DOST to launch nationwide disaster mitigation program

The Department of Science and Technology is set to put into place a nationwide disaster mitigation system that will help key agencies and personalities make informed decisions to save lives and properties.

Called NOAH or the National Operational Assessment of Hazards and Risks, the program is designed to serve as sentinel that will address the serious challenges brought by extreme hazard events.

“The NOAH Project will enable the government to address the serious challenges brought by extreme hazard events,” DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said. “We will apply advanced S&T tools, such as enhanced vulnerability maps and a shortened six-hour monitoring and warning system for communication along the major river basins.”

NOAH will have seven components that will address major needs in various disaster situations. These include Hydromet sensors development, DREAM-Lidar, FloodNET, Hazards information media, Landslide hazards mapping, Doppler system development, and Storm surge inundation mapping.

With the DOST on the lead, NOAH brings together experts from 21 institutions in close collaboration, including  DOST’s PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, Advanced Science and technology Institute, and Science and Technology Information Institute; Department of Interior and Local Government; University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences and Department

In a country frequently visited by typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, some of them highly-destructive, the NOAH project comes as helpful as Noah’s ark in biblical times. Natural hazards inflict loss of lives and costly damage to property, with economic losses amounting to billions of pesos each year. Moreover, the continued development in the lowlands and the rapid growth of the population contribute to the damage to infrastructure and human losses.

“This project is so far the most advanced measure implemented by the government in disaster mitigation,” added Sec. Montejo.

NOAH will be formally launched at the National Institute of Physics in UP Diliman, QC. on 18 June 2012 at 2:00 PM. (Framelia V. Anonas, S&T Media Service)

Miss World-PHL candidates added glitter to Independence day rites

MALOLOS CITY—President Benigno Aquino III is not the only person who provided color and glitter to the 114th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Barasoain church here on Tuesday.

There is also the 25 Miss World-Philippines pageant candidates led by the Cory Quirino, the country franchisee of the pageant that send the most talented, intelligent and beautiful Filipina to the world stage.

Clad in colorful upper garments and shawls, the 25 candidates including the lone Bulakenya Ivy Ocampo of Paombong sat by the stage where the President spoke while facing the Barasoain church.

Participants to the celebrations, including journalists cannot help but look at the President, then to the pageant candidates.

Bulakenyos hailed the President for leading the annual rites here.

This is due to fact that n the past years, guest speakers to the annual rites have range from a sitting senator of the republic to an undersecretary, which historian objected noting it reduced the importance of the Barasoain church where the first Congress was convened in 1898.

Housed at Barasoain, said Congress ratified on September 1898 the independence declared by the late General Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite months earlier.

The following year, on January 23, 1899, the Malolos Congress ratified the first republican Constitution that gave birth to the first democratic republic in Asia and Africa.

The said events gave Barasoain the honor of having the Senate President or the House Speaker as guest speaker in the annual rites, but receding sense of history led to lower officials to lead the annual rites.

This was reversed for the first time on Tuesday with the President leading the annual rites.

His presence was made more colorful by the pageant candidates, but some Bulakenyos cited their lower garments as too short, thereby showing more skin of their legs.

Cora Sityar, said that the lower garments candidates were inappropriate for the occasion.

But other Bulakenyos would careless.

After the President delivered his Independence Day message and walked down the stage for the recessional honors, the pageant candidates also walked across the plaza in the hope for a brief group photo session with the President.

But I didn’t happen as photographers along with other people with cameras came flashing and clicking, thereby blocking the space between the candidates and the President who was then shaking hands of Bulakenyo supporters at the other end of the plaza.

In the end, the candidates just stood by the walkway where the President entered earlier and individually shook hands with the President as walk out of the plaza.

Filipiniana for NLEX toll booth tellers, workers

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan—Toll booth tellers along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) wore Filipiniana dress during the June 12 independence day celebration, a bold move that drew approval from motorists.

Bobby Bontia, the Vice President for Tollways management of the TMC which manages the NLEX, said it was their way of joining the annual rites.

He said that tellers usually wear white colored uniform while manning the toll both.

But since May 26, when they joined the celebration of the National Flag Day, he said that tellers started wearing a scarf in traditional tri-color of the Philippine flag.

“Motorist wear surprised and were happy with the way out tellers look,” he said noting that some motorirst commented that it was some sort of refreshing.

 

The same were echoed by Edison Sta. Ana and Rosemary Dela Cruz.

They said that some motorists took time to ask they what they were wearing and what it was for.

“They were happy and really like what we are wearing,” Sta. Ana said.

Despite slowing down to ask tellers, Bontia said it did not affect the toll both operations along the NLEX.

He said that motorists comments have encouraged them to ask tellers to wear Filipiniana dress  last Tuesday and on June 16th.

Bontia added that TMC is now considering using Filipiniana Dress as part of the regular uniform of employees and tellers.

He added that by December, they will encourage similar thematic use of uniform on certain days.

