Showing posts with label 2 Navy Personnel Receives International Commendation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2 Navy Personnel Receives International Commendation. Show all posts

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Brace for strong La Nina

By: Marvin Sy
The Philippine Star, Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Senators Loren Legarda and Francis Pangilinan are calling on concerned sectors to brace for the impact of La Niña this year, a phenomenon which they said could lead to significant loss of life and property.

Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on climate change, said all local government units (LGUs) should follow the lead of their counterparts that have joined the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) in making their cities and municipalities more resilient to natural calamities.

She lauded the LGUs in Region VII, mostly from Cebu, for committing to the UN’s 10 Essential Actions to Reduce Disaster Risks, the latest group to join the program.

She said this would help in the efforts to prepare for the impacts of climate change in the country by making their respective cities and municipalities more prepared for natural disasters.

“This serves as a warning to us of what we should expect in the coming days and months. The UN campaign will help us become more prepared when disasters occur.”

She said the Metro Manila LGUs would also commit to the UN program in a ceremony to be held this February.

“We must prepare our people to adapt to a changing climate. We have to learn from the lessons of devastating disasters we have experienced year in, year out. We should start the year with a firm resolve of not tolerating any casualties or losses,” Legarda said.

Pangilinan, Senate committee on agriculture chairman, on the other hand said that the incessant rains experienced in Southern Leyte and Albay could result in a full blown agricultural crisis unless the officials of the national government and the LGUs start preparing for worst-case scenarios.

He said the country has just started feeling the effects of the La Niña phenomenon and that according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), more typhoons could be expected this year, particularly during the months of January to March.

“The country’s agricultural sector has already taken blows from the combined effects of the drought caused by El Niño and the series of typhoons that followed it last year. We experienced negative growth from January to September of 2010,” Pangilinan said.

He said the government should be able to use data from Pagasa, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, and other concerned agencies to be able to come up with measures to address the disastrous effects of La Niña on the agricultural sector.

“Something must be done right away, and the earlier we come up with these measures, the more we can shield our countrymen from a looming disaster and threat to our food security,” Pangilinan said.

Citing data from the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, he noted that the agricultural sector posted a growth rate of -2.62 percent from January to September 2010.

Rains, flooding hit agriculture sector

The amount of property damaged by the heavy monsoon rains in several provinces has exceeded P752 million, even as disaster managers brace for further evacuation in the light of possible flooding and landslides.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has pegged the amount of damage in agriculture, infrastructure, and private properties at P752.27 million as of 5 a.m. yesterday.

Of the amount, P593.34 million accounted for infrastructure damage, P158.9 million constituted agricultural damage and P31,300 for private properties.

In terms of infrastructure, the Caraga region was the most badly hit with damage amounting to P383.33 million followed by Eastern Visayas (P93.29 million) and Bicol (P68.9 million).

The Caraga region remains the worst hit in terms of infrastructure (P383.33 million) followed by Eastern Visayas (P93.19 million), and Bicol (P88.75 million).

The same regions were also the most affected in terms of crop damage.

Caraga suffered P104.52 million worth in terms of agricultural damage while Eastern Visayas and Bicol recorded P31.35 million and P17.4 million, respectively.

Damage to private properties was recorded in Cebu City in Central Visayas (P20,000) and Lanao del Norte in Northern Mindanao (P11,300).

The death toll from the heavy monsoon rains remained at 33 while the number of displaced persons was unchanged at 1,120,685.

The affected individuals are located in 21 provinces within MIMAROPA, Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Caraga, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

NDRRMC said a total of 40,618 families or 209,978 people have benefited from the resources and evacuation centers of the Social Welfare department and the local governments.

A total of 4,200 families or 17,584 people are still inside 71 evacuation centers as of yesterday morning.

NDRRMC said disaster managers in Camarines Sur are preparing for preemptive evacuation in anticipation of possible flooding and landslides in 26 municipalities.

