On Navy Day, read-along held in 8 provinces

For 500 children, it was a day for make-believe.

Gathered in separate groups in various locations around the country, the youngsters—for a few hours, at least—turned into environmental warriors battling to save the “pawikan” (sea turtle) from extinction or fighting fishermen engaged in dynamite fishing.

They also rode a whale as it swam toward a ship it had fallen in love with.

These were the highlights of Saturday’s special Inquirer Read-Along sessions held in Manila and eight provinces to mark the 114th anniversary of the Philippine Navy this month.

A separate read-along session was also held on Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte, where at least 100 children listened to a story about taking care of the seas read by Climate Change Commission Vice Chair Mary Ann Lucille Sering.

The simultaneous storytelling sessions, using the Philippine Navy’s video teleconferencing system (VTS), featured returning storyteller Cheryl Cosim, Alitaptap readers Rich Rodriguez and Posh Develos, and Lt. Doris Dizon.

Children from eight other naval bases around the country joined the read-along sessions held at the Philippine Navy headquarters on Roxas Boulevard in Manila and broadcast simultaneously to the eight bases with the help of the VTS.

This was the second time the Navy and the Inquirer had used the VTS technology for simultaneous read-along sessions nationwide.

“Since the first time was such a success, we decided to do it again this year,” said the Navy chief, Vice Adm. Alexander P. Pama.

“We made some improvements and the children from the other naval bases were more receptive and participative. I think we were able to achieve our purpose, which is to encourage children to read. We are really thankful to the Inquirer for pushing the advocacy. I hope this can be a yearly thing,” he added.

The VTS is usually used by the Navy for meetings with staff and commanders from other naval forces, reducing the need to travel, according to Pama.

The participating bases were the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City; Naval Base Rafael Ramos in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; Naval Station San Miguel in San Antonio, Zambales; Naval Station Romulo M. Espaldon in Lower Calarian, Zamboanga City; Naval Station Julhasan A. Arasain in Rawis, Legazpi City; Naval Station Heracleo Alano in Sangley Point, Cavite City; Naval Station Ernesto R. Ogbinar in Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union; and Naval Station Apolinario Jalandoon in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Cosim, a television news personality, read “Si Carancal Laban sa mga Bongbongeros (Carancal against the Dynamite Pirates),” by Rene Villanueva and published by Lampara. It deals with the dangers of dynamite fishing.

“I was amazed at the technology. It was interesting to see children from different parts of the country react to the storytelling,” Cosim said.

Importance of reading 

A recent recipient of the military’s “Bayanihan” Award, Cosim also works with the Navy during medical missions featured in her program “Alagang Kapatid,” especially during typhoons and other emergencies. Her show airs on TV5.

A child right’s advocate, Cosim said she always made time for programs like the read-along, “which help children in so many ways.”

“The read-along is engaging and it keeps children entertained. More than anything, it is also an avenue to help children realize the importance of education. I feel happy that I am able to contribute to the cause of the Inquirer and the Navy,” she said.

Dizon, of the naval management and fiscal office, read “Domino and the Whale” by Lina B. Diaz de Rivera, a story about a whale which fell in love with a ship.

Rodriguez and Develos did a tandem reading of Adarna’s “Si Pilandok sa Pulo ng Pawikan,” by Victoria Añonuevo, a story about how the tiny warrior Pilandok saved the endangered species.

Through the VTS, the readers interacted with the kids, who were either children or dependents of Navy personnel, during the question and answer session that followed each reading.

In Cebu, PO1 Merly Mendoza beamed with pride when her daughter, Dorothy Anne, correctly answered a question. “This is a good sign, it means Dorothy Anne is paying attention and that she likes to read,” Mendoza said.

With street children

In Zamboanga, Rear Adm. Armando Guzman, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said the children were very attentive during the session. “When the book was flashed on screen, they read every word on it,” he said.

Guzman said read-along made reading books fun and exciting to the children.

In Davao City, children of soldiers sat side by side with those from Padre Pio’s Home for Children, a Catholic institution for orphaned and abandoned children.

In Palawan, John Rafael Ambag, 12, a son of an enlisted personnel, said it was “refreshing” to be part of the session. “We were made aware of how to take care of mother nature and how to avoid its destruction,” he said

In Legazpi City, Commo. Abraham Celzo, commander of Naval Forces Southern Luzon, and his staff led by Lt. Darwin Nieva, added a repertoire of songs and dances to the stories.

