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GOCC’s 1st quarter earnings cuts deficit by 19%

BAGUIO CITY (July 15) —The Department of Finance (DOF) announced that public sector deficit was trimmed from P69.9 billion to P56.6 billion for the first quarter of 2005.

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) emerged as the top performer among government-owned and–controlled corporations (GOCCs) when it posted a P7.6 billion surplus for the first quarter of the year.

The Commission on Audit (COA) complemented DOF’s report as it rendered a “clean” opinion on the GSIS’ P36.5 billion net income for 2004.

Aside from the GSIS, the DOF also cited the Social Security System (SSS) and the Philhealth for helping ease the consolidated public sector deficit by registering a combined surplus of eleven point three billion pesos for the first three months of the year.

All the earnings of the GOCCs, particularly that of the GSIS, is attributed to the income generated by investment activities such as loans to members and investments in stocks and government securities, to name a few. # PIA

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NFA Ifugao assures ample rice supply

LAGAWE, Ifugao (July 15) — The National Food Authority (NFA) here assured the public that there is enough supply of rice for the province for the lean months of July and August this year.

According to Carmencita Galvez, NFA provincial operations officer here, stocks are good until the first quarter based on the agency’s marketing plan. As of presstime, Galvez said there is a total of 15, 416 bags at the NFA warehouse here and an additional of 10,220 bags deposited at the NFA warehouse at Nueva Vizcaya.

The province has a total of 115 active NFA accredited outlets with Alfonso Lista topping the list of 22 outlets, Banaue 18, Hingyon 17, Lagawe 13, Lamut 12, Kiangan and Hingyon 8, Tinoc 7, Mayoyao 5, Asipulo 4 and Aguinaldo 1.

She added that they usually dispatch 7,000 bags during said month while in the month of July, the agency gives out 4,000 bags and 6,000 bags for the month of September.

Galvez said that although the harvest season in the province is from June to September, the upland rice production is not enough to provide for the province’s rice requirements.

Galvez also said that more people still go to the Bigasan ni Gloria outlets to buy rice because it is selling rice at a cheaper price of P800 per bag or P16 per kilogram while the commercial rice is sold ay around P1,000 – P1,200 per bag, depending on the variety. She added that upgraded or the regular milled rice is sold for only P750 per bag. # Vency Bulayungan / PIA Ifugao

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Mt. Province passes ordinance on ambulance use

BONTOC, Mt. Province (July 15) — To ensure that ambulances are properly maintained and utilized for its purpose, the provincial board here passed an ordinance regulating the use of hospital ambulances in the province.

Provincial Ordinance No. 59 provides that hospital ambulances be maintained in its proper condition to transport the sick from the hospital to other places anytime of the day. It also set a fixed rate in transporting patients within and outside the province. Before any travel, the ambulance driver is required to secure a trip ticket from either the governor, vice governor, provincial administrator, provincial health officer, senior house officer or attending physician.

Emergency cases will be given priority. This is defined as seriously ill and need immediate treatment in a highly competent and technologically-equipped hospital where specialist physicians are available and whose expertise cannot be availed of in the province. The attending physician will determine whether the patient is an emergency or non-emergency case. Transportation expenses of the driver and accompanying nurse and/or doctor emergency cases are charged against hospital funds.

A patient who is not seriously ill but opts to have further treatment or second opinion about an illness in other tertiary hospital may also avail of the use of hospital ambulances. However, the patient will shoulder the transportation expenses of the driver and accompanying nurse or doctor.

With the four government hospitals as point of origin, the fixed rates are as follows: from Bontoc General Hospital to Baguio City P2,500 while Bontoc-Manila is P5,000; A patient whose house is within Bontoc may avail of ambulances services for P50; from Barlig District Hospital to Baguio-P3,000 and to Baguio via Banaue – P5,000; from Paracelis District Hospital to Baguio – P3,500; to Tabuk or Isabela – P500, and to Manila – P5,000; from Besao District Hospital to Baguio – P3,000 and to Luis Hora Regional Hospital in Abatan, Bauko-P500.

The charge for the use of ambulance should be paid to the hospital cashier. In case the patient cannot pay, he will execute a promissory note to be guaranteed by at least one hospital employee or a “God-fearing” person in the area. # PIA-Mt. Province

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Mt. Province folk welcome TRO on E-VAT

BONTOC, Mt. Province (July 15) — The temporary restraining order by the Supreme Court on the implementation of the Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) law brought temporary relief to the people in this province.

