DTI enhances women potentials on entrepreneurship
by Oliver Baccay
Tuguegarao City (29 March) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2 has elevated the moral of women by empowering them in the field of entrepreneurship.
She said, on business registration national rate, 49 percent of those who registered for a new business name were female while 42 percent were male, and the remaining nine percent were registered as corporations, cooperatives and partnership.
“The data shows that there are more women entrepreneurs than men. Their potential as successful entrepreneurs is a competitive advantage that the country must harness”, Tumaliuan stated.
Meantime, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region 2 has highlighted successful women entrepreneurs in the region on its media advocacy as part of women’s month celebration.
The Pag-asa Bayanihan Association in San Mateo, Isabela has gone far in their egg processing business. It is managed by a young lady with more than a hundred women members.
Ms. Stephanie Joy Remigio, the manager, said through the assistance of DTI, they were able to uplift the standard of their enterprise and now supplying special salted eggs not only in the province of Isabela but also in the region, and some outlets in Manila.
Aside from her, Ms. Nenita Carag of San Jose Baggao, Cagayan had received several awards and citations, regional and national, in the success of her uniquely designed furniture products wherein her costumers are as far as America.
Tumaliuan further stated that aside from Carag and Remigio there are lots of women entrepreneurs whom they have assisted that are now in the limelight. (PIA 2)
DSWD, Philhealth address medical needs of indigents
by Oliver Baccay
Tuguegarao City (29 March) — To provide a basic package of needed personal health services for the social and economic well-being of the marginalized and underprivileged, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) Region 2 and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) have agreed to cover medical needs of identified indigent members of the society.
DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia said the agreement is an effort to efficiently address the medical needs of deserving indigent members of society.
To implement the program, the DSWD deemed it appropriate to pay for the cost of Philhealth cards of the qualified beneficiaries.
“In recognition of the contributory factor of health to their development and the urgency to provide them social protection, the DSWD will allocate funds for the enrollment and coverage of certain identified indigent households”, Garcia said.
Dr. Roberto T. Reyes, Philhealth-Regional Vice President, said consistent with the vision and objectives of the state, they acknowledge their joint responsibility to provide basic package of needed personal health services for the social and economic well being of the marginalized and under privileged.
In order to set an efficient health care financing and delivery program, the contracting parties have acknowledge the need to adopt separate mechanisms for the implementation of National Health Insurance Program (NHIP’s) regular in-patient and out-patient package, and the out-patient consultation and diagnostic package.
Under the Memorandum of Agreement, the availment of the benefit is not portable and the indigent members are assigned to specific providers in the event that the Rural Health Unit or health center is not accredited to provide out-patient consultation and diagnostic package based on the set standards for accreditation.
Dir. Garcia further stated that the MOA strengthens the implementation of DSWD’s mandate to provide social protection, promote the rights and welfare of the poor and contribute to poverty alleviation. (PIA 2)
10 Million Movement for Mother Earth launched in Cagayan Valley
by Thelma C. Bicarme
Tuguegarao City (29 March) — The Cagayan Valley Environment and Natural Resources office has launched the 10 Million Movement (10 MM) in the region which seeks to gather 10 million individual commitments to do something for Mother Earth.
In an interview with Regional Executive Director Benjamin Tumaliuan, he said the 10 MM is the highlight of the Earth Day celebration on April 22, 2010 with the theme, “Hamon ng Panahon: Climate Change, 10 Milyong Solusyon (Kilos na! Ngayon Na!)
In Region 2, the DENR has envisioned to make a significant contribution to the 10 MM by targeting .5 million signatures of environmental partners from all walks of life.
A sign-up sheet will be sent to government, non-government and in the private sectors all over the region to gather.5 million commitments for the environment.
Tumaliuan stressed that the individuals who will affix their signatures in the sign-up sheet should commit to at least one of the following pro-environment activities: pollution/monitoring; clean-up and rehabilitation; greening; advocacy and other ways of caring for the Earth.
