DepEd reiterates call for early enrollment for SY 2012-2013
by Lilibeth A. French
ILOILO CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA6) — The Department of Education has once again called on parents in the region to enlist their school-aged children for school year 2012-2013.
She said the documentary requirement for early registration is the birth certificate but if it is not yet available, it could be submitted later.
DepEd has declared January 28 this year as the early registration date for the school year 2012-2013 in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide.
Carrying the theme “Makapag-aral ay Karapatan Mo, Magpalista Ngayong Enero,” the early registration aims to achieve the Millennium Development Goals on Universalization of Primary Education and the objectives of the Education for All.
Specifically, it seeks to enlist all five year-old children in kindergarten and for six year-olds to enlist for Grade 1.
Also, it intends to guarantee enrollment of out-of-school children and out-of-school youth from the disadvantaged groups, indigenous people and street children ages five to 18 in their preferred education delivery system, either formal or alternative learning system.
The activity further aims to keep a record of the out-of-school children and youth with disabilities, ages 5 to 18 years old to provide them with appropriate education intervention.
It will also enable the central, regional and division of DepEd to prepare the Three Year Catch Up Plan in Basic Education from SY 2012-2013 to 2014-2015 in order to accommodate the registered learners.
Likewise, it will enable DepEd in collaboration with the local government units, barangay officials, parents-teachers associations, civil society or civic organizations and the business sector to make the necessary preparations and to address potential resource needs in time for the opening of classes in June. This move also aims to provide education interventions to prevent pupils and students from dropping out from school.
All children who were born on October 31, 2007 or earlier are eligible for early enrollment for Kindergarten while those born on October 31, 2006 or earlier, with or without Kindergarten experience, for Grade 1. (LAF/PIA6)
Bohol’s tarsiers now back in their natural habitat
by Hazel Gloria
CEBU CITY, Dec. 6 (PIA) — The once held captive and maltreated tarsiers or Tarsius Syrichta in Bohol are now back in their natural habitat in the towns of Corella and Sikatuna, Bohol.
The consultations were triggered by a report from the Tarsius Project of the Czech Republic, presented by Dr. Milada Petru.
Petru is a field zoologist from the Decin Zoo in the Czech Republic, who conducted a study on the tarsiers in Bohol, made possible thru a grant from the Czech Republic in 2009.
She pointed out how the shy, nocturnal animals that thrive in Bohol island are allegedly abused and cruelly mishandled.
The study found that tarsiers were living in appalling conditions with no space to hide and rest, poorly planted, noisy and open, and the behavioral rules on the proper handling and care of the animals were not followed.
DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said the tarsiers are subjected to stress since many visitors or tourists want to interact with them by day, disrupting their nocturnal lifestyle.
This contact alters their biological processes making them weak and vulnerable to diseases, he said.
Results of Petru’s study on the condition of Bohol’s tarsiers were submitted to Environment Secretary Ramon JP Paje who promptly ordered a moratorium on the issuance of wildlife farm permits (WFP) late last year.
Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatt and the local chief executives in the province, along with members of the Bohol Tourism Association, reportedly concurred and supported the findings of Dr. Petru.
After the consultations, an association by all Tarsier Centers was created, during which stakeholders agreed to transfer all the captive tarsiers into a 167-hectare Tarsier Conservation in Bohol.
The conservation site is manned by German Palapar of the Tarsier Centers Association with DENR-7 providing technical assistance.
According to Dichoso, tarsiers are classified as “near threatened” in the International Union on the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) List of Threatened Species, requiring adequate protection and conservation.
Prohibited acts include hunting, killing, wounding, collecting or possessing of Tarsier for commercial purposes and the destruction of its habitat.
“However, possession of the same for educational, scientific or conservation research may be allowed with DENR clearance or approval,” he said.
The Philippine Tarsier’s habitat is the second growth, secondary forest, and primary forest from sea level to 700 m (2,300 ft).
Its habitat also includes tropical rainforest with dense vegetation and trees that offer it protection like tall grasses, bushes and bamboo shoots.
Tarsiers prefer dense, low-level vegetation in secondary forests, with perching sites averaging 2 meters above the ground.
It is the smallest primate in the world and can be found in Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.
Meanwhile, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between DENR-7 represented by Dichoso and the Wings of Serenity, Inc. on November 21, 2011, for the establishment of a Tarsier breeding and research center in Bilar, Bohol.
Cemex Philippines and Conservation International also signed a MOA with DENR-7 to conduct research on Tarsiers within and outside Bohol.
