RCBC can fire Lorenzo Tan and Maia Dequito

The Asia Forum Journal

The Senate Investigation into the stealing of United States Dollars Eighty One Million (US$81,000,000) appears to be useless. They have not been able to unearth the true and real facts about how the stealing of the money actually took place. And where is the money now.

 

The central and key role players Kim Wong, Maia Santos Dequito, Lorenzo Villanueva Tan and other officials of RCBC including those of other banks, the casinos, will never reveal the real truth about the transaction. They will merely keep saving their hides and divert the investigation somewhere else.

Illegal Drugs kingpin Kim Wong

 RCBC Chief Executive Officer Lorenzo V. Tan

RCBC Jupiter St. Branch Manager Maia Santos Dequito

The Chairman of the Board, Helen Yuchengco Dee and the rest of the Members of the Board of RCBC can fire CEO Lorenzo Villanueva Tan and Maia Santos Dequito for Criminal Negligence, Ignorance, Greed and…

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Thank you UN, ICRC, all supporting Countries and Relief Groups

Thank you ICRC and Philippine Red Cross for all your efforts after #Yolanda in the affected Regions of the Philippines! More power to you! Godspeed and God bless you!

Thank you United Nations and United Nations OCHA (Director Khalikov), United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (Secretary Margareta Wahlstrom) for relief and recovery assistance, for your Flash Appeal world wide and to Excellency Ban Ki Moon for taking the time off his very busy schedule to visit Tacloban City! May God bless all of you and more power to you! 

A very warm Merry Christmas and Happy New Year greetings to all your people, officers and workers all over the world!!! We love you all together with all those kind and generous ones from a myriad of countries and relief organizations that shared time, resources, blood sweat and tears for the victims of recent Philippine disaster!

Reconstruction and Recovery

The World Bank says that timely reconstruction will help lessen the impact of super typhoon Yolanda. Before we digest these words, it is also significant to look back into the past.

There was a time in fairly recent past when NBC news anchor Brian Williams sounded like a broken record repeating the words over and over again that: Aviation in the United States of America is dying. This is now true with Philippine air line companies and selected several other businesses in the Philippines right at this very moment.

During the post-Yolanda period, only at least one air line company that very enterprisingly lowered its passenger rates (presumably including for cargo) per seat-mile, notwithstanding that the Philippine government ordered that a number of fees and charges being levied in the aviation sector will be waived, among other behests in order to lessen the burden for victims of the calamity and those that had to fly to ground zero to participate in disaster relief and recovery operations . . . .

Dire is a weak description for the situation that a select number of businesses in the Philippines are in right now. More > >

Proposed revision of Senate Bill for Bohol-Cebu-Negros Rehabilitation

A proposed bill (text shown below) for the reconstruction and recovery of Bohol-Cebu and Negros Oriental that suffered from enormously damaging, killer earthquakes enjoins the government to create the Bohol-Cebu-Negros Reconstruction Commission and to allocate no less than Philippine Pesos Thirty Billion for this and other purposes.

This site proposes the bill to be revised to include all of Visayas but to take care of affected areas only, particularly those provinces in Eastern, Western and Central Visayas affected also by typhoons.

The proposed budgetary allocation be changed from PHP30-Billion to Philippine Pesos One Hundred Fifty Billion (PHP150-B). The law must also be made retroactive.

Any actions respective to the current response to the damage and other effects of calamities such as what is happening now in Tacloban City where thousands are dead, hundreds of thousands are hungry, there is killing, looting, anarchy in the streets, relief is short, power and communications are down, everything has gone haywire, must be charged to the funds of this Commission.

However, the Philippine Legislative Branch must go to work soon and fast. Any waiting on the wings, any slippages as had been done and now being regretted by the Executive Branch, should be avoided. The concerned are admonished to act now for the welfare of the people.

Draft Legislation – Rehabilitation of Yolanda damaged area

New wording of draft legislation for the rehabilitation of areas affected by the recent killer earthquake and the Typhoon Yolanda – without excluding the forthcoming damage that will be wrought by the new tropical storm, Typhoon Zorayda. Click here to download draft bill. 

Bohol-Cebu earthquake

Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban, Leyte

Photo credit: Daniel Politi – slate.com

Photo credit: Yahoo PH

Source: Post Disaster: The Quest for Rehabilitation

Help Zamboanga City recover

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC    )
OF THE PHILIPPINES                         )
_________ Regular Session                 )

SENATE

S.B. No. __________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Introduced by Senator Grace L. Poe

_________________________________________________________________________________

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The country’s recent experiences when twin calamities hit Zamboanga City – the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) 20-day Siege of Zamboanga City and the flash floods that hit the City after the hostage-taking and burning of villages were dire experiences that merit national attention.

