Tuklasin Natin Adverts
Tuklasin Natin Adverts
Friday, January 28, 2011
FOR A UNITED QC AGAINST CRIME SYNDICATES
Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista joins QC Police District director P/CSupt. Benjardi Mantele, representatives from QC-based car dealers and QC department heads as they made a pledge of commitment supporting efforts to further improve the city’s crime resolution and efficiency rate during a press conference organized by the city’s public affairs and information services office and the office of city administrator Victor Endriga (4th from left) at the QC Hall Bulwagan. During the press conference, Mayor Bautista announced that the city government would require all establishment owners in the city to install closed-circuit television cameras inside and outside their premises to minimize crime incidence in the city, especially carnapping and kidnapping cases.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO
Media Statement on the Recent Dialogue between the Palace and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Reproductive Health Bill
Being one of the leading proponents of the much maligned yet popularly accepted reproductive health bill, the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) cannot just be silent and remain in the back seat as the excitement on the issue unfold before us.
Following reports on the result of the recent second dialogue between the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Palace, we are happy to know that the Palace has remained steadfast in its earlier position to support reproductive health despite strong lobby coming from the influential anti-RH force.
PLCPD is thankful to the President for holding on to the principles of responsible parenthood. We are glad that P-Noy did not abandon the pact he made with the Filipino people under his “Social Contract with the Filipino People.” During the elections, CBCP dumped P-Noy and made outright endorsements of his rivals, still the Filipino people voted for him, believing that he can be an agent of change.
We are equally happy that P-Noy and his cabinet, despite all the pressures, chose to make responsible parenthood/reproductive health (RP/RH) bill one of the priority bills up for certification. This is already a clear indication that P-Noy will walk his talk as far as RP/RH bill is concerned.
PLCPD stands firm that reproductive health bills pending in Congress contains the same principles that the Palace has presented after its last meeting with CBCP. Indeed, a law on reproductive health is an important component to address poverty. Again, we say, never was the reproductive health bill designed to impose population growth target.
While we remain confident that P-Noy will remain firm on his position, we strongly urge him to certify the bill as urgent, now. We do not want the Filipino people to suffer the repercussion if the enactment of the bill will be delayed for another year or for another Congress. -30- RAMON SAN PASCUAL, MPH Executive Director, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD)
Following reports on the result of the recent second dialogue between the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Palace, we are happy to know that the Palace has remained steadfast in its earlier position to support reproductive health despite strong lobby coming from the influential anti-RH force.
PLCPD is thankful to the President for holding on to the principles of responsible parenthood. We are glad that P-Noy did not abandon the pact he made with the Filipino people under his “Social Contract with the Filipino People.” During the elections, CBCP dumped P-Noy and made outright endorsements of his rivals, still the Filipino people voted for him, believing that he can be an agent of change.
We are equally happy that P-Noy and his cabinet, despite all the pressures, chose to make responsible parenthood/reproductive health (RP/RH) bill one of the priority bills up for certification. This is already a clear indication that P-Noy will walk his talk as far as RP/RH bill is concerned.
PLCPD stands firm that reproductive health bills pending in Congress contains the same principles that the Palace has presented after its last meeting with CBCP. Indeed, a law on reproductive health is an important component to address poverty. Again, we say, never was the reproductive health bill designed to impose population growth target.
While we remain confident that P-Noy will remain firm on his position, we strongly urge him to certify the bill as urgent, now. We do not want the Filipino people to suffer the repercussion if the enactment of the bill will be delayed for another year or for another Congress. -30- RAMON SAN PASCUAL, MPH Executive Director, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD)
PROUD LAND OWNERS
A total of 2,989 agrarian reform beneficiaries of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, covering 3,238 hectares of farmland, proudly wave their certificate of land ownership awards (CLOAs) during the CLOA distribution rites held recently at the Las Nieves Municipal Gym in Agusan del Norte.-30- Pinky, DAR-PAS
QC STARTS COMMONWEALTH CRACKDOWN ON JAYWALKING, TRAFFIC VIOLATORS
Quezon City government has warned pedestrians and motorists on Commonwealth Avenue to strictly observe traffic laws and ordinances, especially on jaywalking and overspeeding, to avoid arrest and payment of fines.
Department of public order and safety (DPOS) chief and former QC Police District director Elmo San Diego said that the city government, on orders of Mayor Herbert Bautista, is now strictly implementing City Ordinance No. SP-282, S-95, otherwise known as the anti-jaywalking ordinance, and the 60-kilometer per hour speed limit on the 12.4 kilometer Commonwealth Avenue .
San Diego said that DPOS and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel will be stationed on the Philcoa to Fairview stretch every day to monitor and apprehend violators of the laws.
He said that the strict enforcement of traffic laws is meant to prevent road mishaps due to driver’s error and pedestrians’ failure to use the appropriate road crossing facilities like the pedestrian overpasses.
Based on DPOS data, there were 124 accidents reported on Commonwealth Avenue for 2010, where most of the victims were killed.
“We are strictly implementing the law to maintain orderliness on the streets as well as to protect and secure the lives of everyone especially QC residents. This is one of our duties as public servants that we must uphold and continue to execute without fear or favor,” the DPOS Chief said.
Earlier, the DPOS during the first day implementation of 60-kilometer per hour speed limit along Commonwealth had already apprehended 27 pedestrians for jaywalking and 42 erring drivers for various traffic violations and 1 for illegal towing.
The number of apprehension was aside from the MMDA-monitored traffic violations under the “no-contact policy” which reportedly reached 300.
Under the no-contact policy, erring motorists caught on tape will receive a notice from the MMDA containing the information on his/her violation such as the time, date and place where the alleged traffic violation was committed, the corresponding fine and a still photo taken from the video showing the driver in the act of violations of traffic rules.
The new traffic scheme allows violators to pay their fine a week after the commission of the traffic violation. If they fail to do so, they will receive a second notice and if they are still not able to settle the case, their names will be placed on the alarm list of the Land Transportation Office and their driver’s license and vehicle registration papers will not be renewed.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO
Department of public order and safety (DPOS) chief and former QC Police District director Elmo San Diego said that the city government, on orders of Mayor Herbert Bautista, is now strictly implementing City Ordinance No. SP-282, S-95, otherwise known as the anti-jaywalking ordinance, and the 60-kilometer per hour speed limit on the 12.4 kilometer Commonwealth Avenue .
San Diego said that DPOS and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel will be stationed on the Philcoa to Fairview stretch every day to monitor and apprehend violators of the laws.
He said that the strict enforcement of traffic laws is meant to prevent road mishaps due to driver’s error and pedestrians’ failure to use the appropriate road crossing facilities like the pedestrian overpasses.
Based on DPOS data, there were 124 accidents reported on Commonwealth Avenue for 2010, where most of the victims were killed.
“We are strictly implementing the law to maintain orderliness on the streets as well as to protect and secure the lives of everyone especially QC residents. This is one of our duties as public servants that we must uphold and continue to execute without fear or favor,” the DPOS Chief said.
Earlier, the DPOS during the first day implementation of 60-kilometer per hour speed limit along Commonwealth had already apprehended 27 pedestrians for jaywalking and 42 erring drivers for various traffic violations and 1 for illegal towing.
The number of apprehension was aside from the MMDA-monitored traffic violations under the “no-contact policy” which reportedly reached 300.
Under the no-contact policy, erring motorists caught on tape will receive a notice from the MMDA containing the information on his/her violation such as the time, date and place where the alleged traffic violation was committed, the corresponding fine and a still photo taken from the video showing the driver in the act of violations of traffic rules.
The new traffic scheme allows violators to pay their fine a week after the commission of the traffic violation. If they fail to do so, they will receive a second notice and if they are still not able to settle the case, their names will be placed on the alarm list of the Land Transportation Office and their driver’s license and vehicle registration papers will not be renewed.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO
QC GOV’T URGED TO ESTABLISH BIG DISTRICT LIBRARIES
Students, book lovers, and researchers need not go to the main library at Quezon City Hall if a proposed resolution filed by a neophyte lady councilor would be approved.
Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla of the city’s second district proposed that the city government construct public libraries, the same with the main library, in every district.
According to a survey conducted by the Quezon City Public Library, 77% of the users of the library are students, mostly coming from different public schools in the city. Students who avail of the services at the city public library sometimes have to suffer the additional burden of transportation expenses and time going to the library from their residence.
To increase the access of students and researcher to libraries, the councilor proposed a resolution establishing public library in every district in Quezon City. The establishment of district public libraries will be useful not only to students but to all the constituents in their respective areas, she said.
Councilor Medalla also noted that small libraries in some districts and barangays may not be able to cope with the growing number of library users every year.
At present, there are 19 libraries in Quezon City, including the main library at city hall.
The proposed resolution is in conjunction with the program of the QC Public Library (QCPL) to encourage students and children to read books. Since last year, the QCPL has been conducting puppet shows to catch the attention of students to read books who visit QC libraries in Novaliches, Horseshoe, Escopa II, Project 7, Project 8, Project 4, Payatas and Roxas. The QCPL has 48,000 books available to those who visit the main library and its branches.
Awarded as “The Most Outstanding Public Library of the National Capital Region in 2000,” the Quezon City Public Library serves more than 500 clients every day, most of which are high school students.
Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla of the city’s second district proposed that the city government construct public libraries, the same with the main library, in every district.
According to a survey conducted by the Quezon City Public Library, 77% of the users of the library are students, mostly coming from different public schools in the city. Students who avail of the services at the city public library sometimes have to suffer the additional burden of transportation expenses and time going to the library from their residence.
To increase the access of students and researcher to libraries, the councilor proposed a resolution establishing public library in every district in Quezon City. The establishment of district public libraries will be useful not only to students but to all the constituents in their respective areas, she said.
Councilor Medalla also noted that small libraries in some districts and barangays may not be able to cope with the growing number of library users every year.
At present, there are 19 libraries in Quezon City, including the main library at city hall.
The proposed resolution is in conjunction with the program of the QC Public Library (QCPL) to encourage students and children to read books. Since last year, the QCPL has been conducting puppet shows to catch the attention of students to read books who visit QC libraries in Novaliches, Horseshoe, Escopa II, Project 7, Project 8, Project 4, Payatas and Roxas. The QCPL has 48,000 books available to those who visit the main library and its branches.
Awarded as “The Most Outstanding Public Library of the National Capital Region in 2000,” the Quezon City Public Library serves more than 500 clients every day, most of which are high school students.
QC MULLS DISTRICT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Children with Special Needs (CSNs) in Quezon City must enjoy equal opportunities with ordinary children in the city by providing facilities that cater to their particular needs like district centers for special education (SPED).
For the benefit of the CSNs, Councilor Jullienne Alyson Rae V. Medalla filed a proposed resolution mandating the city government to establish at least one Special Education (SPED) District Center for each of the city’s four districts to enable children with special needs to fully develop their abilities, talents, and interests.
According to Medalla, a SPED center is a great avenue for CNS to fully develop their abilities to enable them to become more responsible citizens and effective partners of society.
Recently, by virtue of an ordinance approved by the city council on April 2, 2010, Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista ordered the creation of the Special Children’s Board to protect and promote the well being of CSNs in the city.
Ordinance SP-1995, S-2009 provides for the establishment of a sustainable program for special children in the city to ensure that they will have the benefits that an ordinary student enjoys.
Bautista directed the establishment of special coordinating day care centers to make sure that accessible education will be provided to the CSNs and to ensure that a sustainable program for children with disabilities is developed.
An over-all accounting of all special children in Quezon City is to be undertaken in order to determine the CSN head counts and to assess the proportionate student-teacher ratio, and to hire more SPED teachers if needed to fit the total number of CSNs in the city.
Members of the Special Children’s Board include representatives from Social Services Development Department, Public Affairs and Information Services Office, Division of City Schools, Recognized Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and Chairman of the Committee on Education of the City Council.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO
For the benefit of the CSNs, Councilor Jullienne Alyson Rae V. Medalla filed a proposed resolution mandating the city government to establish at least one Special Education (SPED) District Center for each of the city’s four districts to enable children with special needs to fully develop their abilities, talents, and interests.
According to Medalla, a SPED center is a great avenue for CNS to fully develop their abilities to enable them to become more responsible citizens and effective partners of society.
Recently, by virtue of an ordinance approved by the city council on April 2, 2010, Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista ordered the creation of the Special Children’s Board to protect and promote the well being of CSNs in the city.
Ordinance SP-1995, S-2009 provides for the establishment of a sustainable program for special children in the city to ensure that they will have the benefits that an ordinary student enjoys.
Bautista directed the establishment of special coordinating day care centers to make sure that accessible education will be provided to the CSNs and to ensure that a sustainable program for children with disabilities is developed.
An over-all accounting of all special children in Quezon City is to be undertaken in order to determine the CSN head counts and to assess the proportionate student-teacher ratio, and to hire more SPED teachers if needed to fit the total number of CSNs in the city.
Members of the Special Children’s Board include representatives from Social Services Development Department, Public Affairs and Information Services Office, Division of City Schools, Recognized Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and Chairman of the Committee on Education of the City Council.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO
PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR CAMP PAG-IBIG 2011
The Quezon City Government is once again playing host to the annual day camp for children with special needs.
Already, preparations have attracted additional participants and initiatives of support for the event. Camp Pag-ibig 2011 will be held on February 12 and 13 at the Balara Filter grounds in District III, Quezon City .
The city government has been hosting the Camp Pag-ibig for the last 19 years to spread the gift of love to children with special needs.
Camp Pag-ibig organizers are expecting about 2,000 participants this year, to represent various school divisions in the National Capital Region and the city schools division of Antipolo, Rizal.
Mayor Herbert Bautista has assured camp organizers of his full support. He considers the yearly undertaking as vital in providing children with special needs the opportunities to integrate and socialize with the community.
