Pest attacks Capiz rice farms
by Jemin B. Guillermo
Roxas City (27 September) — The rice plantation in Capiz is now suffering from pest infestation.
In a Pest Infestation Advisory of Provincial Agriculturist Sylvia Dela Cruz to Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, she said that the field situation of the rice farmers and the changes in climatic condition are very favorable to the occurrence of insect pests and diseases.
As of September 22, 2010, the brown planthopper had already affected 6,562 hectares while the area damaged reached 3,581.55 hectares, she said, adding that 11 percent of the total area planted with rice is already totally damaged.
She revealed that the damage report was only gathered from 10 municipalities, namely Dumarao, Panitan, Dumalag, Cuartero, Maayon, Panay, Pontevedra, Sigma, Ivisan and Mambusao, including Roxas City.
Dela Cruz said that the affected planted rice are already in the vegetative, reproductive, milking, flowering, tillering and booting, as well as on maturing and ripening stages.
According to her, the affected rice varieties here include NSIC Rc 158, NSIC Rc 146, NSIC Rc 120, NSIC Rc 150, NSIC Rc 134, Rc 10, NSIC Rc 144 and 142, and NSIC Rc 160,118 and 156.
She explained that brown planthopper causes hopperburn and a vector of grassy and ragged stunt diseases more prominently during the early tillering to flowering stages of rice plant.
“It was observed that yield loss can be total if the field is affected by hopperburn at the vegetative stage, but less severe on transplanted rice fields that on direct seeded rice,” Dela Cruz said. (PIA)
PhilHealth Sabado envisions to meet all kinds of clients
By Ninfa B Quirante
Catbalogan, Samar (27 September) — The national PhilHealth registration on Saturday, October 2, 2010 dubbed as PhiHealth Sabado wish to converge all types of clients.
In a press conference at the Samar Provincial Health Office (PHO), PhilHealth representative Marianeth Bacalla told the media that they would like to meet on that day clients who would-be members in different categories.
One group are indigents that were prelisted most of whom are Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.
Another are also indigents, not necessarily members of 4Ps that will be entertained, interviewed and will be given a chance to enrol if deemed qualified.
Those indigent clients who qualify will be given an orientation.
Another type is what Dr Antonio Tirazona called the informal sector, these are those earning not fixed income, like the self-employed.
This type may include jeepney drivers, tricycle drivers, vendors and the like.
As a come-on to market vendors, PhilHealth will be giving them free aprons for the first fifty registrants.
The latter will be registered or enrolled at PhilHealth if they bring P300.00 plus the photocopy of their birth certificates.
Another type of clients they wish to invite are those non paying members like SSS and GSIS pensioners who just have to bring their retirement voucher and two ID pictures.
Those are the target groups that PhilHealth Sabado will serve on Saturday, October 2, 2010.
The DOH, PhilHealth, Provincial Health Office, Samar LGU, DILG, DepEd and DSWD with the media are partners in this event.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan is reportedly attending the event and has sponsored the use of Samar Gym, some food to supplement to DOH?s provisions and support staff to assist the organizers in this activity.
The governor herself pledged to enrol some Samarnons fo PhilHealth but implementation has been hindered due to the non approval of the provincial budget for the year 2010. (PIA-Samar)
PNP issues public advisory on “don’ts” re barangay, SK elections
Tacloban City (September 27) — The Tacloban City Police Office through the Police Community Relations Chief Police Senior Inspector Bella Rentuaya, issued a public advisory in line with the forthcoming Barangay and SK elections on October 25, 2010.
Second, Member of PNP-AFP and other law enforcement agencies are authorized to carry firearms if they are regular members of said agencies, provided however, that they are in uniform with their name tags, serial number and rank exposed, and Identification Cards to show they are regular members of the agencies.
Third, Candidates are prohibited from hiring the services of “body guards” even if they are members of the PNP or AFP except if there is a written permit from the Comelec.
Fourth, Business establishments selling firearms must inform the Comelec and the PNP Director General before transporting or selling firearms.
