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Content about Disaster

July 28, 2011
Bikol bore brunt of Typhoon Juaning

LEGAZPI CITY (July 28, 2011 6:30 A.M.) – All storm signals lifted, flood waters receding and Typhoon Juaning leaving the country, Bikolanos now have time to take stocks and realize that the Bikol region bore the brunt of unexpected massive rains and strong winds brought by Typhoon Juaning.

LEGAZPI CITY (July 28, 2011 6:30 A.M.) – All storm signals lifted, flood waters receding and Typhoon Juaning leaving the country, Bikolanos now have time to take stocks and realize that the Bikol region bore the brunt of unexpected massive rains and strong winds brought by Typhoon Juaning.

Projection models show that Juaning merely skirted Bikol and in fact Juaning passed East of the region as a Tropical Depression and Albay was under Signal No. 1 when most of the damages to the province were taking place.

December 29, 2011
Name ‘illegal’ loggers in CDO, Iligan DENR dared

MANILA, Dec. 28, 2011—The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) has challenged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to name the alleged “illegal” loggers that are behind the Cagayan de Oro-Iligan tragedy.

MANILA, Dec. 28, 2011—The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) has challenged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to name the alleged “illegal” loggers that are behind the Cagayan de Oro-Iligan tragedy.

In a statement, Pamalakaya chair Fernando Hicap said that the Government should run against these environmental plunderers and file necessary charges against them as what happened to the aforementioned cities can be considered a heinous crime.

December 27, 2011
Pinoys overseas remember ‘Sendong’ victims amid Christmas rush

MANILA, Dec. 26, 2011—Even as families have been busy with Christmas preparations and the get-togethers on Christmas Day itself, the many who perished in the flooding in northern Mindanao – as well as the families they left behind — are not being forgotten by fellow Filipinos, even those living overseas.

“We’re including those affected [by typhoon Sendong] in our nightly Rosaries,” said homeschooling mother Stef Patag, who has been living in the United States with her family for 25 years and whose children lost no time in offering to shell out their own money to donate to the victims once they learned about the tragedy.

MANILA, Dec. 26, 2011—Even as families have been busy with Christmas preparations and the get-togethers on Christmas Day itself, the many who perished in the flooding in northern Mindanao – as well as the families they left behind — are not being forgotten by fellow Filipinos, even those living overseas.

December 22, 2011
Declare Cagayan de Oro river basin protected watershed area, Aquino urged

CAGAYAN DE ORO City, Dec. 20, 2011—Civil society groups and local government units of Cagayan de Oro City and nearby towns called on President Benigno Aquino III to declare Cagayan de Oro river basin a protected watershed area to shield it from further exploitation.

The multi sectoral groups said the devastation brought by Typhoon Sendong was “the result of irresponsible and wanton exploitation of our watershed forests, leading to river siltation which reduced the city’s capacity to hold enormous water load.”

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO City, Dec. 20, 2011—Civil society groups and local government units of Cagayan de Oro City and nearby towns called on President Benigno Aquino III to declare Cagayan de Oro river basin a protected watershed area to shield it from further exploitation.

The multi sectoral groups said the devastation brought by Typhoon Sendong was “the result of irresponsible and wanton exploitation of our watershed forests, leading to river siltation which reduced the city’s capacity to hold enormous water load.”

December 22, 2011
Migrante-ME mobilizes chapters to help Sendong victims in Mindanao

MANILA, Dec. 21, 2011—Migrante chapters in different parts of the Middle East opened their lines to receive donations for the victims of the flash floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, Mindanao, which has already claimed hundreds of lives, most of them children.

In a statement, John Leonard C. Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Mideast said that they had already coordinated with different Filipino communities and migrant workers’ organization in Saudi, Qatar, and in United Arab Emirates.

 

MANILA, Dec. 21, 2011—Migrante chapters in different parts of the Middle East opened their lines to receive donations for the victims of the flash floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, Mindanao, which has already claimed hundreds of lives, most of them children.

In a statement, John Leonard C. Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Mideast said that they had already coordinated with different Filipino communities and migrant workers’ organization in Saudi, Qatar, and in United Arab Emirates.

December 21, 2011
PNoy visits disaster areas, declares state of national calamity

MANILA, Philippines (Dec 21, 2011) President Aquino visited the flood-ravaged cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete yesterday, declaring a state of national calamity in the aftermath of the devastation caused by tropical storm “Sendong” as a massive relief operation continued.

As thousands of workers search and retrieve decomposing bodies, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has placed the death toll from the storm at close to a thousand, more accurately 998, with an undetermined number still missing, mostly from the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

MANILA, Philippines (Dec 21, 2011) President Aquino visited the flood-ravaged cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete yesterday, declaring a state of national calamity in the aftermath of the devastation caused by tropical storm “Sendong” as a massive relief operation continued.

