Saturday, August 23, 2008

NYC Commissioner Benjie Oliva Fights Back Against Falsification Allegations

Now on his third year as Commissioner representing the Visayas in the National Youth Commission, Boholano youth leader Asec. Benjie S. Oliva, NYC Commissioner for the Visayas, said he is proud to have served the youth and his performance will speak for itself.

Oliva, in an interview with the STANDARD, said he is not minding a group waging a demolition campaign against him, an obvious preparation for the coming appointment of a new NYC Chairman that would replace the outgoing Richard Alvin Nalupta, who hails from Luzon whose term ends on Feb. 2009.

Reports say Pres. Arroyo is mostly likely to appoint a new NYC Chairman coming from the Visayas for an equal chance of regions represented in the youth commission.

The soft-spoken Oliva said his performance would speak for himself and not by publicity.

A writer has been posting articles in newspapers and websites narrating unfounded allegations against Oliva.

The person has been asking favors from Oliva, like being included in trips abroad but was denied due to qualifications.

"I cannot compromise the various programs for the youth, like study-tours to other countries, just because I want favorable publicity by any writer," Oliva said.

On record, Oliva has drafted 85 policy recommendations that had three major bills;

NYC Version of the Magna Carta for Student Rights, Amended Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) Bill and the NYC Version of the Anti-Child Pornography Bill.

He also contributed recommendations in the crafting of the NYC and SK Provisions of the IRR of RA 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.


INTERNATIONAL FETE

Oliva was the elected Chairman of the ASIAN YOUTH CONGRESS in Seoul, Korea. He headed the Philippine Delegation to the China ASEAN Young Civil Servants Youth Exchange held in Beijing, Nanning and Guangzhou, China.

Oliva was also the Philippine Representative, Ship for the Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSYEAYP) Conference, Tokyo, Japan and to several youth conference in Singapore, Jakarta and Vietnam.

For further international exposures, Oliva had sent a number of youth leaders from Bohol and Visayas region to China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Singapore.

He is Chairman, Organizing Committee, Philippine-Korea Youth Exchange and co-chaired Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students.

Oliva is a consistent awardee as OUTSTANDING STUDENT in Region 7 (2002), and Outstanding Boholano in Metro-Manila (2007)

 

Anti-Rabies Law

Governor Erico Aumentado vowed Thursday to send a memorandum to all local executives in an attempt to unify all municipal ordinances to the newly passed Bohol Anti-Rabies Ordinance.

Aumentado's action came as the Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication Council (BRPEC) met at the Mansion to resolve issues that hinder the province-wide implementation of anti-rabies prevention and eradication program.

BRPEC has initially sought the governor's help to resolve the issue non-uniformity of applicable laws in the dog registration and vaccination in the towns.

The program calls for massive dog registration and vaccination, dog-population control, elimination after impounding, bite management, public education as well as putting up local mechanisms to bring the campaign to the communities with barangay workers as front-liners.

With different enforceable local laws legislated in the towns, the council members has asked the governor for help to guide local program implementers as to which law would assure sustainability to the program which aims to make the province rabies free by 2010.

Sustainability can be assured if barangays are allowed to get shares in the implementation as well as in the collection of dog registration and vaccination fees.

The fees would assure a revolving fund for vaccine and dog-tag acquisition as proof of vaccination.

The provincial ordinance mandates that dog registration would be P50 for a female and P100 for a male dog. It also states that 50% of the money collected goes to the provincial government as anti-rabies program revolving fund while 30% goes to the frontline barangay government while the remaining 20% goes to the municipal government.

The registration also goes with a subsequent vaccination and dog-tagging.

Some towns however collect minimal amounts for dog-registration and do not require dog-tagging, further complicating possible rabies infection and dog population control.

The governor's action seeks to declare ultra vires all local ordinances that would run counter to the provisions of the provincial ordinance.

 

Impact of World Oil Prices

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered an audit of oil and power companies to ensure that the downtrend in world oil prices will immediately benefit the public in the form of lower prices of the socially-sensitive commodity.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza told a press briefing that the President directed the Department of Energy (DOE) to undertake the audit.

He said the President wants to ensure that oil and power companies are fully compliant with the Oil Deregulation Law, and that the lowering of oil prices in the international market are correspondingly reflected in the local market.

For his part, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Secretary Cerge Remonde said that the President directed Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes to conduct a "more strict audit of oil firms" during the joint National Price Coordinating Council and National Food and Energy Council (NPCC-NFEC) meeting.

3 Filipino Senators Lead Survey

By Bingo P. Dejaresco
 
If a senatorial elections were held last month, the Pulse Asia nationwide survey said, that reelectionists senators Pia "Companera" Cayetano, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada and Mar "Mr Palengke" Roxas would top the elections.

