Almendras urges mayors to level playing field to investors of gas stations
By Fayette C. Riñen
‘move aims to lower pump prices due to heightened competition’
CEBU CITY , Oct. 5 (PIA) -- Energy Sec. Rene Almendras urged local chief executives to level the playing field for investors in gasoline stations to bring down the prices of fuel in far flung areas.
Almendras who was in Cebu yesterday for the Visayas Energy Forum attended by some mayors from Regions 6, 7 and 8 said there is substantial disparity of prices in fuel in some areas compared to others because competition is not stiff.
“Only in heightened competition will prices of fuel go down and unless local government units open their respective areas for investors of gas stations to come in then cost of pump prices will remain high in that particular area compared to other areas,” Almendras declared.
The DOE chief admitted that there are still some municipalities in the country especially those located in far-flung areas with only one service gasoline station. “The danger here is that the gas station proprietor can command the price of fuel because the people in the area have no choice,” according to Almendras.
Almendras said the local government units are the ones that issue a business permit as he urged local chief executives to be sensitive to the plight of the people amid the erratic prices of oil in the world market which hugely impact oil prices in the country being largely dependent on imported fuel.
Last May 2009, the Cebu Provincial Government filed a complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the three biggest oil firms in the country for allegedly overpricing their petroleum products in Cebu .
“How come fuel prices here costs P5/liter more compared to in Luzon ?” Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia questioned.
As reported, the governor sought for the indictment of Petron Corp., Chevron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., for alleged violation of Republic Act 8479, or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998, which penalizes cartelization and predatory pricing of fuel.
But until now, the matter is still to be resolved as the provincial government still has to hear on the updates of the case.
Almendras admitted that he got a call from his sister, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale complaining why fuel prices in Cebu are more expensive than in Manila at P8/liter more.
“I was even afraid to come home to Cebu because of the complaint of my sister,” Almendras joked.
But he added that in his inspection of pump prices of different gas stations in Metro Cebu, the difference is just very slight compared to oil prices in Luzon.
“The difference in oil prices vary but the disparity is just very minimal. Just like the prices of fuel in Mandaue City is slightly cheaper compared to in Cebu City so it is now up to the vehicle owners whether they rather gas up in Mandaue. This is what you call competition,” Almendras said.
“The prices of fuel are not determined by region to region; but rather, it is dictated by strong competition.” Amendras stressed. (PIA-Cebu)
==========
DENR-7 conducts survey on protected area occupants
By: Hazel Gloria
CEBU CITY, October 5 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) conducts a survey on the occupants of protected areas within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL).
The survey includes a detailed demographic study, assessment of socio-economic conditions and validation of proofs of occupancy. The last census conducted was in 1993.
DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said the census and registration of protected area occupants covers 22 out of 55 barangays with a budget of PhP442T.
The survey team is composed of the local government units, non-government organization and technical personnel from the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services.
“The activity is undertaken to provide the DENR with basic data as basis for establishing management zones and buffer zones and for the preparation of programs including the identification of alternative livelihood opportunities for the occupants,” Dichoso said.
The objectives are to determine and attest as to the actual number of occupants within the protected areas; establish the exact location and approximate size of homelots or farmlots; and check the period of occupancy over certain portions of the protected areas, Dichoso added.
Dichoso explained that they would also document and register the actual number of occupants and households and the extent of area occupied during the census.
He pointed out that a household head shall be considered a tenured migrant if proven to have actually and continuously occupied a portion of the protected area for five years before its designation as protected area and solely dependent therein for subsistence.
Solely dependent for subsistence means when everything indispensable for survival for the household, including food, clothing, shelter and health, comes only from the utilization of resources from the protected area, Dichoso stated.
“We will be issuing an official list of tenured migrants which is not a tenurial instrument that would grant security of tenure over their areas being occupied. It merely recognizes that they are qualified as tenured migrants of protected area,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Office of Senator Pia Cayetano released one million pesos for the maintenance and other operating expenses for the development and rehabilitation of Central Cebu National Park, which is one of the consolidated protected areas of CCPL.