Fifth, Business establishments selling, furnishing, offering, buying and serving tuba, beer and other intoxicating liquor.
Sixth, Government employees must refrain from supporting any candidate for the elections. Receiving any gifts or money or any object with value is also prohibited.
Seventh, Private Citizens are also advised to refrain from receiving anything or any favor, in order to vote for a candidate, such as money, food, liquor, or free transportation from the house to voting area.
Eighth, Private security agencies have the authority from the PNP to carry licensed firearms, subject to limitations such as the security guard must be on duty and on his post, he must be in uniform and must have identification card. If “off duty” he must make sure that he is about to leave the firearm or deposit the same in the agency office.
Ninth, All citizens in civilian attire who are carrying firearms are deemed to be unauthorized, thus may be subject to arrest and investigation.
The public is enjoined to heed the advisory for a peaceful and orderly conduct of the Barangay and SK elections. (PIA 
PDEA admits it still has to recover 946 kilos of cocaine from Samar
By Ninfa B Quirante
Catbalogan, Samar (23 September) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director of Region V declared that the agency has still to recover some 946 kilos of cocaine from the shores of Samar.
It will be recalled that in December, fisherfolks started discovering bricks of cocaine from the waters fronting E Samar.
As some did not know its contents, some turned the bricks to the police while some did not.
Apprehensions of cocaine bearers that proliferated in Manila, Cebu and even Bicol followed.
PDEA people have also been scouring the coastal barangays of Eastern Samar from San Policarpo, Oras, Llorente, Salcedo and other areas.
The recovered cocaine is part of the 1500 kilos of cocaine dumped by a foreign vessel in the seawaters of Eastern Samar in December.
Magsino said it was supposed to be delivered to China but because authorities detected the contraband, the ship disposed them in the Pacific Ocean and eventually washed away in the shores of Samar.
The PDEA official urged the help of the SIPPAD members to disseminate information to barangay folks to yield the cocaine in their possession to spare their children from the danger it poses.
When Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo Uy asked the retired general whether the cocaine seized from Ilocos Rep Ronald Singzon in Hongkong was from Samar, Magsino said yes.
As Task Force Commander of Samar Cocaine Magsino told the group that they will try to recover the dangerous cocaine to spare the country from the dangerous drugs. (PIA-Samar)
PNP strengthens implementation of Mandatory Helmet Law
Tacloban City (September 23) — The Philippine National Police will strictly implement the Mandatory Helmet Act of 2010 or RA 10054 that requires all motorcycle drivers and their passengers to wear helmets at all times and imposes stiff penalties on violators, PSInspector Ma. Bella B. Rentuaya, chief of the Police Community Relations Office of Tacloban City Police Office, informed.
Republic Act 10054 is aimed at protecting motorcycle drivers, back-riders as well as pedestrians from injuries and death in accidents.
The law also mandates that all motorcycle riders to wear helmets that passed the Government quality standards which bears the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) issued by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Further, children below ten years old are also not allowed to ride with their parents in a single motorcycle even with helmet and body protection since it may threaten or endanger the survival and normal development of the children under RA 7160 or the Child Protection Law.
Any person caught not wearing the standard protective motorcycle helmet will be punished with a fine of P1,500.00 for the first offense, P3,000.00 for the second offense, P5,000.00 for the third offense, and P10,000.00 plus confiscation of the driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding offenses.
The law requires the Department of Trade and Industry to conduct mandatory tests on all locally manufactured and imported motorcycle helmets in the country.
Manufacturers and importers of motorcycle helmets are also required to secure a Philippine Standard mark or an import commodity clearance before they can sell and distribute their products or pay a fine of P10,000 to P20,000 if they violate the provision.
Every seller and/or dealer should make available, every time a new motorcycle unit is purchased, a new motorcycle helmet that bears the Philippine Standard (PS) mark or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) of the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) and complies with the standards set by the BPS, which the purchaser may buy at his option.
From narrow streets to major thoroughfares, motorcycles and scooters are a common sight every day and night. Wearing helmets will greatly reduce fatalities in road accidents and would also (foster) a sense of discipline in all motorcycle riders.
