NSO reveals importance of social security statistics
by Alice Nicart
CATBALOGAN City, Samar, October 19 (PIA) -– Mr. Romeo Bagatbat, Provincial Statistician, this province, averred that it is important that statistical information is known and appreciated by all sectors of society.
According to him, the annual observance of NSM is an excellent way of explaining why statistical knowledge is necessary and it also promotes and enhances the country’s awareness on the value of statistics.
He added that NSM is not only celebrated by NSO but by the rest of the government agencies as well as the private sectors and the academe because all of them need statistical information from which decisions are based.
“NSO is the agency tasked by government to generate general-purpose statistics from censuses, surveys and administrative records but the rest of agencies and sectors need these data and figures,” the Provincial Statistician said.
He added that this year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Quality Social Protection Statistics for Focused Targeting: Improving Outcomes, Changing Lives” and following are some samples of social security statistics that he shared. 1) A total of 56,092 disadvantaged children in the Philippines were served by DSWD in various regions in 2008 compared to 47,356 in 2007. 2) Child abuse cases served in the Philippines dropped by 7.3% from 7,228 to 6,701 in 2008 and 3) Of the total 2,362 children in conflict with the law (CICL) 55.2% or 1,304 were served in the community based programs while 44.8% or 1,058 were served in centers or institutions.
As he addressed his message to the students gathered for the quiz, Gabatbat likewise thanked the Department of Education, Samar Division for demonstrating their unwavering support in enhancing public awareness of the value of statistics in national development.(PIA-Samar/Alice Nicart)
P-Noy’s economic managers to convene in Cebu for PHL economic briefing
by Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, Oct. 17 (PIA) — Economic managers in the country will convene in Cebu for the Philippine Economic Briefing on November 4 to update the public on the latest developments and initiatives under the Aquino Administration to fast track economic progress.
Under the theme “The Philippines: Reaching for Investment Grade through Good Governance,” it will focus on communicating the government’s initiatives towards good economic governance.
A press conference will follow right after the briefing. (PIA-Cebu)
PNoy says P72-B stimulus package to boost economy
MANILA, Oct. 12 (PIA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III unveiled on Wednesday a P72-billion stimulus package designed to protect the country from the “economic turbulence” being experienced by the United States and European economies.
The stimulus package includes funding of relocation settlement for informal settlers in hazardous areas, P10 billion; support fund for local government units, P6.5 billion; government infrastructure projects, P5.5 billion; and MRT and LRT systems in Metro Manila, P4.5 billion and P1.868 billion, respectively.
“The great thing is this: we’re not borrowing any additional money to fund these projects,” Aquino said.
He added that the funds will come from government savings, and “from the existing borrowing program.”
The president said the government adopted the stimulus package to promote economic growth and to see to it that its effects would be felt by as many Filipinos as possible amid economic uncertainties abroad.
Aquino spoke before members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines this morning at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati City. (JCM/JSC/PIA6)
DTI reiterates warning vs cheap, substandard Christmas lights
TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, October 8 (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry in Eastern Visayas, warned the public anew from buying cheap and substandard Christmas lights as these may become more costly in the long run because of the danger these may pose to lives and property.
As the “brrr” months have entered signaling the Christmas Season, the DTI also have started airing the warning as it continues to alert the public about the danger of buying substandard products.
“When you buy Christmas lights, always look for the Philippine Standards (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks,” Mr. Cinco said.
He added that the consumers must only buy Christmas lights that have been checked by the government.
Christmas lights are regulated products, Mr. Cinco disclosed. Under the Product Certification Scheme of the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS), a regulated product or a product that is covered by the mandatory certification, is submitted to the BPS Testing Center or any BPS-recognized laboratory for a series of tests, prior to distribution or sale in the market.
Mr. Cinco underscored that only manufacturers and importers whose products pass the safety and quality requirements of a specific standard are issued with a PS License for locally-made products and the ICC Certification for imported products. The “PS” and “ICC” marks on the products ensure that the same are safe to use.
These requirements, Mr. Cinco said, are based on Republic Act 4109 (Standards Law), and Department Administrative Order (DAO) 01:1997 and DAO 05:2001, which require manufacturers and importers or distributors of these products to secure the PS License and ICC Certificate.
Christmas lights that were not inspected according to PNS 189:2000 may not satisfy the four mandatory requirements for ball pressure, torque, temperature rise, and wire tests, which may bring electric shock and overheating that will lead to fire resulting to loss of properties and lives.
Mr. Cinco also advised consumers to check on the wires and plugs of Christmas lights. A DTI-certified Christmas light has a wire with outside diameter size of 1.5mm and the pin of the plug should not be easily bent.
Mr. Cinco added that regular monitoring of mandatory products eradicates the pervasive sale of critical substandard products in the market at the same time safeguard consumers from unfair trade practices.