The activities to be included are improvement and expansion of nursery, repair and maintenance of CCPL field office, and rehabilitation of CCPL denuded areas.(PIA-7/HFG/DENR-7)
============
PhilHealth encourages accreditation of birthing homes
By: Mabeth Elias
CEBU CITY, October 5 (PIA) --- PhilHealth encourages non-hospital facilities to participate in the National Health Insurance Program as provider of its Maternity Care and Newborn Care Packages (MCP and NCP).
In support to the country’s effort at reducing maternal and child mortality, PhilHealth increased its coverage of normal deliveries in non-hospital facilities, like lying-in clinics, maternity clinics, birthing homes and capable rural health units or health centers in order to promote facility assisted births.
Non-hospital facilities and its physician or midwife need only comply with very basic accreditation requirements.
Accreditation standards require certain service capabilities of the MCP-NCP provider, such as prenatal care, normal birth, newborn care, health education and postpartum care.
Technical standards include compliance to requirements regarding general infrastructure, basic consultation and delivery room equipment, standard supplies, records management, availability of a transport vehicle for emergency cases and human resource, and the facility must have a proper vision-mission statement and operations manual or clinical standards operating procedures.
The facility owner or his authorized representative must also be affiliated with a Level 2 PhilHealth-accredited hospital and its physician or midwife must be PhilHealth accredited.
Further, to ensure that continuity of care and appropriate referral practices are performed, the health care professional must have a partner physician who will accept referrals and provide further management for complicated obstetric and pediatric cases.
MCP-NCP providers are accredited for three years. To make sure that standard quality maternal and neonatal care are provided to members and their dependents, accreditation and continued monitoring of such facilities and its healthcare professionals are important. Accreditation may be renewed if the necessary requirements are continuously met.(PIA-7/HFG/Philhealth)
===========
OWWA-7 to award 2011 Model OFW Family in C. Visayas tomorrow
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-7 will present the winners of the Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) 2011 in Central Visayas for both land and sea-based category tomorrow during the awarding ceremony.
But all nominees for the award in both categories will be given due recognition for their exemplary practices in handling family challenges and promoting the image of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Director Exequiel Sarcauga of the Department of Labor and Employment here and assisted by OWWA-7 Director Wilfreda Misterio will present the nominees as well as distribute the Certificates of Recognition prior to the announcement of the top winners of the land and sea-based category.
The MOFYA was conceptualized pursuant to the objective of giving due recognition to the outstanding achievements of the OFWs and their families as well as promoting best practices in managing family challenges, according to OWWA-7.
MOFYA is also aimed at promoting success stories about the families’ endurance over the challenges on their family relations and uplift the image of the OFW families in the community.
The annual ward also highlights the role of the OFW family acting as a social unit in the attainment of the socio-civic, educational, professional and material success, this is learned.
The regional winners will represent Central Visayas in the National Awarding for the Search of the Model OFW Family Award 2011.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is the key guest speaker for tomorrow’s event. (PIA-Cebu)
===========
Cebu City LGU to hold offsite sessions in mountain barangays
by Amor Saludar
CEBU CITY October 5 (PIA) -- In order to bring the city government closer to the heart of the people especially constituents living in mountain barangays, the Cebu City Council passed a resolution to hold offsite sessions in mountain barangays this month.
A resolution authored by City Councilor Noel Wenceslao stated that the city council will have to hold two offsite sessions every quarter in mountain barangays instead in the usual city hall.
The first offsite session is scheduled on October 14 at barangay Bonbon and the second one will follow in Barangay Guba on the 26th of this month.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young suggested that an assessment should follow after the conduct of the first two sessions to determine the success of holding offsite sessions and whether such activity should be continued in the next quarter which was agreed by the city council.
