By: Rachelle Nessia
(Dumaguete City, November 11, 2010) – The forest cover in the province rose slightly due to replanting efforts by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and non-government organizations here.
Records from DENR showed that forest cover rose slightly from 5.6% in 1987 to 6.85% in 2006.
Forest loss in the province has been on a steady decline from 1875 to 1992, said Leo Mamicpic of the Friends of the Environment in Negros Oriental during the Kapihan forum held by the Philippine Information Agency to mark the observation of Wildlife Conservation Month this November.
Mamicpic said the diminishing number of forest trees in the province is indirectly proportional to the swelling population. “As the population went up, the number of forest trees went down,” he said.
Mamicpic said that forest trees in the province started to diminish noticeably starting 1949 and more denudation was observed in 1970 until in 1992, only 5.6% remained.
He lauded DENR’s replanting efforts as it contributed to increasing the province’s forest cover however slightly. (PIA/rmn)
-30-
Thursday, November 11, 2010
PIA holds Kapihan forum on Wildlife Conservation Month
By: Rachelle M. Nessia
(Dumaguete City, November 9, 2010) --- The observation of Wildlife Conservation Month in Negros Oriental this November kicked off with a Kapihan sa PIA forum wherein a crowd of more than 100 people representing various sectors in the community participated.
The forum scheduled held November 10 at the St. Paul University Dumaguete Gymnasium focused on this year’s theme as the topic: “Perpetuating Biodiversity Conservation Thru Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.”
The panel of speakers included Atty. Mikhael Maxino of the Silliman University College of Law and Salonga Law Center, Leo Mamicipic of the Friends of the Environment in Negros Oriental, Judith Alpuerto of the Provincial Planning and Development Office and Pol Carino of PENAGMANNAKI which is a non-government organization leading the local efforts in environment protection.
Majority of the forum’s audience were the Provincial Environment Desk Officers from the 25 towns and cities in the province along with representatives from the government line agencies and community sectors. (PIA/rmn)
-30-
(Dumaguete City, November 9, 2010) --- The observation of Wildlife Conservation Month in Negros Oriental this November kicked off with a Kapihan sa PIA forum wherein a crowd of more than 100 people representing various sectors in the community participated.
The forum scheduled held November 10 at the St. Paul University Dumaguete Gymnasium focused on this year’s theme as the topic: “Perpetuating Biodiversity Conservation Thru Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.”
The panel of speakers included Atty. Mikhael Maxino of the Silliman University College of Law and Salonga Law Center, Leo Mamicipic of the Friends of the Environment in Negros Oriental, Judith Alpuerto of the Provincial Planning and Development Office and Pol Carino of PENAGMANNAKI which is a non-government organization leading the local efforts in environment protection.
Majority of the forum’s audience were the Provincial Environment Desk Officers from the 25 towns and cities in the province along with representatives from the government line agencies and community sectors. (PIA/rmn)
-30-
Law enforcement training on child abuse set
(Dumaguete City, November 10, 2010) --- A group of non-government agencies is scheduled to train law enforcers in Negros Oriental on handling child abuse cases on November 16 at 9:30AM at the Provincial Hospital Administration Building function room.
The Great Physician Rehabilitation Center (GPRehab), Gender Women Against Violence and Exploitation (G-WAVE), Psychology Department of Silliman University, and Philippine National Police are sponsoring this seminar-workshop on how to prevent child sexual abuse and improve investigation of case.
Vice Dean of the College of Law of De La Salle University Atty. Rosario Olivas-Gallo, and proponent of the Keep the Children Safe Movement will facilitate the training.
According to Rolando Villamero Jr., Advocacy Coordinator of GPRehab, this activity is designed to discuss the myths and facts of child sexual abuse, how to identify an abuser, how to identify an abused child, safety plans for family, neighborhood, and school, and urgent steps to help a victim of child sexual abuse.
