PDEA boosts campaign against illegal drugs
by Cherry Joy Discaya
LAOAG CITY, Sept. 27 (PIA) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) enhances their campaign on Anti-Illegal Drugs in Region 1.
This is according to Agent Charlton John Carame during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held at the Ilocos Norte provincial capitol recently.
Based on their record, shabu is still the most used illegal drugs in the region, followed by marijuana.
On his report, Agent Carame enumerates the provinces that are identified to have engaged into drug activities to include buying and selling of illegal drugs.
Out of 558 barangays, Pangasinan tops the list in region 1 with 114 affected barangays engaging into drug activities. Next is Ilocos Norte with 51 barangays, La Union with 44 barangays and 42 in Ilocos Sur.
Carame emphasizes that the identified rank of provinces engaging into drug activities is based on the operations and confiscations they have conducted.
“Prices of illegal drugs in provinces follow the law of demand and supply. When the supply is low, the demand is high,” he also added.
Apparently, Ilocos Norte has the highest demand for illegal drugs, followed by Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan, with La Union as the least.
PDEA, on their continuous campaign asks the force of police officers in the local government for faster eradication of illegal drugs in the region.
They even recommended that the local police officers shall conduct a regular barangay clearing operations in every barangay, especially those identified hotspot in the provinces.
With this, pushers as well users can be apprehended and submitted to the proper authorities for possible legal sanctions. (JCR/CJD-PIA1 Ilocos Norte)
BFAR2 conducts research on ‘ludong’ sanctuary in Quirino
by Merlito G. Edale, Jr.
NAGTIPUNAN, Quirino, September 24 (PIA) — Some personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 2 has conducted a research on the possible sanctuaries of ‘ludong’ along the upper stream of the Cagayan River particularly in the province of Quirino and to study the habitat of the endangered fish specie in the country.
‘Ludong’ otherwise known as lobed river mullet with scientific name of Cestreaus Plicatilis is considered to be a President’s fish because of its expensive price in the country.
To save the remaining ludong in the country, the Department of Agriculture through the BFAR has launched a program dubbed as ‘Oplan Sagip Ludong’ which also aims to study the possibility of ludong’s mass production.
The Oplan Sagip Ludong is a program to include research and development, conservation and protection including information, education and communication.
BFAR 2 personnel also conducted an information, education, campaign to elementary pupils of the three barangays aimed at creating awareness among the residents in the area in the conservation and protection of the endangered fish species. #PIA- Isabela
‘Pilipinas Natin’ to be launched in Camarines Sur
by Lizel S. Macatangay
PILI, Camarines Sur, Sept. 21 (PIA) — In line with President Benigno Aquino’s campaign for renewed volunteerism as inspired by the historical People Power that toppled the Marcos’ regime and catapulted former President Corazon Aquino to power, Camarines Sur will serve as one of the sites where “Pilipinas Natin” campaign will be launched come September 23, here.
Vice President Jejomar Binay is expected to grace the occasion while Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma is also invited to deliver his message on Volunteerism, its role in communicating nation building and an affirmation of Camarines Sur’s role in nation-building.
More than 25,000 youth volunteers signified their intention to grace the occasion and partake in various activities lined up for the said event.
Other partners and stakeholders already participated in other events such as the house construction at BenRay GK Village in Barangay Pawili, Bula, Camarines Sur and the school construction at Himaao Elementary School in Pili, Camarines Sur.
On the big date, the program will start off with a youth forum to be participated in by Student Government Organizations coming from various schools and universities in the region. One hundred (100) youth leaders are expected to sign in to the said activity.
The El Verde tree planting event will simultaneously take place at various plantings sites in Camarines Sur: 100,000 trees are expected to be planted at Barangays Sto. Nino and Curry; 75,000 seedlings at Barangays Harubay and Lugsad in Calabanga; 65,000 trees in Barangays Villaflorida, Gatbo and Guinaban, all in Ocampo; 12,500 in Barangay Libod in Tigaon and 75,000 trees in Barangay Lupi, Tinambac, Camarines Sur.
The formal launching will take place in the afternoon and will be spearheaded by no less than the Governor of Camarines Sur, Hon. Luis Raymond Villafuerte.
Convergence of mission, harmony of spirit and shared Filipino dream are just few of the ideals that Pilipinas Natin would like to impart to its volunteers while enhancing their role as future leaders of their communities who will inspire, involve and influence fellow Filipinos to become pro-active members of our society. (PIA)
ROTC students donate blood
by Juliet Saley
BONTOC, Mt. Province, Sept. 22 (PIA) — A total of 32 units or equivalent to 14,400 cc of different blood types were extracted from 32 donors from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) of the Mt. Province State Polytechnic College.
