Video: The Samar Island Press Club Sessions

The Samar Island Press Club Sessions
Mr. Ryan Babon of the National Economic and Development Authority's (NEDA) Communication and Advocacy Program talks about President Noynoy Aquino's Social Contract with Samar's leading regional press club, and learning a whole lot a long the way.

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DEVELOPinas is about people sharing ideas and experiences that inspire and shape positive synergies towards change and progress.

DEVELOPinas. Your online venue dedicated to the advocacy of development for every Filipino.

Featured Site: Office of the President's New Website

President Benigno S. Aquino III extends anew his invitation to every Filipino, as well as our foreign friends and partners, to actively participate in nation-building and good governance through the new official website of the Office of the President, www.president.gov.ph.

The website features a "News Desk" where you can read the most recent news on the President's affairs and engagements. Other pages include the "Panata sa Pagbabago", where you can make a pact, along with other Filipinos, to help reshape our country. You can now put faces on the names of the Cabinet Members you always hear or read about; find them in the "My Cabinet" page. And if you prefer more visual elements, the "Photos" and "Videos" pages might give you just that as both allow you to view and watch the President's most recent photos and videos while he judiciously performs his job.

In addition, the "Tito Noy" page was also introduced to target the younger Filipinos to become active nation-builders. President Noy sees that greatness can be achieved with our unique and rich Filipino culture; he wants it to be preserved and passed on to the young ones. Here, everyone is again encouraged to share their thoughts, but this time through graphic designs, on the positive Filipino traditions we all can be very proud of.

Please do share your thoughts. President Noy "wants to hear from you." Inaasahan niyang ibabahagi mo "ang iyong mga saloobin kung paano mas magiging bukas at tapat ang ating gobyerno."

Can you please help "ME" become popular?

I have a challenge for you. You see, I have a very important role in the government but only a few people know about me. I have the passion to be great but without your help, I cannot do anything. My name is Medium Term Philippine Development Plan. You can call me MTPDP for short. I am the development plan of the government which means that I express the targets, directions and expectations that my bosses have for our country. Sadly, I only live till I’m six years old then I will have to join my siblings “Philippines 2000”, “Angat Pinoy,” and “Beat the Odds” up in heaven.

For the mean time, I am not yet complete. My creators are still working tediously to make me as perfect as I can be. So what am I asking from you?

It would be really nice if by the time I’m completed, I already have a name for myself. I know that you are good in branding and your creative minds can surely help me be known in every corner of our country. Please help me think of a catchier name that has a stronger recall (MTPDP is not really the best name you know). Together with that, can you also think of a logo that can best represent me?

You can know me more through my relatives namely, President Aquino’s pronouncements, SONA, and social contract. You can talk to them so that you can have a better grasp of who I am.

I will be waiting for your slogan and logo suggestions. Please help me. I really need you.

Yours,
MTPDP

Featured Site: DOF's "Pera Ng Bayan"

PeraNgBayan.com is an online initiative of the Department of Finance as part of its effort to promote transparency, accountability and private sector participation.

The Department of Finance enjoins Filipinos to become an active partner in their drive against tax evaders, smugglers, and erring officials of the department and its attached agencies.

Marikina City: Discipline, Good Taste and Excellence (A Brochure)

Marikina Brochure

From creativity to political will, the local government of Marikina was able to transform the city into a home. The discipline that was introduced and instilled in every individual was their key to success. By creating order and setting the right attitude, the people of Marikina earned a renewed sense of pride and ownership toward their city.

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To continue reading and access the brochure at Scribd, click the following link: Marikina Brochure.

Pres. Noynoy Aquino's first State of the Nation Address

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS 

OF HIS EXCELLENCY
PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

15th Congress of the Philippines
Session Hall of the House of Representatives
Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City
July 26, 2010

(As delivered)

Maraming salamat po. Maupo po tayong lahat.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Vice President Jejomar Binay; Chief Justice Renato Corona; Former Presidents Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada; members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; distinguished members of the diplomatic corps; my fellow workers in government;

Mga minamahal kong kababayan:

Sa bawat sandali po ng pamamahala ay nahaharap tayo sa isang sangandaan.

Sa isang banda po ay ang pagpili para sa ikabubuti ng taumbayan. Ang pagtanaw sa interes ng nakakarami; at pagkapit sa prinsipyo; at ang pagiging tapat sa sinumpaan nating tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan. Ito po ang tuwid na daan.

