Diamonds in the Rough

Diamonds are found among rocky terrains and mountains. Diamonds are hard to dig up and tedious to polish, but shines like no other stone.

The same is said about doctors willing to work in underserved communities with substandard qualities of life in the Philippines.

“They chose a simple life of service over luxury,” said Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity alumnus Dr. Jose Tiongco during his opening address at the fraternity’s “Diamonds in the Rough” (DITR) Awarding ceremony last March 3 in Century Park Hotel, Manila.

Tiongco said that we should be thankful for such doctors. “Sixty-two percent of Filipinos die without seeing a doctor, 88% of doctors and nurses are abroad,” he said.

The three major awardees are doctors from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. All have been progressively helping their communities in terms of the population’s health and well being.

Vietrez Panganiban David-Abella, M.D. is the winner from Catanduanes, Luzon. Mennie Cabacan, M.D. is the winner helping in Eastern Samar, Visayas. Afdal B. Kunting, M.D. is the winner from Zamboanga, Mindanao.

“These doctors’ hearts are big and strong like diamonds. And our search for them is as hard as finding diamonds,” said Lucie Medina from the Rotary Club of Paco Manila who co-sponsored the event.

“It is also the Phi Kappa Mu’s 75th or diamond anniversary,” she added. Thus the name of nationwide search for young, community doctors.

Abella’s leadership

Abella’s community in Virac, Catanduanes has a population of over 64,000, but only has two physicians.

“Being a doctor in the community, I am empowered to be the leader,” she said. Being thrown to a leadership position was not one she chose, but openly embraces.

In the communities, she said, doctors are given “instant respect.”

Because people look up to Abella, she said she has the power and people’s support to solidify different organizations to improve the overall quality of life in Virac.

“It is possible that everyone improves together,” she said.

She has organized various literacy programs, Cataract missions, anti-drug campaigns, a breast cancer group and a lot more. She is doing a lot but her main project is the blood drive.

“There is so much we can give from ourselves, donating blood is so simple. But above anything else, in giving, I have to be the best person I can be to serve others well,” Abella said.

By Maria Althea Teves, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 03/08/2009 6:04 PM
as of 03/08/2009 6:05 PM

Source: ABS-CBN News - Diamonds in the Rough

Catanduanes Hydropower Project Gets P860-M loan

The estimated P860-million mini-hydro electric power plant projects in Solong, Kapipian and Hitoma in the province of Catanduanes is now 65 percent complete, Sunwest Water and Electric Co. (Suweco) president Jose Silvestre Natividad said.

“This swift accomplishment was carried out even though Suweco stalled its bank loan and waited for the interest to come down before it availed of the loan since the April 2008 Department of Energy (DoE) approval of its operating contract. Investments and construction came first prior to any funding and financial closing from banks, civil works had been done at a very early time and all electro-mechanical items have already been purchased and ready for shipment anytime. All these were carried out from the company’s own internally generated funds,” Natividad stressed.

Suweco’s previous plan was to complete the project using its own funds but due to the present decrease of interest rates, it opted to avail of the financing from the Philippine National Bank (PNB) in order to suffice the necessary financial requirements of as well as the other MHP with a total capacity of 107 megawatts (MW).

With Suweco’s very strong commitment being an affiliate of Sunwest Group of Companies, the PNB on Feb. 27, 2009 approved the loan on project financing which was based solely on the project’s profitability and project viability.

It can be noted that the operating contract of the 3 MHPs in Catanduanes was signed by the DoE on April 2008 and was recently approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission. In an earlier date, another Suweco renewable energy project, the Villasiga MHP was also approved of its operating contract on June 2008.

PNB president Omar Mier said during the signing ceremony that, “This is a great manner of asserting PNB’s commitment on encouraging private energy players to go invest in renewable energy. We strongly believe in Suweco’s thrust and objective of providing a cheap, reliable and environment-friendly energy to fossil fuel-dependent islands in the Philippines.”

Souce: The Daily Tribune

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DOT-5 Sets Aside P2-M for Tourist Facilities in Catanduanes

A total of two million pesos has been earmarked by the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office in Bicol for the construction of tourist facilities and acquisition of equipment that will further boost tourism ventures in the province of Catanduanes.


According to Tourism Promotions Officer Carmel Bonifacio-Garcia of the provincial government of Catanduanes, the fund will be used to implement four projects that will energize domestic and even foreign tourist patronage on the island. A Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) has already been issued to this effect, with the breakdown of expenditures already known.

Out of the allotted fund, P500,000 will be channeled to the construction of the Visitors’ Information Center at Puraran, Baras while another P500,000 will be used for the purchase of surfboards. On the other hand, P500,000 has been set aside for the establishment of Gayon Bicol Bath House at Virac Seaport, and P500,000 more for the construction of Gayon Bicol Travel Café at Virac Airport.

To serve as the registration area of all visitors of the world renowned surfing site, the Visitors’ Information Center at Puraran will have a briefing room and audio-visual facilities that will provide information and serve as spearhead of the promotion drive for the tourist spot. The surfboards will be used for bolstering surfing activities in the area and will be rented out to surfers, thereby generating revenues that will help in the maintenance and operation of the tourist center.

Meanwhile, the Gayon Bicol Bath House at Virac seaport is expected to serve as comfort room and provide amenities for tourists and travelers alike.

"My idea is to organize the group of vendors, porters and other small entrepreneurs in the area, give them the opportunity of maintaining the bathhouse and appropriately charge a just few pesos for those who will use the facility. In this way, they can generate income for their group," Garcia added.

Tthe Gayon Bicol Travel Café at Virac Airport will have a tourism information center, souvenir shop and a coffee bar. A free Wi-Fi internet service can also be provided at the café for the convenience of tourists and other visitors.