People here are worried that with the 10 % VAT on goods and services including petroleum and power will be additional financial burden to them. As it is, prices of commodities are already high. With the price hike in oil products in the world market, they fear that this will be passed on to the end consumers.

An LPG tank now costs P400 to P420; fares are expected to increase again and with the skyrocketing prices of commodities, people will have to go back to the basic. People have to walk short distances and use firewood for cooking, quipped a mother who regularly commutes to work.

Motorists especially tricycle and van and jeepney drivers who are directly affected by the almost weekly price increase on gasoline and diesel are complaining of decreasing income each day.

The government is continuously assuring that mitigating measures are in place to cushion the blow of VAT on consumers, and will not affect the prices of basic goods. With the TRO, no increase has been noted on commodities in the province except for the petroleum products.

Meanwhile, MOPRECO General Manager Jude Domoguen welcomed the TRO on the E-Vat law.

“We understand that government has to raise revenues to keep the economy going and to pay for loans but there should be some consideration on the e-vat coverage particularly on the electricity since all people are power consumers. At present, there are still many consumers who can not pay their electric bill on time,” he said. With the E-VAT, there will be an additional charge of fifty centavos per kilowatt hour. # PIA

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Mt. Province observes PWD’s week

BONTOC, Mt. Province (July 15) — In observance of the National Disability Awareness and Prevention Week, the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons will be conducting public awareness campaign on the problems of disability and encourage citizens to take responsibility in the improvement of the lives of the differently-abled in the community.

On July 26, the PCWDP will inspect business establishments and government buildings in the capital town to check if these have installed architectural facilities or structural features for disabled persons.

An advocacy forum on accessibility law will also be conducted on July 27 with Sangguniang Bayan chair on social service/women/disabled and older persons, chairmen of municipal federation of disabled persons, provincial based national agencies and social welfare officers as participants.

The Accessibility Law (Batas Pambansang Bilang 344) provides for the enhancement mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices. This has been a law since 1982 but it seems compliance is poor.

Minimum requirements for accessibility include handrails, walkways, signages, ramps, washrooms and toilets among others.

A provincial office of persons with disabilities affairs (OPDA) will also be created to coordinate all efforts for the development and welfare of disabled persons.

Meanwhile, the Special Education (SPED) in Bontoc will also be observing the National Disability and Prevention Week with a series of activities that include mini-sport and Olympics, variety show and first-aid training from July 18 to 22.

Teachers and parents are inviting the public to witness the special children as they show that they can also do what others can do consonant with this year’s theme of “Tagisan ng Lakas, Talino at Talento: May K, Kaya Natin to”. # PIA

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Recall policemen deployed to Abra – RDC

BAGUIO CITY (July 15) — The Regional Development Council (RDC) is set to make a resolution requesting the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Police Commission (NPC), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the recall of detailed policemen from the different provinces of the region to Abra.

The move was raised upon the reaction of Itogon Mayor Mario Godio during the RDC Full Council meeting held at the RDC Hall, NEDA Regional Office here. Godio said displaced policemen from his municipality aired their sentiments, saying they have been experiencing financial difficulties, aside from their difficulties of being away from their respective families. Tayum Mayor Rogelio Elvenia supported Godio’s claim, adding that the deputization of the PNP be reverted back to the local government units.

The two mayors earlier requested for the recall of their policemen including other provinces from Director Everdina Doctor of DILG to look into the matter. In response, Director Doctor said she would meet with the DILG provincial directors for the immediate action over the issue.

It can be recalled that policemen of Abra were transferred to the different areas of the region early this year, resulting in the displacement of policemen who were transferred to Abra. # Francis Martin/ PIA

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Proyekto ng NIA naantala sa kawalan ng pondo

BAGUIO CITY (Hulyo 15) — Aminado ang pamunuan ng National Irrigation Adminisration (NIA) na naantala ang ilang proyekto sa buong bansa dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo at pabagu-bagong klima.

Sinabi ng NIA na sa kabila ng suliranin sa pondo, sinisikap pa rin ng pamunuan sa isulong at maipatupad ang mga patubigan sa bansa. Nagsasagawa ang NIA ng pag-aaral hinggil sa patubigan sa ilang bahagi ng Rehiyon ng Kordilyera, partikular sa Abbulog, Apayao. # Jhong Munar/DzEQ

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