Website of Philpost Philippine Postal Corporation

The Philippine Postal Corporation in the region (Philpost-7) is now seen in the net with its official website, wwww.philpost7.com.

Philpost-7 information officer Rachel Betos said the website aims to facilitate customers' concerns the fastest way possible.

They could ask for the rates in sending their mail matters; they can also track and trace their mail status; they can download application forms for business reply permit; postal ID, postage charge account; and they can contact the office through the website without the hassle of going through busy telephone lines, Betos explained.

The website contains the rate calculator in which the customers could now calculate postage charge right on the web. Track and trace system for detailed mail information, Betos continued.

Another information posted in the website is the zip code for fast and accurate mail processing and delivery. News update for latest events and development within the corporation, she added.

Philpost was created under Republic Act No. 7354, or the Postal Service Act of 1992.

It was primarily established to undertake and implement an intensive modernization and development program geared towards improving the country's postal system to best serve its postal needs.

PhilPost has set four (4) major goals to enable it to sustain the postal requirements of the country in the next millennium. They are: global reliability and dependability; market expansion through clientele satisfaction; mutually beneficial labor-management relations; and profit maximization through cost-effectiveness and resource efficiency.

Synergized action plan in delivering government services

The Western Command (WESCOM), in its effort to come up with a more synergized action plan in delivering government services to the people through cooperation with the stakeholders, held an orientation-workshop on government programs recently with representatives from different agencies.

The 6th Civil Relation Group of the AFP reported that with the presence and input of participating agencies in the workshop held last December 13-14, the military was provided with a better understanding of government programs designed to improve the welfare of every Palaweño.

Among the government programs discussed in the two-day workshop were the cash grant scheme of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and agriculture-related programs of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), Provincial Health Office (PHO), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); the former was designed to alleviate poverty whereas the latter aims to provide livelihood opportunities and increase productivity in agriculture.

Equipped with a deeper knowledge of these programs, WESCOM personnel involved in Civil Military Operations (CMO), in collaboration and partnership with concerned agencies, can better formulate a concerted, efficient action plan in bringing the services provided by these programs to the people that is more in line with the principles of the military's Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan.

Cruz Ablaña, team leader of DSWD-Region IV-B, MIMAROPA Office, explained the processes and mechanisms put in place to ensure the proper implementation of the department's cash grant program called "Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program" (4Ps).

City’s Best Performing Barangay

by Ramon Dacawi

Imelda Village emerged the city's best performing barangay for the third straight year, this time besting 24 others which qualified for the annual contest sponsored by the city, through the Special Services Division (SSD) of the mayor's office.

For its three-peat, the community led by punong barangay (PB) Arturo Rapelo Jr. won P55,000 cash prize presented during the awards rites last Thursday at the Abada Hall of the Teachers' Camp.

Imelda Village received an additional cash of P30,000 also for having topped earlier the 2010 search for the city's most outstanding "Lupong Tagapamayap." The barangay fast improved on its third-place finish in 2008 and runner-up position in 2009.

Rapelo attributed the twin awards to the human resource development program of the barangay, leadership adjustments to various situations, links with various organizations and proper documentation of programs.

"I am sure the performance you have accomplished will be remembered," city mayor Mauricio Domogan told the awardees after presenting the awards with city councilor Peter Fianza and other officials.

"You are the front-liners in governance hence we can not underestimate the vital role you play," the mayor added.

City Camp Proper under PB barangay Aurora Abellera finished second and received P45,000 while Loakan Proper led by PB Jesusa Vizcaya took the third slot, good for P35,000 cash prize.

Irisan, the city's barangay in terms of area and population headed by PB Thomas Dumalti received P30,000 for finishing fourth while Pinget under PB Teresita de Guzman got P20,000 for ranking fifth.

Irisan added P20,000 to its coffers for its second-place ranking in the "lupon" contest, followed by Loakan Proper which received P15,000 and Pacdal which got P10,000 as incentive.

SSD chief Noel Mabutas praised the two panels of judges who spent months validating the reports of the barangays which competed in the twin contests. He also used the awards program as venue for also citing the city's partner agencies and volunteers in the "Pasadang Pambarangay" grassroots service delivery of city hall.

Increase in garbage output during Christmas

by Aileen Refuerzo

The city government has prepared contingency plans to address the expected increase in garbage output here with the influx of visitors for the holidays.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the city environment and parks management office (CEPMO) under Cordelia Lacsamana will be on hand to tackle this concern even as he appealed to residents and tourists to do their share by minimizing their wastes and sustaining the segregation practice in their homes.

"The holidays will entail additional concerns and that can't be helped so we have to do what we can to address them," the mayor said.

CEPMO solid waste division chief Ruben Cervantes said solid waste workers will report on their usual 22-hour shifts even during the holidays.

