Fisherfolk alliance says 2013 budget has more for insurgency than dev’t projects

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga- A major alliance of fisherfolk in the country decried yesterday the proposed P2.006 trillion budget for 2013 as a “war budget”, as it allegedly allocates more funds for counter-insurgency operations of the government than for development projects, particularly in the field of agriculture.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakayang Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) noted that of the P 4.406 billion allotted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), a total of P 122.9 million would go to the Payapa at Masaganang Mamamayan (Pamana) project which it described as “a counter-insurgency program associated with the military’s Oplan Bayanihan.”

“This will focus on the mobilization of civilian communities and local government units against groups or organizations perceived as enemies of the state,” Pamalakaya said in a statement, noting that the 2013 budget also provides for BFAR’s regularly reporting to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP).

Pamalakaya vice chairperson Salvador France said that, on the other hand, the 2013 budget would set aside only P 80.1 million for BFAR’s coastal resource management.

A total of P 55.2 million would be sourced from foreign donors, while P 24.8 million would come from the national coffers, he added.

Pamalakaya noted that the entire Pamana program would have a total allocation of P 5.1 billion to be distributed to different agencies like DA with P1.5 billion, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also with P 1.5 billion, Department of Agrarian Reform with P208 million, Department of Interior and Local Government with P 1.6 billion, and Department of Energy- National Electrification Administration with P150 million.

“The civilian component of the counter-insurgency program would be implemented in 4,943 local government units through these government agencies,” Pamalakaya said.

France also noted that the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) would have only P 135 million as compared to the P 242.9 million for its Pamana counter-insurgency operations.

“Imagine, government agencies like BFAR and DENR are given counter-insurgency budgets which are higher than what they need for environmental protection, risk reduction and resource management.

The2013 national budget is a war budget in essence with over 5 billion pesos of taxpayers money being allotted for the civilian component of Oplan Bayanihan,” said France.

He said the P 122 million Pamana budget for BFAR “would be spent for surveillance and data gathering activities on communities crowded by small fisherfolk particularly in Region V or Bicol Region and Region IX where there is supposed resurgence of armed political groups like the New People’s Army.”

Pamalakaya also questioned the P 3.6 billion earmarked for National Fisheries Program as proposed by DA and BFAR for 2013. The group said the NFP budget will be spent more on the procurement of fishery equipment which is the source of long-running act of corruption in DA and BFAR.

The group said during the time of former Pres. Arroyo, the fund for NFP was used to buy overpriced ice-making machines.

Pamalakaya recalled that in September 2009, the DA bought 98 units of ice-making machines at a price of P 4.6 million per unit, which is 100 percent higher compared to the prevailing market cost.

“The P 3.6 billion budget for fisheries program appears like a reserved fund for more high crimes of corruption in DA and BFAR under the present administration,” said Pamalakaya.
http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/15031/Volume-6-No-29/Headlines/Fisherfolk-alliance-says-2013-budget-has-more-for-insurgency-than-dev%E2%80%99t-projects

Recent survey done by Philippines Clark Marketing shows that there is a subtle shift of preferences of Manila visitors heading out of town towards the north to enjoy some peace and quiet time with families. More and more foodies, critics, connoisseurs, frequent diners and wine lovers from Manila travel out of town north to Clark Pampanga to wine and dine in famous fine dining Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar. Most visitors enjoy the fine vintage wines from the cellars of this fine dining restaurant. Some purchase a few good bottles of to bring back home to Manila.

Yats Leisure Philippines

Even tourists and business travelers staying in hotels in Philippines Angeles Pampanga take time off from nightlife, bars and other city entertainment to enjoy a relaxing afternoon of wine shopping in this top rated wine shop in Clark Freeport Pampanga. Foreign and local tourists visiting Clark remember shopping in this wine shop as a memorable experience of their stay in the Philippines, Subic and Pampanga.

Italian food is everywhere in the Philippines but good Italian restaurants are few and far apart. Fans of Italian cuisines now look for fine dining restaurants that serve good Italian food accompanied by fine Italian vintage wine. Although Yats Restaurant is classified as a French Mediterranean restaurant, its classic European cuisine includes many of the great recipes from Italy. The fine vintage wines of Clark Wine Center play an important role in this famous restaurant in Clark to make the Italian wine dinners just that much more special.

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Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023

Tel: 0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Road, Ortigas Centger,
Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

Tel: (632) 637-5019 0917-540-3626 ask for Rea or Chay

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ats Wine Cellars Leading Wine Supplier in Philippines

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

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The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
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Buy wine in Cebu, Philippines at good wine shops and boutique wine stores that offer good selection of good vintage wines at all price points.