The Mayor, who is the honorary camp director for Camp Pag-ibig 2011, is set to keynote the affair, which serves as one of the highlights of the celebration of the National Mental Intellectual Disability Week from February 12 to 18.
Congressman Jorge “Bolet” Banal, Jr. is this year’s camp director.
Aside from the traditional outdoor camping activities, participants in this year’s Camp Pag-ibig will be treated to a musical concert featuring various Filipino rock and acoustic performers. There will also be a search for a most talented camper.
Camp Pag-ibig, which came into being in 1976 with only a handful of supporters, can now boast of a broad network of benefactors, which include the Quezon City government, QC Capitol Jaycees, Philippine Association for the Retarded, QC social services development department, Department of Education, Bureau of Elementary Education and Manila Water.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO.
Already, preparations have attracted additional participants and initiatives of support for the event. Camp Pag-ibig 2011 will be held on February 12 and 13 at the Balara Filter grounds in District III, Quezon City .
The city government has been hosting the Camp Pag-ibig for the last 19 years to spread the gift of love to children with special needs.
Camp Pag-ibig organizers are expecting about 2,000 participants this year, to represent various school divisions in the National Capital Region and the city schools division of Antipolo, Rizal.
Mayor Herbert Bautista has assured camp organizers of his full support. He considers the yearly undertaking as vital in providing children with special needs the opportunities to integrate and socialize with the community.
The Mayor, who is the honorary camp director for Camp Pag-ibig 2011, is set to keynote the affair, which serves as one of the highlights of the celebration of the National Mental Intellectual Disability Week from February 12 to 18.
Congressman Jorge “Bolet” Banal, Jr. is this year’s camp director.
Aside from the traditional outdoor camping activities, participants in this year’s Camp Pag-ibig will be treated to a musical concert featuring various Filipino rock and acoustic performers. There will also be a search for a most talented camper.
Camp Pag-ibig, which came into being in 1976 with only a handful of supporters, can now boast of a broad network of benefactors, which include the Quezon City government, QC Capitol Jaycees, Philippine Association for the Retarded, QC social services development department, Department of Education, Bureau of Elementary Education and Manila Water.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
100 WHEELCHAIRS FOR QC PWDs
Quezon City Councilor Dorothy Delarmente will distribute some 100 wheelchairs as a special Valentine gift to the city’s underprivileged disabled residents in the first district.
Councilor Delarmente, a doctor by profession, has partnered with her fraternity brothers from the Phi Kappa Mu of the University of the Philippines’ College of Medicine, to facilitate the distribution of the free wheelchairs, which will also serve as the councilor’s Valentine gift to the city’s disabled constituents.
The turnover ceremony, which will be held on February 12, will be highlighted by an advocacy walk from Philcoa to the QC Hall Risen Garden grounds. The activity will also have as participants previous beneficiaries of the program.
The lady councilor expressed optimism that the project shall serve as an effective venue to increase the level of public awareness on the plight of persons with disabilities in the city that they, too, need to be empowered to ensure their successful integration into the mainstream of national growth and development.
Last year, the fraternity, under its flagship project “Empowerment Through Mobility,” also provided similar donations to Quezon City.
Aside from QC, the UP-PGH based fraternity will also be providing wheelchairs to other local government units as well as hospitals and non-government organizations around the country.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO.
Councilor Delarmente, a doctor by profession, has partnered with her fraternity brothers from the Phi Kappa Mu of the University of the Philippines’ College of Medicine, to facilitate the distribution of the free wheelchairs, which will also serve as the councilor’s Valentine gift to the city’s disabled constituents.
The turnover ceremony, which will be held on February 12, will be highlighted by an advocacy walk from Philcoa to the QC Hall Risen Garden grounds. The activity will also have as participants previous beneficiaries of the program.
The lady councilor expressed optimism that the project shall serve as an effective venue to increase the level of public awareness on the plight of persons with disabilities in the city that they, too, need to be empowered to ensure their successful integration into the mainstream of national growth and development.
Last year, the fraternity, under its flagship project “Empowerment Through Mobility,” also provided similar donations to Quezon City.
Aside from QC, the UP-PGH based fraternity will also be providing wheelchairs to other local government units as well as hospitals and non-government organizations around the country.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO.
QC HALL WANTS NO CROWDS, TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN AREA IN FRONT OF CHANNEL 5
The Quezon City government ordered the city police to clear the sidewalks and streets of Quirino Highway of traffic obstructions, especially the area fronting ABC 5 at Barangay San Bartolome, which was reportedly being used as an extension studio of avid followers of the network’s Willing Willie program.
The order came after the office of QC secretary to the mayor, Tadeo Palma, received numerous traffic complaints from motorists adversely affected by the daily convergence in the area of regular watchers of the show hosted daily by controversial television personality Willie Revillame from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Palma said the city government is also considering revoking the business permit of the show once it failed to follow the city’s public safety requirement, which he said, was also aimed at protecting the safety of the crowd, who usually form long queues just to gain entry to Revillame’s game show. The show’s main attraction is the daily giving away of millions of pesos of cash prizes as well as cars and house and lots.
“Simula po ngayon, mahigpit pong ipinagbabawal ng pamahalaang lungsod ang pagpila o pag-istambay sa kahabaan ng Quirino Highway,” Palma said in his instruction.
Palma has already coordinated with the management of ABC-5 and SM City Novaliches to ensure the orderly flow of traffic along Quirino Highway. “What is imperative is that we prevent anarchy in our city streets,” Palma said.
Task Force Quirino Highway was formed to oversee the traffic management situation in the area. The task force, headed by Palma, will have as members, representatives from the QC Department of Public Order and Safety, QC Police District, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), ABC-5, SM Novaliches and concerned barangays.
The formation of the task force was finalized during a meeting called by Rep. Winston Castelo of District II.
To date, traffic enforcers from the DPOS, under former QCPD director Elmo San Diego, have adjusted their tour of duty to relieve Quirino Highway of traffic congestion, particularly in front of Channel 5 at Barangay San Bartolome.
The DPOS has also been directed to provide “No loading/Unloading” signs in the area as well as railings along Quirino Highway to prevent people from occupying the main road.
At a given time, authorities estimated that around 5,000 fans of the “Willing Willie” program started converging at the area as early as 4 a.m. Some of them, particularly those from the outskirts of Metro Manila, even stayed overnight just to be accommodated in the show the following day.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO.
The order came after the office of QC secretary to the mayor, Tadeo Palma, received numerous traffic complaints from motorists adversely affected by the daily convergence in the area of regular watchers of the show hosted daily by controversial television personality Willie Revillame from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Palma said the city government is also considering revoking the business permit of the show once it failed to follow the city’s public safety requirement, which he said, was also aimed at protecting the safety of the crowd, who usually form long queues just to gain entry to Revillame’s game show. The show’s main attraction is the daily giving away of millions of pesos of cash prizes as well as cars and house and lots.
“Simula po ngayon, mahigpit pong ipinagbabawal ng pamahalaang lungsod ang pagpila o pag-istambay sa kahabaan ng Quirino Highway,” Palma said in his instruction.
Palma has already coordinated with the management of ABC-5 and SM City Novaliches to ensure the orderly flow of traffic along Quirino Highway. “What is imperative is that we prevent anarchy in our city streets,” Palma said.
Task Force Quirino Highway was formed to oversee the traffic management situation in the area. The task force, headed by Palma, will have as members, representatives from the QC Department of Public Order and Safety, QC Police District, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), ABC-5, SM Novaliches and concerned barangays.
The formation of the task force was finalized during a meeting called by Rep. Winston Castelo of District II.
To date, traffic enforcers from the DPOS, under former QCPD director Elmo San Diego, have adjusted their tour of duty to relieve Quirino Highway of traffic congestion, particularly in front of Channel 5 at Barangay San Bartolome.
The DPOS has also been directed to provide “No loading/Unloading” signs in the area as well as railings along Quirino Highway to prevent people from occupying the main road.
At a given time, authorities estimated that around 5,000 fans of the “Willing Willie” program started converging at the area as early as 4 a.m. Some of them, particularly those from the outskirts of Metro Manila, even stayed overnight just to be accommodated in the show the following day.-30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO.
On prioritizing the Responsible Parenthood Bill, FVR and other Filipino Icons Pleased But Cautious
Former President Fidel V. Ramos, former Prime Minister Cesar Virata and other icons of the country including philanthropists Washington Sycip, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Oscar Lopez and National Scientist Dr. Mercedes Concepcion are pleased over the inclusion of a Responsible Parenthood Bill as among the 12 priority measures of the Aquino administration. But they are still keeping track on what this bill is about.
Earlier, the group made a joint letter to President Aquino urging him to certify the Reproductive Health Bill as urgent. All are Eminent Persons of the Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum), an NGO based in UP Diliman. However, these respected individuals are concerned if the Responsible Parenthood Bill is the same as the RH Bill that they are advocating for all these years. “In some news items, they say that the RH Bill is the same as the RP Bill but there are also news items that say a new bill will be crafted. We are getting confused,” said Benjamin de Leon, President of Forum for FP and Development (The Forum). But de Leon said that for civil society organizations and individuals who are for RH, they’re primary concern is to make sure that the government does not compromise what CSOs are calling their “non-negotiables” including services to ensure women’s and infant’s survival from life threatening complications; family planning services and information on all safe, effective, legal methods to enable Filipinos to make informed decisions; budgetary support; age appropriate sexuality education to reduce teen pregnancy and sexuality transmitted infections; and an integrated approach to addressing reproductive health problems such as HIV/AIDS, reproductive tract cancers among others. “But for us, crafting another Responsible Parenthood bill will further delay the process at the expense of our people who are clamoring for the RH bill. ” de Leon said.
Aside from the letter to PNOY, the Forum and its partners from Catholics for RH are also sending a letter to all the Dioceses of the country to express the group’s position on the Reproductive Health Bill. It is the insistence of the Catholic Bishops and other anti-RH Catholic groups that the RH Bill promotes FP methods that are harmful and that legalizes abortion that prompted the Catholic group to express a dissenting view that favors the RH Bill. “We can not understand why they (Bishops) are against FP services that are legal, safe and already available in the market but only for those who can afford it. They are anti-poor and anti-women’s rights. We should make services available and allow people to make the decision.” De Leon added.-30- Chi Laigo Vallido, THE FORUM
Earlier, the group made a joint letter to President Aquino urging him to certify the Reproductive Health Bill as urgent. All are Eminent Persons of the Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum), an NGO based in UP Diliman. However, these respected individuals are concerned if the Responsible Parenthood Bill is the same as the RH Bill that they are advocating for all these years. “In some news items, they say that the RH Bill is the same as the RP Bill but there are also news items that say a new bill will be crafted. We are getting confused,” said Benjamin de Leon, President of Forum for FP and Development (The Forum). But de Leon said that for civil society organizations and individuals who are for RH, they’re primary concern is to make sure that the government does not compromise what CSOs are calling their “non-negotiables” including services to ensure women’s and infant’s survival from life threatening complications; family planning services and information on all safe, effective, legal methods to enable Filipinos to make informed decisions; budgetary support; age appropriate sexuality education to reduce teen pregnancy and sexuality transmitted infections; and an integrated approach to addressing reproductive health problems such as HIV/AIDS, reproductive tract cancers among others. “But for us, crafting another Responsible Parenthood bill will further delay the process at the expense of our people who are clamoring for the RH bill. ” de Leon said.
Aside from the letter to PNOY, the Forum and its partners from Catholics for RH are also sending a letter to all the Dioceses of the country to express the group’s position on the Reproductive Health Bill. It is the insistence of the Catholic Bishops and other anti-RH Catholic groups that the RH Bill promotes FP methods that are harmful and that legalizes abortion that prompted the Catholic group to express a dissenting view that favors the RH Bill. “We can not understand why they (Bishops) are against FP services that are legal, safe and already available in the market but only for those who can afford it. They are anti-poor and anti-women’s rights. We should make services available and allow people to make the decision.” De Leon added.-30- Chi Laigo Vallido, THE FORUM
A LETTER TO CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
We are Filipino Catholics loyal to our faith and faithful to our institutional church, but we cannot sit on the fence and not speak out our views regarding reproductive health. We are Filipino Catholics and members of a growing alliance of concerned Roman Catholics called Catholics for Reproductive Health (C4RH), who believed that reproductive health is both a right and a responsibility, and strongly support the passage of a Reproductive Health Bill!
We strongly believe that couples, especially women, should be given the freedom to choose the path they will take in raising their family and have the social responsibility to act in accordance with their conscience and the means within their disposal. This is a commitment that our country has made several times in the past.
We affirmed this right in 1968, during the International Year for Human Rights when United Nations Member States recognized the right of individuals and couples to decide their family size. In August 1981, the Philippines ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) that clearly upheld women’s right and responsibility to reproductive health services and education. And in 1994, we again made a promise to the rest of the world to provide our people with reasonable access to reproductive health information and services when we signed the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD-POA) in Cairo reiterating this commitment in Beijing in 1995 at the Conference on Women Programme of Action.
Again, at the Millennium Summit in 2000, the Philippines was one of the 189 countries that adopted the Millennium Development Goals, one of which called for the reasonable reduction of maternal mortality and universal access to reproductive health, in a responsible manner, by 2015.
With just five years to 2015, it is unfortunate that we still continue to debate on the reproductive health issue. While people debate whether planning one’s family is an ethical issue or not and argue whether the government has the right and responsibility to support the decision of couples who seek help, the issue of maternal and infant deaths resulting from untimely and unwanted pregnancies continue to exacerbate. Each day that the debates continue, 11 mothers continue to die, leaving behind their bereaved families and motherless children.
As Catholics, we believe that the bill, if passed into law, is a significant responsible way to save and protect the lives of Filipinos from reproductive health infections and concomitant diseases. We believe it will promote responsible parenthood, thus contributing to improving Filipinos’ quality of family life. In addition to promoting a culture of health awareness and responsible health-seeking behavior among Catholic Filipinos, it will encourage them to have families they can afford to raise within their means and moral beliefs.