Thankful Laxa 

Henry Simpas, 10, of Cavite, said he enjoyed most the story of Pilandok and the pawikan.

“It teaches people to take care of animals, especially (the) endangered species,” Simpas said.

He said the story reminded him of a TV report about protecting endangered animals. “I also remembered my dog Nestor and our pet fish at home.”

In Manila, 13-year-old Paula Ghie Laxa said she felt “very thankful” to be in the session. Laxa is one of 20 street children brought by social welfare officials to the reading.

About 35 children of enlisted men trooped to San Antonio in Zambales to join the simulcast.

In La Union, 5-year-old LJ Jarata sat enthralled as she listened to the stories of sea creatures. Like the nearly 30 other children gathered at Poro Point in San Fernando City, she is a child of a Navy personnel.

“Storytelling and reading should really be instilled in children so they should not get trampled on by technology,” said CS3 Rosalinda Borja, president of the Naval Forces Women’s League, referring to computer games and social networking sites that have become popular among children.

Col. Elizabeth A. Vingson, president of Philippine Navy Officers Wives Association, said the program aimed to stress the importance of reading and reach out to children in need. “Reading is very important in the children’s learning process.” she said. 

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the Inquirer Read-Along team | Philippine Daily Inquirer | May 21, 2012 | Article Link

 

Philippine Gov't on red alert for rocket debris

MANILA, Philippines - The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has placed its personnel on red alert to monitor the controversial satellite launch of North Korea this week.

Government officials yesterday also warned the public of possible rocket debris that might fall into Philippine territory.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has issued a “notice to airmen” or Notam regarding the diversion of flights from the northeast portion of northeastern and eastern Luzon that could be hit by derbis from the North Korean rocket.

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said the areas that might be affected include Buguey, Gonzaga, Santa Ana in Cagayan; Palanan, Maconacon, Divilacan, Dinapigue; 

Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Baler, and Dingalan in Aurora; Real, Infanta and Nakar in Quezon; and Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur in Bicol.

Debris may also hit Basco, Batanes, Ramos said.

Officials of the NDRRMC, CAAP, and Philippine Airlines have met last March to discuss the alternative flight plans to be used by PAL planes that normally traverse the northeastern part of Luzon.

The airliner would re-route some flights to avoid the possible effects over Philippine territory of the plan of North Korea to launch a satellite into orbit this month.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said that a stage of the rocket that would put the satellite into orbit is expected to fall just east of Luzon when the launch is conducted between April 12 and 16, which would force PAL flights to divert their routes to avoid the area.

The re-routing would affect PR105 San Francisco via Guam to Manila, PR103 Los Angeles via Guam-Manila, PR 107 Vancouver via Los Angeles to Manila, PR 431 Narita, Japan to Manila, PR407 Kansai to Manila, PR437 Nagoya, Japan to Manila, PR467 Incheon, South Korea to Manila, PR434 Cebu to Narita, PR111 Guam to Manila and PR 426 Manila to Fukuoka.

“Safety remains the cornerstone of PAL operations,” Villaluna added.

The CAAP had approved the new flight plans that will be used by the PAL flights.

“We assure our passengers that their safety is our top priority,” Villaluna added.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also issued a notice to mariners (Notam) advising vessels to stay clear of the northeastern side of the country from April 12 to 16 as a precaution for the North Korean satellite launch.

The event marks the centenary of the birth of the country’s late founding president Kim Il-Sung.

North Korea insists the launch is a peaceful space project but countries including the United States and South Korea view it as a disguised missile test in breach of a United Nations resolution.

The UN Security Council’s Resolution 1874 bans any ballistic missile tests by North Korea.

In Notam no. 042-2012, PCG told the mariners that, “The government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will launch the ‘earth observation satellite’ Kwangmyongsong-3 on 12 to 16 April 2012.”

PCG spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente said that they have advised sea travelers to avoid sailing to the areas threatened by the North Korean program.

He said the PCG would not be sending out patrol ships to help enforce the Notam since most maritime traffic is on the west side of the Philippines and only few vessels pass through the northeastern part.

“Our PCG stations and detachments have been issuing the Notam everyday. We have also asked the local government units in these areas to help disseminate the information to their fishermen,” he added.

