Palawan town of Narra recently received a cash incentive of P250,000 from the Center for Health and Development 4-B of the Department of Health (DOH) for its successful participation in the Municipal Health Leadership and Governance Program (MHLGP).

Narra Mayor Lucena Demaala said Wednesday that the DOH-CHD 4-B representatives gave to her the cash incentive December 2 for the town's active participation in MHLGP that was implemented by the department in partnership with Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF).

The MHLGP is a public-private partnership that aims to develop the capacity of local chief executives to implement health programs in their areas of jurisdiction.

The DOH and ZFF signed the partnership in May this year to implement a three-year program that is aimed at addressing the challenges in the Philippines’ local health system.

Covering 15 regions, 549 municipalities and 50 cities nationwide, Narra town was among those identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), where health leadership and governance need strengthening for better results. The MHLGP is expected to run until 2016.

Demaala said the Narra government will use the fund to improve the capacities and capabilities of their municipal health office.

Aside from Narra, the towns of Brooke’s Point and Coron, also received the same incentive during a health summit in Palawan.


Puerto Princesa studies 4 solar power proposals; keeps an open mind on coal power

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

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 10 (PNA) -– Mayor Lucilo Bayron in this city disclosed Tuesday that his leadership is currently studying four renewable energy project proposals to ease problems in electricity supply.

In a radio interview, Bayron said four clean energy firms have submitted project proposals to the city government recommending the employment of solar power to provide electricity in Puerto Princesa.

If any is approved, the city mayor hinted that the solar power plant will be constructed in the Environmental Estate located at Barangay Sta. Lucia in the southern outskirts of Puerto Princesa.

“Right now, we are talking to at least four solar firms that are proposing the utilization of solar power plants at the Environmental Estate in Sta. Lucia to provide clean energy. We are still studying these proposals,” he said.

He also said that solar corporation Winergy will soon construct a mini-solar power plant at Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan to provide a renewable source of energy for residents living near the New 7 Wonders of Nature Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR).

Bayron said that for the Winergy project, representatives are arriving on Dec. 12 for a groundbreaking ceremony in Cabayugan.

Aside from the four solar firms, he said they are also reviewing a “Waste-to-Energy” which targets to decompose biowaste.

Bayron revealed these after his opinion was sought on the issue of Palawan that is almost about to welcome a proposal by DMCI Power Corporation (DPC) to put up a 15-megawatt circulating fluidized bed chamber coal-fired power plant in Aborlan, the next town to Puerto Princesa.

“I have reservations regarding the coal-fired power plant proposal considering the city’s environment, which might also be affected even if it is being proposed in Aborlan. But I’d like to keep my mindset open about it,” Bayron said, adding he has heard Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez’s explanation about it.

He said the city government can only make a wise decision if its leadership will keep an open mind regarding coal power.

“Power is very important to all of us, but of course, we would also like to see where it will come from, how it will be generated,” he said.

DENR-Palawan launches cadastral survey projects in 2 Palawan towns

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

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 9 (PNA) –- In a bid to strongly establish political boundaries and subdivisions of public lands in Palawan, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the province launched the need for two cadastral surveys in the town of Agutaya and Magsaysay in the southern jurisdiction of the province.

The Provincial Information Office (PIO) said the Cadastral Survey Project, Category B for Agutaya and Magsaysay happened on December 5 in this city with Palawan Vice Governor Dennis Socrates representing Governor Jose Alvarez.

The launching, which was attended by DENR-MIMAROPA Regional Director Oscar C. Dominguez, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Juan dela Cruz, and Puerto Princesa City CENRO Emer D. Garraez, explained the importance of the cadastral survey in establishing political boundaries in the two towns, as well as project controls.

Garraez said conducting the cadastral surveys is a flagship project of President Benigno Aquino III, which is the key to opening potentials in the environment to the residents of the said municipalities.

Dominguez, on the other hand, said it is the goal of President Aquino to finish the cadastral surveys in the whole country before his term ends. This year, he disclosed that all cadastral surveys of the DENR are being conducted in Palawan.

Socrates said the Palawan governor deeply appreciates the conduct of the said surveys that will clearly define and measure land boundaries for Agutaya and Magsaysay that can help in their comprehensive land use plan for economic progress.

Dela Cruz, the PENRO in the province, said the cadastral survey in the two said towns is the fifth cadastral project that the DENR-Palawan is conducting.