“Climate change is the most serious problems that we are facing today and everyone has a role to play to contribute to its solution”, Tumaliuan added.
Everyone is encouraged to effect behavioral changes such as reducing use of energy; managing wastes properly by reducing, recycling and reusing; promoting and patronizing collective and non- pollutive modes of transport; planting indigenous trees, shrubs, flowering plants; advocating to make environment a top priority agenda of the country and electing leaders who are aware that “Environmental Security is the highest form of national security.
The DENR has also lined up various activities in the five provinces of Region 2 such as advocacy, pollution control, clean-up drive and tree planting.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared April 22 as the “Philippine’s Earth Day” through Presidential Proclamation Nos. 553 and 1276 making Earth Day a permanent environment holiday in the country. (PIA 2)
DOH warns of red tide poisoning
by Lyndon Plantilla
Manila (29 March) — The Department of Health (DOH), based on the latest laboratory results of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Local Government Units, today warned of paralytic shellfish poisoning (red tide poisoning) in the areas of Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental, and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar.
A person who has consumed shellfish affected with the red tide toxin may experience any or combination of the following symptoms: facial numbness, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulty, abdominal cramps, and weakness or paralysis of one or more extremities.
In case one experiences or suspects paralytic shellfish poisoning, Cabral advises that the patient be brought to the nearest healthcare facility for immediate and proper treatment.
The following areas are presently free from red tide toxin: coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan, Bataan in Manila Bay. Also the coastal waters of Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao, and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and Honda Bay in Palawan; coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Pontevedra, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz;
Also presently free of any red tide toxin are the coastal waters of Pontevedra in Negros Occidental; Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran Province; Hinatuan and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; coastal waters of Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay and Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon, and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon.
The public is advised to watch out for future announcements should more areas become affected by red tide. (PIA)
Cagayan Valley power firm, Ifugao org sign MOU to protect watershed
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (March 29) — A power firm in Cagayan Valley and a non-government organization in the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) have recently forged ties to protect and preserve the forest reserves of Ifugao province.
The MOU was signed by lawyer Michael C. Hosillos, SNAP Magat Inc?s. Vice President for Corporate Services who represented Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio and Fr. Valentin Dimoc, Head of the Ifugao-Mt. Province Vicariate who represented SADC.
“We need to create more eco-friendly livelihood opportunities and make them available to Ifugao communities primarily our target areas in Tinoc, Hingyon, and Lagawe,” Hosillos said in a statement
The community-agro-forestry projects will be carried out on the frontline of Ifugao province’s forest cover where deforestation is already evident.
To operationalize the MOU, SNAP-Magat and SADC will implement a partnership called SNAP-SADC Livelihood, Enterprise and Agro-Forestry Development (SNAP-SADC LEAD).
This will serve as a vehicle for the implemention of various programs and projects towards the protection of the watershed through Community and Resource-based Agro Forestry Development or PRO-WATERSHED CRADLE, a program to provide viable alternative to unsustainable practices and protect watershed areas from further denudation.
SNAP Magat owns and operates the 360 megawatt Magat hydroelectric power plant bordering the towns of Ramon, Isabela and Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, while SADC is a non-profit organization advocating and implementing community-based agro forest development projects in Ifugao province.
“This project is very much aligned with our Corporate Social Responsibility thrust of environmental protection for the upstream communities,” Hosillos added. (PIA NVizcaya)
NVizcaya bishop calls on change in Christian values
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (March 29) — Bishop Ramon Villena of the diocese here and in Quirino province yesterday has called on all Christians in the country to initiate change among themselves for the good of the country.
Speaking with his homily during the Palm Sunday mass at the St. Dominic Cathedral in this town, Villena expressed sadness on the resurgence of what he called ?split christians? in the country.
He said split Christians refer to those who act, behave and harbor attitudes beyond the teachings of Christianity.
