GMA News Online / News / Nation

US Church to play active role in Yolanda victims’ recovery phase

 News
Dec 012013
 
US Church to play active role in Yolanda victims’ recovery phase

After committing $20 million in aid for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the humanitarian arm of the United States’ Catholic Church is gearing up to help restore the livelihood of many of the survivors. The Philippine embassy in Washington on Sunday said Catholic Relief Services is now planning for the recovery phase along with its partners. Philippine ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. was quoted in a news release of the embassy as saying the recovery phase will include “restoring livelihoods for almost 500,000 people in Palo, Ormoc [in Leyte] and Basey [in Samar] by restarting cultivation of staple crops, vegetable crops and poultry and providing cash for work for people to clear up their neighborhoods.” Earlier, the embassy said the CRS had committed more than $20 million in emergency aid. For now, the Embassy said CRS is working with Caritas Philippines, the Philippine government and other humanitarian organizations in assisting affected communities. “We feel not just the prayers of the Church in the United States but also the concrete help that it continues to provide for our people. And we are extremely grateful,” Cuisia said. He added that while the road to recovery will be long, “with sustained prayers, I know that our people will overcome these trials and continue to see the work of our good Lord even in these most difficult of times.” Cuisia commended the CRS for being among the first relief organizations to respond to Yolanda. He said CRS distributed thousands of temporary shelters for victims Read More …

PHL to buy 15 ground radars for more accurate geohazard mapping

 News
Nov 302013
 
PHL to buy 15 ground radars for more accurate geohazard mapping

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau expects to buy 15 ground-penetrating radars next year to help map areas prone to flooding and landslides. The purchase is included in the agency’s proposed budget for 2014 and the new radars will be used to produce a 1:10,000 geohazard map by next year, bureau dorector Leo Jasareno said. The new maps are expected to replace the current 1:50,000 goehazard maps distributed to local governments.  The MGB only has one functioning ground-penetrating radar and has had to hire private surveyors to help with the mapping. Mapping across 1,034 cities and municipalities should be completed by the end of the year, leaving 600 more cities and towns to map in 2014. The mapping of geohazard areas in 1,034 cities and municipalities are seen to be completed by by the end of the year while detailing for 600 cities and municipalities are expected to be completed by next year.  The portable radars, which cost around P6 million each and will help engineers see underground, are part of the P400-million mapping project. The bureau will also map coastal areas prone to erosion to define no-build zones. “If people are conscious about geohazard, fatalities in times of natural disasters would be greatly reduced,” Jasareno said. The MGB will also conduct a hydrological assessment project to find aquifers, or underground sources of water. — JDS, GMA News

Government raises post-Yolanda reconstruction cost to P40.9B 

 News
Nov 302013
 
Government raises post-Yolanda reconstruction cost to P40.9B 

The national government on Saturday raised the projected budget for the rehabilitation of areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda to P40.9 billion.  According to a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras” Saturday evening, the Presidential Communications Operations Office announced the increase in the rehabilitation fund from P38.8 billion after the costs of rebuilding local government buildings and facilities were factored in.    The P40.9 billion rehabilitation fund will be allocated as follows:  67 percent for construction of public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and other facilities 12 percent for livelihood projects 11 percent for local facilities 9 percent for social services, including health services and education The government has identified 171 municipalities in 14 provinces as first-priority areas for reconstruction. The first-priority areas were within 50 kilometers of the eye of the typhoon when it hit, the report said.  The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the typhoon caused P30.6 billion in damage. The typhoon left at least 5,602 dead, and 26,136 injured. Another 1,759 have yet to be accounted for. On Thursday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the P38.8 billion in government funds that has been “approved in principle” by President Benigno Aquino III will be used to bankroll “critical and immediate interventions” that also include housing assistance for displaced typhoon survivors. President Aquino reportedly threshed out the details of the long-term rehabilitation plan for the typhoon-stricken areas in a meeting Friday with Task Force Yolanda Reconstruction and Rehabilitation. — Xianne Arcangel/JDS, GMA News