The other towns that underwent the same survey are the towns of Coron, Culion, Linapacan, Dumaran, Balabac, Rizal and Bataraza.

Dominguez said the cooperation and coordination of the municipal mayors of the two towns are highly needed in the surveys, especially with the contractors and project engineers.

Agutaya is a fifth class municipality in the province of Palawan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 11,906 people.

It is the eastern part of the Cuyo Archipelago in the Sulu Sea, and the municipality covers several islands, including its namesake Agutaya Island, which is the second largest island of the Cuyo archipelago, as well as Diit, Halog, Maracanao, Matarawis, Oco, and Quiniluban islands.

On the other hand, Magsaysay is a fifth class municipality in the province of Palawan. The 2010 census placed its population at 11,965 people.

It is the easternmost of the three municipalities of the Cuyo Archipelago, and its territory includes the eastern half of Cuyo Island, as well as Alcoba, Canipo, Cocoro, Patunga, Paya, Putic, Siparay, Tacbubuc, and Tagauanian islands.

First Gen keen on banked gas from Malampaya field

By Lenie Lectura

LOPEZ-LED First Gen Corp., according to the Department of Energy (DOE), is interested to utilize the banked gas from the Malampaya gas field. The unused natural gas from the Malampaya field, known as banked gas, is owned by the government through the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) and is stored for future use. Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla said the DOE and First Gen have discussed this possibility.

“I told [First Gen] that when [the banked gas] is offered they should come in and make an offer because they are interested. By the time the banked gas is sold, they are the only one interested,” Petilla said.

First Gen plans to utilize the banked gas to fuel its new natural-gas power plant in Batangas.

“The First Gen plant will come in by the end of 2014, so the banked gas will be used there. I have a memorandum to that effect that it will only be used for additional capacity,” Petilla said.

The Santa Rita and San Lorenzo natural gas-fired power plants, which are both owned by First Gen, sources natural gas from the Malampaya gas field in northwest Palawan.

The DOE will draft the guidelines for the sale or disposal of the banked gas.

Navy boat sent to help PH fishermen stranded on Recto Bank

By Jaime Sinapit (InterAksyon.com)

MANILA - A Navy ship with a Red Cross-Palawan chapter team onboard sailed to Recto Bank (Reed Bank) in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in Palawan to help 10 Filipino fishermen stranded there when their fishing boat had engine trouble.

The deployment of the Navy boat followed a Philippine Air Force (PAF) NOMAD plane sent earlier to air drop food, water, medicines and other supplies for the distressed fishermen, according to 1Lt. Cherryl Tindog, spokesperson of the Western Command (Westcom).

“A certain Rubin called for help on December 5 after their motor banca named ‘3 Sisters’ with 10 crew on board encountered engine trouble east of the vicinity of Recto Bank,” Tindog said.

Although Recto Bank is part of the KIG--an area believed rich in gas deposits—it is also being claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. It is part of the Spratly Islands which is also being claimed by Malaysia and Brunei.

Manila has filed an arbitration case before a United Nations arbitral tribunal denouncing as “excessive” China’s use of the nine-dash claim over the Spratlys, including Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag/Scarborough Shoal) off Zambales, based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

A standoff between Philippine and Chinese ships ensued in April of 2012 after Chinese military vessels blocked a Philippine government vessel from apprehending Chinese poachers. Manila and Beijing agreed to pull out their ships from the area, a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos on Luzon’s western coast, but only Manila complied, leaving the Chinese in de facto occupation of Panatag.

Body of missing PAF pilot found

By Aaron Recuenco

The last ray of hope of getting a Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilot alive faded away on Wednesday when his cadaver was found with the wreckage of a bomber plane which crashed off the waters of Palawan six months ago.

Brig. Gen. Conrado Parra, commander of the Air Force’s 570th Composite Tactical Wing and concurrent head of Task Force Bronco, said the wreckage of the OV10 bomber was found 36 meters deep, some eight nautical miles off the waters of Puerto Princesa City.

He said the recovered cadaver is that of Maj. Jonathan Ybanez, whom he said was identified through a flying suit with an identification card in it.

“His dental records also matched with that of the recovered remains,” said Parra.

In mid-June this year, the OV-10 piloted by Ybanez and 1Lt. Abner Nacion crashed off Puerto Princesa City.

The wreckage, according to Parra, was found by Navy divers.

Parra said the search mission will continue since they are yet to find Nacion.

