Cold climate affects bangus supply
by Venus May H. Sarmiento
DAGUPAN CITY, Nov. 22 (PIA) — There will be lesser supply of bangus during the holidays as cold climate invades fishponds.
This was revealed by Dr. Westly Rosario, interim executive director of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center, adding that fishes get stressed-out during the cold weather.
“Ang mga ibang isda, nagkakaroon ng sakit dahil sa stress dulot ng tag-lamig,” Rosario said in a television interview.
He advised fish growers to also be wary of the feeding regimen so as not to waste the feeds as fishes do not really eat much when its cold.
Because of the lesser supply, prices of bangus will normally increase, he said.
While 60 to 70-percent of bangus supply in Manila comes from Pangasinan, the market will not be so much affected as Manila can source out fishes from other areas, he said.
NIFTDC, a sub-office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, offers alternative species for fisherfolks to diversify their products.
Aside from bangus, other species that can be grown whole year round are hito, tilapia, sea bass, red pacu fish and even ulang. Hito, he said, does not need a big fishpond to grow and can be harvested in a span of only three months.
Sea bass specie is not so choosy with the kind of water and is not much affected during floods when water salinity changes. The red pacu fish, on the other hand, do not need expensive feeds and can be fed just with water lilies.
Interested fish growers are advised to visit the National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center office in Bonuan Binloc to avail of the fingerlings at very reasonable prices and some, even for free. (ANL/VHS-PIA 1 Pangasinan)
US Embassy to observe Thanksgiving Day; closed on November 24
MANILA, November 23 (PIA) — In celebration of Thanksgiving Day, the United States Embassy in Manila and its affiliated agencies will be closed on Thursday, November 24, 2011.
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States every fourth Thursday of November.
As a federal and popular holiday in the US, Thanksgiving is one of the major holidays of the year just like Christmas and New Year.
The official annual celebration dates back since 1863, during the Civil War period, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving that was celebrated on November 26, a Thursday.
Meanwhile, the event that Americans commonly call the “First Thanksgiving” is celebrated to give thanks to God for guiding them safely to the new world.
According to Wikipedia, the first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days, providing enough food for 13 Pilgrims and 90 native Americans.
It adds, that New England colonists were accustomed to regularly celebrating “thanksgivings” or days of prayer, thanking God for blessings such as military victory or the end of a drought. (US Embassy, Manila/Wikipedia/RJB/JEG-PIA NCR)
DOH ComPack program provides free medicines to Pantawid pamilya beneficiaries
by Thelma C. Bicarme
TUGUEGARAO CITY, November 21 (PIA)– Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) household beneficiaries in Region 2 will be receiving free supplies of medicine for their chronic illnesses and other infections from the Department of Health (DOH).
Gomez said this is aside from the P1,400 monthly cash grant they get from the government for the health, nutrition and education needs their children aged 0-5 years old.
In the region, a total of 23 municipalities from the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino are benefiting from the 4Ps.
“The said beneficiaries can avail the DOH ComPack on the following conditions: a) the patient/beneficiary must have an existing ID No. b) must consult the RHU physician in a Pantawid Pamilya municipality c) must adhere to the treatment prescribed by his/her doctor d) must commit to regularly follow-up with the RHU physician to monitor treatment outcomes,” Gomez added.
Gomez said the DSWD will provide the DOH data on Pantawid Pamilya and other related programs that will help in the proper implementation of the DOH ComPack program.
“We will also assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the program specifically at the municipality level through the municipal links,” Gomez assured. (TCB/PIA 2)
A “dream come true” for an OWWA scholar now a college cum laude
by Miriam P. Aquino
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Nov 14 (PIA) — “I thought going to college is just like a dream, not possible to happen due to our financial status that time” – these are the words of Romel Cara Patacsil whose dream of finishing his college studies now came to reality as he graduated cum laude in his chosen course Bachelor of Science Major in Accountancy at the Union Christian College here for the school year 2010-2011.
According to Amapola Z. Villar, Labor Communications Officer of OWWA-Regional Welfare Office1, Romel, who hails from Central East, Bauang, La Union, is the youngest among five children.
Villar said that though they were financially incapable, and their father passed away during his Elementary years and left with their mother who was just a plain housewife, still Romel has always been hopeful that he would be able to finish his studies and get the course he wants in college.
All faced with life’s challenges, his sister, Anabel decided to work as a factory worker in Taiwan, became an OWWA active member and had this chance to pass the Overseas Filipino Workers’ beneficiary scholarship program to her younger siblings.