We do indeed accept that natural family planning methods are part of this effort but their promotion should not be at the expense of other methods that are available to the Filipino married couple and that are medically acceptable, legal and safe to planning one’s family with its limits.
The government has an obligation to serve the needs of all Filipinos especially those who have less in life. In this case, provide access to information, products and services to enable Filipinos to decide for themselves what ought to work best for them as their conscience dictates for the purpose of saving lives and improving quality of life.
We support RH because we look at it as beyond the mere planning of one’s family. The World Health Organisation defines reproductive health, in a holistic way, as, “…a state of complete, physical, mental, social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Reproductive health addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life.” For us Catholics, therefore, the promotion of a healthy life protects the well-being of individual members of the family from womb to tomb. A healthy Catholic family is a happy Catholic that is loyal to its church.
We stand behind the courageous legislators of the bills, most of whom are Catholics, who have remained steadfast amid the hostility and intimidation of anti-RH groups. By firmly believing that reproductive health saves lives, they have shown responsible stewardship and compassion for the Catholics in need and in distress.
In the same vein, we laud H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III and the members of his Cabinet for their conscientious stand on the government’s position to support responsible parenthood through respect of the couple’s choice to make well-considered decisions based on availability of information, services and government assistance to enable the Filipino couple to plan their family lives based on their conscience and available resources. We also fully support the Universal Health Care Agenda of the Aquino government and recommend the provision of an appropriate budget for reproductive health information and services for the full realization of Universal Health Care.
We need to join hands for this national legislation that will significantly improve the lives of our people. This is not about politics or religion. This is about responsible living and happy lives. This is about believing that each of us should have the chance to live a healthy, happy and dignified life, a Christian right we are all entitled to. Saving lives should be the concern of all of us together, whether we are lay persons or persons in sacred cloth.
WE ARE FILIPINO CATHOLICS WHO VALUE LIFE. WE ALL SERVE THE SAME COUNTRY, THE SAME PEOPLE AND THE SAME GOD. THEREFORE, SUPPORTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SHOULD UNITE RATHER THAN DIVIDE US AS A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
Signed:
Edelina De La Paz, M.D.
National Coordinator, Catholics for Reproductive Health;
Executive Director, Health Action Information Network;
Professor, University of the Philippines College of Medicine
Benjamin D. de Leon
President, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.;
Member, Board of Commissioners, Commission on Population
Mercedes B. Concepcion, Ph.D.
National Scientist; Demographer;
Eminent Person, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Loida Nicolas Lewis
Chairperson, TLC Group, Inc.;
Eminent Person, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Alberto G. Romualdez, Jr. , M.D.
Former Secretary of Health;
Vice- President, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.;
Dean, Health Sciences Department, Pamantasan Lungsod ng Maynila
Jaime Galvez-Tan, M.D.
Former Secretary of Health;
President, Health Futures, Inc.
Felipe M. Medalla, Ph.D.
Professor, UP School of Economics;
Former Secretary of Economic Planning and Director General, NEDA ;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Dante B. Canlas, Ph.D.
Professor, UP School of Economics;
Former Secretary of Economic Planning and Director General, NEDA;
Adviser, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Esperanza I. Cabral, M.D.
Former Secretary of Health;
Former Secretary of Social Welfare & Development
Rafael M. Alunan
President, Lopez Group Foundation, Inc.;
Former Secretary of Local Government;
Former Secretary of Tourism
Ernesto M. Pernia, Ph.D.
Professor, UP School of Economics;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Tomas M. Osias
Executive Director, Commission on Population;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Eden R. Divinagracia, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Phil. NGO Council on Population, Health & Welfare and
Board Treasurer, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Corazon M. Raymundo, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Institute of Maternal & Child Health;
Board Secretary, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Cyndy Tan-Jarabata
President, Advocates for Youth, Inc.;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Elizabeth E. Zobel
Co-Founder and Vice-President, Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Jose Miguel R. de la Rosa
Former Country Representative, JHU Center for Communications Program;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Carmelita L. Villanueva
Former Chief, Programs & Information Services, UNESCO;
Adviser, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Luzviminda C. Ilagan
Sectoral Representative, Party List GABRIELA
Atty. Zenaida Reyes
President, Circulo de Abogadas;
Chair, Phil. NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare
Felicitas G. Rixhon
Executive Director, Philippine Center for Population & Development
Michael L. Tan, Ph.D.
Professor, University of the Philippines
Marichi Castro-Guevarra, Ph.D.
Ateneo de Manila University
Mary Racelis, Ph.D.
Professor, Ateneo de Manila University;
Former UNICEF Resident Representative, Nairobi, Kenya
Princess Nemenzo
National Coordinator, Woman Health Philippines
Roberto Ador
Executive Director, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines
Annie Coleman
Catholic RH Advocate
Francisco Roque
Former Regional Adviser on Adolescent Health, UNPFA, Bangkok, Thailand
Carlos Celdran
Tour Guide
Magdalena Lopez
Country Manager, Institute for International Education -Leadership Development for Mobilizing Reproductive Health
Frances Chua
Project Associate, Institute for International Education -Leadership Development for Mobilizing Reproductive Health
Maricar Vallido
Advocacy Specialist, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Jesusa Lugtu
Executive Assistant, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Nilda de Vera
Program Coordinator, Health Action Information Network
Emily Magharing
Research Associate, Health Action Information Network
Emeelei Albano
Youth Advocate
Rina Doña
Catholic RH Advocate
Vicente Jurlano
Catholic RH Advocate
Lady Nancy Lisondra
Youth Advocate, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)
Mario Balibago
International Coordinator in Charge of Media and Communication, Y-PEER
Renier Louie B. Bona,
An ex-seminarian and the Youth Representative, TLF-SHARE (Sexuality, Health and Rights Educators).
Frohnie D. Cagalitan, RSW
Pro QUALITY LIFE Training & Dev't. Inc.
Aiza Baldonado - Peer Educator, Young Pinoy Peer Educators on Reproductive Health
Focal Point, Y-PEER Pilipinas
Ji-le Tolimao
Youth Ambassador for Development, Ateneo Intl Studies Students Organization
Raizel Panisa
Board Member, Youth Advocates for United Nations
Jose Mateo Dela Cruz - Wika ng Kultura at Agham Inc.
Committee on Participation Chairperson, 8th National Youth Parliament
Ador Hurtado
Treasurer, FPOP Samar Chapter, WARAYA Youth Advocates
Juvenile Bacolcol
Youth Representative, FPOP Pangasinan Chapter
Doreen Morata
Chairperson, UNFPA Philippines Youth Advisory Panel
Marvin Delfin
Clinical Preceptor/Instructor I, Western Mindanao State University
Lareen Dawn Baluso
Youth Advocate, FPOP
We strongly believe that couples, especially women, should be given the freedom to choose the path they will take in raising their family and have the social responsibility to act in accordance with their conscience and the means within their disposal. This is a commitment that our country has made several times in the past.
We affirmed this right in 1968, during the International Year for Human Rights when United Nations Member States recognized the right of individuals and couples to decide their family size. In August 1981, the Philippines ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) that clearly upheld women’s right and responsibility to reproductive health services and education. And in 1994, we again made a promise to the rest of the world to provide our people with reasonable access to reproductive health information and services when we signed the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD-POA) in Cairo reiterating this commitment in Beijing in 1995 at the Conference on Women Programme of Action.
Again, at the Millennium Summit in 2000, the Philippines was one of the 189 countries that adopted the Millennium Development Goals, one of which called for the reasonable reduction of maternal mortality and universal access to reproductive health, in a responsible manner, by 2015.
With just five years to 2015, it is unfortunate that we still continue to debate on the reproductive health issue. While people debate whether planning one’s family is an ethical issue or not and argue whether the government has the right and responsibility to support the decision of couples who seek help, the issue of maternal and infant deaths resulting from untimely and unwanted pregnancies continue to exacerbate. Each day that the debates continue, 11 mothers continue to die, leaving behind their bereaved families and motherless children.
As Catholics, we believe that the bill, if passed into law, is a significant responsible way to save and protect the lives of Filipinos from reproductive health infections and concomitant diseases. We believe it will promote responsible parenthood, thus contributing to improving Filipinos’ quality of family life. In addition to promoting a culture of health awareness and responsible health-seeking behavior among Catholic Filipinos, it will encourage them to have families they can afford to raise within their means and moral beliefs.
We do indeed accept that natural family planning methods are part of this effort but their promotion should not be at the expense of other methods that are available to the Filipino married couple and that are medically acceptable, legal and safe to planning one’s family with its limits.
The government has an obligation to serve the needs of all Filipinos especially those who have less in life. In this case, provide access to information, products and services to enable Filipinos to decide for themselves what ought to work best for them as their conscience dictates for the purpose of saving lives and improving quality of life.
We support RH because we look at it as beyond the mere planning of one’s family. The World Health Organisation defines reproductive health, in a holistic way, as, “…a state of complete, physical, mental, social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Reproductive health addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life.” For us Catholics, therefore, the promotion of a healthy life protects the well-being of individual members of the family from womb to tomb. A healthy Catholic family is a happy Catholic that is loyal to its church.
We stand behind the courageous legislators of the bills, most of whom are Catholics, who have remained steadfast amid the hostility and intimidation of anti-RH groups. By firmly believing that reproductive health saves lives, they have shown responsible stewardship and compassion for the Catholics in need and in distress.
In the same vein, we laud H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III and the members of his Cabinet for their conscientious stand on the government’s position to support responsible parenthood through respect of the couple’s choice to make well-considered decisions based on availability of information, services and government assistance to enable the Filipino couple to plan their family lives based on their conscience and available resources. We also fully support the Universal Health Care Agenda of the Aquino government and recommend the provision of an appropriate budget for reproductive health information and services for the full realization of Universal Health Care.
We need to join hands for this national legislation that will significantly improve the lives of our people. This is not about politics or religion. This is about responsible living and happy lives. This is about believing that each of us should have the chance to live a healthy, happy and dignified life, a Christian right we are all entitled to. Saving lives should be the concern of all of us together, whether we are lay persons or persons in sacred cloth.
WE ARE FILIPINO CATHOLICS WHO VALUE LIFE. WE ALL SERVE THE SAME COUNTRY, THE SAME PEOPLE AND THE SAME GOD. THEREFORE, SUPPORTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SHOULD UNITE RATHER THAN DIVIDE US AS A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
Signed:
Edelina De La Paz, M.D.
National Coordinator, Catholics for Reproductive Health;
Executive Director, Health Action Information Network;
Professor, University of the Philippines College of Medicine
Benjamin D. de Leon
President, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.;
Member, Board of Commissioners, Commission on Population
Mercedes B. Concepcion, Ph.D.
National Scientist; Demographer;
Eminent Person, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Loida Nicolas Lewis
Chairperson, TLC Group, Inc.;
Eminent Person, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Alberto G. Romualdez, Jr. , M.D.
Former Secretary of Health;
Vice- President, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.;
Dean, Health Sciences Department, Pamantasan Lungsod ng Maynila
Jaime Galvez-Tan, M.D.
Former Secretary of Health;
President, Health Futures, Inc.
Felipe M. Medalla, Ph.D.
Professor, UP School of Economics;
Former Secretary of Economic Planning and Director General, NEDA ;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Dante B. Canlas, Ph.D.
Professor, UP School of Economics;
Former Secretary of Economic Planning and Director General, NEDA;
Adviser, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Esperanza I. Cabral, M.D.
Former Secretary of Health;
Former Secretary of Social Welfare & Development
Rafael M. Alunan
President, Lopez Group Foundation, Inc.;
Former Secretary of Local Government;
Former Secretary of Tourism
Ernesto M. Pernia, Ph.D.
Professor, UP School of Economics;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Tomas M. Osias
Executive Director, Commission on Population;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Eden R. Divinagracia, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Phil. NGO Council on Population, Health & Welfare and
Board Treasurer, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Corazon M. Raymundo, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Institute of Maternal & Child Health;
Board Secretary, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Cyndy Tan-Jarabata
President, Advocates for Youth, Inc.;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Elizabeth E. Zobel
Co-Founder and Vice-President, Sa Aklat Sisikat Foundation;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Jose Miguel R. de la Rosa
Former Country Representative, JHU Center for Communications Program;
Trustee, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Carmelita L. Villanueva
Former Chief, Programs & Information Services, UNESCO;
Adviser, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Luzviminda C. Ilagan
Sectoral Representative, Party List GABRIELA
Atty. Zenaida Reyes
President, Circulo de Abogadas;
Chair, Phil. NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare
Felicitas G. Rixhon
Executive Director, Philippine Center for Population & Development
Michael L. Tan, Ph.D.
Professor, University of the Philippines
Marichi Castro-Guevarra, Ph.D.
Ateneo de Manila University
Mary Racelis, Ph.D.
Professor, Ateneo de Manila University;
Former UNICEF Resident Representative, Nairobi, Kenya
Princess Nemenzo
National Coordinator, Woman Health Philippines
Roberto Ador
Executive Director, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines
Annie Coleman
Catholic RH Advocate
Francisco Roque
Former Regional Adviser on Adolescent Health, UNPFA, Bangkok, Thailand
Carlos Celdran
Tour Guide
Magdalena Lopez
Country Manager, Institute for International Education -Leadership Development for Mobilizing Reproductive Health
Frances Chua
Project Associate, Institute for International Education -Leadership Development for Mobilizing Reproductive Health
Maricar Vallido
Advocacy Specialist, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Jesusa Lugtu
Executive Assistant, The Forum for Family Planning & Development, Inc.
Nilda de Vera
Program Coordinator, Health Action Information Network
Emily Magharing
Research Associate, Health Action Information Network
Emeelei Albano
Youth Advocate
Rina Doña
Catholic RH Advocate
Vicente Jurlano
Catholic RH Advocate
Lady Nancy Lisondra
Youth Advocate, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)
Mario Balibago
International Coordinator in Charge of Media and Communication, Y-PEER
Renier Louie B. Bona,
An ex-seminarian and the Youth Representative, TLF-SHARE (Sexuality, Health and Rights Educators).