Sa kabilang banda ay ang pag-una sa pansariling interes. Ang pagpapaalipin sa pulitikal na konsiderasyon, at pagsasakripisyo ng kapakanan ng taumbayan. Ito po ang baluktot na daan.

Matagal pong naligaw ang pamahalaan sa daang baluktot. Araw-araw po, lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lawak ng problemang ating namana. Damang-dama ko ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad.

Sa unang tatlong linggo ng aming panunungkulan, marami po kaming natuklasan. Nais ko pong ipahayag sa inyo ang iilan lamang sa mga namana nating suliranin at ang ginagawa naming hakbang para lutasin ang mga ito.

Sulyap lamang po ito; hindi pa ito ang lahat ng problemang haharapin natin. Inilihim at sadyang iniligaw ang sambayanan sa totoong kalagayan ng ating bansa.


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Read and download the complete file at:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34910005/State-of-the-Nation-Address-Pres-Benigno-S-Aquino-III
Image credit:  
http://usaptayokaibigan.blogspot.com/2010/07/first-sona-of-p-noy.html

Featured Site: Mindanao Rural Development Program 2

The Mindanao Rural Development Program – Adaptable Program Loan Phase 2 (MRDP2), www.damrdp.net, is a poverty-alleviation initiative implemented through the Department of Agriculture (DA) jointly funded by the World Bank, National Government, and Local Government Units covering Mindanao's 26 provinces and 225 municipalities.

 

MRDP seeks to further improve rural incomes and achieve food security through agri-fishery infrastructure, livelihood enterprise, and biodiversity conservation projects.

Creativity sweeps up Marikina

The word “creativity” is usually associated with art, talent and aesthetics but not with good governance and city building. This seemingly unfitting term for a highly technical field is shoved aside to give way to more structured political jargons. But what most cities thought was useless and can be thrown outside the window was what Marikina picked-up. The City where the “biggest shoe” lies used creativity to prove that a clean and green city is possible in the Philippines.

By repackaging traditional ideas and patterns to something more modern in approach, Marikina was successful in “fixing the broken window pane,” a principle which states that the behavior of a person adapts the environment he is in. When the surroundings are in chaos, the people will also be in chaos, but when the environment is healthy, the people are happy and content.

Working towards creating a home, Marikina has taught its people how to live well. By formulating innovative policies and using creativity as a strong implementing arm, following the rules finally makes sense.

Heading home
Gone were the days when informal settlers dominated the Marikina River.

Marikina’s public land is absolutely squatter free, according to Mr. Tomas C. Aguilar of the City Planning and Development Office. Though there are still roughly more than 1,500 illegal occupants found in private lands, there had been no influx of new squatters in Marikina.

The people living along the Marikina River and other public lands were relocated in the 106-hectare settlement sites provided for by the government. The roads are paved, the street signs are clear, and the basic needs are met as part of community upgrading. A façade was also built both to contain the settlement areas and to project a better view of these areas to tourists.

Coupled with the settlement program is a livelihood component. By teaching them how to make money, there is no reason why they cannot pay for the lot they are using through the community mortgage program.

So how did they do it?

The Marikina Settlement Office (MSO) encouraged the people to form into organizations for easier recognition and communication. Since they have already made a directory of informal colonies, it is easier for them to contact the people for regular focus group discussions. These sessions are used to discuss the latest program developments and to resolve any concerns they have.

The biggest challenge of the city is they do not have enough land for relocation. The Marikina is now considering medium-rise housing projects which can maximize the vertical space of buildings.

The process was not easy. In every change there is resistance and pain but in the case of Marikina, the outcome was worth the struggle.

A clean treat
The best way to teach the young and the not so young about littering is by giving them candies!

The key is discipline. “Mumunting basura, ibulsa muna.” Packed in small plastic bags, this simple reminder are reward treats for keeping the surroundings clean. After tasting the sweetness of the candy, the wrapper acts as a habit-forming technique that trains children to hold on to their litter. An experiential reminder is the strongest form of learning.

Having no trash cans along the roads of Marikina, the people take responsibility in disposing their trash. According to Mr. Aguilar, if they provide trash cans in the sidewalk, it gives the impression that they allow everyone to throw their trash until the trash can overflows and be the cause of discomfort to the community.

Split it or keep it
Waste segregation in Marikina is not an option. It’s a must. And its color coded too!

There is a three-day door-to-door garbage collection in Marikina. The first two days are for collecting biodegradable garbage while the third day is for the non-biodegradable wastes. A green ribbon tied on the sealed garbage bag means biodegradable and a pink ribbon means non-biodegradable. Mix it up and your garbage will surely be with you much longer. By ordinance 135, non-compliance to any of these would earn a P2,000 worth ticket or a choice to either render community service or donate 10cc of blood.

