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==4P’s help shape ‘good’ and ‘empowered’ mothers of families -- DSWD (Feature)==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=10&rid=642403
*Saturday, May 10, 2014
:By Leilani S. Junio [(PNA), CTB/LSJ]
MANILA, May 10 (PNA)--Not all mothers are the same.
Some are considered to be best, caring and loving but there are some who, because of different circumstances affecting them like lack of enough education, and being mentally ill or sick, have failed to become a ‘good’ or be in superb category like those who abandoned their children or those who even contributed to devastation of the future of their siblings.
While we see a lot of images of good mothers who continue to sacrifice their own lives for their children or willing to suffer any pain just to provide their children a better future, it is sad to note that there are some mothers who have yet to realize how it is to be a “good” one.
Recently, we hear news about children falling prey to prostitution and even cybersex in the internet because of their very own parents or mothers that pushed them into the trade instead of providing the protection badly needed by their children.
In addition to this, there were also news about rising number of child and teen pregnancy which pin points lack of effective parental guidance as one contributing factor.
For these reasons, some groups are calling for the conduct of parental educational seminars for parents who appear lacking necessary orientation and knowledge about the role of a family and parents, especially mothers in the proper rearing of their kids.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that Family Development Sessions (FDS) conducted for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) beneficiaries is one way of shaping not only ‘good’ but “empowered” Filipino mothers of poor families.
According to Marie Grace Ponce, 4P’s Information Officer at the DSWD Central office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City said through FDS, the women beneficiaries are acquiring knowledge, skills and values that help shape many mothers to have positive behavioral changes.
“The FDS, which is conducted at least once a month serves as a venue where topics on effective parenting, husband and wife relationships and similar topics are discussed. Likewise child development, home management and gender and development are also tackled to promote closer family ties and family relationships,” Ponce explained in an interview with the Philippines News Agency.
She added that through FDS, which are often attended by many mothers and fathers also serves as a venue where they are informed of their rights as individuals as well as their obligations they need to fulfill as parents to their children and as husband and wife of the family.
According to Brenda S. Vigo, Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) chairperson, DSWD’s FDS for 4P’s is one good example of a program that promotes proper parental education.
Vigo cited that an educated family with healthy and good relationship, and where the parents especially the mother have positive outlook and know the roles that she needs to fulfill help in producing educated, healthy and productive citizens of the country which is the ultimate goal of the program.
She also praised 4P’s FDS as effective method in creating responsible parents and children whom she said was even praised by World Bank, citing that it is a tool that keeps the children either in school or studying.
According to DSWD, under FDS, the leadership quality of some women are also being developed as some who gained knowledge through the topics they learned emerged to be good or “empowered” leaders among other women beneficiaries.
These women even act as parent leaders, also teach and share to other beneficiaries some good advices and practical knowledge they applied to their respective families that help improved their home life.
As mothers gather together they talked about topics on how they can improve their life or make both ends meet. Through sharing of ideas, they are inspired to apply the knowledge they gained and believe in their capability to cope up poverty as what others are doing.
Since many of the parent-women beneficiaries of 4P’s have not receive formal education or were born from poor parents and thus, were unable to finish their studies, it is important to break that cycle by instilling in them the correct values and positive attitudes as partners for inclusive development.
“As beneficiaries of the programs, these mothers get familiar with the value of education and good health and how these can help shape their child’s destiny and let their family get out from inter-generational cycle of poverty that haunted them for so long,” DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman earlier explained.
Since women are considered to be ‘drivers of changes’, these 4P’s mothers who also learned financial literacy, livelihood skills and other knowledge, will therefore influence greatly their children in valuing education and good health which some of them had not experienced because of poverty that haunted them in the past.
4P’s or CCT is human development program of the Aquino government aimed primarily at alleviating poverty by investing on the health and education of children 0-18.
The beneficiaries of these program are given cash grants up to P1,400 a month.
In receiving the cash grant, the beneficiary is required to comply with the condition of regular attendance to school and receiving good health by regular consultation in government health centers.
Another condition is attending FDS so that they will develop learning on proper family management, financial and livelihood skills and others.
The program believes that letting children finish their studies will give them ample opportunity to find more profitable jobs or be employable in the future, and become part of productive workforce of the society and contribute to the country's economic development.