Cayetano, an independent,obtained (48.2%) of votes followed by fellow incumbents Jinggoy Estrada ( 47.3%) and Mar Roxas (46.0%). Estrada has been mentioned as potential vice presidential material; Roxas as president.

Cayetano, sister of senate Blue Ribbon chairperson Peter Cayetano, currently chairs the senate committees on health and environment and is the principal author of the Anti-Hospital Detention Act of 2007 (RA 9439), Oil Spill Liability Act of 2007 (RA 9483), Anti Rabies Act of 2007 (RA 9482) and co-author of the Cheaper and Quality Medicine Acts of 2008 (RA 9502) which was enacted recently.

Pia who is a health buff and a breastfeeding advocate also placed second in the March senatorial surveys of Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations. Pia and her brother Peter are slowly moving out of the shadow of their illustrious patriarch the late senator Rene Cayetano and are individually proving their worth in the senate chamber.

The July elections survey would show an 8-4 Opposition winning slate based on 12 slots.

The winning Opposition probables (aside from the above three) Cayetano, Estrada and Roxas are: former senate president Franklin Drilon (44.1%), opposition losing senatorial candidate Koko Pimentel Jr. (39.0%), the comebacking former senator Serge Osmena (35.6%),senator Jamby Madrigal (34.5%) and former senator Jun Magsaysay (30.6%)

The winnable administration candidates would include: senator Miriam Santiago (37.2%), NEDA Director Ralph Recto (35.6%), senator Bong Revilla (34.6%) and anti-drug czar Tito Sotto (26.5%).

With a margin of error of 3%, statistically tied for 12th place with Sotto would be administration senator Juan Ponce Enrile (26.3%) and oppositionist Makati Mayor Jojo Binay (25.2%).

Lost in the senate radar are administration senators Dick Gordon ( 21.5%) and Lito Lapid (18.2%).

Big political names that did not make it to the July Top 12 senate probables survey include: Michael Defensor, former speaker Joe De Venecia, former senator Ernesto Maceda, former congressman Butch Pichay and MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando.All GMA Cabinet secretaries registered poor results in the nationwide survey.

Two named actors Ed Manzano (15.2%) and Willie Revillame (12,9%) poored farelu in the survey confirming the trend that the wave of actor-politicians for the nationsal scene had ended with the death of Fernando Poe Jr. Only Erap Estrada is a viable showbiz name , primarily because he is former president ,vice president , senator and mayor.

Filipino Youth at Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSYEAP)

The Junior Chamber International - Bohol Chocolate Hills (JCI-BCH) sends its member to the 35th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSYEAP), a two-month international youth exchange program sponsored by the Japanese Government aimed at promoting friendship and mutual understanding among youth from ASEAN and Japan.

Ivy O. Pacaldo, an active member of the JCI-BCH, an organization that promotes leadership and entrepreneur-ship skills, is among the chosen Filipino youth to represent the Philippines to board the famous Nippon Maru from October to December this year to visit Japan and ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and Vietnam.

The SSYEAP is an annual event participated in by more than 300 youth who involves in discussions on relevant social and youth issues, cultural introductions, sports, and recreation and club activities. Activities at each country port-of-call include courtesy calls on dignitaries, institutional visits, community services and home-stay experiences Pacaldo, a teacher from the Holy Spirit School (HSS) and an SK Volunteer, represents Bohol and Region VII along with David Maulas, a student leader from the Holy Name University (HNU). Both will depart in September for Manila for pre-departure trainings.

Rotary Club of Tagbilaran City

The Rotary Club of Upper Tagbilaran had their 3rd induction and turn-over ceremonies last Aug. 1, 2008 at the Mellow Apartelle in Dampas District, this city with Cong. Edgar Chatto as guest speaker and the Rotary District Governor Billy Parilla as the inducting officer.

The roster of officers for RY 2008-2009 includes Walter M. Lim, president; Nemesio M. Carbonilla, president-elect; Primo Yu, vice president (internal); Marjun R. Lumayag, vice president (external); Generoso G. Esmero Jr., secretary; Silvestre I. Biloy, treasurer; Francisco Pamaran Jr., auditor; Jes B. Tirol, Sgt. at Arms; and the directors: Gibyrlu Lumayag, membership; Glenn Blasquez, club public relations; Rodney A. Lumuthang, Club Administration; Rommel Luis Caderao, service projects, and Arnold E. Corsiga, The Rotary Foundation.

The group also inducted two new members, namely: Mario Morala and Luis Rommel Caderao. - the Bohol Chronicle

Join Cebu Franchise Expo

The Cebu Franchise Expo started in year 2000 has positioned itself as the premier franchising event for the Visayas and Mindanao. Franchising has evolved through the years to be the most successful way to expand a business or to go into a business by yourself and it would be to your advantage visiting this event. The biggest Franchise Event outside Metro Manila is held again in Cebu for the 9th consecutive year, at the SM City Cebu Tradehall from Sept. 12 to 14, 2008. More than 200 Franchise Opportunities will be available, originating from all over the Philippines and even coming from as far as South Africa.

