DTI to hold a Diskwento Caravan in Angeles City
by Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu
ANGELES CITY, Pampanga October 1 (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will hold a Diskwento Caravan in Angeles City this coming Friday, October 7.
Carbonell disclosed that manufacturers of bread, processed meat, detergents, cooking oil, vinegar, canned goods, powdered milk, coffee, shampoo, bath soap and school supplies will sell their goods at factory prices.
Fruits and NFA rice as well as products of Pampanga-based Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) will also be sold at discounted prices.
The Diskwento Caravan is a nationwide project by DTI in response to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Labor Day pronouncement to ease the financial burden of the people brought by high fuel prices and provide additional or alternative market for manufacturers and producers especially MSMEs.
Caravans that were conducted in Central Luzon during the 1st semester of 2011 were able to generate a total sales of more than half a million pesos.(WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)
DepEd to launch response education for IPs
by Oliver Baccay and Liana Acuzar
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, September 27 (PIA) — The Alternative Learning System (ALS) of Department of Education (DepEd) Region 2 is set to launch Philippine Response to Indigenous and Muslim Education (PRIME) next year to quality education for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of the region.
They will be immersed on basic literacy programs and livelihood courses like manicuring, pedicuring and fish processing.
According to Dr. Hortencia Calvan, ALS chief, this program aims to afford the IPs and learners the functional literacy so they can upgrade their way of living.
“It is a constitutional right that they have to develop so they can have better life thru learning some livelihood skills,” she added.
The teachers who are going to facilitate in the said literacy and livelihood programs will be from the region itself. They are called Mobile Teachers who are also under the Mobile Teaching Program of ALS.
Meanwhile, the ALS is presently preparing their learners for the upcoming accreditation and equivalency test which will qualify and accelerate out of school youth learners to the year or grade level which they will be fitted, on October 16.
Recently, they have also finished the on-site validation of the regional and national contests for the Brigada Eskwela, a program which according to Calvan, aims to link the internal and external stakeholders of schools for the continuous upkeep of child-friendly schools.( TCB/LA/OTB/PIA-2)
Basco province to make tree planting a regular community service
by Necitas G. Alconis
BASCO, Batanes, September 27 (PIA) — The local government of Basco will make tree planting a regular community service according to Basco Mayor Demetrius Paul Narag in support to the government’s greening program.
Narag said the activity is also aimed at protecting the Basco communal pastureland from erosion and denudation.
To attain this, the local chief executive along with the LGU’s 60 regular and casual employees have again planted at least 1,000 palo maria, mango, mabolo and chayi seedlings in the said area.
According to Vice Mayor Anastacia Viola who also joined the tree planting activity, Mayor Narag was able to plant at least 50 seedlings.
The first tree planting activity was undertaken on September 15 wherein casual employees planted around 2,000 seedlings along the Basco pastureland.
The tree planting was supervised by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through Nestor Reyes and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer George Reyes.
Before the tree planting activity, the LGU officials and employees conducted preparatory activity such as clearing few forage.
The group also proceeded to the kural coastal area which is a part of the marine sanctuary to do coastal clean up in preparation for the excursion of the Science Campers of the Basco Central School on September 24 and the rescheduled camping of senior citizens on September 26. (TCB/NGA/PIA Batanes)
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.
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.
The team led by Ericson Alejos together with the provincial agriculture office personnel of Quirino went to the remotest villages of Matmad, San Pugo and Wasid in the southern part of Quirino with the main goal of searching for ludong sanctuaries in the province.
‘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.
“Pilipinas Natin,” is a crusade for partnership between the government and the people which seeks to empower the nation while imbibing the Filipino culture of “bayanihan”. It also underlines the importance of unity and solidarity among all Filipinos transcending all political affiliations and social status. This was launched by P-Noy on his first year in office.
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.
The event opened with the signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) between doctors Felipe Gozar L. Duque, Mike Aragon, and Vivencio Jose P. Villaflor III, representing the Philippine Medical Association; and Councilors Marc Brian C. Lim, Redford Christian Erfe-Mejia and Jesus Canto, representing the city government of Dagupan. The signing was witnessed by City Administrator Vladimir T. Mata and famed running priest Robert Reyes.
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)