Marikina has proven that garbage is not garbage if you know how to handle it. Through a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) which encourages resource conservation and recovery, the protection and health of the public and environment is ensured. When it comes to dealing with biodegradable waste, it is processed through the Marikina composting facility which transforms waste into sellable fertilizer.

The children are also involved in taking care of the environment through the Eco Savers Program integrated in schools. Once a week, they are encouraged to bring “sellable” garbage like cans, bottles, paper, plastic, and the likes. Then the weight of their entry will be converted to the corresponding points, 1000 points is equal to P1. By November, the points that they have collected can buy them groceries and school supplies. The program both teaches the students the importance of recycling and at the same time, the value of helping the family.

From all sides
One of the factors that Marikina boasts of is the transparency in governance and this can be seen through the walls of public schools and 16 barangay halls, literally.

Concrete walls were replaced with see-through fences and glass for easier monitoring of employees and to encourage a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.

At your service
Creativity exemplifies the competence of government employees in Marikina. Their navy inspired uniform gives them a united look from the lowest to the highest position. Innovation has also made the system more efficient and simple by combining employees’ identification card, biometrics and ATM in one plastic card.

With all these improvements, the contentment of employees reflect to the people they serve. Through the five-minute quick response team, the people of Marikina feel safer and more taken cared of. After the Ondoy incident, it only took Marikina less than 30 days to get back on their feet, except for some totally devastated areas.

To also make transportation easier and cheaper, Marikina has developed the most extensive bike lane in the Philippines. A 52 Km bicycle passage and safe parking spaces have continued to encourage more people to travel using two wheels. With this, taking care of the physical self through exercise as well as taking care of the environment by minimizing carbon emission has made cycling a very convenient vehicle for travel.

Where there is peace and order, discipline follows. Where there is discipline, contentment thrives. In a city like Marikina where so many changes and development took place, the city’s pride is measured by the former Mayor’s statement that “The best city hall is where no people go.”

By painting the city with political will, creativity and initiative, the “pink of health” that Marikina was aiming for was achieved.

By: Pia Angelica Suiza

25 more QC public high schools provided with internet access

Several days before leaving city hall, outgoing Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said that 25 more local public high school libraries were provided with internet connections to facilitate the students’ research requirements and other educational needs.

With the new addition, Belmonte said there are now 58 internet-connected public high school libraries in the city that will benefit poor students who are forced to shell out extra internet cafe expenditures.

The new public school beneficiaries include the Ismael Mathay Sr. High School , Batasan National High School , Manuel Roxas High School , Jose P. Laurel High School, North Fairview High School, San Jose High School, Sergio Osmeña High School, Masambong High School, Pugad Lawin High School, Holy Spirit National High School, Bagong Silangan High School, Tandang Sora National High School, Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma High School, Maligaya High School, Doña Rosario High School, Sauyo High School, Balara High School, Carlos P. Garcia High School, Don Quintin Paredes High School, Krus na Ligas High School, Flora A. Ylagan High School, Ponciano Bernardo High School, Judge Feliciano Belmonte High School, Dr. Josefa Jara Martinez High School and the National Orthopedic Hospital School – San Gabriel branch.

Each school was provided by the city government with nine computer units, said Dr. Rowena Cacanindin, officer-in-charge of the QC division of schools.

In the wake of the possible ban of students in malls during school hours, Councilor Jaime Borres of the city’s Third District said that the additional internet connection on public school libraries is a morale booster for the students who sometimes are required to do extensive research work.

Parents in the past have complained that their children are unnecessarily exposed to danger when they go home at night coming from several hours of doing school-related activities in internet shops.

On worst case scenarios, Borres said that the children without adequate adult supervision are sometimes tempted or swayed by their peers to gamble on games like DOTA or watch illicit and sexually suggestive or violent scenes in the internet due to the relaxed rules imposed by the shop owners.

“I have already been a witness on how a bright public high school student was engulfed by peer pressure acquiring unimaginable vices inside internet shops. He learned to smoke pot, drink liquor, gamble and became disrespectful to his elders as the influence of bad company was simply too much for him to overcome. It is a good thing that the parents were able to put some sense into his mind as he bounced back from two mediocre grading periods to land in the top five of his class in the succeeding grading periods,’’ Borres added.

