Maasin City joins national children’s month celebration
By R.G. Cadavos
City Social Welfare Aide, Fe Nida G. Sy, currently the Day Care Program Focal Person in a short talk with PIA reported that a one-day activity was prepared to recognize children who have hidden talents, hence to develop their skills and capabilities. “A musical contest will be competed by two teams consisting of Day Care children from the 70 barangays in this city.” Sy disclosed.
The month-long national celebration carries the theme, “Bright Child, Protection ng Bata Panangutan ng Bayan”.
Activities organized to join the celebration are as follows: Native dance, Draw and Tell, and Vocal Solo. Prizes prepared for the different categories consist of: P3,000.00 – 1st prize and P2,000.00 – 2nd prize for Native Dance; P700.00 and P500.00 for 1st and 2nd prizes respectively for Vocal solo and for the Draw and Tell category, P700.00 and P500.00 for 1st and 2nd prizes, respectively.
“We expected at least 200 participants in the culmination activity, this coming 27th of October,” Sy further reported. Barangay Captains of the 70 barangays throughout the city, the Day Care Workers, and parents of the day care pupils are expected to grace the affair at the Barangay Tagnipa ‘s Gym, this city.
Early childhood is the most critical window of opportunities in human development to influence outcomes in health, nutrition and mental development in later life. Children who are well nurtured, stimulated and cared for in their earliest years, grow up healthier and better able to fully develop their minds, language, emotional and social skills, Sy noted.
The annual celebration is based on Proclamation #267 which is focused on giving Filipino children recognition of their contribution to their community and to recognize the same as the most valuable asset of our nation. (PIA-soleyte) [
DOST, DTI sponsor training on personal care products
According to the report of the DOST Provincial Director, Engr. Mario E. de la Peña, the training was aimed at providing technical knowhow, especially to women’s group, on the production/formulation of personal care products.
“The activity was ideal for women and even new graduates in the province to start up entrepreneurial activity in order to generate income and contribute to the economic upliftment and tourism activities of the province,” de la Peña said.
The trainers, he said, were from the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of the Department of Science and Technology in Manila. They taught the participants on how to formulate transparent and pearlized shampoo, liquid hand wash, cream and lotion. The group was able to perform hands-on exercises and able to bring with them five kinds of finished products.
The participants came from women’s associations like LIWOMCO, SWABE, SSC, Provincial and Municipal tourism office, DTI, DOLE, TESDA who are presently assisting women’s group in the province. “The group decided to have another activity next year, a sort of technology upgrading to include bath soap making,” de la Peña added.
“All these happened in a span of just a few days from sourcing of experts to the conduct of actual training. The drive, capability and capacity, resources and the ingenuity of the sponsoring agencies spell the initial success of this very significant endeavor,” he said while giving the assurance that the partnership of these agencies continues and the experts from DOST-ITDI are more than willing to be of further service for the full satisfaction of the womens’ group in the province. (PIA-Siquijor)
BIR padlocks erring groceries
By Alice Nicart
Revenue District Officer Eduardo Gayas said in an interview that Commissioner Sixto Esquivias of the BIR National Commission signed the closure order of Laine Merchandising and Peter James Stores after the five day VAT compliance notice lapsed. The notice was extended in order for them to amend their previously given stand, but to no avail, thus, the padlocked.
The Officer added that BIR has been conducting surveillance operations on several business establishments in the entire province as ordered in the NIR Code. The newly assigned Revenue Officer also said that Eastern Samar is poor in tax compliance, compared to other provinces in Region 8.
The interview gathered that it was July this year, when the surveillance had since been done, and the two groceries were found out to have had an under-declaration of their actual sales.
Gayas cited the importance of revenue collection, and said further, that for every peso that his Bureau can collect, forty centavos goes back to the LGU in the form of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).