There are an estimated 3.5 million motorcycles registered in the country. Studies have show that good helmets and their proper use are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain damage to motorcycle drivers and their passengers. (PIA
DOT 8 celebrates Tourism Week by reactivating tourism councils in Eastern Visayas
Tacloban City (September 23) — The Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas is currently fast tracking the reactivation of the various Tourism Councils in the Region, Director Karina Rosa Tiopes informed.
Director Tiopes disclosed that this is the DOT Region’s meaningful way of celebrating the National Tourism Week on September 21 ? 27, 2010 and the World Tourism Day on September 27 with the theme, “Tourism and Biodiversity.”
The Tourism Director said that the theme is in line with the International year of Biodiversity as announced by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
She added that the theme provides a unique opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity to tourism and the role of sustainable tourism in the conservation of life on Earth.
Director Tiopes explained that as a leading economic activity, sustainable tourism has an important role and responsibility in managing and conserving biological natural resources and at the same time, generate significant revenues for conservation and community development.
In Region 8, the Leyte Tourism Council and the Tacloban City Tourism Council used to be the only councils that were organized and functioning actively, Director Tiopes said.
Just recently, the Tourism Councils of the province of Biliran and the City of Ormoc were reorganized, Director Tiopes said.
Newly reorganized were the Tourism Councils of Maasin, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Baybay in Leyte.
Director Tiopes added that soon to be reorganized are the tourism councils of Southern Leyte, Borongan, Samar and Catbalogan, Director Tiopes informed.
After the reorganization of the tourism councils in all the six provinces of the Region, DOT will then reorganize the Eastern Visayas Regional Tourism Council, Director Tiopes said.
Chapter 1, Section 3 tab (j) of the Republic Act 9593 otherwise known as The Tourism Act of 2009, provides that one of the objectives of the State is to “strengthen the role of tourism councils and encourage the participation of non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs) and the private sector in initiating programs for tourism development and environmental protection.” (PIA
SSS Maasin collects P1.34-M, expects P1.96-M more from amnesty prgoram
By R.G. Cadavos
Maasin City, Southern Leyte (21 September) — A total of P1.34 million was collected by the Social Security System (SSS)- Maasin Branch from 161 employers who availed of the SSS premium penalty condonation program, Porferio A. Salidaga, Jr. SSS-Maasin Head, Field Inspectorate in his report to PIA.
“There were one hundred twenty six employers, or about 78 percent remitted P1.14 million in full payments, while thirty five employers, or about 22 percent remitted P0.2 million through installment scheme,? Salidaga disclosed in his report.
The 161 employers who availed of the said program is out of the 527 delinquent employers as of December 31, 2009, the last reckoning date in which premium penalty may be condoned, Salidaga revealed. The premium penalties for January 2010 and onwards are not covered by the condonation program, he added.
The SSS condonation program was pursuant to Republic Act No. 9903, otherwise known as Social Security Condonation Law of 2009 which was ended last August 2, 2010. Under the law, accrued penalties can be waived by the employers who settled in full all their arrears in contribution before February 2010, or those who settled partially their arrears in contribution before 2010 and will pay the balance through monthly installments up to 48 months.
Salidaga said that those who availed the installment basis scheme remitted a down payment of not less than 5 percent of its total contribution delinquency and were made to issue post-dated checks covering the remaining delinquencies.
Salidaga further disclosed that the SSS-Maasin Branch through the leadership of its Branch Head Rodrigo B. Gregana will continue to file cases against employers, who despite of the government’s condonation initiative, fail to fulfill their legal obligations.
Under the condonation law, delinquent employers will face an imprisonment up to 12 years, a maximum fine of P20,000 and a monthly penalty of 3 percent, as provided under Section 28 (e) of the Social Security Act of 1997. (PIA-soleyte)
Retailers asked to promote NFA iron fortified rice
By Ninfa B Quirante
Catbalogan, Samar (September 21) — The National Food Authority (NFA) Samar urged NFA rice retailers to explain to the consumers in the barangays the relevance of consuming Iron Fortified Rice (IFR).