The move was decided in order for city residents in far flung barangays to be able to witness how a council session works and to let them feel that their local government is indeed present.
Wenceslao said that offsite sessions give the opportunity to the residents in identified baranagys to know what is happening in their city and to know what government projects, services and programs are available and that can benefit them.
The city councilor added that through the offsite sessions, the people would also be able to see the capability and the ability of the lawmakers that they have elected. (FCR/AS/PIA-Cebu)
============
PHL to send 5 delegates to ASEAN Leaders Training Program in China
by Amor Saludar
CEBU CITY October 4 (PIA) – The National Youth Commission (NYC) will be sending five delegates to the ASEAN Young Leaders Training Program on November 5- December 3, 2011 to China Guanxi International Youth Exchange Institute.
The activity is part of the bilateral agreement or union between the Government of the Peoples Republic of China and the Philippines with its goal to build a tie between the youths of the two countries.
The China Guanxi International Youth Exchange Institutes also intends to promote cooperation that would encourage the youths from China and the ASEAN region to build a strong foundation of friendship to further enhance if not prosper existing relations among the participating countries.
Expenses of the participants which incorporate international flights, tuition, meals and accommodation, insurance as well as the cost of organized visits in China excluding their own expenses will be covered by the All China Youth Federation, this is learned.
Qualified applicants for the selection and application process are: a) Filipino citizen b) 18 but not more than 35 years old c) no history of traveling to mainland China or must be a first traveler to the country d) able to communicate English and can participate in the whole program e) good moral character f) physically and mentally fit to travel and g) must have a valid passport until at least six months after the date of the departure for the program.
Preferred applicants are government officials, leaders of youth groups, entrepreneurs, teachers, lawyers and any other who meet the age requirements and other qualifications stated.
Disqualified applicants are former recipients of NYC funded international programs in the duration of November 5, 2009 to December 3, 2011 and those delegates who were able to attend the partially funded international programs from November 5, 2009 to December 3, 2011. Applicants without any passport details will not be considered for the selection process.
For the application and selection process applicants must send their completed NYC International Programs Application Forms and The Young Leaders Training Program 2011Registration Form - by mail, fax, or email no later than October 5, 2011 to the: National Youth Commission c/o Mark Anthony Z.Fernandez at 4th Floor Bookman Building, 373 Quezon Ave., Quezon City they are also available at Tel./Fax: (02) 416-2833 or through their Email account ; internationalprogams@nyc.gov.ph
===========
Sec. Almendras assures that Cebu has enough power supply
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) – Energy Secretary Rene Almendras assured there is sufficient power supply in Cebu and in the Visayas but added that additional power plants are needed to meet the increasing demand of electric consumption in the region.
Almendras was in Cebu this morning to present the latest developments of energy-related projects and programs and the accomplishments and initiatives of the Department of Energy (DOE) for the country to be self-reliant and lessen dependence on imported fuel during an Energy Forum initiated by the energy department.
The DOE secretary however, said that the power consumption in the Visayas is growing much too fast and that such growth might exceed far too much than the existing supply.
“The demand for power in the Visayas is increasingly getting higher compared to in Luzon. And we project a 30 percent growth rate of power demand in the Visayas by 2015 and that unless there are additional power plants to augment existing ones, Visayas will be short of power by 2015,” Almendras pointed out.
Almendras voiced this warning to about 300 energy stakeholders present during the forum including power generators, electric cooperatives, investors, business groups, government agencies and local chief executives.
According to Almendras, because of the sufficient power supply in the Visayas, people now become more complacent in their electric consumption and are stopping the use of power generators.
“Before when there were frequent rotating brownouts, most turn to the use of power generators, “ Almendras said and added that with the growing demand of electric consumption with no additional operations of power plants might see a situation of power shortage with frequent brownouts a high occurrence.
The DOE has called on the public to always adopt energy efficiency measures to reduce the demand for electric consumption. (PIA-Cebu)