Borres said that not all are success stories recalling an incident when a promising female public high school student run away from home to be in the company of her friends she met in his frequent stays at various internet shops in the neighbourhood.

He added that the bright future of the student went down the drain as she joined a gang where she acquired bad habits like using drugs, taking alcohol and being involved in petty crimes that landed her in jail.

Borres cited Belmonte for giving the councilors annual funds from the city’s coffers which they can dispense for programs of their choice in their respective districts allowing him to purchase computers for public schools and identification cards (ID) with laces for public school students.

By CHITO A. CHAVEZ
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/263329/25-qc-public-high-schools-provided-with-internet-access

BSP waives bank fees on OFW remittances

MANILA, Philippines - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has agreed to waive the fees imposed on banks that use the Philippine Payments and Settlements System (Philpass) remit system as part of efforts to reduce the cost of sending money by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. told reporters that the central bank’s Monetary Board approved the lifting of the imposition of fees on banks that service OFW remittances through the central bank’s facility for six months.

“The Monetary Board has approved the waiver for six months of fees for banks servicing overseas Filipinos transacting through Philpass.

This will help enable banks to lower their remittance fees,” Tetangco stressed.OFWs and their beneficiaries are expected to enjoy lower remittance fees starting this quarter with the complete operation of the Philpass remit system resulting in savings of between P100 and P500 per transaction.

The system would reduce the charges to P50 for each remittance transaction as the current system charges between P150 and P550 per transaction.OFW families are expected to save at least P92 million to as high as P922 million due to the faster and cheaper delivery of remittances to the beneficiaries at a lower rate.

The system also eliminates the need for courier services by commercial banks for the mode of fund transfer involving credit-to-other banks once the project becomes operational.

The Philpass Remit System involves the use of the BSP-Philpass as the local clearing house for the transfer of remittances from a local bank to another bank where the OFW beneficiary maintains an account.

The project is one of the initiatives undertaken by the BSP in coordination with the Association of Bank Remittance Officers, Inc. (ABROI) through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last December.

The BSP said the full implementation of the project was originally scheduled in the first quarter of the year but only one bank has been able to migrate to the new system since the signing of the MOA.

According to the BSP, other member banks would be coming on stream once they resolve the remaining issues on hardware and system connectivity.

Other ABROI members expect to complete their migration to the new system only by end-May or end-June while two banks have indicated that they could comply only by end-September this year.

Last year, remittances went up by 5.4 percent to a new record level of $17.348 billion last year from $16.426 billion and exceeded the revised four percent growth forecast set by the central bank due to the steady growth of OFW remittances to the sustained demand for skilled Filipino workers overseas, particularly engineers, medical practitioners, and teachers.

The BSP recently upgraded its growth forecast for the amount of money sent home by overseas Filipinos to eight percent instead of six percent due to the strong demand for Filipino skilled workers.

So far, OFW remittances went up by 6.6 percent to $5.86 billion in the first four months of the year from $5.49 billion in the same period last year.

By Lawrence Agcaoili (The Philippine Star) (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=586189&publicationSubCategoryId=66)

Albay borrows P700M for scholarships

LEGAZPI CITY— The Provincial Government of Albay is borrowing P700 million from the Land Bank of the Philippines to finance a scholarship program that seeks to produce one college graduate per family in the province.

The program was a brainchild of Gov. Joey Salceda, who said it was part of his “education-driven development” plans for Albay.

The program, Salceda said, would encourage more young people to study, increase enrolment in colleges by at least 40 percent and produce more graduates.

Salceda, once the closest economic adviser of President Macapagal-Arroyo, signed a loan agreement with Gilda Pico, Landbank president and chief executive officer, at the bank’s head office in Manila.

The bank would charge 8 percent interest per annum for the loan which is payable in 10 years. The Albay provincial government would start paying two years after the loan contract’s effectivity.

The bank would release the money in tranches depending on the number of students that would enrol in a year.

The Albay provincial government quoted Pico as commending Salceda for the program.

Under the program, called Albay Higher Education Contribution Scheme, the provincial government would pay for half of a beneficiary’s college education and reimburse the other half that the student paid upon the student’s graduation.

Among the schools where program beneficiaries are expected to enrol is Bicol University.

12,000 beneficiaries

This year alone, the province will pay for tuition of over 12,000 college freshmen until they graduate.

“I would have placed this amount in infrastructure. But I believe diplomas give better economic returns than roads and bridges,” Salceda said.

He said a well-educated constituency has so much social payback and economic benefits.

“It expands their labor mobility. They will seek better jobs,” said Salceda.