Asked how they usually find out the incorrectness of entry, Gayas candidly declared that during operations, there are assigned BIR personnel who would visit the stores and do their job. He added that, the storeowners are even aware of the presence of their officers because they are usually armed with a mission order and an office ID; also, after each day of observation of the actual sales, the storeowner signs the BIR document as if to conform with the BIR men, on their day’s business transactions. Comes now the tax payment period, BIR compares their audit trail with the documents submitted by the stores and there would bare the discrepancy.
In a phone call, Laine Sual, owner of Laine Merchandising lamented that the BIR order came so stiff.
“What they don’t understand is the truth that our customers may appear aplenty each day, but all our merchandise are borrowed from dealers who come direct from Tacloban and Cebu in trucks and closed vans,” Mrs. Sual said. “Besides, where would I search for the whooping amount they are requiring me to pay?” Laine mused. The young entrepreneur however is positive they can open their business soon.
The two stores mentioned are the most accessible outlets in the city where customers, particularly housewives conveniently drop by from their work or from the church but, Laine’s Merchandising is just a newly opened store about a year ago while Peter James Store recently spent a big amount when it rehabilitated its near-dilapidated building.(PIA-Eastern Samar)
Negros Oriental IPHO warns public of AH1N1
By Jennifer Catan-Tilos
This was stressed by Dr. Dante Domingo, Provincial Health Officer as health department is celebrating Garantisadong Pambata this week which also coincides with the observance of the Global Handwashing Day on October 15.
The health chief reiterated his advice to anyone to wash hands regularly to prevent the spread of illness and germs. “Handwashing with soap can save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention,” Dr. Domingo said.
While A H1N1 virus is transmitted through droplets of saliva and mucus from one person to another, mainly through coughing or sneezing, the doctor said handwashing with soap is a proven way to prevent the transmission of A H1N1.
The health official said for greater impact, “hands should be scrubbed with soap for at least 20 seconds after using the toilet, before eating, and before handling food.”
The IPHO facilitates a handwashing drill which taught children on proper handwashing practice in some health centers where children are also given immunization, Vitamin A and deworming in support of the Garantisadomg Pambata (GP)campaign.
GP is a “campaign to support various health programs to reduce childhood illnesses and deaths by promoting positive child care behaviors. It ensures that all children below five years old receive health services needed by them to be healthy,” according to the health department. (PIA/JCT)
TESDA holds jobs bringing, internship program
The activity will be participated in by all students and graduates of technical vocational institutions.
Twelve overseas recruit agencies and local companies including BPO firms will be present to offer employment services to all job hunters.
Free massage, manicure, pedicure and haircutting services will also be offered. (PIA/cad)
Anti-trafficking advocates rally support of media
Confidentiality clause emphasized
by Rachelle M. Nessia
The Provincial Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (PIACAT) on October 9 gathered local reporters and members of the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO) for a half-day seminar on RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
During the seminar, the committee led by Provincial Administrator Marilou Kho appealed to the media to strictly adhere to the confidentiality clause of RA 9208 in their coverage of human trafficking cases.
The confidentially clause of RA 9208 guarantees equal rights to privacy of both the victim and accused and prohibits law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, court personnel, judges and medical practitioners, as well as other parties from public disclosures of names, addresses and other personal details of both the victim and the accused.
Section 7 of RA 9208 specifically provides for the recognition of the “right to privacy of the trafficked person and the accused,” and forbids the media “to cause publicity of any case of trafficking in persons” when the “prosecution or trial is conducted behind close-doors.”
According to Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo, the seminar was conducted after PIACAT members raised concern over a local news report on a cybersex den raid published the names as well as photos of the victims.
Although the confidentiality clause seeks to protect the rights of the victims, it has also worked counter to the campaign against human trafficking.
Dondee Senires of PIACAT said that Negros Oriental has fared better compared to other provinces when it comes to anti-trafficking efforts “but not much is reported in the media due to the provisions of the law.”
The province has been identified as a destination, transit and source point for victims of human trafficking.
