EDITORIAL - Stimulus fund

The world is now gradually experiencing the brunt of the anticipated and feared economic crisis. Our economists and strategists said that what we are now observing is just a `lull’ and the worst is yet to come. Lay offs from works are ubiquitous.

The Arroyo administration is boasting its economic strategy to counter this slump through the so-called `stimulus fund.’

Some solons, however, are apprehensive that this fund, which runs to over hundred billion pesos, might again fall prey to the corrupt and unscrupulous officials of the government.

Safeguards to this big money needs to be laid down---lean and clean---if only to ensure that the fund will serve its noble purpose of saving the country and its people from the brunt of world recession and feared economic collapse.

The stimulus fund will finance income and job-generating projects that would create massive employment and provide work to those who have either lost their jobs or have been looking for one but failed.

But one thing is sure to safeguard this saviour fund: Everybody needs to be vigilant. Everyone must partake in guarding this stimulus fund. We must take note that this time, we cannot afford to commit further mistake---or we suffer the consequences.

Karaoke! BY CAYLA DENGATE

Blonde Insights:

Cayla Dengate

I remember my first time like it was yesterday: the nervous anticipation, fumbling fear and climatic excitement as it ended.

I’m talking about karaoke.

In Australia, singing in public is a big social taboo. Only the best singers - and those whose confidence is misproportionate to their talent – sing in front of people. I am neither, and managed to get to 23 without ever singing outside the safety of my own room.

Then came the Philippines – where karaoke is practically a national pastime. About one hour after the plane touched down in Manila, a microphone was thrust in my face. I tried to say no but my new-found friends picked an 80s ballad and suddenly, I was the unwilling center of attention.

The song’s introduction was mercifully long, but as the melody kicked in, I knew I had to sing. I closed my eyes and a strange warbling note, like a cat being run over by a bike, came out of my mouth. 

I prayed for a brown out, but the song kept going, dragging me along behind it. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life – and did I mention I’ve swum with sharks?

But at the end, no one booed, no one heckled me, everyone cheered and the next person stepped up to murder a song.

Here in the Philippines, there seems to be no shame in belting out a line of Rhianna’s Umbrella on the jeepney or breaking into a Mariah Carey solo while doing the shopping. This complete lack of self consciousness made me realise how uptight Australians can be.

We don’t sing or dance for fear of being embarrassed but here, anyone will grab a microphone and belt out a tune.Then there’s the dancing, my fiancée – who never dances – and I were riding home last week when we saw a fiesta in full swing. The dance floor was filled with people shaking their limbs to Santeria. 

It was the type of reckless fun I only remember partaking in as a child. It seems that part of growing up is denying yourself the fun of dancing like no one’s watching or singing like no one’s listening.

I think I’d rather be a child.

(The author of this column is Ms. Cayla Dengate,24, an Australian journalism professor, who is right now doing team teaching with the Filipino faculty members at the Journalism Department of Bicol University College of Arts and Letters. She is staying for at least eight months in the Philippines.)

Albay gets UNDP and Dutch Award for good governance BY MAR ARGUELLES

LINIS KALOG or the Linis Kanal at Ilog (Clean-up of Rivers and Creeks) which aims to promote environmental conservation and at the same time is a “food for work” program for river cleanup in two cities and one municipality (Legazpi and Tabaco City; Ligao City, Daraga and Polangui, Albay together with the ABS-CBN Channel 2 Reporters and Staff)

Albay province receive another feather in one’s cap for innovative approaches in local governance a recognition conferredby the United National Development Programme (UNDP) and the Dutch development agency.

The recognition came along after the province has received the Galing Pook Award (GPA) for 2008 last January 26 this year, after besting 19 other local government units (LGU) across the country.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the province after being named as one of the Top 10 Outstanding Governance Programs in the search for Galing Pook 2008, it has been selected as one of the 4 awardees for the Special Citation on Local Capacity Inventive Mechanism (LoCIM) for Good Governance by the UNDP/Dutch SNV.

The provincial executive said the agency awarded the province for its innovative approaches in institutionalizing incentive mechanism to efficiently deliver services.

Salceda quoting a letter from Pamela Grafilo, Galing Pook Foundation Program Officer for Awards and Promotion said the UNDP-Dutch Award is in line with GPA for institutionalizing the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Office (APSEMO) the first of its kind created in the country.

The APSEMO was primarily created to serve as the technical and administrative arm of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) due to the geographic and geologic location of the province highly vulnerable to various types of natural hazards like typhoons, flood, mud/debris flows, storm surges, tsunami, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

Salceda said the creation of the APSEMO resulted in attaining a “Zero Casualty” objective, a pre-emptive evacuation system, the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction Plan in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the province consistent with five priorities for action under the Hyogo Framework for Action.