Frohnie D. Cagalitan, RSW
Pro QUALITY LIFE Training & Dev't. Inc.
Aiza Baldonado - Peer Educator, Young Pinoy Peer Educators on Reproductive Health
Focal Point, Y-PEER Pilipinas
Ji-le Tolimao
Youth Ambassador for Development, Ateneo Intl Studies Students Organization
Raizel Panisa
Board Member, Youth Advocates for United Nations
Jose Mateo Dela Cruz - Wika ng Kultura at Agham Inc.
Committee on Participation Chairperson, 8th National Youth Parliament
Ador Hurtado
Treasurer, FPOP Samar Chapter, WARAYA Youth Advocates
Juvenile Bacolcol
Youth Representative, FPOP Pangasinan Chapter
Doreen Morata
Chairperson, UNFPA Philippines Youth Advisory Panel
Marvin Delfin
Clinical Preceptor/Instructor I, Western Mindanao State University
Lareen Dawn Baluso
Youth Advocate, FPOP
Pro-RH Catholics to Palace: We are also Catholics, not only the bishops, and we need RH
Amid reports of the recent second Palace and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) dialogue on the Reproductive Health bill, a group of pro-RH Catholics lauded the Palace for its strong position on the issue of providing RH services in particular on the matter of family planning.
In a press conference organized by The FORUM on Family Planning and Development (FORUM), a group of Catholics expressed appreciation for the Aquino government keeping its promise to support the availability of all family planning methods, including both the natural and modern methods.
According to Benjamin de Leon, President of the FORUM, their group is pleased that the Palace has remained undaunted and stood firm in its position to make all methods of family planning, both natural and modern methods, be made equally available.
“By making available all family planning methods and allowing couples to choose what method is best for them is a show of respect to individual’s right to follow his or her conscience and religious convictions,” noted De Leon. “And we are thankful that the Palace has remained strong in this position amidst pressure from the Church hierarchy,” De Leon added.
But even with these developments, the group remains watchful since another meeting between the Palace and the CBCP is set. While confident that the Palace understands that family planning is an important component in addressing poverty, and that they will stand firm on their decision, the group hopes that these dialogues with CBCP will have positive results that will benefit all Filipinos.
“Our Filipino Catholic bishops have been stubborn on this issue since time immemorial, and there is no way that they will change their position,” explains Atty. Zenaida Reyes, Chairperson of the Philippine NGO Council (PNGOC). “The Palace can always have a dialogue with them to show their respect but shouldn’t they also dialogue with civil society and women’s organizations?” The group believes that instead of trying to appease the Church, the Palace should expedite the works to make possible the passage of the reproductive health bill.
Dr. Delen dela Paz, Executive Director of Health Action Information Network (HAIN) and National Coordinator of Catholics for RH also expressed her disappointment saying “I think that we should stop giving in to the whims of the CBCP. It is unfair to women that the opinions of priests or bishops are valued more than those whose lives are at stake. They don’t even get pregnant nor have mouths to feed.”
We are Catholics too, and we need access to reproductive health education and services, the Palace and our lawmakers should listen to us and not the Bishops and Catholic leaders,” De Leon stressed. “Besides, surveys after survey have shown that Catholics need access to reproductive health education and services and that they are supportive of the reproductive health bill,” ended De Leon.-30- Chi Laigo Vallido, THE FORUM.
In a press conference organized by The FORUM on Family Planning and Development (FORUM), a group of Catholics expressed appreciation for the Aquino government keeping its promise to support the availability of all family planning methods, including both the natural and modern methods.
According to Benjamin de Leon, President of the FORUM, their group is pleased that the Palace has remained undaunted and stood firm in its position to make all methods of family planning, both natural and modern methods, be made equally available.
“By making available all family planning methods and allowing couples to choose what method is best for them is a show of respect to individual’s right to follow his or her conscience and religious convictions,” noted De Leon. “And we are thankful that the Palace has remained strong in this position amidst pressure from the Church hierarchy,” De Leon added.
But even with these developments, the group remains watchful since another meeting between the Palace and the CBCP is set. While confident that the Palace understands that family planning is an important component in addressing poverty, and that they will stand firm on their decision, the group hopes that these dialogues with CBCP will have positive results that will benefit all Filipinos.
“Our Filipino Catholic bishops have been stubborn on this issue since time immemorial, and there is no way that they will change their position,” explains Atty. Zenaida Reyes, Chairperson of the Philippine NGO Council (PNGOC). “The Palace can always have a dialogue with them to show their respect but shouldn’t they also dialogue with civil society and women’s organizations?” The group believes that instead of trying to appease the Church, the Palace should expedite the works to make possible the passage of the reproductive health bill.
Dr. Delen dela Paz, Executive Director of Health Action Information Network (HAIN) and National Coordinator of Catholics for RH also expressed her disappointment saying “I think that we should stop giving in to the whims of the CBCP. It is unfair to women that the opinions of priests or bishops are valued more than those whose lives are at stake. They don’t even get pregnant nor have mouths to feed.”
We are Catholics too, and we need access to reproductive health education and services, the Palace and our lawmakers should listen to us and not the Bishops and Catholic leaders,” De Leon stressed. “Besides, surveys after survey have shown that Catholics need access to reproductive health education and services and that they are supportive of the reproductive health bill,” ended De Leon.-30- Chi Laigo Vallido, THE FORUM.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
QC INTENSIFIES CRIME WATCH
The Quezon City government, on orders of Mayor Herbert Bautista, is making it mandatory for all establishment owners in the city to install closed-circuit television cameras inside and outside their premises to minimize crime incidence in the city, especially carnapping and kidnapping cases.
Given priority by the Mayor were high-risk establishments such as car dealership stores, both high-end and trade-ins, as well as schools and convenience stores.
The Mayor announced that the adoption of the new policy shall serve as a pre-requisite when applying or renewing business permits in the city starting next year.
Aside from high-risk establishments, the Mayor also called for the setting up of CCTV cameras in the different areas of responsibility of the city’s 142 barangays utilizing their respective calamity fund.
Over the next three years, the CCTV cameras will be installed along strategic areas in the city including densely-populated communities.
“What we are doing right now is to institute measures aimed at further improving the city’s crime resolution and efficiency rate,” the Mayor said.
The Mayor also cited as imperative the need to improve the city’s road networks, particularly entry and exit points, to assist the police in its peacekeeping efforts.
Mayor Bautista outlined his administration’s peace and order program during a press conference at the QC Hall Bulwagan.
The press conference, jointly organized by the city’s public affairs and information services office and the city administrator’s office, was also attended by representatives from various car dealers operating in the city such as Toyota Motors, Diamond Motors, Hyundai and Kia Motors.
Meanwhile, QC Police District director Benjardi Mantele assured QC-based car dealers that the city police had already drawn up measures to ensure their safety and protection.
“Hindi namin tinatakbuhan ang responsibilidad namin,” Mantele said. However, the QCPD director appealed to the car dealers to work closely with the police to ensure the success of the QCPD efforts. “There should be shared responsibility among stakeholders,” Mantele said.
To date, Mantele wants to implement the operational protocol on QC-based car dealers, which was earlier adopted in banks.
With Mayor Bautista and Mantele during the press conference were former QCPD director Elmo San Diego, now head of the QC Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS); city administrator Victor Endriga; business permits and licensing office head Pacifico Maghacot and QC Liga ng mga Barangay president Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica. -30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO.
Given priority by the Mayor were high-risk establishments such as car dealership stores, both high-end and trade-ins, as well as schools and convenience stores.
The Mayor announced that the adoption of the new policy shall serve as a pre-requisite when applying or renewing business permits in the city starting next year.
Aside from high-risk establishments, the Mayor also called for the setting up of CCTV cameras in the different areas of responsibility of the city’s 142 barangays utilizing their respective calamity fund.
Over the next three years, the CCTV cameras will be installed along strategic areas in the city including densely-populated communities.
“What we are doing right now is to institute measures aimed at further improving the city’s crime resolution and efficiency rate,” the Mayor said.
The Mayor also cited as imperative the need to improve the city’s road networks, particularly entry and exit points, to assist the police in its peacekeeping efforts.
Mayor Bautista outlined his administration’s peace and order program during a press conference at the QC Hall Bulwagan.
The press conference, jointly organized by the city’s public affairs and information services office and the city administrator’s office, was also attended by representatives from various car dealers operating in the city such as Toyota Motors, Diamond Motors, Hyundai and Kia Motors.
Meanwhile, QC Police District director Benjardi Mantele assured QC-based car dealers that the city police had already drawn up measures to ensure their safety and protection.
“Hindi namin tinatakbuhan ang responsibilidad namin,” Mantele said. However, the QCPD director appealed to the car dealers to work closely with the police to ensure the success of the QCPD efforts. “There should be shared responsibility among stakeholders,” Mantele said.
To date, Mantele wants to implement the operational protocol on QC-based car dealers, which was earlier adopted in banks.
With Mayor Bautista and Mantele during the press conference were former QCPD director Elmo San Diego, now head of the QC Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS); city administrator Victor Endriga; business permits and licensing office head Pacifico Maghacot and QC Liga ng mga Barangay president Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica. -30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO.
Monday, January 24, 2011
WOMEN TO P-NOY: WE ARE THE ONES AFFECTED, LISTEN TO US, PASS THE RH BILL NOW!
“We are ones the affected with the absence of contraceptives and other reproductive health services in our health centers, not the men in white robes alleging to know what’s best for us,” women from grassroots communities lament.
In a press conference today, representatives from various grassroots women’s groups united as they appealed to P-Noy to make possible the passage of the comprehensive reproductive health bill languishing in Congress for 16 years.
The women expressed concern that P-Noy is trying to appease the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) at their expense with his recent pronouncements that he wanted to include provisions agreed by the Palace and the Church in the bill.
Nenita Migano of Caloocan City, 49 years old, a devout Catholic with five children, one of those who bravely stood up to call on P-Noy, said that the President should listen to poor women and not only to bishops who do not experience pregnancy, giving birth and the problems of being poor.
According to Migano it is important for a poor woman, to have the right information on family planning. “Aside from the information,” she said,” it is equally important for us, poor women to have access to free contraceptives because we cannot afford to spare money from our meager income to buy contraceptives even if we want to use these. She stressed, “we are totally dependent on free contraceptive supplies from our health centers. We need the government to allocate budget for reproductive health services we need.”
“P-Noy said we are his bosses. He promised to listen to us. We call on him today to make true his promise. He should listen to us and not allow the bishops to unduly influence his decisions on matters related to our lives,” ended Migano.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Angsioco, National Chairperson of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP) calls on P-Noy to exert political will on the matter. Angsioco said that P-Noy, have the vast powers of the Office of the President. He can do things to address women’s RH needs and facilitate the passage of a rights-based, pro-poor, pro-women comprehensive RH bill into law.
“First,” Angsioco said, “even while the Bill is still pending, adequate budgets should be provided for family planning and other needed RH services. To get the real score, he should dialogue with the women who are really affected by the issue. He should not allow a watered down version of the bill because the ones in Congress go beyond family planning. While it is important, others such as education and services that will truly save lives are equally crucial. And lastly, the most immediate, certify the bill as urgent. His clear endorsement of the bill will make its passage highly possible,” ended Angsioco. -30-
In a press conference today, representatives from various grassroots women’s groups united as they appealed to P-Noy to make possible the passage of the comprehensive reproductive health bill languishing in Congress for 16 years.
The women expressed concern that P-Noy is trying to appease the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) at their expense with his recent pronouncements that he wanted to include provisions agreed by the Palace and the Church in the bill.
Nenita Migano of Caloocan City, 49 years old, a devout Catholic with five children, one of those who bravely stood up to call on P-Noy, said that the President should listen to poor women and not only to bishops who do not experience pregnancy, giving birth and the problems of being poor.
According to Migano it is important for a poor woman, to have the right information on family planning. “Aside from the information,” she said,” it is equally important for us, poor women to have access to free contraceptives because we cannot afford to spare money from our meager income to buy contraceptives even if we want to use these. She stressed, “we are totally dependent on free contraceptive supplies from our health centers. We need the government to allocate budget for reproductive health services we need.”
“P-Noy said we are his bosses. He promised to listen to us. We call on him today to make true his promise. He should listen to us and not allow the bishops to unduly influence his decisions on matters related to our lives,” ended Migano.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Angsioco, National Chairperson of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP) calls on P-Noy to exert political will on the matter. Angsioco said that P-Noy, have the vast powers of the Office of the President. He can do things to address women’s RH needs and facilitate the passage of a rights-based, pro-poor, pro-women comprehensive RH bill into law.
“First,” Angsioco said, “even while the Bill is still pending, adequate budgets should be provided for family planning and other needed RH services. To get the real score, he should dialogue with the women who are really affected by the issue. He should not allow a watered down version of the bill because the ones in Congress go beyond family planning. While it is important, others such as education and services that will truly save lives are equally crucial. And lastly, the most immediate, certify the bill as urgent. His clear endorsement of the bill will make its passage highly possible,” ended Angsioco. -30-
Use baits properly; rice farmers warned
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) advises rice farmers in six municipalities in Isabela and some parts in Bicol and Nueva Ecija to cautiously use rodenticides as poison rat baits. Farmers in these areas have often resorted to rodenticides in reducing rat’s population.
Florencio Viesca Jr., rice and corn coordinator of the provincial agriculture office of Isabela, confirmed that 900 ha of rice fields have been rat-infested since last week of December last year. The infestation hit rice during vegetative stage with damages reaching 16 percent; prompting the provincial agriculture office to recommend baiting.
Among poison rat baits, PhilRice crop protection expert Ulysses Duque recommended zinc phosphide, an inorganic chemical compound with strong pungent odor.