On September 9, 2013 armed elements staged an attack, on Zamboanga City notwithstanding the presence of the AFP Western Mindanao Command at Barangays Baliwasan, Calarian and the Philippine National Police’ Directorate for Integrated Police Operation-Western Mindanao and the Police Regional Office Region IX, PNP Maritime Group headquarters at Barangay Sta. Barbara.  The MNLF armed band has ties to both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Abu Sayyaf.

Severely affected were Barangays Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Kasanyangan, Mariki and Rio Hondo. This was precluded by the arrest a day earlier, on September 8, 2013 of six (6) Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) by Zamboanga City Public Safety Company at Brgy. Rio-Hondo yielding two cal .45 pistols, ammunition and six sets of camouflage uniforms,

The attack was perpetrated by heavily armed men of MNLF Misuari Faction in military fatigue uniform that landed in Zamboanga City led by Commanders Habier Malik, Ustadz Esmael Dasta, Hadjirin Handji Amin, Bas Arki, Asamin Hussini.  Their primary intention was to actualize their call for jihad vs. the infidel government, capture the City Hall of Zamboanga City and raise the MNLF Flag to highlight the demand of a Bangsamoro homeland. More rebels later landed in Brgy. Mampang and proceeded to Bgy. Sta. Barbara. The MNLF was blocked by security forces resulting in intense gun battle with MNLF taking civilian hostages as human shields. At gunpoint, hostages’ hands were tied and were made to line up at the frontline while the gun battle was raging. The hostages were used to make government forces stop firing.

Armed MNLF rebels held fort in different places in aforementioned Barangays of the City. The MNLF relentlessly engaged government forces in gun battle resulting in several casualties from the sides of both government and rebels as well as among the civilian population and volunteers from outside of Zamboanga. MNLF burned residential houses and commercial buildings, causing damage to infrastructures, loss of valuable property and livelihood. The attack paralyzed, and caused widespread fear and panic among the residents of the, City. Resulting from the Siege, are as follows:

1. More than 120,000 persons displaced and evacuated.
2. More than seventy nine (79) designated evacuation centers in the City were filled to the brim with displaced persons.
3. Loss and damage to property estimated at more or less in the range of billions of pesos (further compounded by the recent coming of flash floods following the 20-day siege)
4. Killed on MNLF side: 183
5. Captured on MNLF side: 292
6. Killed on the government side: 25
7. Wounded on the government side: 184
8. Civilians Killed: 12
9. Civilians Wounded: 70
10. Untold losses to Zamboanga-based and other agencies and private sector business establishments

Following the MNLF attack, an enormous flash flood brought the City to her knees. More major damages were observed resulting from this disaster. Several lives were lost to the enormous floods and among the populace, many suffered injuries. Zamboanga City infrastructure suffered damage in the aftermath of the floods of nearly One Hundred Million Philippine Pesos (PHP100-M). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) office in Zamboanga City, according to its Officer-in-Charge, Allan Rommel R. Labayog, suffered flooding in the PHIVOLCS seismic vault and damaged the earthquake sensor equipment. These assessment form part of the early findings only on the overall worth of the destruction brought about by the calamity.

This proposed bill seeks to put in place a Zamboanga Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Commission (ZRRC) that will be responsible for developing, formulating and implementing a Zamboanga City Rehabilitation and Development Plan.

This measure emanates from a series of consultations with various stakeholders.  Trusting their conscientious intentions and depth of knowledge in the issues involved, the immediate enactment of this proposed measure into law is earnestly sought.

                                                                                          GRACE L. POE

We are near the finish line…

Please await the date of publication in this site of the entire proposed law.

Thank you for bearing with us

Restoration and Rehabilitation for Bohol, Cebu and Negros Oriental

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC       )

OF THE PHILIPPINES                                             )

_________ Regular Session                                        )

SENATE

S.B. No. __________

Introduced by Senator Ferdinand R Marcos Jr

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The provinces of Bohol, Cebu and in recent past, Negros Oriental, Philippines suffered massive, extremely dangerous earthquakes. Such disasters left deep, indelible imprints on the national psyche and upon people all over the world thus the incidents demand our undivided attention.