He also urged consumers to be vigilant and to report to the nearest DTI office in their respective areas any businessmen or establishment selling substandard products. (PIA 
DA-8 targets rabies-free East Visayas by 2013
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 11 (PIA) -– The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 8 is currently implementing the Rabies Elimination Project with the end-in-view of zero rabies incidence of rabies for Eastern Visayas by the year 2013.
The leading sponsoring organization of this undertaking is the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which provided financial assistance for rabies prevention and control in animals. The anti-rabies project provides free vaccines for dogs, Dr. Orsua said.
As of August 2011, the Department of Agriculture has already vaccinated 63,222 or 21.67% of the 204,531 target dog population.
This year, seven human rabies cases have been reported in Region 8, mostly coming from Samar province. The good news, however, is that the implementation of the anti-rabies program resulted to a positive outcome as the rate of rabies case in the region has declined since 2008.
In the Philippines, the project includes only the Visayas group of islands covering 25% of the total number of animal rabies cases, 28% of the total cases of human rabies, and 27% of animal bites in the entire country based on the 2006 annual rabies report.
Three of the 17 administrative regions of the country particularly Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas; 16 provinces and 31 cities of the country’s 82 provinces, and 117 cities are the pilot areas for this project. The project serves almost 19% of the country’s human population (with 17 million inhabitants in the area) and an estimated 2 million dogs.
Although the ultimate goal of these programs is to achieve local prevention of human rabies through the elimination of canine rabies from all sites within a 5-year period, the overall project is designed to be extended into neighboring regions and countries in an effort to achieve regional and international success towards broader canine rabies elimination.
Provincial and city government units in the region implement current rabies control methods like massive dog vaccination, dog neutering and impounding activities, training of barangay tanods on dog catching techniques, and public events such as dog walk, rabies symposiums in schools, organizing Bantay Rabis sa Barangay (BRB), radio guestings, and distribution of IEC materials on rabies.
The regional office has been proactive and in full support of local government units in their activities related to rabies prevention and control by allocating funds to facilitate the said programs, Dr. Orsua further said. (PIA
Juvenile Justice Act needs to be amended, PNP-7 says
by Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) — As more crimes today are being committed by minors. top police officials here admitted that some provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act (JJA) of 2006 should be amended.
The law likewise exempts children above 15 years old but below 18 years from criminal liability unless proven that he or she has acted with discernment.
Commendador said certain provisions of the law need to be carefully studied of which the critical factor is the age limit.
“On our part, we do our job in law enforcement and apprehend the criminal. But in this case, when the criminal concern is a minor, we are duty bound to release him or her because the law exempts these juvenile offenders from criminal liability,” said Commendador.
Commendador, who used to be the chief of the Cebu City Police Office, said that in 2007, 62 percent of the crimes in Cebu City were committed by minors.
Although the CPPO director said the law is good, certain provisions just have to be amended if we are to maintain and improve peace and order.
S/Supt. Rey Lawas, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office (PRO) -7 likewise agreed again citing the age limit as well as the mandate of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to rehabilitate erring juveniles.
“Under the law, the juvenile offenders are turned over to the DSWD for rehabilitation in a halfway house. But the agency has no money to operate a halfway house while the law also specified that local government units should establish their own halfway house to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents. Again, this is not done because of lack of budget on the side of the local government units which now presents a problem to the police who does the enforcement,” Lawas stressed.
Lawas said the law needs to be amended to include the provisions for budget as well.
Both Commendador and Lawas said they are in favor on the move of Cebu Rep. Pablo John Garcia of the 2nd District to seek amendments to the law.
Garcia who filed a bill in Congress seeking to amend the JJA expressed confidence that it will be passed before yearend. In his bill, the lawmaker proposed that minors who commit the crime even at the age of 12 can be arrested and be put to prison as well as be charged in court while those above 15 years old but below 18 years of age are considered youthful offenders and can be charged in court. If convicted, their sentence is suspended and they will be referred to DSWD for intervention programs, this is reported.
The offender will be released once he or she reaches the age of 21 upon recommendation of the DSWD. In case another crime is committed by the same erring juvenile, their sentence will be enforced, this is learned. (PIA-Cebu)
PNP Biliran donates blood
by Flor Jackson
NAVAL, Biliran, Oct. 7(PIA) – Twenty six bags of fresh blood were donated by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Biliran Provincial Office led by Police Senior Superintendent Alfredo Sabornido during the blood letting on Thursday, October 6 which was conducted right at the provincial camp in Brgy. Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran.
This was bared by Police Officer I Venus Abrigo of the PNP Biliran Police Community Relations in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Biliran Provincial Office.
She said, actually, there were more than 30 volunteer blood donors from the PNP provincial command including the 4th year Criminology students of the Naval State University (NSU) assigned in the unit as on-the-job trainees who submitted for screening before the actual extraction of blood, however, only 26 of them were found fit and qualified to donate blood.