“This black-gray powder could reduce rat's population. However, it is lethal to humans and non-target animals, so farmers need to be very careful in using this bait. Always wear gloves and mask when preparing the bait,” Duque cautioned.
According to Duque, field sanitation and using barrier systems are already ineffective when damages hit the vegetative stage. He said that rat management starts at least a month before seeding and reproductive stages, as these are the periods when rats reproduced.
To prepare the bait, Duque instructed farmers to mix a sachet of zinc phosphide with 300-400g of good quality rice then place the baits in small plastics such as ice candy wrappers. A kilo of the mixture produces 100 packs of baits enough for a hectare of rice farm.
A member of PhilRice rat management system team, Duque stressed that placing baits in rat burrows is safer and more effective than scattering them in bunds as baits sheltered in burrows are protected from weather exposures.
“Farmers also usually spread the mixture unenclosed in the field. This is impractical because the mixture losses its effectiveness when soaked. This practice is also harmful for livestock and other animals as they could take in the chemical,” Duque said.
Duque also advised farmers to complement baiting with community rat hunting during the day concentrating on rat burrows. Farmers may also use flamethrowers to drive out the pests from their habitat.
However, he reminded farmers not to eat collected rats from baited field as this leads to poisoning.
Rat infestations, Duque added, usually occur after heavy rains and floods.
“During good weather, rat population is dispersed in the field. However, their habitat is disturbed during floods, leading them to seek higher grounds for survival,” Duque said.
With the rat infestation, Duque said farmers could still yield 10-20 percent from rice ratoons or stubbles, although they have to watch out for weeds as their population grows rapidly following rat attacks.
DA-PhilRice is a government-owned and –controlled corporation that aims at developing high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos.
For more information, please visit or contact DA-PhilRice at Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija with telephone number (044) 456-0285 loc 511/512 or any PhilRice station near you. You may also visit their website at www.philrice.gov.ph or text your questions to 0920-911-1398. -30-
Florencio Viesca Jr., rice and corn coordinator of the provincial agriculture office of Isabela, confirmed that 900 ha of rice fields have been rat-infested since last week of December last year. The infestation hit rice during vegetative stage with damages reaching 16 percent; prompting the provincial agriculture office to recommend baiting.
Among poison rat baits, PhilRice crop protection expert Ulysses Duque recommended zinc phosphide, an inorganic chemical compound with strong pungent odor.
“This black-gray powder could reduce rat's population. However, it is lethal to humans and non-target animals, so farmers need to be very careful in using this bait. Always wear gloves and mask when preparing the bait,” Duque cautioned.
According to Duque, field sanitation and using barrier systems are already ineffective when damages hit the vegetative stage. He said that rat management starts at least a month before seeding and reproductive stages, as these are the periods when rats reproduced.
To prepare the bait, Duque instructed farmers to mix a sachet of zinc phosphide with 300-400g of good quality rice then place the baits in small plastics such as ice candy wrappers. A kilo of the mixture produces 100 packs of baits enough for a hectare of rice farm.
A member of PhilRice rat management system team, Duque stressed that placing baits in rat burrows is safer and more effective than scattering them in bunds as baits sheltered in burrows are protected from weather exposures.
“Farmers also usually spread the mixture unenclosed in the field. This is impractical because the mixture losses its effectiveness when soaked. This practice is also harmful for livestock and other animals as they could take in the chemical,” Duque said.
Duque also advised farmers to complement baiting with community rat hunting during the day concentrating on rat burrows. Farmers may also use flamethrowers to drive out the pests from their habitat.
However, he reminded farmers not to eat collected rats from baited field as this leads to poisoning.
Rat infestations, Duque added, usually occur after heavy rains and floods.
“During good weather, rat population is dispersed in the field. However, their habitat is disturbed during floods, leading them to seek higher grounds for survival,” Duque said.
With the rat infestation, Duque said farmers could still yield 10-20 percent from rice ratoons or stubbles, although they have to watch out for weeds as their population grows rapidly following rat attacks.
DA-PhilRice is a government-owned and –controlled corporation that aims at developing high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos.
For more information, please visit or contact DA-PhilRice at Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija with telephone number (044) 456-0285 loc 511/512 or any PhilRice station near you. You may also visit their website at www.philrice.gov.ph or text your questions to 0920-911-1398. -30-
Vital inputs to nail rice self-sufficiency identified
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country’s lead agency in rice research and development, pinpointed rice production inputs crucial in attaining rice self-sufficiency by 2013 in spite of the country’s low area harvested per capita in rice.
Dr. Flordeliza Bordey, program leader of the Institute’s Impact Evaluation, Policy Research, and Advocacy program found that irrigation, adoption of hybrid and modern inbred varieties, participation in training programs, use of high quality seeds, and machine ownership, could significantly increase the country’s rice production.
“We import because we have low rice area harvested per capita and high per capita rice consumption, but these constraints could be overcome through proper investments on certain inputs,” Bordey explained.
Bordey, a PhilRice senior economist, found that rice production in irrigated farms is 76 percent higher than in rainfed farms. Her results also revealed that farmers attending trainings on rice production attain a 4-percent higher yield than non-participating farmers.
On the other hand, farmers using modern inbred rice varieties could increase yield by 5 percent while using high quality seeds augments production by 6 percent. Planting hybrid rice varieties could also yield an 18-percent yield advantage.
She also disclosed that farmers owning tractors and threshers have a 5-percent higher yield that than the rice tillers renting farm equipment.
According to Bordey, the country’s average yield is comparable with the average yield of its Southeast Asian neighbors including countries that export rice such as Thailand and Vietnam. She said that the Philippines averages a yield of 3.69 mt/ha from 2005 to 2009 while its Southeast Asian neighbors yields an average of 3.73 mt/ha.
“China and Japan have significantly higher paddy yields than in Southeast Asian countries, but as country with temperate climate, their paddy yields cannot be compared directly with countries that have tropical climate,” Bordey stressed.
In terms of consumption, Bordey stressed that Japan and China are rice sufficient in spite of its low rice harvested per capita owing to its citizens’ diversified diet.
“Unlike Philippines, Japan, and China have low rice consumption, which is typical to countries with high income. In our country, rice is the staple food of 90 percent of our population. This high consumption of rice is amidst our population’s continuous growth, which burgeons at 2 percent annually,” she said.
According to Bordey, the Philippines need to increase its production of paddy rice by 7.5 percent this year and 10 percent in 2012 and 2013 to be self-sufficient by the target year.
“The high growth in production required for self-sufficiency might be difficult to achieve but is not entirely improbable. In 2004, production increased by 7.38 percent from 13.5 to 14.5 million metric tons,” Bordey said.
To compensate low area harvested per capita and to further improve yield, the Department of Agriculture is implementing the construction, restoration and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities; research and development; massive training of extension and farmers; and farm mechanization.
To create a favorable market condition for producers, the government is also enhancing the operational efficiency of the National Food Authority (NFA) for rice to have higher market prices.
Moreover, NFA is expected to gradually increase the procurement of domestically produced paddy rice by 2013, which will increase farmgate price of paddy rice and encourage farmers to produce more rice.
DA-PhilRice is a government-owned and –controlled corporation that aims at developing high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos.
For more information, please visit or contact DA-PhilRice at Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija with telephone number (044) 456-0285 loc 511/512 or any PhilRice station near you. You may also visit their website at www.philrice.gov.ph or text your questions to 0920-911-1398.-30-
Dr. Flordeliza Bordey, program leader of the Institute’s Impact Evaluation, Policy Research, and Advocacy program found that irrigation, adoption of hybrid and modern inbred varieties, participation in training programs, use of high quality seeds, and machine ownership, could significantly increase the country’s rice production.
“We import because we have low rice area harvested per capita and high per capita rice consumption, but these constraints could be overcome through proper investments on certain inputs,” Bordey explained.
Bordey, a PhilRice senior economist, found that rice production in irrigated farms is 76 percent higher than in rainfed farms. Her results also revealed that farmers attending trainings on rice production attain a 4-percent higher yield than non-participating farmers.
On the other hand, farmers using modern inbred rice varieties could increase yield by 5 percent while using high quality seeds augments production by 6 percent. Planting hybrid rice varieties could also yield an 18-percent yield advantage.
She also disclosed that farmers owning tractors and threshers have a 5-percent higher yield that than the rice tillers renting farm equipment.
According to Bordey, the country’s average yield is comparable with the average yield of its Southeast Asian neighbors including countries that export rice such as Thailand and Vietnam. She said that the Philippines averages a yield of 3.69 mt/ha from 2005 to 2009 while its Southeast Asian neighbors yields an average of 3.73 mt/ha.
“China and Japan have significantly higher paddy yields than in Southeast Asian countries, but as country with temperate climate, their paddy yields cannot be compared directly with countries that have tropical climate,” Bordey stressed.
In terms of consumption, Bordey stressed that Japan and China are rice sufficient in spite of its low rice harvested per capita owing to its citizens’ diversified diet.
“Unlike Philippines, Japan, and China have low rice consumption, which is typical to countries with high income. In our country, rice is the staple food of 90 percent of our population. This high consumption of rice is amidst our population’s continuous growth, which burgeons at 2 percent annually,” she said.
According to Bordey, the Philippines need to increase its production of paddy rice by 7.5 percent this year and 10 percent in 2012 and 2013 to be self-sufficient by the target year.
“The high growth in production required for self-sufficiency might be difficult to achieve but is not entirely improbable. In 2004, production increased by 7.38 percent from 13.5 to 14.5 million metric tons,” Bordey said.
To compensate low area harvested per capita and to further improve yield, the Department of Agriculture is implementing the construction, restoration and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities; research and development; massive training of extension and farmers; and farm mechanization.
To create a favorable market condition for producers, the government is also enhancing the operational efficiency of the National Food Authority (NFA) for rice to have higher market prices.
Moreover, NFA is expected to gradually increase the procurement of domestically produced paddy rice by 2013, which will increase farmgate price of paddy rice and encourage farmers to produce more rice.
DA-PhilRice is a government-owned and –controlled corporation that aims at developing high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies so farmers can produce enough rice for all Filipinos.
For more information, please visit or contact DA-PhilRice at Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija with telephone number (044) 456-0285 loc 511/512 or any PhilRice station near you. You may also visit their website at www.philrice.gov.ph or text your questions to 0920-911-1398.-30-
QC HALL WANTS NO CROWDS, TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN AREA IN FRONT OF CHANNEL 5
The Quezon City government ordered today the city police to clear the sidewalks and streets of Quirino Highway of traffic obstructions, especially the area fronting ABC 5 at Barangay San Bartolome, which was reportedly being used as an extension studio of avid followers of the network’s Willing Willie program.
The order came after the office of QC secretary to the mayor, Tadeo Palma, received numerous traffic complaints from motorists adversely affected by the daily convergence in the area of regular watchers of the show hosted daily by controversial television personality, Willie Revillame from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Palma said the city government is also considering revoking the business permit of the show once it failed to follow the city’s public safety requirement, which he said, was also aimed at protecting the safety of the crowd, who usually form long queues just to gain entry to Revillame’s game show. The show’s main attraction is the daily giving away of millions of pesos of cash prizes as well as cars and house and lots.
“Simula po sa araw na ito, mahigpit pong ipinagbabawal ng pamahalaang lungsod ang pagpila o pag-istambay sa kahabaan ng Quirino Highway ,” Palma said in his instruction.
Palma has already coordinated with the management of ABC-5 and SM City Novaliches to ensure the orderly movement of traffic along Quirino Highway. “What is imperative is that we prevent anarchy in our city streets,” Palma said.-30-
The order came after the office of QC secretary to the mayor, Tadeo Palma, received numerous traffic complaints from motorists adversely affected by the daily convergence in the area of regular watchers of the show hosted daily by controversial television personality, Willie Revillame from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Palma said the city government is also considering revoking the business permit of the show once it failed to follow the city’s public safety requirement, which he said, was also aimed at protecting the safety of the crowd, who usually form long queues just to gain entry to Revillame’s game show. The show’s main attraction is the daily giving away of millions of pesos of cash prizes as well as cars and house and lots.
“Simula po sa araw na ito, mahigpit pong ipinagbabawal ng pamahalaang lungsod ang pagpila o pag-istambay sa kahabaan ng Quirino Highway ,” Palma said in his instruction.
Palma has already coordinated with the management of ABC-5 and SM City Novaliches to ensure the orderly movement of traffic along Quirino Highway. “What is imperative is that we prevent anarchy in our city streets,” Palma said.-30-
DOST’s PREGINET enables telemedicine in PH
Filipino medical doctors can now diagnose and recommend real-time treatment or medication to patients in remote areas in the country through telemedicine, a multiplatform electronic technology that runs through a government broadband called PREGINET or Philippine Research, Education and Government Information Network.
“Telemedicine makes it possible for doctors to access and transfer medical data, still images, and live audio and video transmissions” that involves a patient. “This is a health care option that bridges the doctor-patient” geographical separation common in the Philippines, an archipelagic country, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo said.
DOST’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute based in Diliman manages PREGINET, a partner of the larger Asia Pacific Advanced Network that broadcasts high quality telemedicine sessions via the Internet. APAN promotes joint medical activities and vigorous medical information exchange in the region, ASTI Director Denis F. Villorente explains.
“Doctors can make decisions and recommendations on a patient’s condition faster through telemedicine”. That’s because doctors could actually hear the medical history and current condition directly from the patient, he added.
Doctors at the Philippine General Hospital recently held a teleconference—a feature of telemedicine—on maternal-fetal medicine, which covered discussions on eliminating congenital or hereditary defects in uterus and prevention of high risk pregnancy. Japan’s Kyushu University organized the teleconference held at University of the Philippines Manila, for the International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society.