Pursuant to Section 4, Article II of 1987 Philippine Constitution providing, “The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people”, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121) was enacted into law. With this, Philippine DRRM Plan 2011-2028 was adopted to ensure that the government shall establish and strengthen capacities of communities to anticipate, cope and recover from the negative impact of emergency occurrences and disasters. The DILG as the Vice Chair for Preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued a Memorandum Circular No. 2012-79 to implement the Seal of Disaster Preparedness. The aimed at recognizing and incentivizing local governance performance in institutionalizing disaster preparedness, and to assess performance gaps, link gaps to policy or program intervention and monitor improvements on disaster preparedness. In the recent Bohol-Cebu calamity, the resulting effects from the earthquake, are as follows:

1.            Fatalities: more than 218 persons dead

2.            Missing: more than 8 persons unaccounted for as this time

3.            In Bohol lone, more than 120,000 persons displaced and evacuated.

4.            Civilians Injured in Bohol province alone : 760

5.            More than seventy nine (79) designated evacuation centers in Bohol-Cebu were filled to the brim with displaced persons.

6.            Loss and damage to property estimated at more or less in the range of 10 billion pesos with a cost of reconstruction reaching up to 20 billion pesos

Thus said, the recent calamity that hit Bohol and Cebu City resulted in enormous loss to the people in terms of structures. Ground shift, water retreat from the affected areas’ sea lines, these are merely some of the effects of the disaster in Bohol, Cebu and continue to be suffered by the population in Negros Oriental that in recent past also suffered a massive earthquake. Infrastructure damage is estimated at not less than fifteen billion Philippine Pesos (PHP15-B) in all three areas of Bohol, Cebu and Negros. These assessments form part of the early findings only on the overall worth of the destruction brought about by the calamity.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) office in Bohol-Cebu, according to its Officer-in-Charge, Allan Rommel R. Labayog, suffered intense shaking in the PHIVOLCS seismic vault that subsequently damaged the earthquake sensor equipment of Phivolcs in the area. This makes the Phivolcs now handicapped to monitor earthquakes in said area in the immediate future and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

In paragraph 2, Section 23, Article VI of the Philippine Constitution, it is stated that “in times of war or other national emergency, the Congress may, by law, authorize the President, for a limited period and subject to such restrictions as it may prescribe, to exercise powers necessary and proper to carry out a declared national policy. Unless sooner withdrawn by resolution of the Congress, such powers shall cease upon the next adjournment thereof.” In paragraph 2, Section 26 Article VI it states, that “No bill passed by either House shall become a law unless it has passed three readings on separate days, and printed copies thereof in its final form have been distributed to its Members three days before its passage, except when the President certifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency. Upon the last reading of a bill, no amendment thereto shall be allowed, and the vote thereon shall be taken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and nays entered in the Journal.

And in Section 17, Article XII of the Philippine Constitution, it states that. “In times of national emergency, when the public interest so requires, the State may, during the emergency and under reasonable terms prescribed by it, temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest.”

This proposed bill seeks to put in place a Bohol-Cebu-Negros Rehabilitation Commission (BCNRC) that will be responsible for developing, formulating and implementing a Bohol-Cebu-Negros Rehabilitation and Development Plan at the quickest and soonest possible time. In Negros Oriental, a group, Centre Humanes et Societas, Inc. through its network of organizations in the province, has enjoined the forming of a Standing Conference on Negros Oriental Rehabilitation and Development. This Standing Conference has formulated the comprehensive plan for rehabilitating Negros Oriental in the post-earthquake period and the results of their work will be used in the course of the work of the Commission that is the subject of this Act. This measure emanates from a series of consultations with various stakeholders.  Confident of their noble intentions and breadth of knowledge in the matter involved, the immediate enactment of this proposed measure into law is most fervently enjoined.

FERDINAND R MARCOS JR

The Author: Senator Bongbong Marcos

Source: Post Disaster: The Quest for Rehabilitation

Zamboanga Rehabilitation

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC     )
OF THE PHILIPPINES                                             )
_________ Regular Session                                        )

SENATE

S.B. No. __________

_____________________________________________________________________

by Senator Grace L. Poe

_____________________________________________________________________


NOTE

The country’s recent experiences when twin calamities hit Zamboanga City – the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) 20-day Siege of Zamboanga City and the flash floods that hit the City after the hostage-taking and burning of villages were dire experiences that merit national attention. On September 9, 2013 armed elements staged an attack, on Zamboanga City notwithstanding the presence of the AFP Western Mindanao Command at Barangays Baliwasan, Calarian and the Philippine National Police’ Directorate for Integrated Police Operation-Western Mindanao and the Police Regional Office Region IX, PNP Maritime Group headquarters at Barangay Sta. Barbara.