Salceda said “this is where we bested other areas in terms of capability in meeting disaster challenges and mitigation measures.”

The awarding ceremonies will be held on February 11 this year at the Rizal Hall in Malacanan with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo conferring the plaque of recognition for this year’s Top 10 Outstanding Local Governance Programs. 

Albay was among the 138 LGUs that qualified to the GPA program application, of these only 19 came as finalist and Albay garnered the top place. For the UNDP award Albay was among the 4 awardees.

The entries to the GPA selection process have undergone a painstaking screening from the 15 members national screening committee chaired by Solita Monsod, former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary.

Salceda said the Albay Program was unanimously endorsed by the 15 members topping other final entries.

The GPA was launched in 1993 as a pioneering program to recognize and promote innovation and excellence in local governance and in support of the Local Government Code.

GPA aims to search, select and recognize outstanding programs of local governments and translating the winning programs into resource materials and knowledge products for dissemination, promotion and replication.

Salceda said this is the first time that the province garnered the top Galing Pook Awardee unlike Naga City who won the GAP Award for Continuing Excellence (ACE) for winning at least three Top Ten Outstanding Local Governance Program Award. The town of Irosin in Sorsogon also won a Galing Pook award in the 90’s.

To win a GPA an LGU should have a seal of good housekeeping and in setting better standards of excellence in local governance, Salceda said.

Salceda said for 14 years, the GPA is considered the “Oscars” of the local governance awards, it has received a total of 2,847 applications from 662 LGUs and has awaqrded 215 exemplary local government programs from 145 LGUs. 

Operation Blessings: Wheelchair and leg prosthesis distribution in Bicol BY DAN DAZ

Dots and Dash:

Dan Daz

As part of a support group of civic organizations and civic-minded individuals in Albay and the Bicol region, I had the privilege of participating in several service-oriented projects. These projects range from feeding programs; gift-giving, medical-dental missions to quiz shows and the UPCAT orientation seminar for Bicol high school students who want to enter the State University. As simple as they may seem, these activities are more intricate than meets the eye. I have witnessed the meticulous planning needed before the projects are implemented and the time, effort, logistics and commitment demanded from all those involved in the project. 

But the civic-minded organizers and donors are not complaining. Instead they pursue it with a passion. For them, the happiness painted on the recipients faces, the smiles and occasional tears of joy, the simple thank you’s and the thought that they have made a difference in someone’s life no matter how small or fleeting are more than enough rewards. 

For the recipients especially the least fortunate, more than the material benefits, the food that momentarily fills an empty stomach or the medicines that will cure their illnesses, these proceedings represent a validation of their self-worth; one worthy of the love, time and caring from their more affluent kababayans. 

One such undertaking is Operation Blessings. A joint project of the UP Ibalon Alumni Association in Bicol led by its president Butch M. Robredo and the Physicians for Peace, an affiliate of the 700 club, led by Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc; the group will be distributing the first batch of wheelchairs to qualified indigent recipients at the Naga City Civic Center Gymnasium on February 6, 2009. 

The initial batch of recipients was identified through the assistance of the Kapisanan ng mga Sangguniang Barangay Kagawad (KSBK) under President Lolita Mancera-Nantes. Meanwhile, the indigent amputees will be screened and those eligible will have their measurements taken for the artificial limbs during the said event.

Operation Blessings plans to distribute free wheelchairs in Bicol on the 3rd to 4th week of March 2009. For Camarines recipients, Daet in Camarines Norte will be the initial stop-over before going to Naga City and Camarines Sur. The distribution team will then proceed to Tiwi, Tabaco City, Santo Domingo and Legazpi City in Albay province, after which the group will proceed to Sorsogon City in Sorsogon Province for the last stop. 

Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc, a UP- PGH Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist and also a member of the UP Ibalon Alumni Association has outlined the following guidelines in the conduct of the charity work.

A) Requirements of Operation Blessings for the wheelchair recipients are:
1. Name, age, medical diagnosis and reason(s) for needing a wheelchair: a physician’s signature is preferred, but not required.
2. DSWD Case Study report on the recipient
3. Barangay certificate that the recipient is a resident of the barangay.

B) Operation Blessings’ counterparts— the Local Government Units (LGU’s), Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO’s), Civic Organizations or partner(s) are enjoined to assist in the following:
1. Board and lodging of the Operation Blessings team (normally 6 personnel) for 2-3 days
2. Venue for distribution - preferably a gym or something like the Naga Civic Center
3. Transportation expenses of wheelchairs
4. Manpower to assist in the wheelchair assembly

Ibalonians within and in between the above-mentioned areas may submit requirements of potential recipients before February 15, 2009 so they may be included in the distribution. In a telephone conversation with our president Butch Robredo, Butch said part (A) above have been mostly taken cared of but he appealed for support from the Operation Blessings counterparts (B) who will assist in the provision of the Board and Lodging of the OB personnel, the venue, transportation of wheelchairs and the manpower to assist in the wheelchair assembly. 

