by anyajulia | Mar 30, 2009 | Headlines, National News
WHEN President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo comes to Bohol, April 1, it would probably be her briefest official visit here.
The president is expected to breeze through Bohol late Wednesday morning and be off for another official engagement at 1:30.
But the youth sector awaiting here are making sure it would be one that leaves the longest imprint in environmental protection as they hope it would re-vitalize her dream Green Philippines.
Green Philippines Project is an environmental campaign that President Arroyo has been spearheading since she assumed office and immediately uncovered details of making the country clean and green.
It may be recalled that it was also in Bohol when PGMA also launched Green Philippines during the first Bohol Youth Day, in March of 2007.
In her address to the youth then, she said “We still have time to shape up our nation in the right direction: clean, healthy, productive and beautiful.”
While asking the youth to rally with her, she wanted to realize the dream in next five years.
On her re-visit two years after the 2007 launch, Sangguniang Kabataan President Jane Censoria Cajes, said she expects the youth to get a recharge on the president’s Green Philippines call for adopting a clean, socially responsible environment policy.
The president then shared her seven-year vision of making the country a model of environmental stewardship while engaging the youth to do the legwork.
For the project, President Arroyo wants to use the youth to bring out innovative land management strategies and care of the environment.
“I fully believe that within the seven years, the Philippines can be a model of environmental stewardship, she bared then,
The move, then spearheaded by the National Youth Commission and the Tagbilaran Diocesan Youth Commission, aimed to make a strong Boholano pro-environmental statement.
In 2009, PGMA would engage the youth anew in her reinvigorated national environment campaign. (rachiu/PIA)
by anyajulia | Mar 30, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
OVER the Presidential directive to “cut government waste, belt-tightening measures and living within one’s means, Bohol Capitol responded with an order to leave all government cars at the Manison or Capitol.
And just as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered all government departments and agencies to save money for food, fuel and rice subsidies for the poorest of the poor, Provincial administrator Tomas Abapo said Governor Erico Aumentado has issued corresponding directives for strict compliance.
These steps, Atty. Abapo presses, are few of the moves to stop unnecessary and wasteful spending, especially in fuel.
Speaking at the weekly Governor’s Report, Abapo said drivers have been instructed to leave their keys at the Capitol or Mansion guards to make sure no Capitol vehicles are being abused during the week-ends.
This as President Arroyo ordered all state agencies including the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the PNPA to spearhead the “belt-tightening measures” that would allow the government to provide incentives to help the private sector to generate jobs, and rescue the poor by providing them subsidies on food, fuel, and rice.
Mrs Arroyo shared she wanted all these to sustain funding the subsidies for the poor.
”How do we fund all these? The answer is: cut government waste. In challenging economic times, the government must tighten its belt and live within its means just like the average Filipino household,” the President said.
Recently, the President had directed departments and agencies to set aside 1.5 percent of their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), and save up to P7 billion to fund emergency employment and subsidies to mitigate the negative effects of global economic crisis.
She added that savings and revenue sourced out from MOOE of all government agencies will be allocated to emergency employment for the next six months.
She also ordered electricity and fuel saving measures to bring down by 25 percent the consumption of fossil fuels, reduce electric consumption by at least 10 percent within 10 weeks, obliging all government offices to use incandescent fluorescent bulbs to save energy and electric consumption.
The President also reiterated that the government must convert 20 percent of its vehicles in major cities to non-fossil fuels like bio-diesel.
“Government vehicles including police cars, not on official trip, should be garaged in the agency office and the keys kept by guards during weekend and holidays. Government vehicles used by officials below Cabinet rank may not have security plates unless there is imminent danger to their lives,” she stressed. (rachiu/PIA)
CUTTING on fuel costs, Gov. Aumentado orders all government vehicles to be stored at the Capitol or mansion grounds on Fridays to keep them from abuses during weekends, says Atty. Tomas Abapo. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Mar 30, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
LEVEL UP. Youth sector representatives present their pro-environment plan during the recent Kapihan sa PIA which tackled on the youth and their environment advocacy. In Bohol, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would be joining the SK in launching Green Philippines this Wednesday. (PIA)
ANTI RABIES COUNCIL top men Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, Dr, Reymoses Cabagnot and media representative Lito Responte answers queries about Bohol rabies program during a visit by Asian learners. (PIA)
GERMINATING HOPE. Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera finds new recruits in his food sufficiency dream for Bohol with the 26 rebel returnees who get starter seeds for their new lives in peace. With Hererra in the picture are Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo (partly hidden) OPAPP Usec. Cesar Ramboanga Jr. and 302nd Bde Commander Col. Alan Luga. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Mar 27, 2009 | Headlines, National News, Price Updates
Malacanang has demanded oil firms to explain the oil price hikes implemented since Tuesday (March 24).
Department of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes already called on Petron, Shell, Caltex, PTT Philippines and Total to discuss the ‘surprise’ hike of their gasoline prices by P1 per liter and diesel and kerosene prices by 50 centavos.
Under the Oil Deregulation law, oil firms should inform the DOE about any adjustment on oil products. The DOE also requires that the oil firms announce the price changes a day before implementation. (PNA)
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by anyajulia | Mar 27, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Defense assures that government will explore all possible options for the safe release of the Red Cross volunteers held hostaged in Sulu.
DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said the President has strict instructions to make efforts to protect the safety of hostages. Teodoro adds that the military will remain where they are to maintain pressure and prevent escape of Albader Parad and his gang of bandits.
Parad threatened to behead hostages if soldiers do not withdraw from Indanan by the end of the month.
The Abu Sayyaf has been holding Mary Jean Lacaba, Andreas Notter and Eugenio Vagni for more than two months now. (PIA-MMIO)
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