Eight hotspot areas have been identified here, namely: Ayungon, Bais City, Basay, Bayawan City, Bindoy, Mabinay, Sta. Catalina, and Siaton. (PIA/RMN)
DTI to hold forum on consumerism
by Venus G. Villanueva
Kalibo, Aklan (13 October) — A one-day Forum on Consumerism will be held in Aklan by the Department of Trade and Industry in celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month and in observance of the Intellectual Property Rights Week this October.
The forum will be held at the Cutting Edge-ACP Centre Pointe.
DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena said the forum intends to raise public awareness on generic drugs and appreciation on the significance of standards and standardization activities of the government, as well as instill quality-consciousness in consumer’s choice of products and services for their safety.
Target participants are consumers coming from all sectors in the province, while resource persons will come from the Department of Health, Philippine Product Safety & Quality Foundation, Inc. and Department of Trade and Industry.
Messages from Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo and Governor Carlito Carlito Marquez will also be delivered.
Topics to be tackled by resource speakers include Consumer Rights and Responsibilities/Fair Trade Laws, Cheaper Medicines Act/Maximum Drug Retail Price Program, and LPG Industry, Electrical Devices/Christmas Lights, Steel Bars & Plywood.
An open forum after the talks will be held, while the synthesis and closing remarks will be delivered by PD Cadena. (PIA)
Aklan to hold Alay Lakad 2009 with’Hataw’
by Venus G. Villanueva
Kalibo, Aklan (13 October) — After last year having been conducted successfully through Alay Linis, Aklan’s Alay Lakad this year will be observed through another novel manner – Alay Lakad with a’Hataw’ twist.
The decision to incorporate ‘Hataw’ or aerobics exercise in the yearly observance of Alay Lakad was agreed upon during meetings held by the Provincial and Municipal Alay Lakad committees.
Last year, because of Typhoon Frank that dumped tons of mud and garbage in Kalibo, the Alay Lakad Executive Committee decided to do away with the dawn walk and instead conducted clean-up and beautification activities in various areas in Kalibo still found with left-over debris brought by the typhoon.
This year’s activity, to be called ALAY LAKAD NA, MAY HATAW PA, will be held on November 6 at the Kalibo Pastrana Park, where the three groups of walkers composed of provincial officials, national government, provincial and municipal employees, civic clubs and non-government organizations will converge coming from three starting points in Kalibo.
Evangelina Gallega of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office here, who presided during most of the meetings, said this year’s activity theme is “LAKAD KABATAAN, ITULOY ANG KAUNLARAN’.
A short program will be held at the Pastrana Park before the’Hataw’ with messages to be delivered by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Vice Governor Gabrielle C. Quimpo, Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores and Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo.
Mr. Nestor Bartolome, President of Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo and Overall Chairperson of Provincial Alay Lakad 2009, will give the welcome message.
Governor Marquez is the Provincial Honorary Chairperson while Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo is the Municipal Honorary Chairperson.
The activity at the Pastrana Park will be capped with Distribution of Special Awards and Certificates of Participation.
As with the past joint Alay Lakad activities of the province and the municipality of Kalibo, contributions from the participants will be collected. Heads of offices are required to contribute P200.00; assistant heads, P100.00 and rank and file, P25.00. Civic clubs will contribute P1,500.00. (PIA)
PNP warns gunowners anew to avail of gun amnesty until October 31
Cebu City (13 October) — Police Regional Office (PRO-7) Chief Gen. Lani-O Nerez again issued a warning to gun owners that failure to renew expired license of firearms by the end of the month will be slapped with illegal possession of firearms.
Nerez said October 31 is the last day of the gun amnesty program of the government and there will be no more extension.
The amnesty program includes those civilian gun owners who failed to register their weapons to acquire a license without fines or penalties.
The PRO-7 chief urged firearms holders to visit the nearest police station in their area to get an application form to renew their expired license. Firearms control assistance desk in every police station has been set up for this purpose, this is learned.