The three day event is free to the public and the ideal place to find your investment of choice, organized by RK Franchise Consultancy together with FIFA Filipino International Franchise Association and as event manager CEO Events and Expo Organizer.

Franchise opportunities offered cover the following business segments: Food, Restaurants, Water, Salon & Spa, Gasoline Stations, Pharmacy, Laundry, Ink Business, Pawnshops, Cellphone shops, RTW, Education and supporting companies. The event is sponsored by Pagcor E-games, E-copy Corporation, Foxchit, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Megag8way Enterprise, Kaila Bags and Accessories, V.Y. Domingo Pawnshops, Clara International and Living Water. Media Partners are FranchiseToday, Sun*Star Cebu, Freeman, Cebu Daily News, Goldstar, Panay News and Rabbit Advertising.

A seminar "All about Franchising" conducted by Rodolf Kotik will be on Sept. 13 at 1:30 p.m. at Conference Hall D at 4th Floor of SM City Cebu. The following topics are discussed: What is Franchising, History of Franchising, Defining Franchising, Franchising 101, What does a Franchise provide, Benefits of buying a Franchise, How to select a Franchise, Advantages and Demands of Franchising, Mistakes by Franchise Buyers, Buying a Franchise, Franchising your business, Legal Franchise Requirements, Franchise Operations Manual, The Future of Franchising and Introduction to available Franchise Opportunities. For exhibitor or seminar details please contact Manila (02) 995.0734, 439.1579, Cebu (032) 273.3827, 238.3933, email info@cebuexpo.com or visit the website www.cebuexpo.com.

Bohol Panglao Island Airport Waste of Money?

Delays in the bidding and pre-construction activities of the Panglao Bohol International Airport Project has raised doubts on the availability of funds coming from its lead implementing agencies.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) assistant general manager Tirso Serrano however allayed suspicions on the existence of funds that would jumpstart the P4.2 billion airport.

The MIAA and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) are the lead implementing agencies of the Panglao airport.

Serrano told the Chronicle yesterday that "government procurement procedures" has to be met that also affected timeline of the project.

"Funding for the project is not the cause of the delay," he stressed.

In its original timeframe, the bidding process for the consultancy services for the detailed engineering design and construction management supervision of the airport project should have been completed last June 22.

The notice to proceed for the detailed engineering design should have been already issued to the consultant and start rendering its services last July.

Serrano said, "we are already going through the procedures considering the rules and pertinent procedures to be followed for such a big project."

"As of this time, we have been conferring with the Government Procurement Board, but rest assured, this will not substantially delay the airport's completion target in 2010," Serrano explained.

However, in a letter to MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi last July 3, DOTC undersecretary and project implementation officer Anneli Lontoc asked for an explanation on the "problems encountered, causes of delay and actions being taken to resolve the issues" on the pre-construction activities.

Lontoc noted that the project implementation so far is still in the short-listing stage of interested contractors.

According to Serrano, however, they are already in the process of awarding the contract for the detailed engineering and design to the three short-listed bidders.

"We have confidence in the qualifications of the 3 bidders short-listed and the contract could be awarded after the project managers will meet next week," Serrano added.


The DOTC, through assistant secretary Elmer Soneja likewise asked for the provincial government to submit reports and supporting documents in connection with the fund utilization for the airport project.

Not less than 75% of the amount already transferred to the provincial government is required to be reported as the program of work for the Panglao airport was revised to include the P170 million for the land acquisition.

The revised program of work was already approved by the DOTC. - The Bohol Chronicle

UN and Philippine Climate Change

The United Nations and the Government of the Philippines (GoP) signed a 3-year Joint Programme on "Strengthening the Philippines' Institutional Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change" with a USD 8-million funding from the Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund (MDGF).

UN Resident Coordinator Nileema Noble signed the Joint Programme Document (JPD) for the UN and NEDA Director General Ralph Recto.

The six participating UN agencies in the joint programme include: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Habitat, International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Health Organization (WHO), as implementing partners NEDA, DENR, DA, DOLE, DTI, DOST, and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

The program is timely given the worldwide effects now being felt from global warming and climate change. The program will focus on Climate risk reduction; enhanced national and local capacity to develop, manage and administer plans, programs and projects addressing climate change risks; and coping mechanisms.

Specifically, the program will also determine the vulnerability of critical sectors of the Philippines to climate change and strengthen the country's adaptive capacity by enhancing the policy making, planning, programming and implementation capacities of key stakeholders, particularly the responsible national government agencies. - PIA