==PIA, DENR in NCR jointly hold Climate Change Advocacy Forum==
*Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=281399547164
*Friday, May 9, 2014
: (AKG/RJB-PIA-NCR)
QUEZON CITY, May 9 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-NCR) and the Philippine Information Agency-National Capital Region (PIA-NCR) jointly conducted a forum in response to the growing threat of climate change which affects the world today.
The  forum tackles  Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH), Earthquake Preparedness and the National Greening Program (NGP) was held Thursday at the Ecology Center Compound in Diliman, Quezon City.
Participated by city environment and natural resources officers (CENRO) as well as disaster management unit officers in Metro Manila’s local government units (lgus), the forum aims to educate city officials on earthquake preparedness given the existence of the West Valley Fault traversing certain areas in Metro Manila; as well as teach them the use of the DOST-created application/ website named Project NOAH as an early warning tool for typhoon preparedness which aims to assist the public in disaster prevention.
The forum also aims to give a background to the participants on the government’s National Greening Program or the Executive Order 26 which aims to plant some 1.5 Billion trees for a period of six years (2011-2016), and the harmonizing of this initiative in Metro Manila.
Invited resource speakers include Mr. Jeffrey Perez, Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs), who discussed the possibility of a strong earthquake in Metro Manila with the existence of the West Valley Fault, as well as other calamities caused by the country’s geographic and geologic setting.
He said that certain areas in Metro Manila such as Quezon City, Marikina, Makati, Pasig, Taguig, and Muntinlupa would be directly affected with the West Valley Fault traversing the said areas.
Mr. Oscar Victor Lizardo, Chief Science Research Specialist from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), gave an overview of the tool Project NOAH which provides  an accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system, especially in high-risk areas in the Philippines.
He discussed the different warning signals that could be seen in the tool, that could serve as guide to the public in identifying disaster-prone and/or calamity-affected areas.
Regional Technical Director Antonio C. Manila presented implementing activities of the various LGUs in the National Capital Region (NCR) in compliance of the National Greening Program.
DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director Lourdes Wagan in her welcome remarks said that the activities (including the said forum) that would be implemented by PIA and NCR are all climate change mitigation and adaptation activities that would help the public prepare for disasters brought about by climate change.
PIA-NCR Regional Director Riza J. Baldoria in her message said the forum is among the series of activities to be implemented by DENR and PIA as part of the national and regional campaign for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The project is in compliance with  the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)- PIA Secretary Sonny Coloma which provides for a partnership between the two  agencies in the campaign on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
RD Baldoria also bareds  the different activities lined up throughout the year which include various fora, mural painting, AVP launch, Puppet Theater presentation, social mobilization activities such as “Happy birthday, Tree, Youth Camp, among others, would provide for the necessary information to shed light on climate change as a product of human activities.
She said that while these activities would educate the public, these are also aimed at making the people realize the role they have to play to address climate change, as they are guided by the campaign’s battlecry “Pabago-bago na ang panahon, panahon na para magbago.”
Baldoria ended her message by leaving a quote which aptly summarizes the reality about the man and the environment: “The earth doesn’t belong to man; Man belongs to Earth. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.”
==SSS pilots collection agreement to reach workers in “unbanked” island province==
*Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1781399454078
*Thursday, May 8, 2014
:(SSS)
QUEZON CITY, May 8 -- After expanding its network of tie-ups with informal sector groups, microfinance institutions and cooperatives, the Social Security System (SSS) has now rolled out new linkages with local government units (LGUs) in “unbanked” island provinces that do not have accessible banking systems and payment facilities.
SSS in a statement said this is an alternative means to sustain active SSS membership by making regular payment of contributions and loans convenient and within reach.
“SSS partnerships with LGUs, especially those in island provinces and far-flung areas, strengthen our campaign to provide social protection to workers and their beneficiaries regardless of geographic location and economic status,” noted Josie Magana, SSS Vice President for Luzon Operations Group.
The LGUs in Alabat, Perez and Quezon – which are fifth-class municipalities comprising Alabat Island in Quezon province – have started collecting payments for SSS contributions and loans within the first quarter of 2014 as part of their respective Collection Agency Agreements (CAA) with SSS.