Expecting to be in Naga City on February 6 to meet with those involved with the project, UP Ibalon Alumni president Butch M. Robredo and Physicians for Peace’ Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc, in behalf of their respective organizations expresses their thanks to all those who will commit themselves for this worthy endeavor. The participation of more UPIAA members and non-member volunteers are welcome and gratefully appreciated.

You may contact Butch Robredo at 0920-9266981.

The role of local government units in mainstreaming climate change adaptation in the Philippines

This scholarly but comprehensive and detailed presentation on climate change adaptation is prepared by Mr. Nong Rangasa, et.al, for the consumption of every Filipino. Mr. Rangasa (above photo) is at present the Executive Director of Albay’s Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA)

(Continuation of a series By Nong Rangasa et.al.)

It supports the Albay Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) in the implementation of the organization’s objectives as mandated by the Presidential Decree No. 1566 and other related laws. It is tasked to administer effective and efficient interventions into distress areas in coordination with the different PDCC organic and regular members in the Province of Albay. APSEMO administers and supervises the systematic delivery of services to the public in terms of Disaster Risk Management and Public Safety coordination with the Local Disaster Coordinating Councils (LDCCs), PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, Governor’s Office and NGOs due to the effects of natural and man made calamities. It also facilitates the restoration and rehabilitation of disaster-stricken communities. Specifically it is tasked to: delineate the functions of Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council members and volunteers before, during and after the calamity impact; eenhance communication linkages within the organization and between sectors involved
in public safety anchored on disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery; and maintain active coordination between and among the LGUs, GOs, NGOs and PDCC member agencies to ensure timely warning and appropriate response on disaster-related activities.

The APSEMO supports the programs and structure of National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). The activities of the APSEMO are as follows:

Disaster Preparedness: Hazard assessment, documentation of risk areas and mapping, research & planning for crisis administration, education & training / drills in LGUs, road safety and technical assistance to cities, municipalities and barangay disaster coordinating councils as well as the various schools and universities and the business sectors. Developed warning criteria on floods, landslides and mudflows.

Disaster Mitigation: Policy development, policy on geo-strategic interventions, short-term policy on setting of curfew, prohibition of human activities in the danger zones, disposition of relief and donations, integration of disaster risk reduction to CLUP, community training & public awareness on structural, non-structural disaster mitigation requirements.

Disaster Response Operations: Overall administration and coordination of disaster response activities such as execution of emergency plans, communication & information management, monitoring of disaster situation, stabilizing the crisis situation, provide ambulant services to the distress victims, command post, and the likes.Recovery: Damage assessment, rehabilitation planning and secure funding. Organizing of disaster recovery & development team through cluster approach.Others: Issuances of certification on danger zone and hazard area, renders technical assistance as resource person to GOs, NGOs, LGUs, and SUCs, conduct research, consultancy and the likes, upon request.  Provide technical support to LGU’s & NGOs on disaster risk reduction strategic.

Various indigenous local response mechanisms to landslides, floods, strong winds and heavy rainfall are apparent in some communities in the province. However, the APPSEMO is still on the process of documenting and verifying the effectiveness of these mechanisms (Daep, 2007). 

The provincial government had recently installed 15 rain gauges on the slopes of Mt Mayon - an early warning system against deadly floods. The plan is to install more sophisticated early warning weather stations. However, this requires high financial costs. Also, the APPSEMO recognizes the need for more effective communication systems to ensure the accurate flow of information before, during and after disasters. The provincial Governor has also introduced the concept of “pre-emptive evacuations”. In November 2007 and again in February 2008, hundreds of thousands of residents were ordered to leave their homes for the safety of schools, public buildings and other evacuation sites before the arrival of large storms.

For the next three years, the provincial government of Albay has outlined the following activities:

• Community based training and public information on the importance of disaster management concepts; issuance of timely warning on impending threat of hazard; strengthening of the LGU capabilities on disaster management;

• Research and documentation on hazard information and databank – updating the hazard profile of all municipalities in Albay and to analyze data on man-made disasters for public safety studies;

• Risk reduction and disaster response – mitigation of damages caused by debris and landslide and prevention of loss of lives/damages to properties;

• Modernization/refurbishing of disaster operation center – upgrading of the existing conference room to provide better and state of the art facilities;

“Albay Declaration on Climate Change Adaptation” mainstreaming climate change into local and national development policies.