The MNLF armed band has ties to both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Abu Sayyaf. Severely affected were Barangays Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Kasanyangan, Mariki and Rio Hondo. This was precluded by the arrest a day earlier, on September 8, 2013 of six (6) Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) by Zamboanga City Public Safety Company at Brgy. Rio-Hondo yielding two cal .45 pistols, ammunition and six sets of camouflage uniforms, The attack was perpetrated by heavily armed men of MNLF Misuari Faction in military fatigue uniform that landed in Zamboanga City led by Commanders Habier Malik, Ustadz Esmael Dasta, Hadjirin Handji Amin, Bas Arki, Asamin Hussini.

Their primary intention was to actualize their call for jihad vs. the infidel government, capture the City Hall of Zamboanga City and raise the MNLF Flag to highlight the demand of a Bangsamoro homeland. More rebels later landed in Brgy. Mampang and proceeded to Bgy. Sta. Barbara. The MNLF was blocked by security forces resulting in intense gun battle with MNLF taking civilian hostages as human shields. At gunpoint, hostages’ hands were tied and were made to line up at the frontline while the gun battle was raging. The hostages were used to make government forces stop firing. Armed MNLF rebels held fort in different places in aforementioned Barangays of the City. The MNLF relentlessly engaged government forces in gun battle resulting in several casualties from the sides of both government and rebels as well as among the civilian population and volunteers from outside of Zamboanga. MNLF burned residential houses and commercial buildings, causing damage to infrastructures, loss of valuable property and livelihood. The attack paralyzed, and caused widespread fear and panic among the residents of the, City.

Resulting from the Siege, are as follows:

1.  More than 120,000 persons displaced and evacuated.

2.  More than seventy nine (79) designated evacuation centers in the City were filled to the brim with displaced persons.

3.  Loss and damage to property estimated at more or less in the range of billions of pesos (further compounded by the recent coming of flash floods following the 20-day siege)

4.  Killed on MNLF side: 183

5.  Captured on MNLF side: 292

6.  Killed on the government side: 25

7.  Wounded on the government side: 184

8.  Civilians Killed: 12

9.  Civilians Wounded: 70

10.  Untold losses to Zamboanga-based and other agencies and private sector business establishments

Following the MNLF attack, an enormous flash flood brought the City to her knees. More major damages were observed resulting from this disaster. Several lives were lost to the enormous floods and among the populace, many suffered injuries. Zamboanga City infrastructure suffered damage in the aftermath of the floods of nearly One Hundred Million Philippine Pesos (PHP100-M). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) office in Zamboanga City, according to its Officer-in-Charge, Allan Rommel R. Labayog, suffered flooding in the PHIVOLCS seismic vault and damaged the earthquake sensor equipment. These assessment form part of the early findings only on the overall worth of the destruction brought about by the calamity. This proposed bill seeks to put in place a Zamboanga Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Commission (ZRRC) that will be responsible for developing, formulating and implementing a Zamboanga City Rehabilitation and Development Plan. This measure emanates from a series of consultations with various stakeholders.  Trusting their conscientious intentions and depth of knowledge in the issues involved, the immediate enactment of this proposed measure into law is earnestly sought.

                                                                                            GRACE L. POE

Community based safety, peace and order program and recognition awards

PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY SECURITY, SAFETY, PEACE AND ORDER

This is an Integrated Intra-Communication Plan and Public Communication Plan specially designed to mold a culture of cooperation and positive morale. It is intended to surface and deliver timely solutions, applications, for selected special issues to special publics (audiences) on vital national issues / events such as the following:

• Special Community Crime Reduction / Prevention Program
• Special Public Communication Program for enhancing PNP Image
• Community Peace, Security and Safety Summit on November 30, 2013 (in time for National Heroes Day)
• Localized and National Crisis Events Public Communications – including for Subnational (Regional) and National Disasters
• 2013 Safe and Peaceful Elections Public Communications
• 2016 Safe and Peaceful Elections Public Communications

GOLDEN OLIVE BRANCH AWARD OR PRIZE RECOGNITION AND AWARDS PROJECT

This a project to give recognition and incentive to those who gave major contributions to establishing and promoting peace and order, security and safety within the Philippine community (neighborhood, Sitio, Purok, Barangay, etc.).

Even those that had died or passed away are entitled to receive the prize posthumous, and all the benefits therefrom.

It is a project that to help promote among the youth the importance of working for community-based peace and order by granting scholarships to young high school students and providing grant funds for the education of children of posthumous awardees.