Philippine Red Cross Mt. Province Chapter Administrator Marcellius Diaz said the blood letting activity was coordinated by 2LT Eric Noguera, Commanding Officer of the 207th Community Defense Center which was conducted in their office last September 14.
A team headed by Dr. Davy Ayan of the Bontoc General Hospital (BoGH) and composed of four medical technologists and two nurses from the Luis Hora Memorial and Regional Hospital and BoGH conducted the blood letting activity with the assistance of the Red Cross Mt. Province Chapter.
Diaz said of the 32 units of blood, 16 were given to the Bontoc General Hospital which will be used by their patients and the other 16 were given to the Luis Hora Memorial and Regional Hospital (LHMRH).
Diaz said those who are availing of the blood which were donated are required to pay the screening fee and also to replace the blood afterwards.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Health Office of the municipality of Bauko headed by Dr. Samuel Masidong has scheduled a blood letting in October this year which will be conducted in barangay Banao.
Likewise, Besao Municipal Health Officer Dr. Joy Dicdican has scheduled one blood letting activity on October 2011. Dicdican said the blood to be extracted will be used to replenish the blood taken from the BoGH and the Luis Hora Memorial and Regional Hospital which were used by the patients from Besao. *(JDP/JBS-PIA CAR, Mt. Province)
DPWH finds 453 building non-compliant with accessibility law
by Miriam P. Aquino
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Sept. 20 (PIA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways –Regional Office 1 (DPWH-R1) strict enforcement of Batas Pambansa 344, otherwise known as Accessibility Law thru a regionwide comprehensive inspection on the compliance of government buildings and sports centers conducted by their 10 District Engineering Offices, found 453 buildings in the region not complying with the law.
DPWH1 Director Veniedo O. Reyes said that the agency have already issued letters to the building owners to seriously abide by the law and make it feasible for persons with disabilities to fully exercise their rights, participate and enjoy same opportunities available or being enjoyed by other people living in the same community as they are.
Based on the September 9, 2011 data, for La Union District Office 1, of the 26 buildings inspected, 15 were issued letters of non-compliance and two government buildings, the Central Bank of the Philippines–La Union and the Home Development Mutual Fund– R1have already complied.
For La Union District Office 2, of the 72 buildings inspected and sent letters of compliance, none have started yet.
For Regional Offices based in this city, seven were issued compliance letters. Reports showed that these agencies’ funds to implement the provision of the law are now being prepared.
In Ilocos Norte District Office 1, 29 have been reported as non-compliant, one has complied. The funds for the 37 buildings, in Ilocos Norte 2 are now being prepared.
Fifty nine buildings inspected in Pangasinan (District Office 1, 34; District Office 2, 16; and District Office 3, 9) are now for funding while for the Pangasinan Sub-District Office which has 77 have not yet started.
In all, only three government buildings have complied while the others are on implementation stage with the program of works being prepared for funding purposes.
Meanwhile, Donald Rimando, Architect II, Planning Division of the DPWH-R1 has disclosed that a new Memorandum Circular Number 42, series of 2011 has been issued by the DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson directing District Engineering Offices of DPWH to conduct an assessment/inspection of all existing national buildings including all its structures and facilities.
The local building officials in the different local government units (LGU) shall be responsible for the conduct of assessment/inspection of privately-owned building structures and facilities for public use and local government-owned buildings, structures and facilities, within their respective area of coverage.
This time, Rimando said that if during the quarterly monitoring, there will still be national buildings, as well as LGU-owned and privately-owned buildings which failed to comply or correct the deficiencies, a second notice shall be given. If owners of these buildings still continue to be non-compliant after the second notice, a third notice of non-compliance shall be issued.
If after the issuance of the third notice and there are still building owners who fail to comply, the District Engineer, in the case of national buildings, and the Local Building Official for the LGU and private-owned buildings shall submit a written report to the DPWH Director and appropriate legal actions shall be instituted against them. The National Council on Disability Affairs shall also be given a copy of the report for their information, reference and basis for subsequent legal action. (ANL/MPA-PIA 1 La Union)
Dagupan launches smoke-free campaign
by Alex Romeo R. Fernandez
DAGUPAN CITY, Sept. 20 (PIA) — This city launched on Monday the Smoke-Free Philippines run and health covenant signature campaign to prohibit smoking in public places and to advocate healthy lifestyle.
Councilor Brian C. Lim said the campaign was not an original idea, being adopted in progressive countries such as the United States for some time already.
He said the event served only as the start of a massive anti-smoking campaign, which will include the implementation of existing national laws and local ordinances.