“It is very very sad and shameful to note and know that our country who has 70 percent of Christian population is also highlighted as one of the corrupt countries in the world,” he stressed.
Villena also accused several politicians for projecting the image of the country as such due to their unfulfilled promises to the people.
The bishop also called on the catholic faithful to help in cleansing the image of Christianity and the country as a whole by starting change among themselves. (PIA NVizcaya)
PNP predicts peaceful and orderly elections in Ifugao
by Dan B. Codamon
Lagawe, Ifugao (6 March) — The Philippine National Police(PNP) here bravely predicted that there will be no election-related violence or disturbances that will disrupt the election in the province this coming May 10, 2010.
This is based on observations that there are no intense political rivalries between the local candidates compared with other provinces of the country. Moreover, the PNP did not record any election violations such as the implementation of the gun ban.
The police also noted that there are no Private Armed Groups in the province that can initiate threats, intimidation and violence against the people.
Ifugao is adjudged as the most peaceful province of the Cordillera for 2009 and the police aims to maintain and sustain this reputation even with the coming 2010 automated election, said Police Chief Inspector Rudy Viernes of the Ifugao PNP Command during the recent Ifugao Provincial Peace and Order meeting held at Camp Joaquin Dunuan here.
They also reported that almost all of the local candidates are very cooperative in abiding with the election laws and instructions imposed by the Commission and Election (COMELEC) such as attending meetings called for the purpose of designating the common poster areas, conduct of candidates forum and other activities needed for an orderly and peaceful election.
The COMELEC together with the police and other member agencies deputized by the COMELEC have been massively conducting information, education and information campaign with regards to the automated election and election laws so that the people will be aware and also cooperate to the effort of having a peaceful, honest and orderly poll in Ifugao.
Before the campaign period starts for the local candidates, the COMELEC and the police also plan to have a peace covenant signed by all the provincial and municipal candidates running for the different elective positions. (PIA-Ifugao)
DA pushes for backyard dairy farming
by Lito Dar
Baguio City (6 March) — Giving a push on backyard dairy farming, the Department of Agriculture (DA-CAR) in coordination with the National Dairy Administration and the provincial government of Benguet held a two-day “Dairy Production in the Cordillera: An investment and Organizational forum” at the Hotel Supreme last week.
According to Agri-business and Marketing Division head Pat Ananayo, DA-CAR has been supporting the region’s dairy industry and will continue to push for it until an institutionalized backyard dairy farming is established.
Ananayo pointed out that the region has a big potential in dairy farming, especially Benguet and Mt. Province because of their weather. The problem he said is that livestock growers do not have vast lands for pasture.
Despite the problem on the availability of land requirements for livestock pasturing, the region could still catch a part of the country’s dairy market, DA-CAR information officer Robert Domoguen said. “Through zone or clustered dairying we can also catch a part of the country’s dairy market, as what the Livestock Resource Center in Puerto Princesa Palawan has been doing,” he explained.
The LRC in Puerto Princesa, Palawan has demonstrated that small farmers in the villages when organized and assisted by government can run viable meat and milk industries that benefit their families and village communities in many ways than one, Domoguen added.
Ananayo explained that after thorough assessments of the stakeholders who are interested to venture into the industry, the DA will tap the NDA and the other industries who can help boost backyard dairy farming.
Ananayo also stressed that promoting backyard dairy farming side by side with vegetable farming and even coffee growing would not only give farmers additional income but will also help in preserving the environment.
In the said forum, participants were presented with the Dairy Industry situationers in the national, regional and provincial level. They were also given presentations on the present technology in dairy farming and the possible opportunities in dairy farming by dairy experts like Mt High Livestock Multi-purpose Cooperative; PCC Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija and Alaminos Goat Farm in Laguna.