“As members of the society, it is our moral obligation to help prevent child abuse. Our children cannot wait. If we are not taking good care of our children, in essence, we are destroying our future,” expressed Analou Suan, GPRehab Executive Director.
Expected to attend this seminar-workshop are the PNP Negros Oriental Personnel, parents, teachers, church leaders, non-government organizations working for children, barangay leaders, lawyers, law students, and law enforcers.
Villamero said aside from facilitating the seminar-workshop on child abuse, Atty. Olivas-Gallo will also do radio guestings to further spread awareness about child sexual abuse in the community. (PIA/JCT)
-30-
The Great Physician Rehabilitation Center (GPRehab), Gender Women Against Violence and Exploitation (G-WAVE), Psychology Department of Silliman University, and Philippine National Police are sponsoring this seminar-workshop on how to prevent child sexual abuse and improve investigation of case.
Vice Dean of the College of Law of De La Salle University Atty. Rosario Olivas-Gallo, and proponent of the Keep the Children Safe Movement will facilitate the training.
According to Rolando Villamero Jr., Advocacy Coordinator of GPRehab, this activity is designed to discuss the myths and facts of child sexual abuse, how to identify an abuser, how to identify an abused child, safety plans for family, neighborhood, and school, and urgent steps to help a victim of child sexual abuse.
“As members of the society, it is our moral obligation to help prevent child abuse. Our children cannot wait. If we are not taking good care of our children, in essence, we are destroying our future,” expressed Analou Suan, GPRehab Executive Director.
Expected to attend this seminar-workshop are the PNP Negros Oriental Personnel, parents, teachers, church leaders, non-government organizations working for children, barangay leaders, lawyers, law students, and law enforcers.
Villamero said aside from facilitating the seminar-workshop on child abuse, Atty. Olivas-Gallo will also do radio guestings to further spread awareness about child sexual abuse in the community. (PIA/JCT)
-30-
Number of new SCAAs deploy in different areas of Negros Oriental
By: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
(Dumaguete City, November 10, 2010)--- Some 123 Special CAFGU Active Auxiliaries (SCAA) have been deployed to different detachments of the Army’s Alpha Company, 12th (CADRE) Battalion after they completed the three months rigid military training last week at Camp General Leon Kilat, Brgy Sta Cruz Viejo, Tanjay City.
Another 106 newly recruited civilian volunteers are undergoing also CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) basic military training under the supervision of 302 Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Negros Oriental.
Public Information Officer of 302nd Infantry Brigade of PA 1LT Win Love Bag-ao said the civilian volunteers coming from the municipalities of Pamplona, Valencia, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Basay, Sta. Catalina and Bayawan City serves as replacements of SCAAs who were terminated a year ago.
1LT Bag-ao said the volunteers are physically and mentally fit civilians they will be distributed to fill up the personnel requirements of the different SCAA detachments and perform their mandated tasks here in Negros Oriental.
Acting Provincial Governor Roel A. Degamo underscored in his speech during the closing ceremony the role of the CAFGU as partners of the province in peace and development.
Colonel Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena, 302 Brigade Commander also stressed the role of new members of the CAFGU as partners of the Army in the fight against insurgency.
Col. Ochotorena congratulated the new SCAA’s graduates and at the same time, welcomed the new trainee’s. He gave his assurance that all the benefits of a CAFGU must be given to them just like the subsistence allowance and Philhealth for their dependents. He also added that the Army in Negros Oriental under his leadership is doing their job well and will continue to support the Negros Oriental provincial government for the longing of lasting peace and progress in the province. (PIA/JCT)
-30-
(Dumaguete City, November 10, 2010)--- Some 123 Special CAFGU Active Auxiliaries (SCAA) have been deployed to different detachments of the Army’s Alpha Company, 12th (CADRE) Battalion after they completed the three months rigid military training last week at Camp General Leon Kilat, Brgy Sta Cruz Viejo, Tanjay City.
Another 106 newly recruited civilian volunteers are undergoing also CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) basic military training under the supervision of 302 Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Negros Oriental.