“What we want people to believe is that discipline must start with themselves,” he said, as he advised smokers to reduce their consumption to lessen health risks posed to them and to the non-smokers.
A signature campaign involving barangay health nurses, local health professionals, the Department of Education, the media and other sectors followed the MOA signing.
Robert Reyes said abstaining from smoking reduces the risk of acquiring non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, heart problems, emphysema and cancer.
The campaign, he added, also addresses health problems caused by alcohol, unhealthy diet, and unhealthy lifestyle.
Reyes said that laws prohibiting cigarette smoking in public places have been rendered ineffective by some public officials, the police and even some members of the Church who violate them.
He added that the government has not been strict in its enforcement, while apprehending law enforcers are easily bribed off.
He suggested increasing the fine from P500 to P5,000 and raising the price of cigarettes from 300 to 500 per pack.
Reyes later led a fun run in the vicinity of the City Plaza.
The Smoke-Free Philippines campaign is also being organized in the cities of Baguio, Tarlac, Angeles, Malolos, Valenzuela, Quezon, and San Fernando in Pampanga and San Fernando in La Union. (ANL/ARRF-PIA 1 Pangasinan)
Pag-Ibig Fund Mandaue branch transfers back to Ayala
by Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, September 20 (PIA) — The Pag-Ibig Fund Mandaue branch has moved back to W.T. Tower along Mindanao Avenue corner Archbishop Street at the Cebu Business Park in Cebu City. It used to hold office at A.S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City to allow easy access of clients from the north
During the AGIO-7 General Assembly, Dale Mark Antonio, Information Officer of Pag-Ibig Mandaue branch informed the members that the office needs to be transferred because the contract of lease of the building in Mandaue City has already expired and the cost of rentals are getting too expensive.
Pag-Ibig Mandaue branch will occupy the third and fourth floors of the W.T. Tower building starting October 3, 2011.
To facilitate the transfer, the branch in Mandaue City will be closed on September 29 and 30, Thursday and Friday. However, some personnel will be left behind to receive payments from its clients.
In its notice of transfer, the Pag-Ibig Fund Mandaue branch is now called as Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) – Cebu North Branch,
servicing clients from Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City and other areas in northern Cebu.
On the other hand, the Pag-Ibig Cebu south branch is at the W.T. Tower building serving clients from the southern areas of Cebu including Cebu City.
For inquiries, clients from these areas may contact telephone numbers 422-3621 for PBD, 422-3620 for M & E, 422-3607 for HLD or Office of the Department Manager at 422-3608.(PIA-7/HFG/Pag-Ibig Fund Mandaue branch)
MMDA heads newly created Transport Strike and Mass Actions Task Force
by Lucy F. Broño
QUEZON CITY, September 20 (PIA) – - President Benigno Aquino III recently signed memorandum circular No. 18 dated September 14, 2011 creating the Presidential Task Force on Transport Strike and Mass Actions (TRASMA). The body is tasked to take charge of government actions and responses on transport strikes and similar incidents.
TRASMA is an inter-agency committee with the following as members: Secretaries of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Trade and Industry (DTI).
It also includes the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General, the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Assistant Secretary and the Commissioner on Higher Education (CHED).
The President directed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino to head and act as the President’s personal representative.
The functions of TRASMA includes provision of alternative transportation, logistical support, maintenance of peace and order, security to non-participating transport groups/ individuals and apprehension and filing of charges for violation of applicable laws, rules and regulations relative to the conduct of transport strikes.
TRASMA’s first challenge was yesterday’s transport strike led by PISTON. The members immediately convened and worked on detailed actions and contingency plans to address issues and concerns. Oplan Grasshopper was formulated and implemented to respond to contingencies that may arise.
The Task Force was successful because the transport strike was hardly felt in Metro Manila.
“The strike was unsuccessful in Metro Manila, having minimal impact on the lives of its citizens,” said Tolentino. (PIA-NCR/RJB/LFB)
PNoy orders interagency action to combat oil smuggling
by Precie Catherine C. Cuarto
QUEZON CITY, September 20 (PIA) — The Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) of the Department of Energy (DoE) will coordinate with other government agencies in its effort to combat oil smuggling into the country. Among these agencies are the Bureau of Customs (BoC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Justice (DoJ), Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Quoting Transport Secretary Mar Roxas, OIMB Director Zenaida Monsada of DOE said that the order for interagency coordination against oil smuggling came from President Benigno Aquino III. These agencies are to compare data regarding oil companies’ profitability, and look into taxation of imported crude oil and oil products, and similar concerns.
Monsada said that the said agencies may issue a set of standard operating procedures oil companies to follow in importing crude oil and oil products.