The DA will also conduct a similar forum in Mountain Province. (PIA)
Jeepney drivers to pay royalty fee for playing music
by Redjie Cawis
Baguio City (6 March) — It seems like nothing in this world is free anymore.
Even the jeepney drivers will soon have to be paying royalty fees to the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP) for playing music.
In a press conference by officers and lawyers of the controversial FILSCAP, they said that they will continue to collect royalty fees from the city’s business establishments and even public utility vehicles including jeepneys and taxi cabs that are playing music.
FILSCAP General Manager Debbie Gaite said that the FILSCAP, a collective management association for composers in the Philippines, collects royalty fees and performance fees from business establishments making use of music as part of their business.
Gaite said that they are already collecting fees from bus lines, ships and airlines in Manila. They will soon be collecting from the city’s public rides too.
Here in Baguio, business establishments are very hostile with the collection of FILSCAP of fees from hotels, restaurants and malls. Hotel associations here are questioning the legality of the FILSCAP to collect such fees.
FILSCAP legal officer head lawyer Thursday Alciso cleared issues that their group is a licensed and legal group that is mandated to collect fees from establishments and they have all the right to do so. We are just implementing the law pertaining to the Intellectual Property Law.
Gaite advised establishment owners and even the transport sector to just put off their music if they do not want to pay any fees collected by the FISLCAP.
Gaite added that they have forged memorandum of agreement with the Bars and Restaurants Association of Baguio City Incorporated headed by Michael Balanza. This MOA gives all the right to the FILSCAP to collect royalty fees from member establishment of BRABI starting this March 2010.
Meanwhile, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio headed by president Anthony De Leon filed a case against the FILSCAP questioning the legality of the organization in collecting fees. They asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order and an injunction which would stop FILSCAP from collecting fees from their establishments. (PIA)
Mt Province officials, residents thank PGMA for rehabilitated Halsema Highway
by Andrew Doga-ong
Bauko, Mt. Province (6 March) — Local officials and residents of this landlock province openly expressed their gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the rehabilitation and improvement of the once humpy- bumpy Halsema high way.
President Arroyo motored to Mount Data, Bauko from the Lepanto Mines airstrip on March 1 to inaugurate the 50.4 kilometer Mount Data to Bontoc road stretch or which is referred to as the Phase II of the Halsema Highway Rehabilitation project.
Phase I of the Halsema Rehab project starts from La Trinidad, Benguet up to Mount Data, Bauko which was completed in 2006 while phase III starts from the capital-town of Bontoc to Banaue, Ifugao which is under construction and is expected to be finished by April.
In his welcome remarks at the Boga bridge where the short program was held, Governor Maximo Dalog thanked President Arroyo for pouring in billions of pesos for the improvement of major roads leading to the Cordillera Heartland. He said the crucial concreting of the road trunklines will usher in the development of the people and the communities not only in Mt. Province but the whole of the Cordilleras.
The Halsema rehabilitation project including that of the Bontoc – Tabuk road and the Sabangan – Cervantes road are part of the President’s flagship projects in the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle to hasten economic development in this part of the region.
The Provincial Chief Executive also thanked President Arroyo for being the number one tourism promoter saying the President’s frequent visit to Mt. Province perked up the tourism industry in the province. The President usually made a working visit to Mt. Province during the Christmas holiday season and Holy Week.
Noting the many programs and projects the province received from the present administration, Dalog concluded that Pres. Arroyo is the only the incumbent President that showed much concern and sensitivity to the needs of the people of Mt. Province.
Road users and commuters in thanking the President said the concreted road would now allow them to experience the basic convenience of traveling. They said travel time is significantly reduced such that they can reach their destination much earlier as compared to when the road is still unpaved.
A road worker in his interaction with the President said the Halsema rehabilitation project gave him the opportunity to be employed like hundreds of local residents in the province.
The improved Halsema road will be one of the legacies of President Arroyo to the people of Mt. Province and the whole of the Cordillera. (PIA MP)