With the transfer of Tarsiers, the conservation area has been collecting a daily income of P50,000 per day and tourists are now limited to observing and taking pictures. (PIA-7/HFG/RMN/DENR-7)
Negros Oriental gov to award P1-M to village with most trees planted
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 20 (PIA) — The village that grows the most number of trees under the pocket forest program conceived by Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo will receive P1 million from the provincial government.
The cash prize is aimed at further motivating communities to see to it that the planted trees are grown. “The cash award will also be used to implement environmental projects in the barangay,” said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo in a statement.
Early this year, the governor has allocated around P5.5 million for the creation of pocket forests in all 557 barangays across the province, with each village given P10,000 to undertake the project.
The mini-forest project is spurred by the governor’s aim of to protect and improve the environment in the province and as a local counterpart to the national government’s greening program. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
Capiz produces 100 liters of VCO a month
by Alex A. Lumaque
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, June 28 (PIA) -– Three virgin coconut oil (VCO) producers in the province continue to produce the product since the VCO demand hit the domestic and export markets five years ago.
Based on records by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) – Capiz, the top local VCO producers include the Capiz Small Coconut Farmers Marketing Cooperative (CASCOFAMCO) and two other enterprising Capiceños.
“These producers generate about 100 liters of VCO a month,” said PCA Provincial Coconut Development Manager Jeffrey de los Reyes.
He added that the production is basically for marketing in the local market “but some VCO users buy and bring it abroad.”
The natural oil is claimed to lower cholesterol, clean body toxins, strengthen the digestive system, manage diabetes, control allergy, and enhance immune system and metabolism.
It is also an effective cure for external body problems especially on skin disorders, among others.
Recently, Researchers of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) tested samples of VCO for trans fatty acid using the standard method of the American Oil Chemist Society (AOCS) and found that it contains very low trans fatty acid content which can be declared as “zero” based on the 2008 US FDA Food Labeling Guide.
The study showed that the moisture and the fatty acid content of the VCO were within the prescribed Philippine National Standard (PNS) set by the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (DA-BAFPS) while the cholesterol values were lower than the edible oils found in the market.
The study found that VCO contains mostly short and medium chain fatty acid, fifty percent of which is lauric acid. (JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz)
New Year in Aklan peaceful
KALIBO, Aklan, Jan. 2 (PIA) — The province of Aklan had a peaceful celebration of New Year’s Day with no reported casualties brought about by firecrackers injuries.
The zero casualty, according to Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, was brought about by the rigid campaign of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here on the proper lighting of firecrackers as well as in strictly reminding parents not to let their children light firecrackers.
The campaign of the DOH and the PHO on the use or lighting of firecrackers this New Year was focused on children, as statistics in the past showed children were mostly the victims of firecracker injuries.
In the early hours of the New Year, all public and private hospitals reported no case of firecracker injuries in their respective establishments.
Later in the day, there were firecracker victims brought to the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital, one hit in the face and the other hit in the hand, but both outpatient cases only.
Two fire incidents also figured in Boracay Island – 1 in the evening of January 1 and the other one, at daytime (Saturday), which were ably stopped by the Bureau of Fire Station in the island.
The investigation as to the cause of the two fires, according to BFP-Aklan in a radio interview, is ongoing.
In Malinao town, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is also investigating the case of a 7-year-old child who was hit in the elbow by a stray bullet at the height of the New Year celebration.
The case, according to SPO2 Patricio of the Malinao PNP, has been referred to the WCCD, as the victim was a minor.
Meanwhile, the PNP’s campaign against illegal firecrackers yielded confiscations from 13 towns, which were later drenched in drums of water.
The illegal firecrackers, according to the PNP, were composed of piccolo, whistle bomb and plapla. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)
Coco farming gains ground in Antique
San Jose, Antique (18 August) — For a province that considers agriculture as its major industry, coconut farming is a big boost in sustaining Antiqueño families income.
Of the total 252,200 hectares land area of the province, 21,481.61 hectares are planted with coconuts while 48,334 farmers are engaged in coconut farming.
Merlyn Teodoro, Manager Philippine Coconut Authority – Antique in an interview said coconut farming has become a lucrative business because of high prices of copra and other coconut by products are in demand in the market.
PCA data shows that in copra alone being the major product of coconut, Antique has an average yield of 14,906 metric tons per year at an average price of P 15.00 per kilo.
Other coconut by products said the source, includes shingles for roofing and cocolumber (for non-bearing senile coconuts) which is also in demand for construction.
Food products such as nata de coco, coconut candies, jam, bread, buko juice, pie and pastries and other local delicacies are also making money. More local entrepreneurs are engaged in coco-based food products because of its promising market demands.
Some community/people’s organizations also ventured in coco-based handicraft, personal and home accessories, gift items and even kitchen utensils. All these small scale business endeavors have brought in additional income for the family, said Teodoro.