Among the measures being studied include requiring oil companies to notify the DoE before importing crude oil or oil products. This would alert the Bureau of Customs so they can monitor said importation. Oil companies that do not notify the DoE would then be doing so under a cloud of suspicion, said Monsada.
“We are also looking at accrediting import terminals. It cannot be just anywhere because that is when smugglers sneak in,” Monsada added.
She noted that smuggling activities have negative effect on government revenue and on the viability of the both small and big oil companies in the country.
The intervention of the government, Monsada explained, is needed even though the oil industry is deregulated because the public expects government to act on rising oil prices. The DoE-IOMB, she stressed, has a role to ensure a sustained and sufficient supply of crude oil and oil products, and to balance the rights of the oil companies, the consumers, and the business sector.
Monsada was guest at Talking Points radio program aired over Radyo ng Bayan, sponsored by the Presidential Communications Operations Office, PIA and NBN4. (PIA-GHQ)
800 runners join the Phillipine Water Run 2011 in Vigan City
by Freddie G. Lazaro
VIGAN CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) — More than 800 runners from different provinces in Northern Luzon joined the opening leg of the first Philippine Water Run (PWR) 2011 held in Vigan City last Sunday.
Congressman Ryan V. Singson (1st District – Ilocos Sur), the project’s co – organizer, expressed his happiness for the successful conduct of the first leg of the PWR race.
Singson said the Philippine Water Run is a series of six – leg runs set in major cities across the country to include the following with its schedule: Vigan City – September; Naga City – October; Quezon City – November; Marikina City – January; Davao City – February; and Cebu City – March.
“The PWR 2011 is open to all running enthusiasts for the 5K and 10K categories, 13 years old and above are qualified to join; while the 3K race is also open to people of all ages who wish to run this short distance,” Singson said.
Each participant in the 5K and 10K will pay a P500.00 registration fee; while the participants for the 3K run, P300.00 registration fee,” he added.
As to the result of the Vigan leg of the PWR race, the following runners won the contest: 10 K category (men) Hernani Sorie (Baguio City)–first place; Reynaldo Pascua (Ilocos Norte)–second place; and Arthur Garidan (Candon City)-third place while the 10K category (women) Jessa Mangsat–first place; Mercy Taypoc–second place and Maricris Melchor–third place.
For 10 K (media special category): Leoncio Balbin (Philippine Daily Inquirer and GMA)–first place; Arlon Serdenia (DZTP Radio Tirad Pass and TV5) – second place and Freddie G. Lazaro (Philippine Information Agency and Manila Bulletin) – third place.
The other winners were the following: Cesar Castaneda (Baguio City)–5K category (male); Sandi Menchi Abahan (Baguio City)–5 K category (female); Adrian Mel Collo (Narvacan, Ilocos Sur)–3K category (male) and Krissa Melchor (Ilocos Norte)–3 K category (female).
Except for the winners from the media category; all champions and runner – up from all the categories received cash prizes and trophies. The winners from the media category only received a cash reward while the Philippine National Police (PNP) received a trophy as special award for having a largest number of participants in the race.
According to Congressman Singson, the participants of the Vigan leg came from Ilocos Norte, La Union, Baguio City and the Philippine National Police.
Singson noted that the project was realized to demonstrate the power of collaborative efforts by using sports as one of the main tools to help push advocacy for safe, clean drinking water.
“The project also hoped that activities embodied in this project will encourage more participation among the people and corporate entities to take active role in addressing one of the critical social problems affecting Filipino children and women,” he said.
Singson disclosed the funds generated by this event shall be donated by partner Non- government Organizations (NGOs) to families in partner local government units (LGUs) and the 36 towns identified by the United Nations Millenium Development Goal Fund–Philippines as areas without sustainable access to safe drinking water.
“The total proceeds of the project will be used in purchasing the water filtration devices for distribution to the 36 towns identified by MDGF as having no access to clean and safe water in the country. These towns were mostly located in Regions 4B, 5, 9 and ARMM,” Singson said.
Singson added that after the six-leg run, the organizers are planning to have a national culmination leg – run for the final competition of the qualified runners culled from the six legs of the race.
During the six legs of the race, a total of P100,000.00 worth of cash and products will be given away to the winners.
The PWR is jointly organized by Congressman Singson, the Veepo Global Resources and E-Ventologist; and sponsored by Jockey Sportswear, permanet, Polygreen Technology and Resources, iStudio, Senco Link Technologies and Fame Plastic Products. The project’s partner NGOs is the Kaakbay ng Kalikasan with the collaboration of the MDGF-1919. (ANL/FGL-PIA 1 Ilocos Sur)