Public Information Officer of 302nd Infantry Brigade of PA 1LT Win Love Bag-ao said the civilian volunteers coming from the municipalities of Pamplona, Valencia, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Basay, Sta. Catalina and Bayawan City serves as replacements of SCAAs who were terminated a year ago.
1LT Bag-ao said the volunteers are physically and mentally fit civilians they will be distributed to fill up the personnel requirements of the different SCAA detachments and perform their mandated tasks here in Negros Oriental.
Acting Provincial Governor Roel A. Degamo underscored in his speech during the closing ceremony the role of the CAFGU as partners of the province in peace and development.
Colonel Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena, 302 Brigade Commander also stressed the role of new members of the CAFGU as partners of the Army in the fight against insurgency.
Col. Ochotorena congratulated the new SCAA’s graduates and at the same time, welcomed the new trainee’s. He gave his assurance that all the benefits of a CAFGU must be given to them just like the subsistence allowance and Philhealth for their dependents. He also added that the Army in Negros Oriental under his leadership is doing their job well and will continue to support the Negros Oriental provincial government for the longing of lasting peace and progress in the province. (PIA/JCT)
-30-
Homeowners in Negros Oriental asked to open doors to tourists
By: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
(Dumaguete City, November 9, 2010)--- Homeowners in Negros Oriental with extra rooms in their houses are invited to provide accommodation to foreign tourists and earn under the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Homestay Program.
Interested homeowners may join the training on December 7 – 10, this year in Dumaguete City to ensure that tourists in the province get to experience the finest hospitality and share the Filipino family practice with them.
Senior tourism operations officer Myla Mae Abellana said, the program aims to make more affordable rooms available for the increasing influx of tourists into the province.
The Program invites homeowners with spare rooms that are clean, comfortable, and secure, who are willing to accommodate both local and foreign guests.
Abellana disclosed more tourists wish for a more culturally-enriching experience by staying with local family and partaking of their food and customs.
Preparatory activities were held in July and come 3rd week of November will be the inspection of the potential homes.
Interested homeowners may contact the Provincial Tourism Office for enlistment in the training. (PIA/JCT)
-30-
(Dumaguete City, November 9, 2010)--- Homeowners in Negros Oriental with extra rooms in their houses are invited to provide accommodation to foreign tourists and earn under the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Homestay Program.
Interested homeowners may join the training on December 7 – 10, this year in Dumaguete City to ensure that tourists in the province get to experience the finest hospitality and share the Filipino family practice with them.
Senior tourism operations officer Myla Mae Abellana said, the program aims to make more affordable rooms available for the increasing influx of tourists into the province.
The Program invites homeowners with spare rooms that are clean, comfortable, and secure, who are willing to accommodate both local and foreign guests.
Abellana disclosed more tourists wish for a more culturally-enriching experience by staying with local family and partaking of their food and customs.
Preparatory activities were held in July and come 3rd week of November will be the inspection of the potential homes.
Interested homeowners may contact the Provincial Tourism Office for enlistment in the training. (PIA/JCT)
-30-
Lawyer seeks clients who will file civil suits to enforce environmental rights
by: Rachelle M. Nessia
(Dumaguete City, November 11, 2010) --- We need clients who will file civil suits in the interest of environmental protection.
Silliman University College of Law Dean Atty. Mikhael Maxino in a Kapihan forum held November 10 explained that under the new environmental rules approved on April 13, 2010, anyone can file citizen suits to enforce environmental laws.
Litigants enforcing their environmental rights by filing their cases as citizen suits are “deferred of payment of filing fees” until after the judgment.
Which is why we need clients who will enforce their environmental rights to force the government and its agencies to act on its duty to protect and preserve the environment, stressed Maxino.
The filing of civil suit is now allowed under the new Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases promulgated by the Supreme Court and took effect on April 29, 2010.
Maxino said that individuals whose constitutional right to a balance and healthy ecology has been violated or threatened can seek his office’s help in filing the civil suit.