December 19, 2011
2 days after Sendong: dead bodies pile up

MANILA, Philippines (Dec 19, 2011) - The Red Cross reports 652 people confirmed dead, mostly based on head count of cadavers brought to funeral homes, and lists 808 as missing;  the government’s Office of Civil Defense  counter-check s its figures with the victims’ relatives and release its lower count of 512  dead and 274 missing.  Whatever the reported figures, observers note that dead bodies have began piling up as rescue workers race against time to locate the hundreds still missing from the flashfloods brought by tropical storm Sendong (Washi) that killed hundreds of people across vast areas in Mindanao over the weekend.

December 19, 2011
Mindanao bishops reject Tampakan mines; urge govt to protect people’s interests

MANILA, Dec. 16, 2011—Three Mindanao bishops called on the government to protect and promote the interest of the people and not of mining companies.

Kidapawan Bishop Romulo dela Cruz, Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Guetierrez and Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable, in a collective statement, urged for protection of the environment and promote sustainable development.

MANILA, Dec. 16, 2011—Three Mindanao bishops called on the government to protect and promote the interest of the people and not of mining companies.

Kidapawan Bishop Romulo dela Cruz, Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Guetierrez and Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable, in a collective statement, urged for protection of the environment and promote sustainable development.

The prelates reiterated their opposition to the Tampakan Copper and Gold Project of London based XSTRATA/SMI, which has a $5.6 B worth of mining investment in the country.

December 17, 2011
Mob assaults mining firm’s office in Camarines Norte

DAET, Camarines Norte (Dec 17, 2011) – Rural residents at the foot of Mount Labo in this province stormed the office compound of the Mount Labo Exploration and Development Corp., a mining firm operating in the area whose activities are being opposed by local residents here.

DAET, Camarines Norte (Dec 17, 2011) – Rural residents at the foot of Mount Labo in this province stormed the office compound of the Mount Labo Exploration and Development Corp., a mining firm operating in the area whose activities are being opposed by local residents here.

December 1, 2011
Akbayan reacts to alleged plot to assassinate GMA

Manila, Philippines (Dec 1, 2011) – There is no oplan “Put the little girl to sleep.” There is only an oplan  to to put the little girl guilty of committing big, bad things in jail,”

This was the reaction of Akbayan party-list group today as it assailed the camp of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for claiming that there is a plot to do harm to the former president.

Manila, Philippines (Dec 1, 2011) – There is no oplan “Put the little girl to sleep.” There is only an oplan  to to put the little girl guilty of committing big, bad things in jail,”

This was the reaction of Akbayan party-list group today as it assailed the camp of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for claiming that there is a plot to do harm to the former president.

November 29, 2011
Jail Is It

Once again, our Nation is apparently in a dilemma on how a former president, now Gloria Arroyo, accused of a crime and arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant should be treated. Or simply put, where should she be detained pending judicial proceedings?

President Aquino was certainly right in dodging the question by stating that such matter is within the jurisdiction or power of the court that issued the warrant of arrest. His government’s job is to prosecute the case, that is, to present evidence to show guilt beyond reasonable doubt...

Once again, our Nation is apparently in a dilemma on how a former president, now Gloria Arroyo, accused of a crime and arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant should be treated. Or simply put, where should she be detained pending judicial proceedings?

President Aquino was certainly right in dodging the question by stating that such matter is within the jurisdiction or power of the court that issued the warrant of arrest. His government’s job is to prosecute the case, that is, to present evidence to show guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

November 28, 2011
De Lima likes GMA lawyers probed for alleged harrassment of doctors

MANILA, Philippines (Nov 28, 2011) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has joined the calls of militant lawmakers for an investigation into alleged harrassment of the doctors of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by her lawyers aimed at hiding Arroyo’s real medical conditionn and bolstering the legal arguments of her camp.

Earlier, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, Anakpawis party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano,  Gabriela Women’s Partylist Rep. Luz Ilagan,  Gabriela, Rep. Emmi de Jesus and ACT Teachers’ party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio - all members of the progressive bloc in the House of Representatives - called for possible investigation of the Supreme Court and Integrated Bar of the Philippines against Arroyo’s lawyers Jose Flaminiano, Raul Lambino and Ferdinand Topacio for the alleged “grand deception to hide the real condition of Arroyo.”...

MANILA, Philippines (Nov 28, 2011) – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has joined the calls of militant lawmakers for an investigation into alleged harrassment of the doctors of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by her lawyers aimed at hiding Arroyo’s real medical conditionn and bolstering the legal arguments of her camp.