“The difference in economic return between an elementary graduate and a secondary graduate is about seven percent. But the differential between a college graduate and a high school graduate is about 21 percent,” he said.

He said with diplomas, graduates in the province would be able to find jobs elsewhere and not cramp the small jobs market of Albay.

“Diplomas are like visas,” he added.

Education department

Albay is currently the only province in the country with a Provincial Education Department, known earlier as Education Quality for Albayanos, which was created by an ordinance.

The department has a regular staff approved by the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management.

Salceda said Albay has committed over 17 percent of its annual budget for education subsidy.

(http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20100618-276311)

Pagasa, South Korean agency spearhead flood forecasting project

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) are set to implement a $3-million flood forecasting project this month to help address the perennial problem of flooding in Metro Manila.

Pagasa administrator Prisco Nilo said the project includes the installation of automatic weather stations, rainfall gauging stations, and water level gauging stations in selected flood-prone areas in Metro Manila and Rizal province.

“This project will greatly enhance the flood forecasting capability of Pagasa in Metro Manila and its nearby areas,” Nilo said. 

He said all real-time rainfall data, including forecasts and warnings, will be made available to agencies involved in disaster management and local government units. 

Nilo stressed that the project will not only benefit Metro Manila but also residents of Rizal where some rainfall and automatic weather stations will also be installed. 

“These equipments can be utilized for the issuance of warnings for floods and rain-induced landslides in the area,” the Pagasa chief said. 

Last year, tropical cyclones “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” caused massive flooding in Metro Manila and its nearby areas, killing nearly a thousand of people and damaging billions of pesos worth of properties.

- HELEN FLORES, (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=580986&publicationSubCategoryId=200)

Public school uses solar power

MANILA, Philippines - The Sitero Francisco Memorial National High School in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City will be the first solar-powered school in the country after the installation of a 1kW photovoltaic solar array to light its nine-classroom building.

The solar energy initiative is one of the flagship projects of school principal Cesar Villareal and science department head Jameson Tan.

Tan scouted for potential donors and found Wanxiang America Corp. through the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The six solar panels, worth P500,000, were shipped from Illinois, USA by Wanxiang America. The city government of Valenzuela covered the duty on the cargo and the installation cost by professionals from FFG Solar Power Inc.

The installation of the solar panels would make the high school the first school in the country to have a hybrid energy setup, like the so-called “green schools” in the United States which use solar energy and grid energy.

The solar panels can generate 1kW to 5kW of electricity per hour depending on the intensity of sunlight. Unused solar energy is stored in eight deep-cycle batteries which can be used after sunset. The panels also continue to absorb light from the night sky.

“Once operational, the solar project will help students become more aware of their energy needs, the science behind it and other vital issues on energy utilization,” Villareal said.

A Web-based solar monitoring station will also be installed to monitor the energy production of other affiliate solar schools abroad in real-time.

The data will be used in studies on electricity and renewable energy sources, and how these are generated and used.

Villareal said that in the future, the school plans to develop a “green building” which teaches the harvesting of rainwater for energy generation and ventilation, the preparation of landscapes to reduce heat, reduction in water consumption, and recycling of waste water.

The ceremonial switching of lights was attended by Valenzuela City first district Rep Rex. Gatchalian, second district councilor Shalani Soledad, Department of Education officials led by division superintendent Dr. Flordeliza Mayari, and FEE representative William Manz.

- PERSEUS ECHEMINADA, (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=580914&publicationSubCategoryId=68)

Anti-poverty program boosts Mindanao reforestation efforts

The Department of Agriculture’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) has released over P40 million for its environment projects and half of it is allotted for reforestation activities in the upland the coastal areas in the south of the Philippines.

DA-MRDP is poverty alleviation program under the Department of Agriculture aims to improve incomes, better governance and sustain bountiful gifts of nature of Mindanao.

“We’re glad that we have our humble contribution for the protection of our natural resources as well as in the reforestation efforts of the country,” said program director Lealyn Ramos.

The recent feat of the country as cited for its low-carbon reforestation program comes as a reward when everyone toils to protect ourselves and the country from climate change Ramos said.

“Our contribution might be considered small but surely it’s nothing trivial,” she added.

Implemented under the Program’s Natural Resources Management (NRM), 575 hectares of upland and coastal areas various areas in Mindanao have engaged in agroreforestation, watershed management and mangrove rehabilitation.

RT Lim town in Zamboanga Sibugay is now implementing 100 hectare reforestation activities with P3.45 million to spend.