The NDRRMC yesterday warned the public not to touch the fragments of North Korea’s rocket in case its debris falls on Philippine soil.

Ramos also reminded the public not to entertain the idea of selling the fragments to a junk shop as this might contain chemicals.

“Our advice to our countrymen is do not touch and do not sell (the fragments) to the junkshop,” Ramos told radio station dzMM

He said the public should just let the experts handle the rocket’s fragments in case these fall on land.

Ramos said the public may reach the NDRRMC by calling 911-1406, 912-2665, 912-5668, 9120441, 9125947 and 9122424.

He stressed that the warnings they are issuing are just precautionary measures in the event that the North Korean rocket undershoots or overshoots its target.

“The missile may be guided but the debris is misguided. If it (rocket) disintegrates, we don’t know how big would be the debris. All these would be misguided,” Ramos said.

“Even if it deviates (from the flight path) by one degree, it can land on the soil of Northern Luzon. (The public should) stay indoors,” he added.

Ramos, nevertheless, cited an assessment by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), which had stated that the rocket would not contain any nuclear warhead, plutonium or uranium.

“I am not sowing panic. We are just promoting awareness among our countrymen that the debris is not guided. The debris has no scientific target,” Ramos said.

The Philippines has expressed “grave concern” over the launching of the rocket and has joined calls for North Korea to drop its plan.

The initial stage of North Korea’s latest rocket is expected to fall about 140 kilometers off South Korea’s west coast, in international waters between China and South Korea.

The second stage is expected to splash down 190 kilometers east of northern Philippines. The rocket is expected to fly 190 nautical miles northeast of Northern Luzon in Sta. Ana, Cagayan and 150 nautical miles east of Polilio Island in Quezon.

The CAAP has announced that it would implement a “no-fly zone” over areas along the likely path of North Korea’s rocket.

The NDRRMC also declared a “no sail zone” and “no fishing zone” in waters below the likely path of the rocket. The areas covered by the declaration are Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

Nuclear expert on alert

Two teams of radioactivity experts from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) would monitor the possible falling of rocket debris into Philippine territory from the North Korean satellite launch.

The PNRI, an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology, however, maintained that North Korea’s launch will have no direct nuclear threat to the country.

The teams would monitor possible debris in Cagayan or Virac, Catanduanes, the PNRI said.

The first team would conduct the monitoring from April 1 to 15 while the second team will do the assessment from April 16 to 30.

The team members are the same experts who assessed possible threats from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant damaged by a magnitude-9 quake and tsunami last year, the agency said.

PNRI director Alumanda de la Rosa earlier said the satellite has no nuclear element but there might be components of the missile that may contain radioactive particles like the battery.

“The debris might not be hazardous but it could damage transport vehicles,” she said.

De la Rosa said the PNRI is also prepared to activate its National Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (RADPLAN) in case of a nuclear threat against the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) of Bicol has activated Oplan Bicol Watch as a precautionary measure on the possible falling of debris from the North Korean rocket.

The areas under threat of falling debris include Polilio Island in Camarines Norte and Catanduanes.

“We are going to operationalize this contingency plan when the missile launch starts to ensure the people along the coastal areas are safe,” said Raffy Alejandro, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional director, during an emergency meeting which was attended RDCC members at the agency’s conference room at Camp General Simeon Ola here Monday morning.

Quick reaction recovery teams on land and sea were deployed to help recover the missile debris.

Capt. Abraham Celso, Naval Forces of Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) commander, ordered the deployment of two naval ships near Polilio Island where the second stage booster of the rocket is estimated to fall about 190 kms east of the island.

Celso, who took his General Staff Course at a military school in South Korea from 2001 to 2002, said North Korea is practicing brinkmanship diplomacy to project itself as a military power in the region to force democratic countries to help solve its food problem.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda directed Alejandro to expand the monitoring from Polilio Island to Catanduanes which covers an area about 210 kilometers long.

“I can’t allow our constituents who will be forced to stay indoors for six days just because of this missile debris scare,” said Salceda who suggested the inclusion of the seven national action plan for “the OCD to provide advice (to) the coastal household and communities in the eastern seaboard...” 

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Alexis Romero | The Philippine Star | April 10, 2012 | Article Link