The DOT regional office will take charge of the construction of tourist facilities and the local government units concerned will assume the maintenance of these amenities. The construction of these tourist facilities is expected to start at the second quarter of this year.

In line with this, the Catanduanes Tourism and Promotions Office headed by Garcia has scheduled a series of meetings with Mayor Bong Teves of Baras and the managers of Philippine Ports Authority and Virac Airport for the identification of possible sites of the tourist facilities.

Garcia expressed her thanks and appreciation to DOT V Regional Director Maria ‘Nini" Ravanilla for the much needed fund support. She is also optimistic that the LGUs and concerned government agencies will give their full support to the project.

"The growth of tourism industry is largely a multi-sectoral effort hence this inter-agency collaboration is definitely on the right track," the province’s tourism promotion officer said.

"We already have our natural tourist attractions in the province. We are endowed with ecotourism attractions, plus a culture that is distinctively Catandunganon. These facilities, which we have been working on to be realized, will complement what we already have in Catanduanes. This will definitely invigorate our efforts to stir and strengthen tourism industry in the province," Garcia emphasized. - March 04, 2009

source: Catanduanes Tribune

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Make Graduations a Simple Celebration

With the upcoming school graduations, the Department of Education (DepEd) reminds public school heads, teachers and other education stakeholders to keep the graduation rites a simple celebration.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus directed public schools not to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites. “We need to focus on ensuring quality education for all," he said.

In line with the government’s austerity program, DepEd issued DepEd Order No.15, s. 2009, which contained the department’s policy on conduct and collection of fees for the graduation rites.

Although PTA/PTCAs may solicit voluntary contributions from their members for graduation ceremonies, teachers and school officials should not be involved in the collection of these contributions.

Schools should not require extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue for the ceremonies, while contributions for the annual yearbook should only be on a voluntary basis.

The order also stated that "graduation rites should be conducted solemnly befitting the graduating students and their parents.”

The celebration should not in any way be used as a venue for political forum. Lapus said school administrators and parents are not barred from inviting their local government officials.

“Many LGUs are active partners of the Department. Their contributions included assistance in school buildings, furniture, books, additional teacher items, training and operating expenses,” explained Lapus.

Although the last day of classes is set on March 31, schools can schedule their graduation as early as last week of March. This year’s graduation theme is “My Education: My Contribution to the Future (Edukasyon ko, Handog ko sa Kinabukasan).”

Lapus noted, ”Graduation is that milestone of an accomplishment. And such success demands our students to accept more responsibilities.”

“The true value of your education is in your knowing that you now have a bigger role to play in society and in our quest for a better nation for all Filipinos,” he stressed.

23 February 2009 - DepEd Calls on Schools to Make Graduations A Simple Celebration

Source: Department of Education

The PRA Business Guide

As a general rule, anyone regardless of nationality may invest in the Philippines.


However, foreign nationals enrolled in the Retirement Program are, under the Authority’s existing Implementing Investment Guidelines, permitted after a holding period of 30 days from the issuance of the SRR Visa, to convert their time deposit/s into active investment/s in any or a combination of the following investment areas, to wit:

1. Purchase or acquisition of a condo unit anywhere in the Philippines;
2. Long-term lease of house and lot for a period not shorter than 20 years; and
3. Purchase of golf or country club shares.

Investments by PRA retirees outside the PRA program using other funds separate and distinct from the qualifying dollar time deposit may be allowed depending on the business structures of their choice e.g. sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or branch office subject to compliance with existing laws and the Foreign Investments Act.

Foreign ownership of up to 100% is allowed for export enterprises. Export enterprises are defined as those businesses wherein at least 60% of output is exported.

For domestic market enterprises, foreign ownership is allowed up to 100%, except for specific areas listed under the Foreign Investments Negative List. Under the Negative List, investment is limited up to 40%.

For more information on domestic market enterprises (without any export activity) and/or registering a business as a sole-proprietorship under the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 please visit the Department of Trade and Industry website at http://www.dti.gov.ph.

If you will be joining a corporation or forming one; please visit the Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov.ph) or the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (http://www.peza.gov.ph) websites.

If your products is at least 70% for export or if the activity is among those listed in the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP), please visit the Board of Investments website at http://www.boi.gov.ph

RETIREE INVESTOR

Once an applicant decides to invest in the Philippines, we can assist in the following:

1. Pre-processing & Evaluation of the application for the conversion of the dollar time deposit into an investment;
2. Annotation of the PRA restriction on the title representing the investment with the Register of Deeds (RD);
3. Processing and Approval of the investment application within five (5) working days.

Investment Areas for Retirees

1. A retiree can choose to invest their required deposit through the following means:urchase of a condominium unit;
2. Long-term lease of a parcel of land or house and lot;
3. Purchase of proprietary shares in golf or country clubs.

NOTE: For former Filipinos, purchase of a lot not exceeding 5,000 square meters in urban areas or three (3) hectares in rural areas to be used for business or other purposes.

DEVELOPER

The Philippine Retirement Authority is always looking for new partners that would assist in its efforts to provide world-class services to its resident-retirees, as well as developing the local retirement industry.

The PRA is currently looking for partnerships with the following: Hotels, Condominiums, Condotels, Apartments, Resorts, Housing Facilities and Retirement Facilities with or without Caring Services.

Once the appropriate requirements are met, feel free to send the application form along with the documentary requirements to:

Marketing Department
Client Relations Division,
c/o Ms. Lyn Carbonnel
4/F Citibank Center,
8741 Paseo de Roxas,
Makati City, 1207
Philippines

Source: PRA: Philippine Retirement Authority - Retirement Program

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