These municipalities are Baao, Balatan, Buhi, Bula, Iriga City, Libmanan, Lupi, Minalabac, Pamplona, San Fernando, Sipocot, Sangay, Caramoan, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Presentacion, Bato, Canaman, Milaor, Naga City Nabua, Pili, Ragay, San Fernando, Siruma and Tinambac.

“(There was) no fishing activity in Siruma and no land transportation since Wednesday due to heavy rains. Food packs were delivered in said municipality for distribution to affected families,” NDRRMC said.

The cost of assistance from the combined resources of state agencies, local governments, and non-government organizations has risen to P12.48 million.

The Navy, on the other hand, said it has completed its first sortie of relief operations to displaced families of Cagraray Island in Bacacay, Albay.

Navy spokesman Capt. Giovanni Bacordo said 470 families benefited from the “Food for Work” program implemented by the Albay provincial government.

The relief goods were distributed by sailors from the Naval Forces Southern Luzon who were on board BRP Simeon Castro.

“The Philippine Navy command in Bicol committed two gunboats for the relief operation of island communities,” Bacordo said

Disaster resiliency pushed Militants want delay on farmland rentals

Meanwhile, four of the biggest rural-based groups --the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), the fisherfolk alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), the peasant women federation Amihan and the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura --yesterday urged President Aquino to impose a moratorium on payment of land rent on farms damaged by heavy rains and flooding in 21 provinces and five other regions all over the country.

KMP secretary-general Danilo Ramos urged Aquino to issue an executive order compelling landlords to refrain from collecting land rent in disaster ravaged areas affected by continuous massive flooding and landslides since December 2010 in at least 1,073 farming villages in eight regions, especially from Caraga, Eastern Visayas and the Bicol regions.

The KMP said landlords extraction of land rent from poor farmers usually ranges from 50 to 70 percent of the farmers produce, which it described as extremely exploitative.

“Aside from quick and substantial economic relief and assistance, we strongly compel the Aquino administration to impose moratorium on payment of land rent of farms in devastated farming communities,” Ramos said.

Aside from land rent moratorium, he said the government should also postpone payment of debts to landlords, traders and government financial groups like Quedancor and cancellation of interests to those with damaged crops.

Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap, for his part, demanded that the Aquino government and the Department of Agriculture provide financial compensation of P10,000 to P15,000 per hectare to farmers whose crops were damaged and order the Land Bank of the Philippines to implement zero-interest credit line amounting to P10,000 to P15,000 per hectare to farmers.

He said the same compensation package should be given to fisherfolk in affected regions. The KMP said the acquisition of motorized water-pumps, pipes and tubes, tractors, hand tractors, farm tools and carabaos for the use of affected farmers, and fuel subsidy for their operation were also necessary to help farmers in calamity stricken areas. Helen Flores, Rhodina Villanueva, Alexis Romero, Miriam Desecada

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Pinoy sea marshals honored by IMO

By: Pia Lee-Brago
Philippine Star, Sunday, December 12, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – Four Filipino sea marshals received awards from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for their bravery while on duty onboard the Super Ferry 9 that sank in September 2009, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced.

The Philippine embassy in London reported to the DFA that members of the Task Force Sea Marshals received Certificates of Commendation from the IMO at ceremonies for the 2010 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea held at the IMO headquarters in London recently.

The Filipino awardees were Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Samuel Boniol, Navy Petty Officer Third Class Anifer Bucao, Navy Seaman First Class Oliver Cogo, and Philippine National Police Senior Police Officer 3 (SPO3) Loreto Justo.

Except for Justo who has retired from service, the three awardees personally received their commendation from IMO Secretary General Efthimios Mitropoulos.

They were accompanied by Charge d’Affaires Reynaldo Catapang and Coast Guard Commodore and Task Force Sea Marshals head Luis Tuason Jr.

Following the order to abandon ship as Super Ferry 9 sank, the four assisted with the evacuation of the passengers and shepherded them as they were being rescued.