From the time his mother learned about the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) for OFWs and families, Mrs. Patacsil rushed to OWWA R1 office in order to learn more about the program and immediately registered her son.
Romel was given a semestral scholarship plan of P30,000.00 per semester or P60,000.00 per year.
He managed to stay on the top rank during his College years and became an active Vice-President of the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants UCC Chapter. He also championed the Quiz Bee for La Union Inter-school Tournament. With these achievements, OWWA RWO1 is also confident that he’ll become a successful and competent CPA soon.
When he was asked what he felt when he passed the qualifying exam for OWWA EDSP, he answered, “It was a LIFE CHANGING MOMENT to go to school and get the course I really want.” He also mentioned that he will never forget that day when he was given an opportunity to help his family and reach his dreams.
Romel wants to build his dream house for his family and finally call it as their own home. “I am so much grateful that OWWA helped me fulfill my dreams…thank you OWWA”, he said with all gratefulness.
At present, he is now working with an established accounting firm in Manila,
Romel is just one of the beneficiaries awarded with OWWA’s scholarship program. Aside from EDSP, there are also training packages and development programs offered by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to assist OFWs and their beneficiaries.
OWWA is very proud of being part of every scholar’s dreams and achievements and appreciates them for also giving their best. (ANL/MPA/ PIA 1 La Union)
Journalists to use internet to ‘remind’ PNoy on promise
by Jose Mari M. Garcia
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan November 12 (PIA) — Journalists in the country tapped the influential magnetism of social networking sites in appealing to President Aquino to address extrajudicial killings.
The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) in a statement said the activities in line for the first observance of the International Day to End Impunity (IDEI) on November 23 will be utilizing the power of the internet.
CMFR will adopt a slogan that will be carried in online campaign efforts in which stated: President Benigno Aquino III: How many more members of media have to die? Act now to End the Killings! (Pangulong Aquino: Ilan pang mamamahayag ang kailangang mapatay? Kilos na!).
“The call to President Aquino reminds him of his campaign promise to address the killing of journalists and other extrajudicial killings in the Philippines,” said Melinda Quintos De Jesus, CMFR executive director.
De Jesus said CMFR will encourage netizens to “tag” in social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook their slogans to President Aquino’s communications team.
“The slogan can be used to call on the President to solve other extrajudicial killings, replacing the word ‘media’ with ‘aktibista’ (activist), priests, etc.,” she said.
CMFR will also adopt “hashtag” for the campaign where Facebook and Twitter users who want to join the IDEI campaign will be encouraged to use the said tag in their status updates.
The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in social networking site Twitter. Hashtagged words that become very popular are often the so-called “trending topics.”
The IDEI Blog Action Day on November 21 was also set to encourage bloggers and social media users on writing and discussing issues related to the campaign.
CMFR will prepare and distribute IDEI-related materials to bloggers, social media users, and interested individuals and organizations. Materials will include analyses, background information, and stories in text and multimedia format.
For inquires, contact CMFR at 894-1326/894-1314/840-0903 or email at staff@cmfr-phil.org. (WLB/JMG-PIA 3)
DTI steps-up monitoring of establishments selling motorcycle helmets
SIQUIJOR, Nov. 13 (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) steps-up the monitoring of wholesale and retail establishments selling protective motorcycle helmets and their visors to ensure that these are certified.
DTI said it is mandatory for all manufacturers and importers of protective helmets and their visors to secure a Philippine Standard (PS) License or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) certificate from the Department prior to the sale and distribution of their products.
“Those found with uncertified products shall face administrative charges from the Department,” DTI warned.
In order to provide the industry with an internationally-accepted reference standard in manufacturing reliable protective helmet, DTI adopted the United Nations Economic Commission on Europe (UN ECE) standard specifications and test methods for protective helmets and their visors for motorcycles and mopeds drivers and passengers as a Philippine National Standard (PNS/UN ECE 22:2007).
It is imperative that the quality of the product is checked to ensure that it performs as intended, DTI emphasized.
DTI regulates critical consumer products that greatly affect life, property and health. Therefore, in consultation with the helmet industry sector and other stakeholders, the DTI has included the protective helmets in its mandatory product certification scheme to level the playing field of businesses, and more importantly, to avert the pervasive distribution of substandard helmets in the market for consumer protection.