Alabat Island, SSS' pilot area for its CAA with LGUs, has an estimated labor force of 24,500, with fishing and farming as common sources of livelihood. It also has a flourishing cottage industry producing native bags, rice cakes, camote chips, cashew polvoron and espasol, among others.
“In the past, Alabat residents had to take a 50-minute RORO ride to Atimonan, Quezon to remit their SSS payments. One-way trip costs P95, and the RORO is scheduled to depart for Alabat only at 10 a.m. and go back to Atimonan at 12 noon,” Magana explained. “Although small boats are available an hour ahead of RORO schedule, Alabat residents are taking risks riding them due to the water current.”
“Alabat residents who miss the scheduled return trips are forced to stay overnight in Atimonan, incurring additional costs for food and lodging. But with an SSS payment facility right at their LGU, the money they can save may be used instead to augment their SSS contributions,” she added.
Employers, self-employed and voluntary members can now pay at the Municipal Treasurer's Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. As part of the CAA, the LGU will report their transactions to the nearest SSS branch on a daily basis via email to facilitate the quick posting of members' payments.
“By accrediting LGUs as SSS collecting agents, we help these workers from previously overlooked areas become covered – and more importantly, become active SSS members – so that they and their loved ones can avail themselves of SSS benefits in times of financial need,” Magana said.
Apart from bringing social protection closer to their constituents, accredited LGUs also benefit from the P6.00 service fee per successful transaction to be paid to them by SSS under the CAA.
The SSS has also incorporated security measures in the new LGU-based payment system to protect the remitted contributions and loan amortizations of members, Magana noted.
==DSWD says convergence strategy helped alleviate poverty in 2013==
*Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1781399370760
*Wednesday, May 7, 2014
:(PIA)
QUEZON CITY, May 7 --  Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary (DSWD) Corazon Juliano-Soliman is pleased that the Convergence Strategy the Department has adopted in 2012 played a significant role in reducing poverty incidence in the country in the first half of 2013.
“Even in so short a time, we are happy that economic experts have recognized the impact made by our three core poverty alleviation programs. We are on the right track when we pushed to intensify greater convergence of our services. Our efforts are paying off,” Sec. Soliman said.
Earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the 2013 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS) conducted in July 2013 found that the percentage of Filipinos considered poor based on their average income dropped to 24.9 percent in the first semester of 2013 from 27.9 percent in the same period in 2012.
The  Convergence Strategy addresses poverty through the harmonized implementation of  three of its major programs, namely; Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya), and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
KALAHI-CIDSS provides funding for community-driven infrastructure projects such as school buildings, health centers, farm-to-market roads, foot bridges, and water systems, among others.  In 2013,  KALAHI-CIDSS expanded its coverage to reach up to 50 percent of the poorest municipalities in targeted provinces, utilizing the Additional Financing (AF) of the World Bank (WB) and a grant from the United States’ Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). To date, the project covers a total of 328 municipalities in 48 poorest provinces in the country.
Pantawid Pamilya gives cash grants to poor families to ensure their education, health and nutritional needs. As of March 26, 2014,  Pantawid Pamilya has  4,004,795 household-beneficiaries from 1,410 cities and municipalities in 79 provinces nationwide.
SLP extends capital assistance and capability building to beneficiaries to start their own income generating projects. To date, 378,074 households continue to generate income through the employment and business opportunities under SLP.
To illustrate further, Sec. Soliman explained  that Pantawid Pamilya families can avail of basic services such as education and health through the facilities  built through KALAHI-CIDSS right in their communities.
As part of the Convergence Strategy,  Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who are graduating from the program may avail of the SLP to generate income to sustain their daily needs.
Greater convergence
Sec. Soliman explained that aside from its three core programs,  the Department has also intensified  the implementation of the Social Pension Program for Indigent Seniors and Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) for Children to ensure a more wholistic response to the needs of the poor.
This year, the Social Pension Program is benefitting 479,080 older persons who are 77 years old and above.
For 2015, DSWD is proposing P4.62 billion  to accommodate 770,804 seniors including some 291,724 who are 65- 76 years old.
On the other hand, the SFP for this year  is serving over 2 million day care children nationwide.
The Secretary  also said that  the Expanded Pantawid Pamilya will start this year and will now cover beneficiaries who are 15-18 years old or until they finish high school.