Some LPG retailers have increased prices ahead of schedule

 News
Nov 302013
 
Some LPG retailers have increased prices ahead of schedule

LPG prices to go up December. Workers arrange empty Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanks at a refilling warehouse in Quezon City on Thursday, November 28. LPG prices are expected to go up by P10 per kilo— more than P100 per 11kg tank—starting December due to high winter demand for LPG in other countries. Asti Flores Some retailers of liquified petroleum gas have reportedly raised prices a day before an expected price hike that will increase the average price of an 11-kilogram tank by P143. According to a report by GMA News reporter Micaela Papa aired on “24 Oras” Saturday evening, some retailers are now selling 11-kg. tanks of LPG for around P870 against prevailing prices of approximately P720 to P760 per tank. LPG retailer Grace Tabo said in the report that LPG refiller Republic Gas Corp. (Regasco) has already raised their prices. “Hindi naman nasusunod yung effective December 1 (ang increase). One week ago, nagtaas na sila. Halos araw-araw,” she said. Regasco owner Arnel Ty, who sits at the House of Representative for the LPG Marketers’ Association party-list, said the higher prices may have been caused by an artificial shortage. He said retailers got less than the usual number of LPG tanks because refillers did not get enough LPG from retailers. “Sa amin, tinaasan kami ng mas maaga, pero di naman namin ito maipasa ng ganoon kabilis. Kaya, normally po, ang mga dealer, nakikita nila na nagkakagipitan na sa produkto, nagtataas na po sila ng (presyo ng) kanilang mga produkto,” Read More …

LTFRB to start processing applications for Xmas special permits

 News
Nov 302013
 
LTFRB to start processing applications for Xmas special permits

Starting Monday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will open the door to applications by public utility vehicle operators for special permits plying popular routes during the Christmas season. LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez on Saturday said his office expects to accept and process applications from Dec. 2 to 9. “Kahit another probinsya ito from Metro Manila, para makabyahe sa probinsya na nangangailangan (The permits will allow public utility vehicles to ply routes from Metro Manila to provinces where there may not be enough PUVs),” he said in an interview on dzBB radio. The special permits allow PUVs to ply routes outside the areas specified by their franchises, but for a limited time. Filipinos are expected to flock to their home provinces in the second half of December, to spend the holidays with their families. Ginez said they will check the applicants to see if their units are roadworthy, and take added steps to ensure passengers’ safety. “Maaga kami magbibigay ng special permit (We want to give the special permits early),” he added. — LBG, GMA News

Washington schoolchildren hold bake sale for Yolanda victims

 News
Nov 292013
 
Washington schoolchildren hold bake sale for Yolanda victims

Schoolchildren in Washington D.C. have raised $1,400 from a bake sale this week to buy emergency kits for victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). The pupils from the Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School (LAMBPCS) turned their earnings to Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. “We sold cookies and empanadas to raise funds for emergency kits,” the Philippine embassy in Washington quoted Maya Woods-Arthur, 12, as saying. Yolanda tore through Visayas and Southern Luzon last Nov. 8, leaving more than 5,600 dead in its wake. Woods-Arthur was one of four children from the Latin American Montessori who turned over the donation. Parent representative Denise Woods and occupational therapist Mya Ford, who accompanied the four children, said some of them even helped with the baking. Zoe Woods-Arthur, 8, said she made chocolate Oreo cookies, mint chocolate chip cookies, and brownies. The donation was turned over to Executive Director Hank Hendrickson of the US-Philippines Society, which has been working with organizations involved in relief efforts. “I cannot tell you how thankful we are for the help we have received, especially from children like you. You chose to help people you don’t even know who live thousands of miles away. It means a lot. Thank you.” Cuisia told the children. During their visit, the pupils also extended their condolences to the Filipino people, writing on the Book of Condolences. The Latin American Montessori offers education in English and Spanish to children from kindergarten to upper elementary. It has two campuses in Washington D.C. Read More …

Philpost issues commemorative stamps for Bonifacio's 150th birth anniversary

 News
Nov 292013
 
Philpost issues commemorative stamps for Bonifacio's 150th birth anniversary

The Philippine Postal Corp. will issue on Saturday commemorative stamps marking the 150th birth anniversary of Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio. PhilPost’s 150,000 Bonifacio stamps come in a denomination of P10 for one year and in four designs by Roderick Macutay, Julius Satparam, John Troncales and Marrion Dabalos. “Stamps, souvenir sheets and official first day covers will be available starting November 30, 2013 at the Post Shop, Philately and Museum Division, Manila Central Post Office, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio, 1000 Manila and at all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation,” it said. Macutay portrayed Bonifacio in his stamp design as a “profile in deep thought,” and as a “simple man endowed with dignity, fearlessness and determination, whose sole purpose is to see his country and fellowmen freed from colonial oppression.” Satparam rendered his work in red and white to represent Bonifacio’s heroism and honor, Philpost said. Troncales said he made his design simple, while Dabalos represented Bonifacio as a “powerful leader of the revolution.” Bonifacio was born on November 30, 1863, died on May 10, 1897 and is deemed “the father of the Philippine Revolution” as he founded the Katipunan to push for the country’s independence from Spanish rule.  — ELR, GMA News