As the retailers are gathered at the NFA office for some transactions, Ms Elma Cabrales demonstrated how to cook IFR and at the same time informing them of the law on food fortification.
“Republic Act 8976 defines that Food fortification is the addition of micronutrients to food items widely consumed by the public,” Cabrales started her talk with the law.
She added that: The law mandates the following to be fortified: Flour with Vitamin A and Iron; edible oil with Vitamin A; Sugar with Vitamin A; and Rice with Iron.
According to the Food and Research Institute (FNRI) The Food Fortification program aims to increase dietary intake of Vitamin A, Iron and Iodine equivalent to 50% of Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) contributed by fortified foods.
She then asked the retailers to explain to the consumers that the iron mix may taste different, but like the usual vitamins or medicines taken, which do not also taste that good, the people should utilize IFR.
Two retailers from Daram and Zumarraga (island towns) said that they would remove the yellow grains because the buying public dislike them.
The irony of it is that these yellow grains are the pre mixed iron fortificants.
One Catbalogan retailer however, did not share the observation of the duo. Clarita Isanan said that iron is good for the body and that she explains to her customers that they should not discard that part of the IFR.
Another retailer Barangay Chairman Romeo Nagpacani, Sr of Tayud, Villareal said that he also explains to his costumers the presence of iron in the rice and how it can help the body especially those malnourished.
As the rice was cooked; the retailers were asked to sample it and one of them was surprised, saying it did not look that bad and tastes much like the ordinary rice she patronize.
For Cabrales and NFA, that convert was an additional ally towards more IFR advocates.
NFA believes that the one week of the same activity could lead to a more ‘open’ perception for Iron Fortified rice.
The agency also vowed to seek the help of the media, teachers and the local nutrition councils in disseminating the information about the benefits of iron in the rice they consume.
If the retailers of Daram and Zumarraga changed their perception of the IFR, PIA was unable to observe, the best indicator would just be the volume of orders they soon would be getting from NFA on IFR. (PIA-Samar)
PNoy promises more jobs to come
Cebu City (20 September) — Pres. Benigno Aquino III in his speech with the 4Ps beneficiaries promised to bring more jobs to the country after his visit from the United States of America on September 21-25, 2010.
He explained to the assembly that this “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” or 4Ps is only a tool in giving support to the poor families who find difficulties in their way of living.
This program is an instrument for the beneficiaries to work harder in order to improve their ways of living through seminars and trainings as well, the President added.
He instructed the Department of Labor and Employment to help the students find a matching course that could uplift their lives in the future.
One of his top priorities in his administration is to give more opportunities to the poor by enhancing their skills and encouraging them to pursue their dreams for a better tomorrow. (PIA-7/HFG)
Pag-IBIG fund multi-sectoral forum set
Negros Occidental (20 September) — Stakeholders of Pag-IBIG Fund are being invited to participate in a Multi-Sectoral Forum to be held at the Sugarland Hotel along Araneta St. in Bacolod City this coming Sept. 24, 2010, Friday at 9:30 in the morning.
Representatives of various sugar planters associations, the media, accounting firms, bookkeepers, transport groups, sugar foundations, associations and cooperatives and professional groups are expected to attend the forum.
No registration fees shall be collected from the participants.
Various topics that include: R.A. 9679 or the universal membership coverage of the Fund and its implementing rules and regulations, updates on various savings and lending programs of the Fund, Pag-IBIG’s operational highlights as of August this year and other important issues will be discussed in the meeting.
No less than the Legal and General Counsel of Pag-IBIG Fund Atty. Robert John S. Cosico and the Pag-IBIG OIC for Visayas Group Vicky B. Dela Peña will serve as guest speakers during the aforesaid forum.
For more details, please contact the Bacolod Branch at tel. nos. 435-1129, 435-1137 to 40 local 106 care of. Mr. Wilmer B. Lirazan or visit the Bacolod Office at St. Francis Center in Araneta St., Singcang, Bacolod City. (Pag-IBIG/PIA/EAD)