“You are in the field, you know what’s happening out there. You just need to provide us with photos and information and we will take care of the rest,” said Maxino who also sits as director of the Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development.
The new rules also call for the use of a consent decree which is seen as an innovative way to resolve environmental cases by allowing a compromise agreement between two parties involved in the environmental litigation over issues that normally be litigated in court.
Another salient feature cited by Maxino is the environmental protection order which refers to an order issued by the court directing any person or government agency to perform or desist from performing an act in order to protect, preserve or rehabilitate the environment.
The most revolutionary innovation to the new rules is the introduction of the Writ of Kalikasan which Maxino said is the first of its kind in the world, describing it as a new legal weapon for environmental protection.
Similar to the Writ of Amparo, the Writ of Kalikasan is an idea first proposed by Chief Justice Puno as a remedy available to persons whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthy ecology is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee or private individual or entity.
“In the biggest cases where actual or potential environmental damage is enormous, affected persons can petition directly the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals for the issuance of the Writ of Kalikasan,” said Maxino.
The writ can used to stop destructive logging, irresponsible mining, unabated air and water pollution, etc. “This is heaven sent especially for poor and vulnerable communities and individuals who are powerless to defend themselves against large-scale environmental and development aggression,” he added.
Although the new rules are not yet being applied in Dumaguete, it is now being used in Manila.
Maxino urged the public to be vigilant in monitoring activities that may pose a threat to the environment. (PIA/rmn)
-30-
(Dumaguete City, November 11, 2010) --- We need clients who will file civil suits in the interest of environmental protection.
Silliman University College of Law Dean Atty. Mikhael Maxino in a Kapihan forum held November 10 explained that under the new environmental rules approved on April 13, 2010, anyone can file citizen suits to enforce environmental laws.
Litigants enforcing their environmental rights by filing their cases as citizen suits are “deferred of payment of filing fees” until after the judgment.
Which is why we need clients who will enforce their environmental rights to force the government and its agencies to act on its duty to protect and preserve the environment, stressed Maxino.
The filing of civil suit is now allowed under the new Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases promulgated by the Supreme Court and took effect on April 29, 2010.
Maxino said that individuals whose constitutional right to a balance and healthy ecology has been violated or threatened can seek his office’s help in filing the civil suit.
“You are in the field, you know what’s happening out there. You just need to provide us with photos and information and we will take care of the rest,” said Maxino who also sits as director of the Dr. Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development.
The new rules also call for the use of a consent decree which is seen as an innovative way to resolve environmental cases by allowing a compromise agreement between two parties involved in the environmental litigation over issues that normally be litigated in court.
Another salient feature cited by Maxino is the environmental protection order which refers to an order issued by the court directing any person or government agency to perform or desist from performing an act in order to protect, preserve or rehabilitate the environment.
The most revolutionary innovation to the new rules is the introduction of the Writ of Kalikasan which Maxino said is the first of its kind in the world, describing it as a new legal weapon for environmental protection.
Similar to the Writ of Amparo, the Writ of Kalikasan is an idea first proposed by Chief Justice Puno as a remedy available to persons whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthy ecology is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee or private individual or entity.
“In the biggest cases where actual or potential environmental damage is enormous, affected persons can petition directly the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals for the issuance of the Writ of Kalikasan,” said Maxino.
The writ can used to stop destructive logging, irresponsible mining, unabated air and water pollution, etc. “This is heaven sent especially for poor and vulnerable communities and individuals who are powerless to defend themselves against large-scale environmental and development aggression,” he added.
Although the new rules are not yet being applied in Dumaguete, it is now being used in Manila.
Maxino urged the public to be vigilant in monitoring activities that may pose a threat to the environment. (PIA/rmn)
-30-
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Two Negrenses to accept Outstanding Oriental Negrense Award for Excellence
By: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
(Dumaguete City, October 21, 2010) Two Negrenses will be awarded for Outstanding Oriental Negrense Award for Excellence on October 24, 2010 Sunday at Sidlakang Negros Village to culminate the two week-long celebration of Buglasan Festival.