They were the last persons to abandon the severely listing vessel after ensuring that all passengers had been evacuated.

The three Filipino sailors were presented to leaders of the Filipino community in London by Catapang during the annual charity dinner and dance hosted by the Kapampangan Association of UK.

“The bravery of these Filipino service personnel, in complete disregard of their personal safety, highlights the natural inclination of Filipino soldiers to willingly put their lives on the line to protect civilians. We are indeed proud of their international recognition by IMO,” Catapang remarked.

The IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea was established by the IMO to provide international recognition for those who, at the risk of their own life, perform acts of exceptional bravery in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment and, by so doing, help to raise the profile of shipping and enhance its image.

Fijian seaman James Fanifau received the award this year for his rescue of Dr. Jerome Morgan from the sinking yacht Sumatra II in May 2009, amid severe weather conditions in the Tasman Sea in Brisbane, Australia.

In 2009, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Lieutenant Commander Vanessa Anne Garon and Ensign Maria Alexandra Garon received Letters of Commendation from IMO for their role in the recovery of bodies from the capsized M/V Princess of the Stars.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

2 Navy personnel cited in London for bravery

By: Elena Aben

Manila Bulletin, November 27, 2010

MANILA, Philippines — Two Philippine Navy personnel received commendation from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, in recognition of their gallant acts during the evacuation and rescue of passengers of the ill-fated Super Ferry 9 that sank off Siocon town in Zamboanga del Norte in September 2009.

Twelve people perished from the incident while more than 900 were saved from the tragedy.

Capt. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, acting Navy spokesman, said Gunnersmate 3rd Class Anifer Bucao and Fireman 1st Class Aviation Mechanic Oliver Cogo were presented the certificates of commendation on November 25 at the IMO headquarters in London.

On September 10, 2009, the Navy Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC) Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez also presented to Bucao and Cogo, members of the four-man Task Force Sea Marshal, the “Distinguished Navy Cross,” the highest award the command can bestow, also for their “sound judgment” and swift action during the incident.

Bacordo said the IMO gave the award in recognition of the duo’s actions in assisting in the evacuation and disembarkation of the panicked-stricken passengers of the severely listing ship. He added the same recognition will be presented to Petty Officer 2nd Class Samuel Boniol of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The certificates were presented to the two Navy personnel by His Excellency Eftimios Mitropoulos, IMO Secretary General, during the 88th session of the Maritime Safety Commission Meeting in London.

Bacordo said the IMO Council, during its 104th session held June 7 to 11, decided the said sea marshals should receive the certificates with their actions after the ship listed and the captain issued an order to abandon the ship at around 3:00 a.m. The ship sank six hours later.

Bucao and Cogo became nominees for the 2010 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea.

During the presentation of the Distinguished Navy Cross medal to the duo in 2009, the former Navy chief said Cogo was the last person to jump off the sinking ship on that fateful day.

Disregarding his own safety, Cogo said he did not leave the ship until he was sure there was no one else left on board the vessel. Based on his narration, among those he was able to help safely disembark from the sinking ferry were 15 children, the last of whom was a special child he recalled kept punching him then.

Bucao admitted fearing for his own life but still managed to maintain presence of mind. He said he decided to jump off the sinking vessel only after making sure there was no one else left in his sector.

The two Navy personnel helped distribute lifejackets while trying to calm down the passengers by telling them that rescue is on its way.

The abandon ship order was announced by the captain at about 3:35 a.m. but it was already around 8 a.m. when Cogo jumped off the ship. As he jumped into the sea, Cogo said he noticed a man having difficulty with his lifejacket so he decided to throw his lifejacket to the man, thinking that he can handle the situation better than the civilian because of his training. Without any life support, Cogo swam as fast as he could, away from the sinking SuperFerry 9 until he reached one of the navy vessels that responded to the distress call.