The expansion of CCT to cover high school education is necessary to increase the beneficiaries’ employability in the future.
The expanded program will benefit about 10 million children nationwide.
“We hope to sustain our gains in poverty alleviation by further engaging  partners in social development,” Sec. Soliman ended.
==Metro Rail 3 to pilot express trains==
*Source:http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/05/06/metro-rail-3-to-pilot-express-trains/
*Tuesday, May 6, 2014 12:01 am
:By Joel E. Zurbano
The Department of Transportation and Communication it will pilot the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) express train on Wednesday.
“Experimental Express Trains scheme will be implemented initially for the morning rush hours from May 07-13 (Southbound) 7am to 9am,” the DOTC posted on its Twitter account @dotcmrt-3.
Michael Sagcal, DOTC spokesman, told GMA News that northbound trips will be added May 14 to 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The MRT-3 along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue has 13 stations but under the experimental express train scheme, the 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. trains will have stops on North Avenue, Quezon Avenue-Kamuning-Cubao (alternating), Buendia, Ayala, Magallanes, and Taft.
Sagcal said the 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. trains will serve stations at Taft, Magallanes-Ayala-Buendia (alternating), Cubao, Kamuning, Quezon Avenue and North Avenue.
MRT-3 connects North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City via EDSA.
Also serving commuters are the Light Rail Transit 1 traversing Pasay City, Manila and Caloocan City; and LRT-2, across Manila, Quezon City and Pasig City.
The Metro Rail Transit Corp., a private company operating in partnership with the DOTC under a Build-Operate-Transfer agreement, started operating the MRT-3 in 1999.
==DPWH set to implement 5 major road projects in Edsa==
*Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/599733/dpwh-set-to-implement-5-major-road-projects-in-edsa
*Monday, May 5, 2014 4:21 pm
:By Jerry E. Esplanada (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Aside from the P3.74-billion major rehabilitation of the 23-kilometer Efipanio de los Santos Avenue, or Edsa, and the construction of the P3.03-billion Edsa-Taft Avenue flyover, five other Metro Manila road projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways are expected to test further the patience of motorists and commuters in Metro Manila when they finally get the go-ahead of Malacañang and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The infrastructure projects are worth at least P8.21 billion, according to a DPWH report, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The agency named the planned infrastructure projects as Phase 1 of the P1.7-billion Liwasang Bonifacio-Sta. Monica bridge and the P700-million Gov. Forbes-Espana Street underpass, both in Manila; P1.5-billion widening of the C-5-Bagong Ilog flyover in Pasig City; P793-million Sen. Gil Puyat Ave.-Makati Ave.-Pase de Roxas vehicle underpass in Makati City; and P481-million widening of Gen. Luis Street in Novaliches, Quezon City.
The department said that it “shall be consulting and securing the necessary approvals prior to project implementation of various agencies, including the Office of the President and the MMDA,” which has the final say in the issuance of permits to road projects in Metro Manila.
The DPWH noted that as early as last year, it had completed the Detailed Engineering Designs, or DEDs of the five projects, as well as the Edsa major rehabilitation and EDSA-Taft Ave. flyover projects.
The DEDs of at least two projects — Edsa rehabilitation and the Liwasang Bonifacio-Sta. Monica bridge – had been finished as early as April 2013. The rest were completed between May and December last year.
Last month, Reynaldo Tagudando, director of the DPWH office in the National Capital Region, said they would push for the much-delayed major rehabilitation of Edsa after the P230-million concrete reblocking of about 80,000 square meters of road space in the busiest thoroughfare in the metropolis.
He asserted that “asphalt overlay is the next best thing to the weekend concrete reblocking and piecemeal repairs on Edsa.”
After the ongoing reblocking of Edsa, Tagudando said that “the road’s quality is expected to improve to a 6 or 7.” That is, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson earlier said that transforming Edsa into a road as “smooth” as the North Luzon and South Luzon Expressways could be achieved in one or two years.
He pointed out that the highway’s deterioration over the decades showed that “our road standards have really gone down…We are settling for roads full of potholes.”
The DPWH head also stressed the need to complete the improvements on Edsa, noting that the thoroughfare, which was completed in 1954 (and previously named Highway 54) had practically been neglected by previous administrations.
“Only piecemeal repairs are being done there. Yet, we can equal that of both NLEx and SLEx,” he asserted.