DTI operates a Product Certification Scheme to assure consumers that critical products such as protective helmets sold in the market are safe and reliable. The Department requires the manufacturers and importers of products under mandatory certification to apply for the PS License or ICC certificate, and have their products inspected and tested based on PNS/UN ECE Reg 22:2007 prior to its sale and distribution in the market.
The Department has already given all manufacturers, importers and distributors of protective helmets enough time to comply with the product certification scheme. This year, only helmets bearing the PS or ICC mark can be sold in the local market, DTI said.
To ensure compliance with the law, the DTI enjoins the buying public to patronize only PS and ICC-marked products in the market. Consumers can report or file a complaint against substandard products through the DTI provincial offices.
For more information on helmet standards, the public may visit or call the Consumer Welfare and Business Regulations Division of the DTI Central Visayas provincial offices: BOHOL PROVINCIAL OFFICE, 2F FCB Bldg., CPG Ave., Tagbilaran City at tel # (63) 038-501-8260; CEBU PROVINCIAL OFFICE, 3F LDM Bldg., M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cor.Legaspi Street, Cebu City at tel. # (63)(032) 412-1863 / 253-2631; NEGROS ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL OFFICE, 2F Uymatiao Bldg., San Jose Street. Dunaguete City at tel. # (63)(035) 422-2764; SIQUIJOR PROVINCIAL OFFICE, Chan She Bldg., Legaspi Street, Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor at tel # (63)035-480-9065. (PIA-Siquijor/RAC & DTI-Siquijor)
Thousands more in Quirino get free Philhealth cards
by Thelma C. Bicarme
CABARROGUIS, Quirino, November 9 (PIA) — To further provide health services primarily to the poor sector of the province, Cong. Dakila Carlo “Dax” E. Cua, distributed Philhealth cards to some 38, 634 residents on his 33rd birthday celebration last November 4.
The recipients are sponsored by the provincial government through then governor, now Cong. Dax under the Philhealth’s sponsored program, where premiums of enrolled families are jointly shouldered by the national government through PhilHealth and the provincial government.
Of the six municipalities, Diffun has the highest number of recipients with 10, 421; Cabarroguis, 6,412; Nagtipunan, 5,476; Aglipay, 5,381; Saguday, 3,588 and Maddela, 258.
Cong. Cua said this is just the first batch of recipients and more Philhealth cards will still be distributed under the administration of his father, Gov. Junie Cua to cover all poor families in the province.
Health is the top priority of Cong. Cua as contained in his HEALING platform (Health, Education, Agriculture, Livelihood, Infrastructure, Natural resources sustainable management and Good governance) when he sought the gubernatorial seat in 2007 elections.
Cua believes that people with sound mind and body can do better and work harmoniously and productively towards the attainment of a common goal of the community where they are residing. (TCB/PIA 2)
P-Noy directs DA to allot 2 percent of annual budget for organic agri
by Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu
TARLAC CITY, November 8 (PIA) — President Benigno Aquino III directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to allocate two percent of its annual budget for programs and policies on organic agriculture.
The Chief Executive gave the directive in his keynote speech during the opening of the 8th National Organic Agriculture Conference (NOAC) in Tarlac city today.
According to the President, such allocation is stipulated under Republic Act 10068 otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.
Aquino stressed that “organic agriculture, as stated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, has the potential to increase farm productivity thereby increasing farmers’ wages and provide food for all.”
The President added that “through organic agriculture, farmers are ensured of cumulatively conditioning and enriching the fertility of the soil, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent depletion of natural resources, and further protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general public.”
The 8th NOAC is a four day confab of around 800 organic farming practitioners, advocates and enthusiasts from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao which will highlight plenary and breakout sessions to be anchored on the theme “Organic Farming: Towards Food Sufficiency and Healthy Environment.”
Up for discussion on the confab are: The Global Organic Market Access (GOMA) Project, State of Organic Farming in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, RA 10068 (Organic Agriculture Act of 2010) Status of Implementation and Introduction of the new National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) Non-Government Members, Organic Farming in National Convergence Initiative Sites, Organic Farming in Luzon, Organic Farming in Visayas, Organic Farming in Mindanao, and Updates on the Formulation of the Organic Agriculture Roadmap.