PGH doctors have been participating in telemedicine sessions since 2007. “Through telemedicine, we are able to learn from the experiences of other university hospitals and may adopt some practices that are applicable to our institution,” UP-PGH Department of Surgery chief Dr. Serafin C. Hilvano said.
It also enables simplified and personalized medical administration, and continuing education of doctors, caregivers, and patients. Telemedicine in more advanced societies also allows doctors to do remote or telesurgery, which cuts the often high cost of travel and stay in nursing homes or hospitals while enjoying the unparalleled comfort of warm home environment and family support. [S&T Media Service]
“Telemedicine makes it possible for doctors to access and transfer medical data, still images, and live audio and video transmissions” that involves a patient. “This is a health care option that bridges the doctor-patient” geographical separation common in the Philippines, an archipelagic country, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo said.
DOST’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute based in Diliman manages PREGINET, a partner of the larger Asia Pacific Advanced Network that broadcasts high quality telemedicine sessions via the Internet. APAN promotes joint medical activities and vigorous medical information exchange in the region, ASTI Director Denis F. Villorente explains.
“Doctors can make decisions and recommendations on a patient’s condition faster through telemedicine”. That’s because doctors could actually hear the medical history and current condition directly from the patient, he added.
Doctors at the Philippine General Hospital recently held a teleconference—a feature of telemedicine—on maternal-fetal medicine, which covered discussions on eliminating congenital or hereditary defects in uterus and prevention of high risk pregnancy. Japan’s Kyushu University organized the teleconference held at University of the Philippines Manila, for the International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society.
PGH doctors have been participating in telemedicine sessions since 2007. “Through telemedicine, we are able to learn from the experiences of other university hospitals and may adopt some practices that are applicable to our institution,” UP-PGH Department of Surgery chief Dr. Serafin C. Hilvano said.
It also enables simplified and personalized medical administration, and continuing education of doctors, caregivers, and patients. Telemedicine in more advanced societies also allows doctors to do remote or telesurgery, which cuts the often high cost of travel and stay in nursing homes or hospitals while enjoying the unparalleled comfort of warm home environment and family support. [S&T Media Service]
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Science Secretary Montejo congratulates new PSHS scholars
Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo congratulated passers of the National Competitive Examination (NCE) by the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) conducted on November 6, 2010 for grade six students all over the country.
“I congratulate the students who have qualified to be part of the Philippine Science Highschool. It is truly a joy in my heart to be a part of honing and shaping the country’s future leaders especially in the field of science and mathematics,” said DOST Secretary Montejo.
The examination is administered to aspiring elementary students nationwide who would like to take specialized science and mathematics education at the PSHS.
There were 1,114 passers out of 20,233 applicants who took the one-step screening around the nation. Qualifiers are encouraged to visit the nearest PSHS campuses before February 10 for pre-enrol or they may visit www.pshs.edu.ph or www.dost.gov.ph for more information.
PSHS was a brain child of the New York University Professor Dr. Leopoldo V. Torralballa. The school was patterned after the Bronx High School of Science, New York. He envisioned a Center of Excellence in science and mathematics for gifted high school students in the country which was realized in 1963 when the first PSHS campus was established in Quezon City. Today, PSHS has grown into 11 campuses nationwide.
PSHS campuses are as follows: PSHS Main Campus, Agham Road in Quezon City; Poblacion, San Ildefonso in Ilocos Sur; San Vicente Annex in Camp 8 Baguio City; Masuc, Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya; Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles, Pampanga; Tagontong, Goa in Camarines Sur; Brgy. Bito-on in Jaro, Iloilo City; Talaytay in Argao, Cebu; Pawing in Palo, Leyte; Baloi in Lanao del Norte and Sto. Niño, Tugbok District in Mintal, Davao City.
PSHS scholars receive monthly stipend in addition to free tuition fees and free loan of textbooks. Uniform, transportation and living allowances are also provided by the school administration according to the financial capacity of the scholar. In line with these, scholars are expected to meet the highest standard of scholastic achievement and behavior.
However, scholars signs a scholarship contract that compels them to pursue a career in any field of sciences and engineering.
In recent years, PSHS scholars represented the country to the FIRST Robotics Competition in 2009. They took home regional honors as the Highest Rookie Seed Award and the Rookie All-Star Award and the opportunity to represent the country in the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia.
They also placed fourth during the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in San Jose, California.
Secretary Montejo encourages non-passers and other high school students to pursue careers in mathematics and science in the future. “The DOST hopes that in the future, many students will follow a career in the many fields of science to help augment the declining number of technical experts in the country,” Montejo said.
(Joy M. Lazcano. S&T Media Service)
“I congratulate the students who have qualified to be part of the Philippine Science Highschool. It is truly a joy in my heart to be a part of honing and shaping the country’s future leaders especially in the field of science and mathematics,” said DOST Secretary Montejo.
The examination is administered to aspiring elementary students nationwide who would like to take specialized science and mathematics education at the PSHS.
There were 1,114 passers out of 20,233 applicants who took the one-step screening around the nation. Qualifiers are encouraged to visit the nearest PSHS campuses before February 10 for pre-enrol or they may visit www.pshs.edu.ph or www.dost.gov.ph for more information.
PSHS was a brain child of the New York University Professor Dr. Leopoldo V. Torralballa. The school was patterned after the Bronx High School of Science, New York. He envisioned a Center of Excellence in science and mathematics for gifted high school students in the country which was realized in 1963 when the first PSHS campus was established in Quezon City. Today, PSHS has grown into 11 campuses nationwide.
PSHS campuses are as follows: PSHS Main Campus, Agham Road in Quezon City; Poblacion, San Ildefonso in Ilocos Sur; San Vicente Annex in Camp 8 Baguio City; Masuc, Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya; Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles, Pampanga; Tagontong, Goa in Camarines Sur; Brgy. Bito-on in Jaro, Iloilo City; Talaytay in Argao, Cebu; Pawing in Palo, Leyte; Baloi in Lanao del Norte and Sto. Niño, Tugbok District in Mintal, Davao City.
PSHS scholars receive monthly stipend in addition to free tuition fees and free loan of textbooks. Uniform, transportation and living allowances are also provided by the school administration according to the financial capacity of the scholar. In line with these, scholars are expected to meet the highest standard of scholastic achievement and behavior.
However, scholars signs a scholarship contract that compels them to pursue a career in any field of sciences and engineering.
In recent years, PSHS scholars represented the country to the FIRST Robotics Competition in 2009. They took home regional honors as the Highest Rookie Seed Award and the Rookie All-Star Award and the opportunity to represent the country in the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia.
They also placed fourth during the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in San Jose, California.
Secretary Montejo encourages non-passers and other high school students to pursue careers in mathematics and science in the future. “The DOST hopes that in the future, many students will follow a career in the many fields of science to help augment the declining number of technical experts in the country,” Montejo said.
(Joy M. Lazcano. S&T Media Service)
Winners to the Global Competition of Design Against the Elements Announced
By Estrella Z. Gallardo
Design Against the Elements (DATE), the first-ever global architectural design competition for disaster-resilient communities, was announced on January 14, 2011 at the Upper Mall of San Miguel Corporation Head Office Complex.
DATE was conceptualized with the intent to mitigate the effects of the natural disasters brought about and worsened by Climate Change, particularly on the marginalized groups of society who are most at risk since they lack adequately planned and well-built shelter.
“We want to be able to mitigate the effects of the destruction caused by natural disasters, which contribute to the perpetuation of poverty as they result in loss of life and property,” said Shelter Foundation founder Illac Diaz.
The competition which has attracted 119 architectural designs from over 30 countries including the Philippines, is a collaboration among United Architects of the Philippines, My Shelter Foundation, the Climate Change Commission, San Miguel Properties, Inc., and the Quezon City Government.
The competition was launched on March 5, 2010, Registration was until November 19, 2010, Preliminary judging and exhibits of entries was on December 9, 2010, Final Judging was on January 13, 2011 and Announcement of Winners, January 14, 2011.
The winning design, which receives a cash prize of US$ 10,000 will be called the “House of San Miguel” after the patron saint San Miguel Corporation, the parent company of San Miguel Properties, Inc., which co-funded the corporation.
Design Against The Elements (DATE) Winners: Professional Category 1- House of San Miguel (First), 187-C1 Johanna Ferrer Guldager, Denmark; 2nd Prize - 178-C1 Samuel John Williams, England; Special Award–Energy, 111-C1 Romolo Nati, Italy; Special Award–Green Design 223-C1 Vasanth Packirisamy, India; Students/Graduates C2 1st Prize 171-C2 Dao Thanh Hai, Vietnam; 2nd Prize 101-C2 Martin Schorn, Austria; Special Award – Energy 238-C2 Karen Michelle Gill, USA; Special Award–Green Design 127-C2 Stefan Borisov Vankov, Germany.
Design Against the Elements (DATE), the first-ever global architectural design competition for disaster-resilient communities, was announced on January 14, 2011 at the Upper Mall of San Miguel Corporation Head Office Complex.
DATE was conceptualized with the intent to mitigate the effects of the natural disasters brought about and worsened by Climate Change, particularly on the marginalized groups of society who are most at risk since they lack adequately planned and well-built shelter.
“We want to be able to mitigate the effects of the destruction caused by natural disasters, which contribute to the perpetuation of poverty as they result in loss of life and property,” said Shelter Foundation founder Illac Diaz.
The competition which has attracted 119 architectural designs from over 30 countries including the Philippines, is a collaboration among United Architects of the Philippines, My Shelter Foundation, the Climate Change Commission, San Miguel Properties, Inc., and the Quezon City Government.
The competition was launched on March 5, 2010, Registration was until November 19, 2010, Preliminary judging and exhibits of entries was on December 9, 2010, Final Judging was on January 13, 2011 and Announcement of Winners, January 14, 2011.
The winning design, which receives a cash prize of US$ 10,000 will be called the “House of San Miguel” after the patron saint San Miguel Corporation, the parent company of San Miguel Properties, Inc., which co-funded the corporation.
Design Against The Elements (DATE) Winners: Professional Category 1- House of San Miguel (First), 187-C1 Johanna Ferrer Guldager, Denmark; 2nd Prize - 178-C1 Samuel John Williams, England; Special Award–Energy, 111-C1 Romolo Nati, Italy; Special Award–Green Design 223-C1 Vasanth Packirisamy, India; Students/Graduates C2 1st Prize 171-C2 Dao Thanh Hai, Vietnam; 2nd Prize 101-C2 Martin Schorn, Austria; Special Award – Energy 238-C2 Karen Michelle Gill, USA; Special Award–Green Design 127-C2 Stefan Borisov Vankov, Germany.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
DOST to deploy more hazard warning devices, breakthrough landslides early warning system included
By Estrella Z. Gallardo
Secretary Mario Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology )DOST) during the past landslide inspection (January 15) at St. Bernard town of Southern Leyte announced that the Science Department is preparing hazard warning devices that deliver real-time information every hour.
The rain-filled weeks that induced a series of landslides in St. Bernard resulted to the death of three children and in burying in mod of a number of houses. Seven barangays were declared as permanent danger zones and relocated by the multi-agency Hazard Mapping and Assessment for Effective Community-based Disaster Risk Management or READY project.
“People can prepare themselves better and faster” Science Secretary Mario Montejo said by having correct disaster-related information. St. Bernard Mayor Rico Rantuza said that they are willing to partner with DOST, and DOST’s hazard warning devices will not only benefit St. Bernard but the whole of Leyte and other places prone to landslides.
The hazard warning devices, all locally developed comprise automatic rain gauges, water level gauges, weather monitoring stations and landslides monitoring sensors. DOST and the UP’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute are expected to roll out the landslide early warning system technology within the year.
In a television interview, Secretary Montejo said to Leytenos in Waray dialect “He came here to bring S & T-based solution to the pressing problem of generating important and accurate disaster warning. We are accelerating the deployment of these sensors in ten sites all over the country that are constantly affected by disasters especially landslides.”
Sec. Montejo explained to Mayor Rantuza that the landslide warning devices are tubes with sensors at different levels submerged 20 meters below the ground to be able to detect movements at that depth,
“After three weeks of rain, there is no question that landslides will follow.” said Graciano P. Yumul, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development (R & D). He is also the concurrent Officer-In-Charge of Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).-30-
Secretary Mario Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology )DOST) during the past landslide inspection (January 15) at St. Bernard town of Southern Leyte announced that the Science Department is preparing hazard warning devices that deliver real-time information every hour.
The rain-filled weeks that induced a series of landslides in St. Bernard resulted to the death of three children and in burying in mod of a number of houses. Seven barangays were declared as permanent danger zones and relocated by the multi-agency Hazard Mapping and Assessment for Effective Community-based Disaster Risk Management or READY project.
“People can prepare themselves better and faster” Science Secretary Mario Montejo said by having correct disaster-related information. St. Bernard Mayor Rico Rantuza said that they are willing to partner with DOST, and DOST’s hazard warning devices will not only benefit St. Bernard but the whole of Leyte and other places prone to landslides.
The hazard warning devices, all locally developed comprise automatic rain gauges, water level gauges, weather monitoring stations and landslides monitoring sensors. DOST and the UP’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute are expected to roll out the landslide early warning system technology within the year.
In a television interview, Secretary Montejo said to Leytenos in Waray dialect “He came here to bring S & T-based solution to the pressing problem of generating important and accurate disaster warning. We are accelerating the deployment of these sensors in ten sites all over the country that are constantly affected by disasters especially landslides.”
Sec. Montejo explained to Mayor Rantuza that the landslide warning devices are tubes with sensors at different levels submerged 20 meters below the ground to be able to detect movements at that depth,
“After three weeks of rain, there is no question that landslides will follow.” said Graciano P. Yumul, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development (R & D). He is also the concurrent Officer-In-Charge of Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).-30-
January 24 is Philippine Tropical Fibrous Day
By Estrella Z. Gallardo
January 24 is the Philippine Tropical Fibrous (PTF) Day set by Malacanan under Proclamation on December 21, 2010, to push for the implementation of Republic Act 9242 or the Philippine Tropical Fibrous Law of 2004.