With a 2014 budget allocation of more than P130 billion, the DPWH also plans to rehabilitate the last 15,872 kilometers of gravel and unpaved arterial roads nationwide.
The amount is 67.7 percent of the agency’s total infrastructure program fund of P190.91 billion. The remaining P61.5 billion in capital outlays will go to major flood-control and other infrastructure projects in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
This year’s budget for the rehabilitation of national roads and bridges is P28.48 billion more than last year’s, which amounted to P110.93 billion.
In another report, Singson disclosed that “asset preservation on national roads shall be done with priority on rehabilitation over preventive maintenance, as well as widening of critical intersections and junctions and paving of shoulders to improve road safety.”
“To ensure a longer life span of road pavements, there is a need to implement better drainage on primary roads,” he said.
Likewise, “climate change adaptation initiatives, such as slope protection works and road and bridges designed to cope with higher rainfall and rising sea levels, shall be prioritized.”
On national bridges, Singson said “public investments shall focus on major maintenance works and replacement of those that can can no longer be rehabilitated to improve their overall conditions, as well as the replacement of timber and bailey bridges with concrete or steel structures.”
==QC Council backs green energy promotion==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=1&rid=640347
*Sunday, May 4, 2014
:(PNA), SCS/PR/LSJ
MANILA, May 4 (PNA) -- The Quezon City Council said over the weekend that it is supporting the national government's program to tap renewable energy resources and encourage green transport initiatives as a long-term solution to oil price hikes.
Through a resolution introduced by Councilor Gian Carlo G. Sotto, the City Council expressed the opinion that there is no need for a fuel subsidy plan for public transport operators in spite of the rising fuel costs due to the ongoing political crisis in the Middle East.
“The City Council considers such a plan as a stop-gap measure that will only have short-term effects,” Councilor Sotto said.
He pointed out in the resolution that there have been studies revealing that renewable energy alternatives and development of electric and hybrid vehicles will bring long-term solutions to rising prices of oil products and at the same time help stimulate the growth of new industries.
He noted that using renewable energy resources and green transport initiatives will also be helpful to the country’s economy, particularly in "developing new industries as we lessen our dependence on imported oil."
For over a decade now, QC has always promoted energy conservation by encouraging the use of vehicles not using fossil fuel.
He recalled that even President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed his support to this long-term solution to oil price hike during the e-tricycle launching in Mstro Manila.
According to Councilor Sotto, Mayor Herbert Bautista has also expressed support to the promotion of e-jeepneys in Quezon City.
==Ocean Month celebration highlights importance of mangroves==
*Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1781399009323
*Saturday, May 3, 2014
:(DENR)
QUEZON CITY, May 3 --  As the nation celebrates Month of the Ocean (MOO) this May, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has lined up activities designed to draw attention to the important role that mangroves play in protecting the country’s coastlines and their inhabitants.
DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said this year’s theme, “Mangroves protect. Protect mangroves,” is extremely timely and significant in light of the magnitude of the destruction wrought by Yolanda, which is said to be the strongest tropical typhoon ever recorded.
“Unfortunate the disaster may have been, Yolanda undoubtedly was an instant education for Filipino people on what storm surges are, and was a rude awakening of sort on the state of our coastal communities and their lack of protection from these natural events,” Paje pointed out.
The environment chief said that sadly, Yolanda and other extreme weather events before it are part of the so-called “new normal” as impacts of climate change increase.
But the good news is, he said, mangroves can help coastal communities adapt to climate change.
“We hope everyone now appreciates and understands, more than ever, the importance of protecting and rehabilitating our mangrove forests,” Paje said.
“Mangroves protect us not only from strong waves and storm surges, but also help clean the air and water along our coastal zones, and provide food security and livelihood to the communities,” he added.
The DENR, together with its partners from both the private and government sectors and environmental groups, will kick off the MOO celebration at the DENR grounds in Quezon City on May 5 with Director Theresa Mundita Lim of the Biodiversity Management Bureau giving a talk about the festivity and the unveiling of the MOO 2014 logo.
The new logo features elements that incorporate the role of mangroves in protecting communities and other benefits it provide, and conversely, the need for humans to be responsible stewards of nature.