To encourage NLEX employees, Bontia said they came up with an internal contest on who will be the best dressed employee wearing the Filipiniana.

This developed, Francisco Dagohoy, the media specialist of the TMC said along with the Filipiniana Dress contest, they are also holding a best decorated toll booth contest.

 The thematic contest led tellers to decorate toll booths with posters of Filipino heroes, historic places in Bulacan and Pampanga, along with historical events in the country.

Dagohoy said the twin contest has engaged employees while helping others to be reminded of the importance of independence day.

Futbulakenyos now leads CLFL, beat Tarlac FC in home game

MALOLOS CITY—Bulacan-based football team outplayed Tarlac Football Club (FC) to score a 3-1 victory in their third game in the Central Luzon Football League (CLFL) on Saturday.

Emmanuel Robles, coach of the Futbulakenyos FC said the victory was bitter sweet as it was their first game at home, but hardly watched by Bulakenyos as football still have to gain popularity in the region.

Futbulakenyos first played in Tarlac and Pampanga where they defeated Lighthouse Amihan FC of Olongapo City, and Pampanga FC, respectively.  They now lead the CLFL with 3-0 win-loss card.

The game started befor 4PM at the Bulacan Sports Complex at Barangay Sta. Isabel here on Tuesday.

Composed of players from the Bulacan State University, the Futbulakenyos dictated the tempo of the game in the first 45 minutes and scored two goals compared to Tarlac FC’s one.

In the second half, younger and faster Futbulakenyos further increased the aggression on the Tarlac FC’s goal that saw the ball hardly leaving the Tarlac FC’s half of the field.

Despite the aggressive attack, Bulacan players only made one goal in the second has as Tarlac FC’s goal keeper was able to deflect some, while other attempts missed the goals by only few inches.

“We need to train more and work on our plays,” said Robles who expressed satisfaction on his players’ stamina and agility as they out-run and out-play Tarlac FC players.

While only few watch the game, Futbulakenyos show some shining moments aside from scoring three goals.

 

These include Futbulakenyos strikers driving around three Tarlac defender in different times

Organized last January, the CLFL opened its first season last May 20 with four competing teams from Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Olongapo City.

At present, Futbulakenyos leads the league with 3-0 win-loss card followed by Tarlac FC with 1-1; Lighthouse Amihan FC with 1-1; and Pampanga FC which lost its first three games.  (Dino Balabo)

Leading independence rites at Barasoain, a homecoming for PNoy

MALOLOS CITY—Officials assured a simple but dignified and solemn celebration of the 114th Independence Day at the historic Barasoain church here on Tuesday.

It will be led by President Benigno Aquino III who will be accompanied by members of the cabinet, diplomatic corps candidates for the 2012 Miss World Philippines.

The celebration which will be led for the first here by the President of the Republic will also be marked with social services from national and local government.

“It will be very simple, solemn but dignified,” said Dr. Serena Diokno, the chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

In a press conference held here on Friday afternoon, Diokno said that right after the arrival honors for the President at 8AM, an ecumenical prayer will be led by leaders from the Jesus Is Lord Church, Iglesia ni Cristo, United Methodist Church, Muslim community, and the Catholic Church.

She said that Aquino is expected a deliver the independence day message focusing on the theme “Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan.

But some officials who asked not to be named said that the President might also include gains of his recent visits  to the United Kingdom and the United States.

After delivering his message, Diokno said the President will rush back to Malacanang for the traditional “Vin d’ Honneur”, a cocktail reception for the members of the Diplomatic Corps.”

She added that while the “Vin d’ Honneur” is set by mid-morning on Tuesday, at least 20 members of the Diplomatic Corps have confirmed attendance at Barasoain.

Traditionally, Diokno said the President of the Republic lead celebration of the Independence Day at Luneta, while the Vice President leads in Kawit, Cavite; and the senate President or the Speaker of the House lead in Barasoian.

But this has changed since former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led the same celebration in Cebu years ago, and President Aquino in Cavite last year.

For his part, Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado said Independence Day celebrations at Barasoain is a homecoming for the President.

“Its about time, and it’s a homecoming for the President,”Alvarado said noting that Aquino’s ancestors started in Malolos City before moving to Tarlac in late 1800s.

He also said that President’s family still maintain an ancestral house of the Cojuancos here, just a few meters away from the Barasoain Church.

Alvarado added that independence day celebrations here will not end aft after the President depart for Malacang.

He said that the provincial government along with the national government prepared a medical dental mission along with a jobs fair at the Barasoain church yard.

Dra. Jocelyn Gomez, head of the Provincial Public Health Office said that over 200 medical staffs from different hospitals in Bulacan and nearby provinces will lead in treated over 1,000 patients.

For her part, Leilanie Reynoso, the provincial director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said 25 local companies have confirmed to joined the jobs fair which will open 2,000 more jobs.

Aside from the above, she said that companies offering jobs abroad will also join.