About three communities in Linamon town in Lanao del Norte have engaged in agroforestry conservation and ecotourism development for its 12 hectares forest cover which house the one of province’s tourist spot the Tinago Falls.

- MARVYN N. BENANING, (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/260236/antipoverty-program-boosts-mindanao-reforestation-efforts)

UN cites Albay’s drive against climate change

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon cited the province of Albay in the Bicol Region as among the local governments which initially signed the UN’s latest campaign on climate change in Bonn, Germany.

Albay is among the first local governments which have already committed to a 10-point checklist to step up investment in urban planning; infrastructure and building safety; reinforcing drainage systems to reduce flooding; and installing early warning systems, among other measures, under a two-year UN Campaign dubbed, “Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready.”
It was signed by Albay Governor Joey Salceda at the First World Congress on Cities and
Adaptation to Climate Change in Bonn from May 28 to 30.

“I encourage all cities to join, following the examples of Bonn, Mexico City, Saint-Louis in Senegal, Larreynaga-Malpaisillo in Nicaragua, Albay in the Philippines, Baofeng in China, and Karlstad in Sweden," Ban said in a message to the International Disaster and Risk Conference in Davos, Switzerland.
“A resilient city and its citizens can benefit greatly from the opportunities presented by urban risk reduction actions,” added Margareta Wahlström, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. “When successfully mobilized, resilient cities may benefit from growth and employment, business opportunities, balanced ecosystems, better health and improved education.”

The campaign also calls on local community groups, planners, academe, NGOs and the private sector to join in the efforts to make as many cities as resilient as possible.

It was Albay governor Joey Salceda who initiated a climate change action as part of the local governance strategy towards economic and social development, urging other local governments to do the same.

Albay is home to 1.3-million people. It has gone through major volcanic eruptions and typhoons, the most disastrous was supertyphoon "Reming" (internatonal name: Durian) in 2006.
Ban meanwhile underscored the importance of disaster risk reduction in combating climate change as well as attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

"With the earthquake in Haiti and other disasters, this year began with tragic reminders of the vulnerability of societies and the complexities inherent in any response," Ban said.

A climate change meeting will be held in Cancun, Mexico in December while an MDG summit will be convened at the UN Headquarters in New York in September.

"Disaster risk reduction can help to advance progress across this agenda. By focusing on the linkages, we can achieve a triple win by reducing the impact of disasters, adapting to climate change and safeguarding our development gains,” Ban said.

- MADEL R. SABATER, (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/259988/un-cites-albay-s-drive-against-climate-change)

Photo credits: http://www.newsweekstudy.com/images/ban.jpg | http://www.arkibongbayan.org/2007-01Jan23-albayonemonthafter/00-guinorailway/100_9811.JPG

Ro-Ro system cuts travel time, costs – ADBShare

THE roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) system has significantly cut the transport costs, as well as travel time in the Philippines, an Asian Development Bank (ADB) study revealed.

The Manila-based lender said the transport costs were reduced by 10 percent to 60 percent mainly because the cargo handling charges and wharfage fees were eliminated.

ADB said more tourists are using Ro-Ro because of its affordability.

Compared with other modes of transport such as air and traditional shipping, Ro-Ro is a competitive means of transporting passengers, the ADB said.

For example, tourism receipts in Boracay from 2003 to 2006 rose by more than 50 percent. In Iloilo and in Dapitan, receipts rose 30 percent and 200 percent, respectively.

“It should be noted that this rise in tourist arrivals can be attributed to the availability of both Ro-Ro and air transport services,” the ADB said.

In 2003, the government issued a policy to promote Ro-Ro, a system designed to carry rolling stock cargo that does not require cranes for loading or unloading.

The Strong Republic Nautical Highway is one of President Arroyo’s priority programs to ensure fast and economical movement of goods and people, and to boost domestic tourism and trade. The government wants a Ro-Ro port system to link all the country’s islands.

Earlier, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said the government will expand the country’s Ro-Ro ports by installing 74 modular ports nationwide to link the country’s provinces.

The project, dubbed as Greater Maritime Access (GMA) Ports, will be funded by an P11-billion loan from BNP Paribas.

This project would use prefabricated steel ports composed of five interdependent modular parts, such as pier or causeway connecting to shore, mooring platform, manual ramp dolphin, and passenger terminal with solar power utilities.

- DARWIN G. AMOJELAR SENIOR Reporter (http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/business-columns/16102-ro-ro-system-cuts-travel-time-costs--adb)