So far, Parra said the plan is to float the wreckage in order to complete their investigation as to what caused the incident.

Ybanez, it was recalled, was supposed to be the lead pilot of a group of OV10 bombers during the 66th PAF Anniversary when the accident happened.

Palawan gov't celebrates 390th Anniversary of Evangelization

(PNA), LOR/CARF/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 5 (PNA) -– In a bid to recognize the importance of establishing communities, the provincial and city governments will be joining the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa and the Augustinian Recollects through the Commission on History, Culture and Heritage’ Palawan @390: Continuing a Rich Legacy.

The activity which will run from Dec.6-8 is related to the celebration of the 390th Anniversary of the Evangelization of Palawan started by prelates from the Order of the Augustinian Recollects.

The event is a look back on the arrival of the Augustinian Recollects in the island town of Cuyo in 1623, and the continuation of their mission in other municipalities in northern Palawan, including Linapacan, Agutaya, Taytay, El Nido and Coron.

The celebration will also remember the beginning of the mission of Saint Ezekiel Moreno, the founder of Puerto Princesa 140 years ago. From the city, the Saint traveled to Irawan, Inagawan, and the town of Aborlan.

The three-day program will begin with a Congress at the Victoriano J. Rodriguez Hall expected to be attended by around 300 participants from different sectors.

Three important topics will be discussed during the Congress: History of Palawan by historian Dr. Oscar Evangelista, Contribution of the Augustinian Recollects by Prof. Emmanuel Romanillos of UP-Diliman, and Recollect Prelates as Legacy Makers by Fr. Renier Alviola, OAR, Prior of the Recollect Community on Casian Island, Taytay, Palawan.

Boracay, Palawan tourism back in business

By Joel dela Torre

THREE weeks after the Yolanda devastation, tourism in Palawan and Boracay has started to normalize, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said yesterday.

Roxas, along with Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, met with the local officials in the two provinces to check the ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation efforts on areas devastated by the monster typhoon.

“Bilib ako sa ipinakitang tatag ng loob ng mga taga-Palawan at Boracay gayundin sa pagsisikap nilang ibangon muli ang kanilang mga komunidad,” Roxas said.

Concerned government officials in Palawan and Boracay informed the DILG chief that they are back in business despite some minor hitches.

Palawan is home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) and the world renowned Tubbataha Reef – two of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. It is also known for tourism destinations such as Honda Bay and El Nido Beach.

Boracay Island in the municipality of Malay, Aklan, is acknowledged as one of best tourist destinations in the world due to its white sand beaches.

City, provincial gov'ts put a premium on local energy planning in Palawan

(PNA), LAP/CARF/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Dec. 3 (PNA) -– In an effort to resolve this city’s and the province’s energy setbacks which are causing discontent about unreliable power supply, local leaders recently called a capacity building workshop for members of its newly-created Joint Energy Development Advisory Group (JEDAG) representatives.

Provincial Information Officer Gil Acosta said Tuesday that JEDAG, which was created under Executive Order 2013-1 and mended further by the issuance of Executive Order 2013-2, was a shared effort between the city and provincial governments in cooperation with the Department of Energy (DOE).

The advisory group, he explained, is composed of representatives from the city and provincial governments, the private sector, Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco), civil society, and the academe, tasked to seek solution to the growing energy problems in Puerto Princesa and Palawan by finding what can be the cheapest source of power.

Acosta said that to start JEDAG, a capacity building workshop was held on November 28-29, aimed at developing a common definition and understanding of the energy problems, and how they can be best addressed.

The workshop gave major focus too, on educating the local governments on the importance of Local Energy Planning, through which they can study and better understand issues regarding energy and strategize for the future.

Acosta said the workshop was facilitated by Prof. Wali del Mundo of the University of the Philippines (UP) National Engineering Center.

“Governor (Jose) Alvarez and Mayor (Lucilo) Bayron want the workshop to make the members of the JEDAG understand the advantage of Local Energy Planning, and for other representatives to also share what they know, or express their sentiments to help,” he said.

Acosta said Del Mundo lauded Alvarez and Bayron for initiating the creation of the local energy planning body to map future requirements for Puerto Princesa and Palawan’s energy supply demands.

Currently, there is a strong debate on whether Palawan should allow and employ the use of a coal-fired power plant to resolve its present energy woe.