Prior to the kick off, Shore It Up – a project of Metro Pacific Investments – will launch Mangrove Protection Information Centers in Pangasinan and Bohol provinces from May 1 to 4. It will also conduct cleanup activities along the shorelines of Bohol.
From May 5-10, the DENR will take part in the 6th National Scout Venture Camp in Lingayen town in Pangasinan, administering lecture, environmental games and chants, and interactive exhibit to some 4,500 scouts from all over the country.
A bike tour, which has a theme “Padyakan: Sagip Bakawan,” will be held on May 18 from the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC) in Quezon City to the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA).
The tour will culminate in a mangrove cleanup at the LPPCHEA to be led by Firefly Brigade, a volunteer group of cyclists advocating for cycling as a cleaner mode of transportation.
From May 1 to 21, environmental partners World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), Conservation International (CI)-Philippines, and Conserve and Protect Oceans, Inc. will hold the “Bayani ng Bakawan” short video essay event.
This will allow the public, using phone cameras and other video-recording devices, to record videos of how ordinary people commit to care and protect mangroves in their communities. Videos may then be shared through social media pages such as the MOO pages on Facebook, Instagram and Google+, or uploaded on popular websites such as Youtube and Vimeo.
On May 22, the country will join the global community in celebrating the International Day of Biological Diversity (IDBD) with a theme, “Island Biodiversity.” This will be highlighted by a Youth Summer Camp to be held at the NAPWC from May 22 to June 22; a biodiversity photo contest themed “Protecting the Reservoir of Life, Selfie for Biodiversity”; and the launching of a coffee table book entitled, “Treasures of the Philippine Wild.”
During the month-long MOO celebration, the DENR will also conduct trainings on mangrove and coastal and marine ecosystems, youth camps, coral reef and mangrove damage assessment, among others.
Presidential Proclamation No. 57 issued in 1999 declared May as the Month of the Ocean. It mandates the DENR and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to spearhead the observance of MOO and highlight the need to conserve and protect the country’s coastal and ocean resources.
The Philippines is home to 47 true mangrove and mangrove associate species.
==SSS expanding its 'AlkanSSSya' program to reach all informal sectors in the country (Special Report)==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=10&rid=639864
*Friday, May 2, 2014
:By Leilani S. Junio [(PNA Feature), SCS/LSJ]
MANILA, May 2 (PNA Feature) -- The Social Security System (SSS), the state-run pension fund for private employees or workers, said on Thursday it is intensifying the extension of social protection for a wider number of Filipinos, particularly those in the informal sectors.
According to Maria Cecilia F. Mercado, senior communication analyst at the SSS main office in Quezon City, the agency wants the informal sectors, like those working in transportation groups (drivers of jeepneys and tricycles), market vendors and other small entrepreneurs, garbage pickers and even those who are in jails and other groups who are earning at least P3,000 a month, to become active members of SSS and avail themselves of its social protection programs as covered members.
“Our goal is to include them among those that can avail of the benefits provided for SSS members like housing, sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and even funeral benefit for a member of SSS as well as loans like salary loan, educational loan, business loans and others,” Mercado told the Philippines News Agency in an interview.
Mercado said there is a need for informal sectors to have an access to SSS programs and projects so that these groups of people will have a sense of security in times of great needs since they have a reliable institution where they can depend on, especially after long years of working hard to earn a living while saving some for their future through the innovative "AlkanSSSya" program.
She explained that to be a member of AlkanSSSya program is very easy since the interested informal workers will just need to organize themselves into a group and decide to actively save a part of their earnings.
“They can organize themselves as a group. Then each member will make it a regular habit to save at least P11 a day for a period of 30 days which will be equivalent to P330 a month that they can use as their monthly premium,” she said.
Mercado said membership in the program is very easy since the P11 daily contribution is just equivalent to four sticks of cigarette.
She advised the interested groups to inquire about the details of the program from the nearest SSS office.
Mercado said the program is called "AlkanSSSya" because the idea of “saving” from a portion of their income for their own benefits and protection is being emphasized while there is an assurance or form of insurance or coverage in case that something unexpected happen to them which the immediate family members can avail of.
“This micro-saving scheme is the cheapest premium that guarantees them social protection or insurance that will work best for their interest,” she stressed.
