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.
Ms. Leovilda Tumaliuan of DTI 2 said there are now more female than male entrepreneurs who took part in DTI trainings and availed of the businesses development services for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
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)
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 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.
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.
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)
