Asking for proper relocation
Residents of Arten, Navotas, who were already on their sixth day picketing in front of the National Housing Authority, were violently dispersed, without any dispersal order, by the combined force of the Quezon City Police District and Armed Forces of the Philippines minutes after midnight last Tuesday, April 13.The group, mostly composed by women and children, were asking for proper relocation after their houses in Arten were demolished. Two of the leaders were arrested, and several children and women were hurt during the dispersal. According to the picketers, some of the police were drunk, while some were in civilian clothes during the dispersal. (Angelica Carballo/AKP-images)
Women and children, were asking for proper relocation
Residents of Arten, Navotas, who were already on their sixth day picketing in front of the National Housing Authority, were violently dispersed, without any dispersal order, by the combined force of the Quezon City Police District and Armed Forces of the Philippines minutes after midnight last Tuesday, April 13.The group, mostly composed by women and children, were asking for proper relocation after their houses in Arten were demolished. Two of the leaders were arrested, and several children and women were hurt during the dispersal. According to the picketers, some of the police were drunk, while some were in civilian clothes during the dispersal. (Angelica Carballo/AKP-images)
Residents of Arten, Navotas
Residents of Arten, Navotas, who were already on their sixth day picketing in front of the National Housing Authority, were violently dispersed, without any dispersal order, by the combined force of the Quezon City Police District and Armed Forces of the Philippines minutes after midnight last Tuesday, April 13.The group, mostly composed by women and children, were asking for proper relocation after their houses in Arten were demolished. Two of the leaders were arrested, and several children and women were hurt during the dispersal. According to the picketers, some of the police were drunk, while some were in civilian clothes during the dispersal. (Angelica Carballo/AKP-images)
Roman catholic devotees flagellating during the holy week
02-April-2010-PAMPANGA- roman catholic devotees flagellating during the holy week, good friday, passes by a wall full of election campaign posters in pampanga. [AKP/Buck Pago]
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.
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 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.
Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral warns the public, particularly residents in the area not to consume all types of shellfish (including ‘alamang’) harvested in the said areas, as it is unsafe for human consumption. However, Cabral noted that fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe to eat, provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and its internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
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, signed between SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP)-Magat, Inc. and the Social Action Development Center(SADC) of Ifugao in March 23 at the provincial capitol in Lagawe town aims to curb deforestation and other environmental problems and activities within the Ifugao watershed through the implementation of community – based agro-forestry projects.
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)