Under this Act, local fabrics from banana, abaca, Philippine silk and other national fibers will be the focus of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) Day on January 24 at Malacanan.
Tropical textile technologies are being developed by the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (PTRI-DOST) to instill awareness on the development of tropical fabrics for uniforms and garment industries.
What we lack are the investors to commercially produce the PTF, explains Dr. Carlos C. Tomboc, Director of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the DOST, the lead agency in the observance of the PTF Day.
To highlight the celebration, PTFR will hold the Fashionation 2011, a fashion show at the Makati Shangrila on January 25 organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions and supported by the Department of Agriculture’s Fiber Industry Development Authority and the Civil Service Commission.
The show will feature PTF and other locally manufactured fabrics as office uniforms, government officials, business corporations and representatives from the textiles and garments industries to witness the show.
PTRI-DOST is urging key players in the textile and garment industries to promote entities to invest in the fiber pre-treatment and other textile-related technologies the agency has developed.
A basket of textile technology options has been designed and made available to help revive the local textile and garment industries and create livelihood in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
The agency also encourages the public to patronize PTF for home textile, office uniforms, formal wear, chic ensembles on catwalks, among other uses.-30-
January 24 is the Philippine Tropical Fibrous (PTF) Day set by Malacanan under Proclamation on December 21, 2010, to push for the implementation of Republic Act 9242 or the Philippine Tropical Fibrous Law of 2004.
Under this Act, local fabrics from banana, abaca, Philippine silk and other national fibers will be the focus of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) Day on January 24 at Malacanan.
Tropical textile technologies are being developed by the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (PTRI-DOST) to instill awareness on the development of tropical fabrics for uniforms and garment industries.
What we lack are the investors to commercially produce the PTF, explains Dr. Carlos C. Tomboc, Director of the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the DOST, the lead agency in the observance of the PTF Day.
To highlight the celebration, PTFR will hold the Fashionation 2011, a fashion show at the Makati Shangrila on January 25 organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions and supported by the Department of Agriculture’s Fiber Industry Development Authority and the Civil Service Commission.
The show will feature PTF and other locally manufactured fabrics as office uniforms, government officials, business corporations and representatives from the textiles and garments industries to witness the show.
PTRI-DOST is urging key players in the textile and garment industries to promote entities to invest in the fiber pre-treatment and other textile-related technologies the agency has developed.
A basket of textile technology options has been designed and made available to help revive the local textile and garment industries and create livelihood in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
The agency also encourages the public to patronize PTF for home textile, office uniforms, formal wear, chic ensembles on catwalks, among other uses.-30-
FNRI holds First Nutrigenomics Conference
By Estrella Z. Gallardo
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Tehnology (FNRI-DOST) in partnership with the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emergency Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD-DOST) held the two-day conference at the Hyatt Hotel, Pedro Gil, Malate, Manila on January 19-20, 2011.
Nutrigenomics’ expert from the academe, research and clinical practice discussed the interrelationship of diet, disease and the application of nutrigenomics on improving health.
The conference aims to impact the role of nutrigenomics in the prevention of certain lifestyle diseases. Nutrigenomics explores how food chemicals after the expression of genes, while nutrigenomics addresses genetic differences between individual’s and the effect of food chemicals on an individual’s biologic response.
Studies on nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics aim to provide evidence-based dietary intervention strategies for restoring health and preventing diet-related disease.
Part of the conference was the distribution of 2011 Menu Guide Calendar in cooperation with Unilever to help meet the Millenium Development Goal to address the energy intake needs of Filipino family.
The result of the 7th National Survey (NNS) undertaken by FNRI-DOST showed that more than half of Filipino households did not meet the average recommendations for energy intake.
With the theme “Meeting the Energy Needs of a Family Through Consumption of Rootcrops and Corn”, it aims to promote guides on meeting the dietary energy needs of a Filipino Family.
The Calendar also features recipes that are high in energy and fiber, a 7-day cycle menus for 12 months and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.-30-
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Tehnology (FNRI-DOST) in partnership with the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emergency Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD-DOST) held the two-day conference at the Hyatt Hotel, Pedro Gil, Malate, Manila on January 19-20, 2011.
Nutrigenomics’ expert from the academe, research and clinical practice discussed the interrelationship of diet, disease and the application of nutrigenomics on improving health.
The conference aims to impact the role of nutrigenomics in the prevention of certain lifestyle diseases. Nutrigenomics explores how food chemicals after the expression of genes, while nutrigenomics addresses genetic differences between individual’s and the effect of food chemicals on an individual’s biologic response.
Studies on nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics aim to provide evidence-based dietary intervention strategies for restoring health and preventing diet-related disease.
Part of the conference was the distribution of 2011 Menu Guide Calendar in cooperation with Unilever to help meet the Millenium Development Goal to address the energy intake needs of Filipino family.
The result of the 7th National Survey (NNS) undertaken by FNRI-DOST showed that more than half of Filipino households did not meet the average recommendations for energy intake.
With the theme “Meeting the Energy Needs of a Family Through Consumption of Rootcrops and Corn”, it aims to promote guides on meeting the dietary energy needs of a Filipino Family.
The Calendar also features recipes that are high in energy and fiber, a 7-day cycle menus for 12 months and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.-30-
FNRI holds First Nutrigenomics Conference
By Estrella Z. Gallardo
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Tehnology (FNRI-DOST) in partnership with the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emergency Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD-DOST) held the two-day conference at the Hyatt Hotel, Pedro Gil, Malate, Manila on January 19-20, 2011.
Nutrigenomics’ expert from the academe, research and clinical practice discussed the interrelationship of diet, disease and the application of nutrigenomics on improving health.
The conference aims to impact the role of nutrigenomics in the prevention of certain lifestyle diseases. Nutrigenomics explores how food chemicals after the expression of genes, while nutrigenomics addresses genetic differences between individual’s and the effect of food chemicals on an individual’s biologic response.
Studies on nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics aim to provide evidence-based dietary intervention strategies for restoring health and preventing diet-related disease.
Part of the conference was the distribution of 2011 Menu Guide Calendar in cooperation with Unilever to help meet the Millenium Development Goal to address the energy intake needs of Filipino family.
The result of the 7th National Survey (NNS) undertaken by FNRI-DOST showed that more than half of Filipino households did not meet the average recommendations for energy intake.
With the theme “Meeting the Energy Needs of a Family Through Consumption of Rootcrops and Corn”, it aims to promote guides on meeting the dietary energy needs of a Filipino Family.
The Calendar also features recipes that are high in energy and fiber, a 7-day cycle menus for 12 months and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Tehnology (FNRI-DOST) in partnership with the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emergency Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD-DOST) held the two-day conference at the Hyatt Hotel, Pedro Gil, Malate, Manila on January 19-20, 2011.
Nutrigenomics’ expert from the academe, research and clinical practice discussed the interrelationship of diet, disease and the application of nutrigenomics on improving health.
The conference aims to impact the role of nutrigenomics in the prevention of certain lifestyle diseases. Nutrigenomics explores how food chemicals after the expression of genes, while nutrigenomics addresses genetic differences between individual’s and the effect of food chemicals on an individual’s biologic response.
Studies on nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics aim to provide evidence-based dietary intervention strategies for restoring health and preventing diet-related disease.
Part of the conference was the distribution of 2011 Menu Guide Calendar in cooperation with Unilever to help meet the Millenium Development Goal to address the energy intake needs of Filipino family.
The result of the 7th National Survey (NNS) undertaken by FNRI-DOST showed that more than half of Filipino households did not meet the average recommendations for energy intake.
With the theme “Meeting the Energy Needs of a Family Through Consumption of Rootcrops and Corn”, it aims to promote guides on meeting the dietary energy needs of a Filipino Family.
The Calendar also features recipes that are high in energy and fiber, a 7-day cycle menus for 12 months and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Cavite First Agri-Fest and Farmers Congress
By Estrella Z. Gallardo
At least more than six thousand farmers and fishermen attended the First Cavite Agri-Fest and Farmers Congress held at the Provincial Gymnasium of Trece Martires City on January 20-21, 2011, with the theme “Organikong Magsasaka Tungo Sa Maunlad na Agrikultura”.
This two-day event was in cooperation with the Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Veterinarian Offices, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Cavite Modern Growers, Inc. (CMGI) officials led by Honorable former Governor Juanito R. Remulla, father of Hon. Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Deputy Speaker and Hon. Juanito Victor C. Remulla, Jr., Provincial Governor, who were all present with the seven (7) Congressmen of Cavite.-30-
This project of Jonvic Remulla aims to gather the farmers and fishermen to encourage them to propagate and accelerate the level of farming and fishing in their locality.
The project also aims to give knowledge on tissue cultured lacatan production and production of pangasius fish, a fresh water fish.
Highlighting the occasion was the awarding of the tractor donated by Secretary Proceso Alcala to a group of farmers in Cavite.
There were also dispersal of pigs and goats and tilapia fingerlings and tropical fruit seedlings. Experiences on organic farming and dragon fruit production by Edilberto Silan, Consultant on Agro-Modernization and President of Cavite Modern Growers, Inc. (GMAI) and PCARRD Magsasaka Siyentista in Cavite were shared.
Dr. Ireneo Ramat, Head of Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Program of the Bureau of Soil and Management of the Department of Agriculture lectured on the importance of organic farming and shared to the audience how the carbonized rice hull is made, an important component of organic fertilizer.
Dr. Ramat in an interview emphasized the importance of the inorganic or chemical fertilizer which can be used as side dressing. He stressed that dried chicken manure, pig, goat and other animals’ manure and fruits and vegetables’ market wastes are good organic fertilizers and can be used as basal fertilizer.
He said that farmers can use 20% organic fertilizer and 80% inorganic or chemical fertilizer in their farm to have good harvests and lesser cost of production.
A group of Philippine Science Journalist Mega Manila or PSciJourn Mega Manila had the opportunity to visit the dragon fruit farm of Edilberto Silan at Bo. Tambo, Kulit, Indang, Cavite on January 21, 2011, the second day of the fest.
The three hectare dragon fruit farm is being maintained by at least six workers in charged of the waters, weeding, removal of the leaves affected by fungus and other farm activities.
We have noticed the inter-cropping of dwarf papaya and some pepper (paminta) with the dragon fruit of white and red variety.
The area has at least 1000 dragon fruit trees per hectare which look like cactus, each grown with a trunk of a tree as holder to give the tree sturdy standing position as they grow and bear fruits.
A dragon fruit tree bear two to eight fruits per tree after a year from the date of planting and flowers in the month of May under Cavite’s climate condition. Harvesting starts from June and ends in September and fruits are sold at Php70.00 per kilo from the farm.
Silan is the Magsasaka Siyentista in Cavite of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) who made use of the PCARRD’s S & T (Science and Technology) based farming.
At least more than six thousand farmers and fishermen attended the First Cavite Agri-Fest and Farmers Congress held at the Provincial Gymnasium of Trece Martires City on January 20-21, 2011, with the theme “Organikong Magsasaka Tungo Sa Maunlad na Agrikultura”.
This two-day event was in cooperation with the Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Veterinarian Offices, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Cavite Modern Growers, Inc. (CMGI) officials led by Honorable former Governor Juanito R. Remulla, father of Hon. Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Deputy Speaker and Hon. Juanito Victor C. Remulla, Jr., Provincial Governor, who were all present with the seven (7) Congressmen of Cavite.-30-
This project of Jonvic Remulla aims to gather the farmers and fishermen to encourage them to propagate and accelerate the level of farming and fishing in their locality.
The project also aims to give knowledge on tissue cultured lacatan production and production of pangasius fish, a fresh water fish.
Highlighting the occasion was the awarding of the tractor donated by Secretary Proceso Alcala to a group of farmers in Cavite.
There were also dispersal of pigs and goats and tilapia fingerlings and tropical fruit seedlings. Experiences on organic farming and dragon fruit production by Edilberto Silan, Consultant on Agro-Modernization and President of Cavite Modern Growers, Inc. (GMAI) and PCARRD Magsasaka Siyentista in Cavite were shared.
Dr. Ireneo Ramat, Head of Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Program of the Bureau of Soil and Management of the Department of Agriculture lectured on the importance of organic farming and shared to the audience how the carbonized rice hull is made, an important component of organic fertilizer.
Dr. Ramat in an interview emphasized the importance of the inorganic or chemical fertilizer which can be used as side dressing. He stressed that dried chicken manure, pig, goat and other animals’ manure and fruits and vegetables’ market wastes are good organic fertilizers and can be used as basal fertilizer.
He said that farmers can use 20% organic fertilizer and 80% inorganic or chemical fertilizer in their farm to have good harvests and lesser cost of production.
A group of Philippine Science Journalist Mega Manila or PSciJourn Mega Manila had the opportunity to visit the dragon fruit farm of Edilberto Silan at Bo. Tambo, Kulit, Indang, Cavite on January 21, 2011, the second day of the fest.
The three hectare dragon fruit farm is being maintained by at least six workers in charged of the waters, weeding, removal of the leaves affected by fungus and other farm activities.
We have noticed the inter-cropping of dwarf papaya and some pepper (paminta) with the dragon fruit of white and red variety.
The area has at least 1000 dragon fruit trees per hectare which look like cactus, each grown with a trunk of a tree as holder to give the tree sturdy standing position as they grow and bear fruits.
A dragon fruit tree bear two to eight fruits per tree after a year from the date of planting and flowers in the month of May under Cavite’s climate condition. Harvesting starts from June and ends in September and fruits are sold at Php70.00 per kilo from the farm.
Silan is the Magsasaka Siyentista in Cavite of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) who made use of the PCARRD’s S & T (Science and Technology) based farming.