The prestigious annual award will honor Judge Rafael Cresencio Tan Jr. and Dr. William Torillo Torres as the awardees engaged in the fields of government/public service and science and technology, respectively.
They are also recognized for their outstanding achievements, professionalism, exemplary leadership and dedication to the public service.
With a remarkable performance as a public officer and a trial court judge, Cresencio Tan had resolved 96.31 percent of all pending criminal cases and 98.66 percent of civil cases in his court as the Municipal Trial Court Judge in Sibulan, Negros Oriental from 1999 to 2005.
During his stint in Sibulan, he received the Presidential Jose A. Reyes Award for Excellence as Outstanding Municipal Trial Court Judge of 2002; and Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Negros Oriental Chapter’s Outstanding Service Award onMay 23, 2003.
Lately, Judge Tan accepted The Manila Times Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Excellence in public service in Manila.
Meanwhile, Dr. William Torres had a gigantic role in the development of the Philippine Internet industry, by being the first Filipino to obtain the Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Sciences degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1971.
Dr. Torres led the campaign to connect the Philippines to the global Internet making him the “Father of Philippine Internet.” He was the principal author of the National Information Technology Plan.
He co-founded and was President of Mosaic Communications, Inc. (MOSCOM), the largest Philippine internet service provider.
With all his endeavors, Dr. Torres have been awarded in Information Technology (IT) commitments in various capacities as president, board member, university professor, director, consultant or expert for various government or private concerns, such as the National Steel Corporation, the Development Academy of the Philippines, the prestigious regional Asia Productivity Organization, and others.
For five years, the outstanding award search has honored the achievements of Oriental Negrense leadership and contribution to the community that reflect more involvement in professional excellence, service and commitment in the field of endeavors. (PIA/JCT)
-30-
(Dumaguete City, October 21, 2010) Two Negrenses will be awarded for Outstanding Oriental Negrense Award for Excellence on October 24, 2010 Sunday at Sidlakang Negros Village to culminate the two week-long celebration of Buglasan Festival.
The prestigious annual award will honor Judge Rafael Cresencio Tan Jr. and Dr. William Torillo Torres as the awardees engaged in the fields of government/public service and science and technology, respectively.
They are also recognized for their outstanding achievements, professionalism, exemplary leadership and dedication to the public service.
With a remarkable performance as a public officer and a trial court judge, Cresencio Tan had resolved 96.31 percent of all pending criminal cases and 98.66 percent of civil cases in his court as the Municipal Trial Court Judge in Sibulan, Negros Oriental from 1999 to 2005.
During his stint in Sibulan, he received the Presidential Jose A. Reyes Award for Excellence as Outstanding Municipal Trial Court Judge of 2002; and Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Negros Oriental Chapter’s Outstanding Service Award onMay 23, 2003.
Lately, Judge Tan accepted The Manila Times Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Excellence in public service in Manila.
Meanwhile, Dr. William Torres had a gigantic role in the development of the Philippine Internet industry, by being the first Filipino to obtain the Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Sciences degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1971.
Dr. Torres led the campaign to connect the Philippines to the global Internet making him the “Father of Philippine Internet.” He was the principal author of the National Information Technology Plan.
He co-founded and was President of Mosaic Communications, Inc. (MOSCOM), the largest Philippine internet service provider.
With all his endeavors, Dr. Torres have been awarded in Information Technology (IT) commitments in various capacities as president, board member, university professor, director, consultant or expert for various government or private concerns, such as the National Steel Corporation, the Development Academy of the Philippines, the prestigious regional Asia Productivity Organization, and others.
For five years, the outstanding award search has honored the achievements of Oriental Negrense leadership and contribution to the community that reflect more involvement in professional excellence, service and commitment in the field of endeavors. (PIA/JCT)
-30-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)