Of the 26 volunteer blood donors, 16 were PNP men and 10 were criminology students.
The volunteer blood donors were examined by Dr. Fernando Montejo, Municipal Health Officer (MHO) of Naval, Biliran to ensure they were fit to donate blood.
The blood donors were also made to answer a three-page questionnaire to evaluate their qualifications to donate blood to be added to the stock of fresh blood of the Biliran Provincial Hospital blood bank.
The series of blood letting scheduled by the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Naval has resumed starting today, October 6, after it was temporarily stopped due to the preparations of the Naval fiesta in October 1, 2011.
In today’s blood letting which is a half-day affair only, PIA-Biliran, being one of the coordinating agencies to the activity could not join the group because the schedule was in conflict with the regular Kaiphan sa PIA forum which is held every Thursday.
The blood letting conducted by RHU-Naval is in line with the National Voluntary Blood Donation Program of the government carrying the theme “Dugo Mo, Buhay Ko”. (FJ/PIA 8 Biliran)
DOTC earmarks additional funds for WV ports, facilities
by Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
ILOILO CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) — The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has earmarked P347.2 million to upgrade ports and related facilities in Western Visayas this year according to Assistant Secretary Ildefonso Patdu, Jr.
He added that DOTC will pour in more funds amounting to P1.04 billion in 2012.
Speaking on behalf of DOTC Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II at the recent quarterly meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) chaired by Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr. here, Patdu said the upgrading projects will cover the airports in Iloilo, Bacolod-Silay in Negros Occ., Roxas City in Capiz and Kalibo in Aklan.
These will also involve the seaports in these areas as well as in other provinces of the region.
Part of the funds allocated for projects this year will go to the upgrading and construction of buildings of the Land Transportation Office LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
In particular, the facilities of the Iloilo Airport that will be improved are the check-in and arrival areas and cargo terminal. This is part of the preparations for any international flights entitlements that would be directed to the airport in line with the “open skies policy” of the government.
The national government now has air service agreements with foreign airlines which have separate entitlements for points outside of Manila including Iloilo.
These outside points are intended for the use of foreign carriers from Palau, Macau, the Netherlands, Cambodia, Qatar, Thailand, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Turkey Bahrain, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, and Hongkong.
Patdu said that foreign carriers can be liberally granted access to Iloilo Airport with the issuance of Executive Order No. 29 on the “open skies policy”.
It will be recalled that the government has adopted the “open skies policy” by virtue of Executive Order No. 29 signed by President Aquino signed in March of this year. The policy liberalizes the country’s secondary airports other than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by allowing more foreign carriers to fly and bring in more tourists. The open skies scheme is also expected to boost Philippine international trade. (JCM/JSC/PIA6)
Bacolod City, BFAR launches artificial reef project
BACOLOD CITY, September 27 (PIA) — The artificial reef project of the city government, in cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, was launched recently at Barangay Punta Taytay in Bacolod City.
The project aimed to provide alternative fishing areas for fishermen and to allow the degraded coastal reefs to grow and regenerate. In the long run, this will increase coastal productivity.
The launch was attended by officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Fisheries Office Carlito Delfin, Bacolod Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez, chair of committee on agriculture and fisheries, Dino Rafael of BFAR R-6, Erwin Ilaya, OIC, CRM section, BFAR R-6, Barangay Captain Rufino Alcala and other barangay officials.*(PIO/CAD/JCM/PIA6)
Naval holds people’s day
NAVAL, Biliran, Sept 26 (PIA) -– The municipality of Naval in Biliran province held a People’s Day at the municipal grounds as one of the highlights in celebration of the 151st Pueblo Day of the town on Monday, September 26, 2011.
A space was provided at the municipal grounds where Navaleños who may need the services of the agencies concerned could approach them for help.
Part also of the activities of the People’s Day was the free haircut for the Navaleños who went to the town’s grounds to enjoy the celebration, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hair stylists involved in this activity did not only perform hairstyling and haircut, but they also demonstrated, and gave instructions to on-lookers who were interested to learn the skill.
Likewise, free manicure and pedicure were offered at the People’s Day. Men and women swarmed the venue where the activity was conducted, to avail of the free service.
The session hall at the 2nd floor of the Naval town hall was used for those who availed of the free body massage done by blind masseurs. Although the body massage was free, but donations were welcome as a help to the association of the group of blind masseurs in the area.
The suman festival and the suman eating contest were also part of the People’s Day fun, where different styles of preparation of the balintawak suman were on display at the agro-industrial fair for sale at low price.
The participants to the suman eating contest were delighted to eat as many suman as they could consume during the contest. The winners were given prizes and certificates of participation.
The activities of the 151st Pueblo Day celebration of Naval will be capped with the Employees and Barangay Night dubbed as “Pueblo Night” at 7:00 o’clock tonight at the Naval gymnasium. (FJ/PIA 8 Biliran)