Friday, January 21, 2011
PH gears up for nationwide celebration of “International Year of Forests”
As the Philippines joins the world community on February 2, 2011 in New York City for the launching of 2011 as the “International Year of the Forests” (IYF) by the United Nations, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is making sure that the festivities slated are both meaningful to the majority of the Filipino people and especially to the most affected sector by forest ruin – the 25 million Filipino upland dwellers regarded as the country’s “poorest of the poor.”
This, according to DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, who has called for the national launch of the celebration rites in partnership with some of the leading environment-advocate organizations that represent the country’s diverse ecosystems, such as the University of the Philippine, Los Banos-College of Forestry; Society of Filipino Foresters (SFF); Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA); Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFC); Yakap Kalikasan; Women’s Initiative for Society, Culture and Environment (WISE); Bantay Kalikasan, Conservation International-Philippines (CI-Philippines); Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE); World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); and the German International Cooperation (GTZ).
“The observance of the International Year of the Forest in the country not only serves as a catalyst for raising global awareness of the urgent need to protect the planet’s fragile forest resources, but more importantly, our festivities should focus on the need for reforestation and reducing gas emissions while supporting people and biodiversity for the primary benefit of Filipinos especially those in the upland areas,” said Paje.
According to Paje, the DENR will spearhead the celebration, as he directed the creation of a “National IYF Steering Committee (NISC),” to be headed by Forest Management Bureau (FMB) Director Neria Andin.
Being aware of the importance of the UN declaration, Paje bared that a presidential proclamation declaring 2011 as “the national year of forests” has already been drafted for the signing of President Benigno S. Aquino III, imploring all sectors of Philippine society to act out their important roles in protecting and conserving forest life.
Paje stressed that his agency will exploit the forthcoming event “to the hilt” to get the message across to the general public, especially those in urban centers, that “forests, like the infant’s umbillical chord that brings life-giving nutrients from the mother, are inextricably linked to the country’s voyage towards poverty eradication and food security.
“The government’s program on convergence among the DENR, Department of Agriculture and Department of Agrarian Reform, will be one of the centerpiece activities of the event to stress this point,” Paje added. The convergence program seeks to reduce poverty, promote security and address climate change.
The draft also calls on the 15th Philippine Congress “to facilitate the passage” of the proposed Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management Act which has been filed for 15 years now.
“Passing this proposed law will have ground-breaking impact on the country’s efforts to chart a vibrant future for our forests and the economic fruits that it can give the nation ,” Paje said.
He added that a national calendar of events is now undergoing fine tuning to keep the activities attuned to the four themes laid out by the United Nations Forum on Forests, namely: Forests for People, Finance for Forest Dependent Communities, Forests plus: Cross Sectoral and Cross Institutional Approach, and Forests and Green Economies.
Paje said giving life to the four themes through the country’s celebration rites of the UN declaration “puts in living colors” the need for forests to remain high on the wider development agenda both on the global and regional scale like the ASEAN and APEC poverty eradication.
Paje added that four teams have been formed for each of the four themes and will act as technical working groups for NISC whose overall task is to oversee the implementation of the lined up activities on a national scale.
These are the working groups on Forest for People with WWF as head; Finance for Forest Dependent Communities to be headed by PTFCF; Forests plus: Cross Sectoral and Cross Institutional Approach, WISE; and Forests and Green Economies, SFF.
“As such, the IYF needed to highlight forests as an important part of development and a crucial link with the many other issues being addressed at the global level,” Paje said. .-30-
ANAD decries government move to release “NDF Peace Consultants”
“Another scorching travesty of justice and inequality if government shall indeed release about a dozen of Maoist terrorist leaders that the Maoist terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF claim are their peace consultants as reported in newspapers, yesterday (ppA1 PDI, 1/20/11).”
ANAD Partylist Rep. Jun Alcover issued this statement as he called on government to further clarify its position saying, “Are we going to do a repeat of the zarzuela that surrounded the release of Morong 43?”
ANAD strongly believes that the President’s decision and subsequent order issued by DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima to her prosecutors to file a Motion to Withdraw Information was a blatant violation of our laws, established jurisprudence, and the standing Rules of Procedure of the National Prosecution Service.
“Is government bent on setting free all detained Maoist terrorists who were arrested by a valid warrant of arrest issued by the courts? Why only them? What about the many Filipinos who had been languishing in jail for many years while their cases is still pending with the courts? Is government not going to release them in the spirit of justice, equality, and fairness?” Rep. Alcover said.
The pro-democracy leader slammed the Jose Ma. Sison and Luis Jalandoni for demanding so much from government without even showing and doing its share of confidence building measures towards peace. “They have openly manipulated situations in their favor without giving anything, in return! They have responded with deaf ears and blinded eyes to the resounding call of the Filipino people for reciprocal sincerity and commitment towards peace” Rep. Alcover explained.
Rep. Alcover warned against a possible Nepal-like situation that may happen in this country. “Recent developments tends to validate some circulated information that the next step that the Maoist terrorist group shall seek is to establish a coalition government similar to that of Nepal with the communist ultimately taking over the reigns of governance and plunging the country into a deeply divided and troubled nation,” he clarified.
“We cannot afford that. Peace is all what we seek. But this must be within the framework of our constitution and the rule of law. Government must assert its authority over a revolutionary organization and stamp-out with finality all spurious and fallacious claims of having a separate or independent rule within our territory and political jurisdiction,” Rep. Alcover stressed.-30-
Rey Salas, ANAD Spokesman
ANAD dares Maoist terrorists to reciprocate government with sincerity and commitment for peace
“I call on all members of Congress to unite and rally behind the call for an equal and reciprocal sincerity and commitment for peace from the Maoist terrorist’s CPP-NPA-NDF and jointly seeks with government that elusive peace where all of us have maintained a burning desire to attain.”
These were the words of ANAD Partylist Rep. Jun Alcover in his privilege speech during Congress plenary yesterday (January 17) when the Lower House resumed its regular session after the holiday recess,
Rep. Alcover pointed to the government’s “No Negotiation” policy with terrorists and other lawless groups. “Has government already extended the status of belligerency to the Maoist terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF when it decided to revive the peace negotiations?” he asked even as he pointed out that this policy has transcended several presidential administrations since former President Corazon Aquino.
“As a matter of right, this representation and my constituency demand an answer from President Aquino III. We should not forget ANAD shares the same interest with the leaders of government to seek peace. But this must not be at the expense of justice, fair play, and the rule of law,” he explained.
Rep. Alcover further explained saying, “Prudence and mutual respect dictates that the legitimate should, at all times, prevail over the illegitimate; and the legal should never yield to the illegal. There is only one government in this country and that is of the Republic of the Philippines. There is no revolutionary government as claimed by the Maoist terrorists. If peace is what we seek, then this must be within the framework of our constitution and the Maoist terrorist NPA must remove their firearms before the resumption of the peace negotiations,” he clarified.
“It is absurd, highly outrageous, and unacceptable for government to talk peace with the terrorist M-16 rifles foisted at our back and their fingers on the trigger, ready to squeeze it,” he added.
On the other hand, ANAD strongly condemned the haste and quickness of pace in which the Morong 43 was freed, “. . . but on the issue of compliance to established rules of procedures and jurisprudence. In short, what was at stake was the issue on the Rule of Law, existing Jurisprudence, and the established Judicial Procedure that was blatantly violated probably because of political expediency,” Rep. Alcover said.
Rep. Alcover stressed that while many think that the issue on the Morong 43 is already ‘water under the bridge’, so to speak, “. . . . on the contrary the issue must be raised in this august chamber because what happened was a blatant transgression of our laws to give way to the clamor of a few who are experts in drumbeating dirty and concocted propaganda against government,” he pointed out.-30-
Rey Salas, ANAD Spokesman
ANAD dares Maoist CPP to prove Alcantara, Codaste, and Brigano are NDF Peace Consultants
“Now the ball is on the court of the Maoist terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF to prove that Tirso Alcantara, aka Bart, is one of the many surreptitious NDF peace consultants that merits immunity guarantees under the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and must be released from detention,” said ANAD Rep. Jun Alcover in reaction to Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles’ statement that Alcantara is not among those in the list of NDF peace consultants that the Maoist terrorist submitted to the government panels of Ambassador Howard Dee in l996, and former Justice Sec. Silvestre Bello in 2001 (ppA2 PDI, and www.inquirer.net, all dated 1/8/11).
“Once again, the Maoist terrorists are caught with their pants down and lying to their teeth as they claimed that Alcantara, Pedro Codaste, and Edwin Brigano are NDF peace consultants,” said Rep. Alcover as he reiterated ANAD’s position urging on government to uphold the rule of law and our country’s judicial system even as the road to peace is once again negotiated.
“President Aquino III must learn from the mistakes of her late mother after she ordered the release of Jose Ma. Sison and other CPP-NPA-NDF leaders from detention, in l986. Instead of supporting her administration, Sison and others brought their anti-government campaign to the international community and made Utrecht, Netherlands as staging area for their revolution. They never ceased fighting government!” he pointed out.
On the other hand, ANAD strongly support the demand of government to make public the list of all NDF peace consultants and staff with their respective pictures on it. “It has been the position of ANAD, since years ago, that in the interest of transparency and clarity, government must demand from the Jose Ma. Sison’s group the official list of NDF peace consultants and their staff,” Rep. Alcover added.
“Also, government should not forget to demand from the Maoist terrorist group a written appointment and authority to whomsoever shall they choose to head the NDF panel, during the talks. Again, this is to ensure transparency, clarity, and assure government that we are not talking to a phantom group who, at the moment, has not shown sincerity and commitment towards peace. Instead, to the consternation of the Filipino people, only lies and deceit are continuously dished out by the Maoist terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF,” Rep. Alcover said.-30-
Rey Salas, ANAD Spokesman
Rep. Alcover slams Davao City’s top execs
ANAD Rep. Jun Alcover slammed Davao City’s top officials of sheer arrogance compounded with unrelenting astuteness as if they are holders of Torrens Title personally owning the whole of Davao City and enforce complete control over life and death on its more than 1.1 million residents.
“This is the first time in the history of human civilization where a local government official blew his top over the legitimate arrest, by police and military forces, of an enemy of the state with standing warrants of arrest duly issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 6 of Agusan del Sur for robbery and homicide and for double frustrated murder,” said Rep. Alcover as he described the recent statements of Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte and his Vice Mayor/father Digong Duterte as wholly painted with abnormal chicanery!
Rep. Alcover, the only voice sounding the bells of pro-democracy in the House of Representative, expressed dismay on the father and daughter’s attitude and abysmal support towards Maoist terrorism in the area. “How can a Chief Executive of an LGU, who has sworn to protect the defend the constitution of the Republic, openly express their anger over a legitimate police action against Edwin Brigano, a notorious NPA terrorist in the Davao region? But that would be understandable if the law enforcement operation has indeed unraveled a long kept secret between them and the enemies of the state, which they only are privy,” Rep. Alcover quipped.
“At most, Mayor Duterte and her father, the former City Mayor of Davao, should have kept silent about the arrest of Brigano rather than open a can of worms through their very highly irresponsible statement that has shamed and insulted not only his office but the entire constitutionally established government structure and officials of the country,” Rep. Alcover clarified.
“Their statement borders on treason as these are open manifestation of betrayal of public trust and abetting anti-government activities within his political jurisdiction through tolerance, proliferation of, providing sanctuary and protection to, and defending the presence and activities of the enemies of the state, the Maoist terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF,” he said.
“I call on the DILG, through Secretary Jesse Robredo, and the appropriate Committee on Local Governments, Justice, and Peace Order, all of the House of Representatives to conduct separate investigation on the possible serious violations committed by City Mayor Sarah Duterte and his father,” said Rep. Alcover.-30-
Rey Salas, ANAD Spokesman.
Rey Salas, ANAD Spokesman.
ANAD hails arrest of Alcantara and Codaste
The ALLIANCE FOR NATIONALISM AND DEMOCRACY (ANAD) Partylist hailed the arrest of Tirso Alcantara aka Bart, a member of the Maoist terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF’s Central Committee and of the NPA’s Military Commission in the evening of Tuesday (January 4, 2011) in Barangay Ibabang Iyam, Lucena City.
“This shows that the military and the police are true to their commitment to uphold the rule of law. This also shows that finally the claws of justice have finally caught up on Alcantara who has 23 standing warrants of arrests issued by the courts,” said ANAD Rep. Jun Alcover.
On the other hand, ANAD cautioned government that the Maoist terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF would raise the arrest of Alcantara and Pedro Codaste, aka Gonyong, Secretary of the terrorists North Central Mindanao Regional Committee in Mindanao, last December 2010, during the informal talks between the Maoist terrorist group and the government panel in Oslo, Norway this coming January 14.
“This is definite. Surely, they will raise the issue on the arrest of Alcantara and Codaste, also a member of the NPA’s Military Commission, and seek their release in the spirit of cordiality and goodwill. Knowing the ability and skill of the Maoist terrorists to twit public opinion and pressure government, ANAD is challenging the administration of President Aquino III to be true to its sworn oath and duty to uphold the rule of law and the judicial system of the country,” Rep. Alcover explained. “Let us not do a repeat of the mistakes and improprieties attendant to President Aquino’s order freeing the Morong 43,” he added.
“Practically, the arrest of Alcantara and Codaste plus the surrender of 14 NPA members to the folds of government, are big blows against the Maoist terrorist movement in the country,” Rep. Alcover pointed out even as he warned against the recurrence of that sweeping purges among its ranks, in the near future.
“This is not remote because the so-called ‘purges’, during the late l980’s to the early years of the l990’s, was triggered by the arrest of many top leaders of the Maoist organization, by government security forces, and the CPP leadership’s suspicion of government ‘moles’ within their structure,” Rep. Alcover explained.
“What worries us is the penchant of the Maoist terrorist organization to blame government for these killings, when they are the ones’ responsible for these. Government and the military should be warned against this,” Rep. Alcover said. -30- Rey Salas, ANAD Spokesman
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