On November 28, over 1,000 anti-coal supporters held a rally near the Provincial Capitol Building, calling on Alvarez not to allow the destruction of Palawan’s environment by giving the DMCI Power Corporation the final green light for its coal-fired power plant project.

Palawan pledges to commit health equality at “Health Summit”

(PNA), CTB/SEP/RGL-PNA OJT graduate/UTB

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan Dec. 2 (PNA) -– The Palawan Provincial Government forged a partnership with the Department of Health (DOH)-Center for Health and Development (CHD) IV-B, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Palawan Chapter for a Health Summit on Monday.

The Provincial Health Summit at the Skylight Convention Center in this city adopted the theme: “Usapang Lokal para sa Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” (Local Forum for Universal Health).

The gathering discussed the roles of the local government units (LGUs) in attaining universal health care for all Palaweños and set health project undertakings and monitoring compliance through the LGU Scorecard for Health.

The conference also addressed the current health situation where poor families have yet to experience equity and access to critical social services particularly on health services.

The “Universal Health Care (UHC)” according to Provincial Health Officials is the key to overcoming dire health conditions under the program that prioritizes the needs of millions of poor Filipino families which comprise the majority.

The health summit envisioned the UHC in transforming healthy, free from diseases and infirmity communities in the coming years.

Participants said that the UHC bolsters the Department of Health (DOH)'s aim of achieving better health outcomes, making the health system resilient and responsive to reduce the inequity created by the widening gap between the rich and poor.

Health officials also pointed to the three strategic thrusts enshrined with the UHC's spurring the “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” (universal health care) to action in making successful advocacy.

The UHC advocacy targets Financial Risk Protection where it expands the enrolment of more poor individuals to the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) or PhilHealth and promotes the quality of out-patient and in-patient services.

The program also calls for more Health Facilities Enhancement geared towards improving hospitals and health care centers, facility development and preparedness to address most common mortality and morbidity including trauma.

The health summit organizers and attendees also discussed on the local government projects and approaches in Achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

They also called for more deployment of Community Health Teams (CHT) to ensure the remote poorest families could be reached by health services.

The Provincial Health Office stated that the province needs to provide more support like financial, policies, human resources to attain the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.

Palawan health authorities also assured that "the UHC is realistic and achievable and “we are on our way to reaching these goals.”

Hagedorn denies owning 59 ‘undeclared’ property; sues lawyer for libel over SALN

By Joel R. San Juan

FORMER Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn has filed libel charges against lawyer Berteni Causing for accusing him of perjury and falsification in the filing of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN).

Hagedorn is also seeking P5 million in damages against Causing for besmirching his reputation.

He was referring to Causing’s interview during the Straight to the Point program of Eljin Robert Damasco, station manager of Radio Mindanao Network Palawan, where the lawyer claimed that Hagedorn failed to declare 59 pieces property in his SALN.

The former mayor branded the accusations as “malicious, defamatory and damaging” to his name and reputation.

“The interview has exposed me to public hatred, contempt and ridicule, by imputing to me the offense of perjury and falsification,” Hagedorn said in his nine-page complaint-affidavit.

Hagedorn said the lawyer failed to check the attachments to his SALN, which details all his property.

“He only used the front part, where we summarized the four classes of real property; but clearly, the SALN referred to a two-page attachment entitled Certification [Property Holdings] that was filed in the Records Division of the Puerto Princesa BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] in full compliance with the law, which details all the properties he claims were not declared in my SALN,” Hagedorn said.

“I am positive that Respondent [Causing] uttered the defamatory statements with actual malice for the sole purpose of causing my dishonor, discredit and contempt,” Hagedorn said.

In his complaint-affidavit, Hagedorn said he declared all of his assets in the SALN that he filed during his term as mayor of Puerto Princesa.

In his SALN, Hagedorn said he declared four classes of real property: commercial/agricultural land with improvement, with a total current market value of P102,534,437.21; residential house and lot with a current market value of P10 million; another residential property with a current market value of P10 million; and a commercial property with a current market value of P41 million.

Together with the SALN, Hagedorn also attached a certification issued by the City Assessor of Puerto Princesa dated March 26, 2013, detailing the corresponding Transfer Certificate of Title numbers and/or Tax Declarations covering the 61 pieces of real property referred to in the SALN form.

Hagedorn said Causing clearly committed the crime of libel by publicly making these defamatory statements against his name without basis, “in fact, wrongly and maliciously citing the SALN without recognizing the attached lists submitted in compliance with the law.”

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