November 27, 2011
DENR-EMB serves desist order to Paracale mining firms

DAET, Camarines Norte (Nov. 27, 2011) – A Team of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau (DENR - EMB) served Friday (Nov. 25) a Cease and Desist Order to three of the six mining firms in Paracale town in this province.

 The DENR-EMB  action is in response to a complaint filed by a fishermen organization, “Samahang Mangingisda ng Paracale,” that Mercury poisoning has contaminated the town’s fishing lanes and two major rivers...

DAET, Camarines Norte (Nov. 27, 2011) – A Team of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau (DENR - EMB) served Friday (Nov. 25) a Cease and Desist Order to three of the six mining firms in Paracale town in this province.

 The DENR-EMB  action is in response to a complaint filed by a fishermen organization, “Samahang Mangingisda ng Paracale,” that Mercury poisoning has contaminated the town’s fishing lanes and two major rivers.

November 26, 2011
Jail looms for GMA

MANILA, Philippines (Nov. 26, 2011) – The prospect of GMA’s house arrest dimmed yesterday after one her doctors said in court that the former president is recuperating, may be treated as outpatient and is on the way to recovery in weeks.

Given this, a government prosecutor moved yesterday for the immediate transfer of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) to a local jail...

MANILA, Philippines (Nov. 26, 2011) – The prospect of GMA’s house arrest dimmed yesterday after one her doctors said in court that the former president is recuperating, may be treated as outpatient and is on the way to recovery in weeks.

Given this, a government prosecutor moved yesterday for the immediate transfer of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) to a local jail.

November 25, 2011
Groups ask govt swift justice for Ampatuan massacre victims

MANILA, Nov. 24, 2011—Two years ago since the brutal massacre of 58 people, 32 of whom were journalists, the justice that the media and religious communities, and the family of the victims of the infamous Maguindanao Massacre wanted, seemed to be elusive.

MANILA, Nov. 24, 2011—Two years ago since the brutal massacre of 58 people, 32 of whom were journalists, the justice that the media and religious communities, and the family of the victims of the infamous Maguindanao Massacre wanted, seemed to be elusive.

November 10, 2011
Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown preems November 14

 

This season, doubles are in. Making its explosive debut on primetime TV this Monday, November 14, SURVIVOR PHILIPPINES CELEBRITY DOUBLES SHOWDOWN is all set to unfold double the danger, twice the drama, and the excitement times two! 

With ten pairs of celebrity castaways leaving their comfort zones and braving the unknown – trying to survive against life-threatening storms, dangerous creatures, and scheming tribe-mates out to win the game – the stakes are definitely higher than ever.

 

This season, doubles are in. Making its explosive debut on primetime TV this Monday, November 14, SURVIVOR PHILIPPINES CELEBRITY DOUBLES SHOWDOWN is all set to unfold double the danger, twice the drama, and the excitement times two! 

With ten pairs of celebrity castaways leaving their comfort zones and braving the unknown – trying to survive against life-threatening storms, dangerous creatures, and scheming tribe-mates out to win the game – the stakes are definitely higher than ever.

November 8, 2011
De Lima thumbs down GMA's multi-country travel

 

MANILA, Philippines (Nov. 8, 2011) - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima thumbs down former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's multi-destiantion travel abroad as the Justice secretary notes that the GMA will be going to at least three countries with no extraditon treaty with the Philippines, her travel is of indefinite duration and aside from medical treatment the former President shall also attend international conferences in the US and Switzerland.

"There is no compelling reason or immediate necessity for the former president to seek medical treatment abroad," announced De Lima. The announcement came after De Lima's trip to Malacañang early today...

MANILA, Philippines (Nov. 8, 2011) - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima thumbs down former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's multi-destiantion travel abroad as the Justice secretary notes that the GMA will be going to at least three countries with no extraditon treaty with the Philippines, her travel is of indefinite duration and aside from medical treatment the former President shall also attend international conferences in the US and Switzerland.

October 16, 2011
Sipocot local government rejects billion-peso dam project

SIPOCOT, Camarines Sur (Oct. 16, 2011) – The Mayor and the Sangguniang Bayan members  of this town stand as one in firm opposition to the resumption of the construction of a  dam that was started and later shelved during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has proposed a new design of the proposed dam in the hope of gaining public acceptance of the project that shall be located in barangay Malaguico in this municipality.

In a position paper , Sipocot Mayor Rogener “Ogie” Astor and company reiterated their opposiotion to the contruction of the dam, citing risk to 20,000 residents in 6 villages including the town’s commercial district – same areas that were submerged by the worst flood in Bicol history when the Bicol river overflowed several meters high when Typhoon “Rosing”  hit Bicol in 1995..

SIPOCOT, Camarines Sur (Oct. 16, 2011) – The Mayor and the Sangguniang Bayan members  of this town stand as one in firm opposition to the resumption of the construction of a  dam that was started and later shelved during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has proposed a new design of the proposed dam in the hope of gaining public acceptance of the project that shall be located in barangay Malaguico in this municipality.

October 11, 2011
Calabanga benefits from foreign assisted disaster response programs

CALABANGA, Camarines Sur (Oct 11, 2011) - This coastal town has been a beneficiary of calamity preparedness and disaster response training programs supervised by foreign Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).

CARE-Nederlands and Christian Aid have been implementing calamity preparedness and disaster response programs in this town since it was chosen as a pilot area after Typhoon Reming devastated the town in 2006.

CALABANGA, Camarines Sur (Oct 11, 2011) - This coastal town has been a beneficiary of calamity preparedness and disaster response training programs supervised by foreign Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).

CARE-Nederlands and Christian Aid have been implementing calamity preparedness and disaster response programs in this town since it was chosen as a pilot area after Typhoon Reming devastated the town in 2006.

September 25, 2011
Anatomy of a Disaster examines landslides on Sunday

On Sunday, September 25, environmental advocate and Kapuso actor Richard Gutierrez explores the different factors that lead to the occurrence of landslides in another info-packed episode of GMA-7’s Anatomy of a Disaster.

With our country being a mountainous archipelagic nation, Filipinos have laid witness to several landslides particularly during the raining season. Richard will take viewers back to the time when a massive landslide buried an entire village in Leyte , and claimed over a thousand lives.

On Sunday, September 25, environmental advocate and Kapuso actor Richard Gutierrez explores the different factors that lead to the occurrence of landslides in another info-packed episode of GMA-7’s Anatomy of a Disaster.

With our country being a mountainous archipelagic nation, Filipinos have laid witness to several landslides particularly during the raining season. Richard will take viewers back to the time when a massive landslide buried an entire village in Leyte , and claimed over a thousand lives.

September 25, 2011
The Colgante Bridge Tragedy of 1972 and the theft of Peñafrancia image

Bicolanos like the rest of the Filipinos are supposed to be happy people. We shun gloom, when it relates to the Penafrancia celebration. A diet of ginota’an na gulay, chili, and doses of wicked weather make our fiestas more fun. For each favor we ask the Virgin, we have a positive answer to hope for.

Bicolanos like the rest of the Filipinos are supposed to be happy people. We shun gloom, when it relates to the Penafrancia celebration. A diet of ginota’an na gulay, chili, and doses of wicked weather make our fiestas more fun. For each favor we ask the Virgin, we have a positive answer to hope for.

September 16, 2011
The War on Terror: Is the World More Secure?

The U.S. is now trapped in a global war of its own making. It will be embroiled in more wars possibly in the next 10-20 years as a result of which it will create more enemies and make the use of force a long-term necessity.

July 20, 2011
State of the Nation

On Monday, July 25, President Aquino will deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the joint session of Congress. As his “boss”, we may very well also asses what truly the state of our nation is.

On Monday, July 25, President Aquino will deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the joint session of Congress. As his “boss”, we may very well also asses what truly the state of our nation is.

We can look at our country in many different ways and we can draw insights from as many people as we can. For brevity, we offer four essential indicators: (1) Peace and order, (2) Governance, (3) Economy, and (4) Development and poverty alleviation.

July 12, 2011
No cause to panic yet about Saudization - OWWA

NAGA CITY  (July 12, 2011) –  Applicants for domestic works in Saudi Arabia need not panic at this time because Saudization is not yet implemented and, if ever, Arab employers still have the prerogative on who to hire and many prefer Filipino workers.

NAGA CITY  (July 12, 2011) –  Applicants for domestic works in Saudi Arabia need not panic at this time because Saudization is not yet implemented and, if ever, Arab employers still have the prerogative on who to hire and many prefer Filipino workers.

This was the assurance of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 5 to those who applied for work in Saudi Arabia.

July 2, 2011
“Faith Saved Us” – says Survivors of Deadly Davao Storm

Many survivors of the storm claim sheer faith saved their lives.

At the height of the storm in the small hours of June 28, Gregorio Mascarino, 67, was convinced he and nine other members of his household were going to die as they sat on the roof of their home while raging flood waters swept around them.

Although not a devout Catholic, Mascarino said he prayed that at least one of them would be saved, as he looked at his three grandchildren who were pale and crying.