For the breakout sessions, the topics are: Research and Technology Updates, Management of Pests in Organic Agriculture with Emphasis on the Biological Control Agents and Bio Pesticides, Biotreatment for Sewage Disposal, Updates on Vermi Composting, Biocontrol of Non Chemical Bananas Export to Japan, Study on Yield Reduction during Conversion Period, Success of Lao Integrated Farm in Organic Farming, Facts and Myths in Organic Agriculture, Alternative Medicine, Marketing Tools and Strategies, Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project, Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) on Market Opportunities for Organic Products, Biodiversity Conservation and Protection for Agriculture, and Quality Assurance System in Organic Production and Processing. (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)
PNP Calabarzon opens recruitment for 730 PO1 vacancies
CANLUBANG, Laguna, Nov 6 (PIA) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) Calabarzon is now accepting applicants for Police Officer I recruitment in Camp Vicente Lim.
The recruitment is prioritizing the filling-up of vacancies due to the attrition of Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs) who were separated, died, retired, dropped from the roll, and dismissed from the service and regular promotion. Police Regional Office (PRO) Calabarzon is allotted with 730 slots for PO1 recruitment to be distributed in the five provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
PRO Calabarzon is now processing the recruitment of new “Mamang Pulis” and “Aling Pulis” with the following qualifications: a Filipino citizen; with good moral character; passed the psychiatric/psychological, medical, dental, and drug test administered by the PNP Health Service; possesses a formal baccalaureate degree from a recognized learning institution; must set by the commission; never been dishonorably discharged from military employment or on AWOL or dropped from rolls from the PNP service, or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the government.
Applicants must have no pending criminal case in any court, including the office of the Ombudsman or administrative case if he/she is already an employee of the government; must not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude; must be at least 1.62 m in height for male and 1.57 m for female; must weight not more or less than 5 kg from the standard weight corresponding to his/her height, age and sex; and must not be less than 21 nor more than 30 years of age.
The appropriate eligibility for Police Officer 1 are those acquired from the Napolcom PNP Entrance Examination, RA. No. 6506 (licensed criminologist), RA. No. 1080 (Bar and board examinations of Baccalaureate degrees), P.D. No. 907 (granting Civil Service Eligibility to college honor graduates), and Civil Service Professional Examination.
Interested individuals may apply through their respective municipality/city police stations.
The PRO CALABARZON is looking forward that with the recruitment of additional PO1 personnel, the strength of “Mamang Pulis” will be enhanced in fighting criminalities in the region. (PNP, PRO-4A-Calabarzon/NDS, PIA-Calabarzon)
DA allots P192M for community seeds banks, rice seed production
QUEZON CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has launched a P192 million community seed bank and seed production program to enable farmers produce their requirement of certified seeds every cropping season.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the program, which forms part of the national food staples sufficiency program, will empower organized farmers’ groups and cooperatives, including Irrigators’ Associations (IAs), to produce their own certified or inbred rice seeds out of the registered rice seeds that will be distributed to them for free.
He said of the total program fund, P42 million is allotted this year for the procurement and distribution of registered rice seeds, and the P150 million is programmed next year for the establishment of CSBs in strategic rice production areas nationwide.
Of the P150 million, P100 million will be used to repair and refurbish existing storage facilities and warehouses managed by IAs, farmers’ groups, POs and NGOs, while the remaining P50M is allotted to repair existing DA warehouses and storage facilities which will also be used as CSBs.
Alcala announced the rice seed propagation project and establishment of CSBs during his recent regional field visits, including the three-day trip to eight provinces in Cagayan Valleyand Central Luzon last week, where he committed more than P440M as initial assistance to enable typhoon-affected farmers, fishers and ruralfolk, and their respective areas recover and start anew.
The rice seed propagation project and establishment of CSB is part of the DA national rice program, headed by Director Dante Delima. He said the DA is currently distributing for free two kilos of registered rice seeds per hectare to qualified and participating farmers’ groups, cooperatives and IAs in major rice producing regions nationwide.
The two kilos of registered seeds are expected to produce six 40-kilo bags of certified seeds, which farmers could use for at least four cropping seasons, Delima said. Thereafter, the DA will provide them another fresh batch of registered seeds.
With the rice seed propagation scheme, Delima said the DA aims to train and empower farmers’ groups and IAs to produce quality seeds for their use and sale to other farmers. Further, the strategy is a better and cheaper way than providing rice subsidy every cropping season, Delima said.
He said the DA has started distributing at least 20 kilograms (kg) of registered seeds to qualified organized farmers’ associations, IAs, upland farmers’ organizations, and interested people’s organizations, and NGOs. They were selected by the respective DA-Regional Field Units in coordination with the host local government units. (DA/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)