Taiwan naval vessel with Yolanda relief supplies reaches Cebu

 News
Nov 292013
 
Taiwan naval vessel with Yolanda relief supplies reaches Cebu

A Taiwan Navy tank-landing vessel arrived Friday in Cebu with 530 tons of relief supplies and equipment for survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Two Philippine ships guided the “Chung He” to port, after which its supplies were unloaded and handed over to the Philippines, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported. CNA reported the supplies included canned food, rice, water, clothes, tents, generators, excavation machinery and prefabricated houses. It added the items were turned over at a ceremony hosted by Taiwan’s deputy representative to the Philippines Chang Tai-lai. Also on Friday, Taiwan Fertilizer Co. bought 36,000 kilos of domestically grown cabbage that will be exported to the Philippines for charity sale to help Yolanda victims. CNA said the company already donated NT$2.14 million worth of bottled water to the relief efforts. Friday’s shipment came after airlifts of more than 150 tons of goods in past weeks to help Yolanda victims. Taiwan’s government also donated $200,000 to the Philippines in the wake of the typhoon. Yolanda battered Visayas and Southern Luzon last Nov. 8, leaving more than 5,500 dead. — ELR, GMA News

Young Yolanda survivors recover from trauma with the help of teachers, toys

 News
Nov 292013
 
Young Yolanda survivors recover from trauma with the help of teachers, toys

Under tall coconut trees in Hernani, Eastern Samar, about 30 children huddled around Grade 8 teacher Lurlien Bonga holding scraps of paper on which to write down their lesson for the day. The spacious land where the children gathered was where the Pedro E. Candido Memorial National High School once stood. After Typhoon Yolanda, all that was left of the school were torn-down rooms, mountains of debris and a few coconut trees. The students, whose ages and grade levels vary from one another, had to make do with jotting down notes on scraps of paper and sharing pencils with their classmates because they lost their school supplies in the storm. Grade 7 teacher Lina Camarillo, who teaches students in another makeshift classroom, was unable to hold back tears in a television interview as she shared her current predicament. “Yung mga instructional materials namin, nawala. Naanod lahat. Paano naman namin matuturuan ang mga bata?” she asked. But despite the lack of teaching materials and proper classrooms, several teachers in this small town gather children everyday to teach them new lessons. Child Friendly Spaces With the help of teachers and toys, the young survivors of the typhoon are slowly beginning to recover from the trauma brought about by the calamity three weeks ago. Last week, the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) opened four Child Friendly Spaces in Tacloban City filled with toys and learning materials for children. The Child Friendly Spaces, launched in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Read More …

Solon's aide in fake SARO issue faces NBI, denies wrongdoing

 News
Nov 292013
 
Solon's aide in fake SARO issue faces NBI, denies wrongdoing

A representative from the office of a Cagayan Valley lawmaker faced government investigators on Friday in connection with the fake Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) received by a regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA). A report on GMA News’ “24 Oras” said Enrico Arao went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office in Manila after he was summoned to the inquiry and asked to submit the supposedly fake SARO. The Commission on Audit defines a SARO as a “specific authority issued to one or more identified agencies to incur obligations not exceeding a given amount during a specified period for the purpose indicated.” Arao, whose superior wasn’t identified in the report, denied any wrongdoing, although he admitted submitting the SARO to the DA. “I thought it was a regular SARO,” he said. “I presumed its regularity because I didn’t even think na it would be a fake SARO because it came from the office. That’s why I assumed its regularity. It was in good faith that I gave it to DA.” The SARO, which was for a P161 million fund, was meant for farm-to-market road projects in the entire Cagayan Valley, the report said. Arao said he only learned that the SARO was fake when the NBI subpoenaed him for its investigation. Budget Secretary Butch Abad had earlier said they were alerted on the existence of fake SAROs after a regional unit office of the DA called them on October 22 to inquire about the signed copies Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries