EDSA People Power 25th Anniversary Schedule of Events

February 17, 2011

Exhibit of the Inaugural

6:00 P.M., SM The Block

This exhibit showcases the coffee table book that documents the events from President Cory Aquino’s funeral to the Aquino campaign up to the inauguration of Benigno S. Aquino III as President.

February 21, 2011

NoyNoy: Triumph of a People’s Campaign

5:00 P.M., Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4

A book written by Ambassador Wilfrido Villacorta will be launched. The book chronicles the success of the Aquino campaign in capturing the Presidency.

Exhibit of the Revolution Revisited by Kim Komenich

6:00 P.M., Ayala Musuem

An event co-sponsored by the Ayala Museum, this exhibit features 60 photographs taken by Kim Komenich during his assignment in the Philippines at the time of the People Power Revolution. Fourteen of these photos were given the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography.

Sonny Camarillo Exhibit

February 21 to 27, 2011

Thirty iconic pictures taken by Sonny Camarillo during the EDSA People Power Revolution will be displayed along EDSA and White Plains Avenue. The pictures tell the story of the revolution as seen through a photographer’s lens.

February 22, 2011

Tree Planting Activity

9:00 A.M. to 12:00 NN, Camarines Sur

The Local Government of Camarines Sur, led by Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr., has organized a tree planting activity wherein 50,000 trees will be planted on government-acquired land. In an attempt to feature the value of Pagkakaisa, this area, now called the “Community of Hope”, serves as a home for rebel returnees and military families.

Inauguration of the AFP Museum and Blood Letting

2:00 P.M., AFP Grounds, Camp Aguinaldo

The room where Former President Fidel V. Ramos and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s announced their withdrawal of support has been converted to a museum. This event will feature the inauguration of this historic place. A blood letting will simultaneously be conducted in the AFP grounds as well.

PEOPLE-POWERED MARKETS: Sa Bayang Umaasenso, Sama-Sama Tayo

4:00 P.M., NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City

The Ninoy and Cory Foundation in coordination with the Makati Business Club organized this event in order to guide and educate Filipinos on how people and private companies can use the market to address social problems in the country.

Yes Pinoy Symposium – Trainer’s Training (until the 22^nd)

Venue: Kabayan Hotel, Cubao, Time: 10:00 A.M.

Participants will be trained in facilitating the EDSA Babies Speak Symposiums so they will be able to cascade the symposium in their respective regions.

February 23, 2011

Pilipinas Got Bukas

7:00 – 8:30 A.M., Rizal High School, Pasig

In order to engage the youth towards volunteerism, the YesPinoy Foundation organized this event that will showcase a human mosaic composed of 2,500 students. A passing of the torch by the EDSA Veterans to the EDSA Babies will also take place.

EDSA Babies Expo

9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., SM North Sky Dome

Exhibitors will provide avenues by which EDSA Babies can join in nation building through volunteer and other socio-civic programs. Exhibitors will be composed of student organizations and NGOs.

Program and Awarding: Best Entries in Bright Ideas and Bold Initiatives for a Better Future

3:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., SM North Sky Dome

Winning projects and entries for the Bright Ideas and Bold Initiatives for a Better Future program will be given.

EDSA Babies… Congrats Mga Sikat!

7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., SM North Sky Dome

This is a pre-graduation treat to high school and college achievers. Various artists will perform for the students and the winners of the Bright Ideas and Bold Initiatives for a Better Future program.

EDSA 1 Clips Film showing in schools nationwide

Documentaries and films about the revolution will be shown in various schools across the country.

40-Hour Vigil in 25 Churches

8:00 P.M.

A 40-hour vigil will be held starting on the 23^rd up to the 25^th will be held in 25 churches across the country.

Freedom Tour will begin (will run until the 25^th)

8:00 – 9:30 AM, 9:30 – 11:00 AM and 5:00 – 6:30 PM

This is a tour that will tell the story of the revolution. The tour will cover the following areas: La Salle Greenhills, the EDSA Shrine, the People Power Monument, and Club Filipino.

February 24, 2011

Eucharistic Celebration

5:30 P.M., EDSA Shrine

A mass will be celebrated at the EDSA Shrine on the eve of the 25^th Anniversary of the success of the revolution.

Freedom tour will continue.

February 25, 2011

Honors and Flag Raising Ceremony

7:30 A.M., People Power Monument

A flag raising ceremony at the People Power Monument will kick off the celebration. An Ecumenical Prayer will also be held after the ceremony.

Unveiling of the Cardinal Sin Statue and Flower Offering at the Ninoy and Cory Statues

9:30 A.M., Rizal Park

This event is spearheaded by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.  In attendance will be residents of Manila, the religious including twenty-five bishops and Catholic school students.  After the unveiling, flowers will be offered at the Ninoy and Cory statues.

Job Fair

7:30 A.M. – 3:00 P.M, POEA Building

The POEA will hold a job fair featuring thirty licensed employment agencies who have committed to offer a total of 25,000 job openings.  This job fair is open to the public and thousands of job seekers are expected to come.

EDSA Strip

7:00 A.M. to 12:00 midnight

The north bound lane of EDSA will be transformed into a festive strip where people who will attend the celebrations will be able to see the actual tanks used by soldiers during the revolution. People will also be able to register and make commitments for the country at Tatak Edsa Registration tents. Food will be available at P25 at food stalls put up by the Philippine Franchise Association.

Medical-Dental Mission

9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., Camp Aguinaldo Gate

A medical and dental mission will be held throughout the day at the Camp Aguinaldo Gate in front of EDSA.

Unveiling of Marker

11:00 A.M., POEA Building

A historical marker will be unveiled in the exact location where former President Cory Aquino delivered a speech during the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Boodle Lunch

12:00 Noon, EDSA

There will be a boodle lunch along EDSA for 2,500 people including CEOs, LGU representatives, student leaders, and others.  This activity seeks to rekindle the spirit of sharing that transpired during the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Salubungan Program

3:45 P.M., EDSA

This will reenact the “Salubungan” that happened 25 years ago when then General Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile joined forces against the dictator. The forces will converge at the People Power Monument.

Live Musical Variety Show

8:00 P.M., White Plains Avenue

A live concert will be held that will showcase various Filipino artists from the Kapuso, Kapamilya, and Kapatid networks. The variety show is divided into five (5) suites: “Simulain, People Power History 101,” “Ang Diwa, the Spirit of EDSA People Power,” “Mga Simbolo, People Power Lives On,” “Mga Bayani, the Heroes of Today,” and “People Power Ngayon, Nation Building Today.”  The PANA Ad campaign will also be launched at the concert. A fireworks display will follow the concert.

LGU Participation

LGUs across the country will hold events that will include medical missions, tree planting, monitoring of smoke belchers, and other projects to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution.

Freedom tour will continue. (VIP tour at 1:00 PM)

February 26, 2011

Unveiling of the Kalayaan Marker

10:30 A.M., Kalayaan Hall, Malacañang

During the Marcos regime, the hall was called Maharlika Hall. When former President Cory Aquino assumed office, it was renamed Kalayaan Hall. A marker will be unveiled at the hall to commemorate this event.

People Power Awards

11:00 A.M., Heroes Hall, Malacañang

This event is in recognition of the personalities who played significant roles during the EDSA People Power Revolution.  The awardees are: (Living) Fr. Reuter, Nat Rama and William Esposo, and (Posthumous) Don Chino Roces, Rep. Stephen Solarz, and Teodoro Benigno.  Lunch will be served and the film entitled “The World Remembers EDSA” will be shown.  Music will be provided by Mr. Ryan Cayabyab.

February 27, 2011

People Power Run

The route of the run will be from the People Power Monument to Ortigas, Greenmeadows, and C5. Simultaneous runs will be held in Bicol, Cebu, Zamboanga, Dipolog and Angeles City.

YesPinoy Foundation Relaunch

7:00 P.M., NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

The event will be attended by members of the YesPinoy Foundation and various artists.  During the Relaunch, the EDSA Babies shall articulate their commitment to carry on the Spirit of EDSA – the spirit volunteerism.

source: Presidential Communications Operations Office

DA, onion stakeholders join hand to sustain onion industry

The country’s onion industry is on the path towards recovery and self-sufficiency, as farmers, traders and government recently join hands to form a coordinating body to chart a roadmap and sustain its current bright prospects.

This was the favorable scenario during an onion industry stakeholders’ forum and workshop attended by about 100 farmers, traders and input suppliers, February 22, 2011, at the Department of Agriculture cman office in Quezon City.

Initiated by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, the one-day meeting was convened mainly to gather first-hand information on the current situation of the onion industry, identify needed interventions and strategies to improve and year-round production, and thus stabilize prices, and more importantly ensure farmers reasonable profit.

The meeting was presided on behalf of Sec. Alcala by DA assistant secretary Romeo Recide and Director Dante Delima, national coordinator of the DA-High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP).

The onion industry coordinating body is composed of about 24 leaders of onion farmers’ associatons in Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur, vegetable traders, seeds and farm inputs suppliers, municipal agriculture officers, DA-HVCDP Luzon regional coordinators.

Dir. Delima said the immediate concern of Secretary Alcala is to come up with strategies to produce enough onions during off-season in Central Luzon, particularly in Nueva Ecija. The critical months are the months of November, December and January.

During the meeting, farmers said off-season production could come from Occidental Mindoro, Isabela, and as far as General Santos City in Mindanao.

Delima said in general, the country lacks 70,000 to 80,000 tons of onions ayear. “This is the challenge that we have to surmount,” he noted.

To overcome this projected shortage, farmers in other potential regions should plant 500 to 700 hectares from March to July, which would be harvested during the off-season months of November to January.

Another strategy is encourage farmers to plant onions during the off-season under ‘rain shelters’ and make use of bulblets to shorten the traditonal growing period and thus harvest earlier.

Delima said by May this year, the country would expect a minimum surplus of 40,000 tons, which can be stored to meet the demand for the next two months.

He said the DA has allotted of P25 million to fund programs on spices including onions, of which P18 million has been downloaded to various regions.

Delima said other DA agencies will provide their respective support to revitalize the country’s onion industry. For instance the:

Bureau of Agricultural Research and Bureau of Plant Industry will establish techno demo farms to showcase new technologies to farmers in Regions 1, 2, 3 and 4B (MiMaRoPa);

Agricultural Training Institute will conduct needed training fro farmers and agricultural technicians; and the

Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization will provide needed post harvest  cold storage especially in Occidental Mindoro.

  

Finally, onion farmers clamor that the DA through the Bureau of Plant Industry limits the issuance of permit to import onions.

Maynilad hikes non-revenue water CAPEX by 53% in 2011

Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) has allotted more than P2.6 billion in 2011 to reduce Non Revenue Water (NRW) in the West zone of the Greater Manila Area – a 53% increase from the company’s NRW capital expenditure of P1.7B in 2010.

 

Engr. Irineo L. Dimaano, Maynilad’s Head of Central Non-Revenue Water (CNRW) disclosed that “P916 million would be dedicated for selective pipe rehabilitation program to recover almost 140 million liters of water per day (MLD) in the areas of Sampaloc, Tondo, Qurino-Roosevelt, and other various locations.”

 

For 2011, Maynilad is eyeing to reduce water losses to 48%.  The company’s investments on the network infrastructure as well as the continuous trainings of its employees on NRW management activities are expected to help sustain Maynilad’s  achievements and continue the NRW reduction programs. 

 

Moreover, Dimaano shared that Maynilad has acquired a specialized leak detection device  -- leak correlators -- that work for large pipes.  This will, he said, be a big help in locating leaks on primary lines.  Furthermore, Maynilad is also in the process of exploring equipment that functions similarly as the Sahara® mobile leak detection system.  Both equipments will open possibilities in covering primary networks that the company can subject to leak detection.

 

Late last year, Maynilad has also started to spearhead the trial implementation of an automatic pressure regulating device (I2O) which would help the company manage the excessive pressures in the pipe system. 

 

Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is owned and managed by DMCI-MPIC Water Company, Inc. (DMWCI), a joint venture between Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMCIHI).   It serves the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres & Sta Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit & Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Hi-way), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila, Cavite City, and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.

CSC opens search for exemplary gov’t workers

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is now accepting nominations to the 2011 Search for Outstanding Public Servants.

The CSC conducts the Search annually as part of the Honor Awards Program (HAP) to recognize and reward public servants who have made outstanding achievements and have displayed exemplary conduct or ethical behavior.

“This year, the Search is anchored on the theme, “Hero ang Public Servant” to highlight the heroism and sacrifices of our country’s state workers despite the numerous challenges of public service,” said CSC Chair Francisco T. Duque III.

Three kinds of awards are at stake. The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred on an individual or group for exceptional contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had nationwide impact on public interest. On the other hand, the Pagasa Award is granted to an individual or group for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one department of government on a certain degree of standards.

The Dangal ng Bayan Award is given to an individual for performance of extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of observance of the norms of conduct provided under Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology director Renato U. Solidum Jr., a Lingkod Bayan awardee in 2010, said that he is proud to have achieved the highest award in government service. “As a public servant, we must always aim for quality work and service. Our contentment lies not in earning money but in being able to serve the public well.”

Rewards and incentives

Cash prizes and other rewards await the chosen finalists to the 2011 HAP Search. They will also be given masteral or doctorate degree scholarship transferable to their spouse or child. Lingkod Bayan and Dangal ng Bayan awardees will be entitled to automatic promotion or corresponding salary increase.

More importantly, the awardees will join the roster of hundreds of public servants who are models of honor, excellence and integrity in public service.

Nominees to any of the three award categories should be in the government service at the time of nomination, have been rated at least Very Satisfactory for the last two consecutive performance rating periods, and have not been found guilty of or have no pending administrative or criminal case at the time of nomination. Posthumous nominations are also accepted.

Entries will be accepted until March 31, 2011.

Nominations are accepted through any of the Commission’s Regional and Field Offices nationwide or through the HAP Secretariat at the CSC Central Office, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

For more information on the 2011 Search for Outstanding Public Servants, please contact the HAP Secretariat at telephone numbers 931-7993, 932-0381 and 932-0111. The guidelines and downloadable forms are available at www.csc.gov.ph.

Casiguran fishers, Dumagats to benefit from P10-M fish cage project

Press Release Dept. of Agriculture 

February 24,2011

 

Small marginal fishermen and indigenous Dumagats in Aurora will benefit from a P10-million fish cage livelihood project in Casiguran mariculture park, initiated by the Department of Agriculture (BFAR).

 

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala led the ceremonial stocking of bangus fingerlings, and turnover of the initial batch of fish cages to the beneficiaries composed of small fishermen and Dumagats, February 18, 2011.

 

A total of 32 fish cages will be installed by the DA-BFAR at the Casiguran mariculture park.

 

The fish cage features a new design, as devised by Secretary Alcala, where bangus and sea cucumber will be raised at the same time. Bangus will be raised on the top cage, while the sea cucumber will be at the bottom, where they will serve as ‘bio filters’ or eaters of surplus feed and wastes of bangus. The design is aptly called ‘Alcala fish cage model.’

 

Each fish cage is expected to produce at least four tons or 4,000 kilos every three months. At the current farmgate price of bangus in Casiguran of P90 per kilo, the fish cage beneficiaries will earn a gross income of P360,000.

 

“We want the small fishermen and the Dumagats to directly benefit from this fish cage livelihood project,” noted Sec. Alcala during the project launch at Casiguran pier. “We want to change and transform their lives for the better.”

 

“We will train them to stock and harvest bangus on a rotation basis, at least every two weeks, so they will earn a steady income year-round. We will assist them up to the marketing stage,” Sec. Alcala added.

 

For his part, BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento said they will also put up a mini ice plant with a three-ton capacity to provide the ice requirements of the harvested bangus during  transport to markets in Aurora province and nearby provinces such as Quirino, Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya.

 

In addition, Sec. Alcala said the DA will provide a refrigerated truck courtesy of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).