With slightly over two weeks to go before the deadline lapses, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is vigorously intensifying its campaign in the crackdown against loose firearms following an order from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to account the number of loose firearms in the country.
Executive Order 817 or the National Firearms Control Program signed by Pres. Arroyo also mandated a three percent reduction every month on the number of loose firearms circulating in the country.
Police estimated there are 1.1M loose firearms nationwide in the hands of delinquent licensed gun holders, criminal elements, threat groups and civilian gun holders.
In Central Visayas, loose firearms are estimated to reach 52T with slightly over 21T having expired licenses.
PRO-7 Firearms and Explosives Unit (FEU) Head P/Supt. Jacinto Cesar said that as of October 8, only 1,422 firearms with expired licenses have applied for renewal or only about 6.8 percent of the total over 21T expired firearms in the region.
About 4,800 weapons with expired licenses are attributed to the security agencies sector, according to Cesar.
Cesar said the remaining 28T firearms of the estimated 52T firearms circulating in Central Visayas are under the hand s of threat groups, and criminal elements among others. As of September 30, about 450 weapons have been confiscated through police apprehension, Cesar claimed.
The FEU-7 head expressed optimism that with the nearing deadline, gun owners with expired licenses will rush to their office to have their license renewed.
Nerez reiterated his appeal to gun owners to avail of the amnesty or else face the full force of the law after the deadline.
Gun owners who fail to heed the government’s warning and apply for the amnesty program will be charged with illegal possession of firearms, according to the PRO-7 chief.
“We have the list of gun owners and we will know who have not availed of the gun amnesty so better watch out because we will be after you after October 31,” Nerez firmly warned. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)
Nation observes 20th Nat’l Statistics Month
By Rizalie A. Calibo
Province of Siquijor (12 October) — The National Statistics Office (NSO) here announces that the 20th observance of the National Statistics Month (NSM) officially started in October 1, 2009 with a simple ceremony held at the AFP Commissiones Officers Club, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The annual statistical event, spearheded by the agencies under the Philippine Statistical System with the Department of National Defense (DND) being designated as this year’s host, is focusing on the security sector with the theme “Enhancing Security Sector Stattistics for Good Governance, Peace and Sustainable Development” or Pagpapahusay ng Estadistika sa Sektor Panseguridad para sa Mabuting Pamamahala, Kapayapaan at Maipagpapatuloy na Pagpapaunlad.”
DND Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro was the keynote speaker during the event while National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Secretary General Romulo A. Virola gave the welcome remarks. Highlights of the program include presentations on security sector statistics by the DND; measuring peace in the community by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), and the launching of the NSCB Interagency Committee on Secuirty Sectors Statistics (IAC-SSS).
The IAC-SSS wll be a forum on how to improve security sector statistics in the country, including a disaster management information system that can prepare us better to cope with the devastation caused by natural disasters like typhoon “Ondoy.”
Across the country, various statistical activities are lined up during the whole month of October with the Regional Statistical Coordination Committees (RSCCs) and NSO Regional/Provincial Offices, and NEDA Regional Offices coordinating with and providing support to other agencies. The OCD has been designated as the DND’s focal agency in the regions.
In the province, a series of activities is scheduled to be conducted. Among these are the NSM launching ceremony, meeting with MCRs/partner agencies, launching of the annual Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ), hanging of NSM celebration streamers, lectures and training on statistics for NSO provincial staff, mangrove tree planting in Lom,angcapan, Enrique Villanueva and statistical exhibit at NSO and authorized statistical data centers in the province.
The closing ceremony of the event will be hosted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) during the BSP-DepEd Oratorical Contest on October 28, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. to be held at the BSP Assembly Hall, BSP Three-Storey Building, Malate, Manila, where high school student orators in the National Capital Region (NCR) will vie for the top prize. (PIA)