"We will have no holiday in our office. Everyone will work double time to handle the expected abnormal volume of garbage," Cervantes assured.

He said the no-holiday work schedule will apply even to street sweepers and maintenance crews stationed at the city market and parks.

At present, the city's biodegradable wastes are processed by the two Environmental Recycling System (ERS) machines.

Rehabilitation of the collapsed retaining wall at Irisan dumpsite

by Aileen Refuerzo

Mayor Mauricio Domogan expressed hopes that the P110 million approved by President Benigno Aquino for the rehabilitation of the collapsed retaining wall at Irisan dumpsite here will be released soon to ensure early implementation of the project.

"Hopefully the national government will release the fund approved in principle early so the project can be expedited and completed hopefully before the onset of the rainy season next year," the mayor said.

He said the program of work for the project has been submitted to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The project will cover the reconstruction of the retaining wall, which collapsed at the height of a typhoon in August, triggering a trash slide that killed six people.

The new structure is designed to withstand strong typhoons and heavy water flow which toppled the erstwhile protective wall in the area.

Earlier, the mayor formed a technical committee to prepare the plans for the rehabilitation of the wall and other reinforcement measures to strengthen the area.

The committee is chaired by city engineer Leo Bernardez and composed of Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR–CAR EMB) regional director Paquito Moreno, DENR– CAR Mines and Geo–Sciences acting regional director Orlando Pineda Sr., city building official Engr. Oscar Flores, Saint Louis University School of Engineering and Architecture Dean Engr. Bonifacio Dela Pena and Non –Government Organization consultant Dr. Virgilio Bautista.

20th Philippine Statistics Quiz

by Alex A. Lumaque

A freshman student of Capiz State University (CapSU) – Burias, Mambusao campus won the recent 20th Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) – provincial elimination.

Rey Mark Faderogao, taking up Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, bested 17 other contestants from Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion (CPC), Filamer Christian University (FCU), College of St. John – Roxas (CSJ – Roxas) and other CapSU campuses.

National Statistics Office (NSO) – Capiz Public Information Officer Rosiebelle A. Beluso said that other winners of the contest were Richel Lumbo of CSJ – Roxas and Jairus Vincent Paul Sinson of CapSU – main campus who got the second and third place, respectively.

Faderogao received a trophy and a cash prize of P3,000.00.

"The second placer received a medal and a cash prize of P2,000.00 while the third placer also got a medal and P1,000.00," Beluso said in a press release.

Negros Island the organic food bowl of Asia

by Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.

Negros Occ. Board Member Miller Serondo cited the efforts of the province in producing organic products to make Negros Island the organic food bowl of Asia.

In his speech during the recent opening of the 6th Negros Island Organic famers Festival, he said there are now about 3,000 farmer-practitioners who are certified or in the process of converting to organic farming and with almost 50 partners coming from LGUs, GOs and NGOs.

There are also a total of 28 certified producers and processors of various organic products for crops and other products.

Some 81.85 hectares are now certified as organic farms and 185 hectares are in the process for certification for a total of 266.85 hectares.

Certified sugarcane areas have now reached 23756 hectares.

On herb vegetables and fruits certification, 184.84 hectares. have already been covered. About 70.84 ectares are already certified while 114 are in process.

More than 330 hectares coffee plantation are already certified with 284 hectares more are on process for a total of 579.90 hectares.

The province has a total of 1,269.15 hectares of land developed into organic farms.

The Negros Occ. government has certified 6 companies while 11 are in process and have also established 10 pilot organic villages established.

Serondo said it was the late Gov. Joseph Marañon with former Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz and now Congressman of Negros Oriental who signed the MOA to make the island the organic food bowl of Asia way back in April 2005.

Incumbent Gov. Alfredo Marañon., an avid organic farming advocate, strengthened that goal by allocating P10million funding for organic projects and activities.

Republic Act 9593 or the New Tourism Law

by Julie Fianza

Owners and operators of primary, secondary and related tourism enterprises in the city listened as Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Purificacion Molintas and Baguio Country Club General Manager Anthony De Leon discussed salient points of Republic Act 9593 or the New Tourism Law at the City Hall Multi-purpose hall last Wednesday.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan, who delivered the welcome remarks, expressed appreciation for the audiences' concern for the industry and that such should be sustained.

The tourism law was signed mid-2009 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as a national policy for tourism as "an engine of investment, employment, growth and national development, and strengthening the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies to effectively and efficiently implement the policy…"

The tourism law targets the making of the country as a "world class tourist destination," with links and a cordial working relationship with local and international tourism institutes. This should be done with public and private partnerships, without sacrificing environmental concerns, and that programs should be coordinated within the grassroot levels, Molintas explained.

The law also mandates the formation of a tourism congress, which shall serve as "the private sector consultative body to assist the government in the development, implementation and coordination of tourism policies, plans and programs."