An order signed by Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue, then Chief of Naval Staff, stated, “Upon hearing the ship master's command to abandon ship, Bucao and Cogo disregarded personal safety and voluntarily remained on board to provide aid and comfort to disoriented passengers.”

Monday, November 29, 2010

3 Pinoy sea marshals, pinarangalan sa UK

Bomba, Nobyembre 29, 2010

Pinarangalan ng International Maritime Organization sa London ang tatlong Pinoy na kabilang sa four man task force sea marshals na tumulong para ilikas ang mga pasahero ng lumubog na Super Ferry 9 noong Setyembre 6, 2009.

Magugunitang naganap ang insidente sa baybayin ng Siocon sa Zamboanga del Sur, kung saan siyam ang nasawi mula sa mahigit 900 pasahero nito.

Kabilang sa mga binigyan ng pagkilala sina Navy gunner mate third class Anifer Bucao; Fireman first class aviation mechanic Oliver Cogo at Petty officer 2nd class Samuel Boniol ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Nabatid na iginawad ni IMO Sec. Gen. Eftimios Mitropoulus ang parangal kasabay ng 88th session ng Maritime Safety Commission meeting na ginanap sa United Kingdom.

3 Pinoy pinarangalan sa London

By: Alex Agne
Police Files Tonite, Sabado, Nobyembre 27, 2010

TATLONG Pinoy ang tumanggap
ng parangal sa mayamang bansang
London dahil sa ipinamalas
nilang kabayanihan.

Ang naturang mga Pinoy ay
sina Navy Gunnersmate
3rd Class Anifer Bucao,
Fireman First Class Aviation
Mechanic Oliver Cogo at
Petty Officer 2nd Class
Samuel Buniol ng Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG).

Kabilang ang tatlo sa Task Force
Sea Marshall na tumulong
para iligtas at ilikas ang mga
pasahero ng lumubog na Super
Ferry noong Setyembre 6, 2009
sa Siocon, Zamboanga Del Sur.

Tumanggap ang mga ito ng
certificate of commendation
mula sa International Maritime
Organization (IMO) sa London.

Iginawad ang parangal
kasabay ng 88th session
ng Maritime Safety Commission
meeting na ginanap sa United Kingdom
(UK).

2 Navy sea marshals awarded for heroic act

Philippine Navy sea marshals Third Class Anifer Bucao and Fireman First Class Aviation Mechanic Oliver Cogo receive an award on Thursday at the IMO headquarters in London for helping save lives during the Super Ferry tragedy last year.

By: Jaime Laude
Philippine star, Sunday, November 28, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – The heroism of the two Philippine Navy sea marshals that led to the saving of 926 lives during the sinking of Super Ferry 9 off the coast of Zamboanga del Norte last year has earned them international recognition.

Gunnersmate Third Class Anifer Bucao and Fireman First Class Aviation Mechanic Oliver Cogo received an award on Thursday at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London.

Navy spokesman Capt. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the two, members of a four-man Task Force Sea Marshal, considered their actions at the height of Sept. 6 Super Ferry disaster as part of their job.

Both recipients of the Navy’s Distinguished Cross last September, the two were informed only recently that their heroism has earned them a nomination to an IMO award, which the international seafarers body approved following deliberations during its council meeting last June.

Bucao and Cogo shared the IMO award, handed out by IMO’s Secretary General Eftimios Metropoulos during the body’s 88th Session on the Maritime Safety Commission Meeting last Thursday in London, with two PCG personnel, one of them Petty Officer Second Class Samuel Boniol.

“The four were presented the certificates of commendation in recognition of their actions in assisting in the evacuation and disembarkation of the panicked-stricken passengers of the severely listing ship,” Bacordo said.

When the captain of the ill-fated vessel ordered everybody to abandon ship, the four, whose duty was to protect the vessel and passengers from threats of terror, went out of their way to ensure an orderly and safe evacuation of the passengers.

Had it not for their gallant move, the number of fatalities could have been higher. A total of nine passengers died in that particular sea mishap.