She said the program has been launched in several parts of the country since 2012, where the usual procedure is to set up a piggy bank like a cabinet or a box for the dropping of the members' contribution or premium under the safekeeping of an association. The contribution is turned over to the nearest SSS office or is collected by an authorized or assigned SSS staff for the convenience of members.
SSS records show that nearly 600 groups representing more than 53,000 members nationwide joined the program in 2013 alone.
Among these informal group members are garbage pickers in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City and tricycle drivers in key cities like Las Pinas, Paranaque, Marikina, Malabon and Pasig in Metro Manila and a number of provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Even prisoners who are engaged in a livelihood program in a jail in Palawan have also been encouraged to save a part of their earnings for the AlkanSSSya program and be active members of SSS
Recently, more government offices provided SSS coverage for their job order and contractual workers who are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) such as Barangay Pulang Lupa Dos in Las Pinas City.
To further strengthen its coverage campaign for the informal sectors, SSS has signed agreements with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Under the agreement, job order or contractual employees of local government units (LGUs) can be covered by SSS by contributing a monthly premium based on the monthly salary stated in their service contract/s.
The DSWD and the DILG have no obligation to pay half of the premium of the contractual workers. However, the two agencies are obliged to report and remit the deducted monthly premium to the SSS.
The SSS plans to forge similar agreements with other agencies for the coming months in order to bring social protection to a larger number of the poor people who need it most.
The term "informal sector" was coined by the International Labor Organization (ILO) about 30 years ago to describe the activities of the working poor to survive and be weaned from poverty.
==DENR classifies 206 additional caves==
*Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1781398842182
*Thursday, May 1, 2014
: (DENR)
QUEZON CITY, May 1 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has classified an additional 206 caves, bringing to 364 the total number of caverns considered as part of the nation’s natural wealth and therefore require sustainable management and conservation.
The classification, according to DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, was pursuant to Republic Act No. 9072, or the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act, which mandates the agency to formulate, develop and implement a national program to conserve, protect and manage caves and cave resources.
“Caves are non-renewable resources with unique, natural features that offer significant scientific, educational, economic and aesthetic value and form part of our historical and cultural heritage,” Paje pointed out.
He added: “Caves can also be used for our enjoyment, but only to a certain extent. Classifying caves accordingly will thus help define which human activities are allowed within these areas so that we can preserve them in their pristine state, or improve them if necessary.”
Under DENR Memorandum Circular 2014-03, the newly classified caves are found in 11 regions, with Region 2 having the most number of caves at 101, followed by Region 11 with 30 caves.
Among the provinces, Cagayan has the most number of caves with 83, while Davao del Norte was far second with 18 caves.
Caves are classified into three categories or classes. “Class I” caves are characterized with delicate and fragile geological formations, may be habitats of threatened species, provide archaeological values and possess extremely hazardous conditions. As such, activities allowed in these caves are limited to mapping, photography, educational and scientific purposes.
The DENR circular has listed 21 Class I caves, including the Masi Cave in Adams, Ilocos Norte, the Pagulayan Cave within the Peñablanca Protected Landscape in Cagayan, and the Santol Cave in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.
“Class II” caves have sensitive geologic values or high quality ecosystems, as well as portions with hazardous conditions. As such, they may be closed seasonally or permanently, or may be open only to experienced cavers or guided educational tours. The famous Sohoton Cave in Samar Island Natural Park is one of 154 Class II caves identified in the circular.
“Class III” caves are safe for inexperienced yet guide-accompanied visitors, as these do not contain known threatened species or geological or historical values. These caves may also be utilized when appropriate for economic purposes such as extraction of guano (bat waste) and collection of edible bird nests.
There are 30 such caves under the new list, among them the Aglipay Cave 5 in the Quirino Protected Landscape, and the Mat-i Cave 2 in Baganga, Davao Oriental.
Classification of caves is continuously being undertaken by the DENR. The new list, however, contains 86 caves, mostly located in Cagayan province, assessed and classified by the National Museum for their archaeological or historical value, and 15 in Palawan province by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development.
Upon classification, the DENR field offices oversee the preparation of a management plan on related ecotourism, scientific, educational and economic activities.
The approved plan is implemented by the Protected Area Management Board for caves within protected areas (PAs), or in coordination with the concerned local government unit and land owner for those outside PAs.
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