She said that similar activities will be held at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park.  (Dino Balabo)

PNP on full alert, issued traffic advisory for independence rites in Malolos

MALOLOS CITY—Bulacan police will be on full alert status starting Monday in preparation for the 114th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Barasoain Church that will be led by President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday.

The celebrations, Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said is a big boost for Bulacan tourism while highlighting the historical events that transpired here over a century ago.

Supt. Adriano Enong, the deputy provincial director for operations of the Bulacan Provincial Police Office (BPPO) said about 1,000 police officers and soldiers of the Armed Force of the Philippines will be deployed within this city.

He said that 450 police officers will be deployed for traffic control and possible crowd disturbance.

“Lahat ng kanto may itatalaga kaming pulis for security and traffic directions,” he said.

At least 150 member of the AFP Headquarters Batallion will secure President Benigno Aquino III’s arrival along with 200 members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

Enong said that 100 soldiers from the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion will be deployed in key areas to secure outer perimeter.

He also said that fire trucks and ambulanced will be on standby near Barasoain church and other strategic areas for immediate response for possible emergency. It will be directed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

Enong also announced traffic advisories for Tuesday.

He said that the stretch of the MacArthur Highway from Tabang in Guiguinto town to Calumpit town will be closed for heavy vehicles except for busses starting Tuesday 6AM.

In similar manner, Paseo del Congreso, the main road that leads to Barasoain Church from the MacArthur Highway will be closed for all vehicles from 6AM to about 10AM on Tuesday.

Enong advised drivers of heavy vehicles like cargo trucks to make a detour on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to avoid the MacArthur Highway on Tuesday morning.

He explained that prohibition for cargo trucks was meant to declog traffic at the Malolos intersection here because the Malolos flyover remained under repai and non-passable to large vehicles.

The said flyover was closed to all vehicles on may 19, but was opened to light vehicles last week.

Meanwhile, Gov. Alvarado said  Tuesday’s independence day celebrations is big boost for the province’s tourism noting that 25 candidates for Miss World Philippines will come for free.

He said that pageants organizers usually require P5-Million budget for candidates visit in order to promote local tourism.

Alvarado said that the candidates were supposed to go to Ilocos Sur, but Governor Chavit Singsong cannot accommodate them until after the Independence Day Celebrations as he joined his friend Manny Pacquiao for the latter’s championship fight with Timothy Bradley Jr., at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Alvarado also said that Tuesday’s celebration is a big opportunity to promote the province’s colorful history along with what transpired at Barasoain Church over a century ago.

He said that without the Malolos Congress that convened at Barasoain Church on September 15, 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo’s independence day celebration at Kawit , Cavite months before is meaningless.

He said that the Malolos Congress ratified the independence day declaration of Aguinaldo which was recognized by then international community.

“Malolos Congress also gave birth to our first Constitution and the first democratic republic in Asia and Africa,” Alvarado said.  

Eagles sighted, groups urge protection of Angat watershed biodiversity

MALOLOS CITY—Environmentalists demand better protection of the Angat Dam watershed as biodiversity hotspot after reports of sightings of Philippine Eagle in the area.

The call came after years of efforts to preserve the 63,000 hectare watershed which was focused on forest management for purposes of securing water supply for Metro Manila and power generation, but not on its rich biodiversity.

Brother Martin Francisco of the Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society (SSMES) said reported sightings of the Philippine eagle another compelling reason for the government to take a more serious program for the protection for the watershed.

“The Napocor used to claim that the Angat Watershed is the best kept watershed in Asia, maybe that’s the reason why Philippine eagles are sighted, they maybe looking for sanctuary,” Francisco said.

However, despite its status,  the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earlier estimated at about 20 percent of the watershed is deforested due to rampant timber poaching.

“The sighting of eagles within the watershed means more reason for its protection,’ said Francisco.

Danilo Sevilla, the vice president of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) disclosed on Monday the many reported sightings of the Philippine Eagle within the watershed.

The Napocor manages the 63,000 hectare watershed along with the 246-megawatt Angat River Hydro Electric Power Plant (Arhepp) located at Hilltop, Norzagaray town.

However, Sevilla said that they still have to confirm if the Philippine eagles sighted within the watershed are nesting.

Sevilla also said the watershed is home for native species of hardwood or dipterocarps and still undocumented rich flora and fauna.

He added that Angat watershed serves a the primary carbon sink of Metro Manila as it was able to siphoned an estimated 50-Million tons of carbon in the past years.

Emmanuel Umali, Napocor manager for the Angat Watershed said they are about to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Haribon Foundation in order to conduct study for watershed bioviversity, including the Philippine eagle.

The same was echoed by Anabelle Fontillas of the Haribon Foundation who explained that they intend to validate anecdotal sightings on eagle population estimates.

She also said that the best way to protect the Philippine eagle is to preserved and conserve existing forests through broad support from stakeholders like local government units (LGUs) and schools.

For his part, Mendel Garcia, the head of the Angat Watershed Area Team (Awat) said that Napocor has also tried to work an agreement with the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).

However, the said agreement didn’t work out for unknown reasons.(Dino Balabo)