This is apart from already established multi-national demands for coco products used in beauty care, cosmetics, alternative medicine, biofuel among others.
On the production aspect, the island municipality of Caluya has the largest area of coco farm in the province with an area of 8,138.08 hectares planted with 813,808 coconuts. Among the top 5 coconut producing towns in Antique are Pandan, Libertad, Hamtic and Sibalom.
Teodoro noted that the Participatory Coconut Planting Program (PCPP) of PCA has also help coco farmers in planting and growing of coconuts because it does not only ensure survival but also provide financial support for their families.
PCA Antique also promotes maximum use of coco farms like intercropping of fruit trees, bananas, vegetables and other plants suitable to be planted in between coconuts.
To ensure that coconuts are protected with indiscriminate cutting for lumber, PCA is strictly implementing its regulatory functions on cutting and selling of coco cumber.
On the otherhand, local government officials according to Teodoro are warned of the possible infestation of brontispa or coconut leaf beetle which has caused damaged to numerous coconut plantations nationwide. The towns in northern part of the province is particularly cautioned since there are cases that has been reported last year.
Teodoro in conclusion call on local government units to support the coconut industry in their locality to ensure sustainable and optimum use of coconuts as a valuable resource also known as “tree of life”. (PIA/psm)
Forest, village, sea project launches in Silay City
Bacolod City (22 June) — Forest, Village, Sea (“Mori-Sato-Umi”) a joint project of IKAW-AKO Japan-Negros Partnership for Environment Protection and the Silay City government was officially launched in Silay City recently.
The project will be locally called as “Parenting a Tree” which will cover river banks, mangrove areas, government land belonging to the integrated socialized forestry, and vacant lots of the Republic of the Philippines.
Japan International Cooperation Agency will be extending two million pesos assistance to the technical cooperation for grassroots projects on watershed reforestation and environmental education programs ? introduction of ecotourism.
The groups involved in the project are boy scouts, girl scouts, mangrove planters, ISF holders, students, barangay residents and environment groups.
Ver Pacete, tourism officer of Silay and Leo Canson, IKAW-AKO chairman in Silay, have been tasked to promote the area through ecotourism program which include sentimental journeys, nature camping, valley trekking, star gazing and horseback riding. (PIA/cad)
Public urged to recirculate coins
There is no coin shortage
By Rachelle M. Nessia
Dumaguete City (March 29) — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is urging the public to circulate coins and accept them as legal tender in the midst of the perceived shortage of coins in the country.
Nicasio Parco, Deputy Director of BSP here, in a recent forum said that there is no shortage of coins in the Philippines. “There is no problem in the coin supply but rather in its circulation,” he stressed.
There is P16.9 billion worth of coins circulating in the country as of December 31, 2009, or a total of 15.6 billion pieces.
Divina Salve, a research specialist at BSP here, pegs the ratio of the BSP-produced coins to the population at 187 per each Filipino as of the end of 2009.
Despite this, the perceived shortage of coins persists as “clearly the problem is not in the supply but in the circulation,” said Salve.
According to BSP’s website, the demand for coins remains unfilled in several parts of the country due to the low regard towards public lower-denominated coins and are kept inside bank vaults, piggy banks, inside drawers or thrown away or in video games and video karaoke machines
Salve stressed the need to flush out the coins in storage and for the public to cultivate a habit of regularly using coins in giving payments and exact change.
It costs several millions of pesos for BSP’s Mint Refinery and Operations Department to mint a fresh supply of coins.
“If the coins continue to be poorly circulated, BSP will be forced to produce more coins and this is very costly,” said Salve.
Local businesses have responded to BSP’s call to circulate coins, one of which is Super Lee Plaza wherein the department store’s employees were given P6 for every P5 worth of coins they turned over to the management.
Meanwhile, BSP is also encouraging the public to immediately report persons who are involved in defacing/mutilating and smuggling of Philippine coins, both of which are criminal acts under Presidential Decree 247. (PIA/RMN)
Rest in peace
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 4, 2009) – A crew of the Forest Lake Memorial Garden assist the laying down of one of the eight local journalists who were interred Friday, December 4. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Final Blessing
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 4, 2009) – A priest gives his final blessing Friday, December 4, at the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage church to the remains of journalists who were victims of the Maguindanao massacre two weeks ago. Mediamen Ian Subang, Marites Cablitas, Marie Fe Montano, Gina Dela Cruz, Leah Dalmacio, Ronnie Perante, Robillo Bataluna and Russell Morales, all from General Santos City, were interred at the Forest Lake Memorial Garden. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
