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Thursday, August 25, 2011

191 couples attend health classes


by Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) -- As the country celebrates the month of August as National Family Planning Month, the City Health Office (CHO) here has spearheaded the conduct of health classes in six cluster areas in the city.
A total of 191 couples attended the health classes which focused on responsible parenthood and family planning.
CHO family planning coordinator Rhodora YraƱela disclosed that the participants particularly the young couples were urged to adopt birth spacing to protect the health of the mother and children.
It can be recalled that the Department of Health (DOH) designated the month of August every year as National Family Planning Month with the goal of increasing public awareness on the importance of responsible parenthood to attain a better quality of life for the mother, the father and the family as a whole.
Latest results of the Pulse Asia survey on reproductive health showed that five out of 10 Filipino couples no longer want to have more children while seven out of 10 really want to practice family planning.
In a related development, a policy forum on Responsible Parenthood-Reproductive Health (RP-RH) bill is slated to be held in Dapitan City tomorrow to be attended by local chief executives of Zamboanga del Norte, religious leaders, academe, students and other stakeholders. This activity is organized by the Commission on Population (POPCOM).
To serve as resource speakers in the activity are POPCOM Administrator Tomas Osias and GABRIELA party-list representative Luz Ilagan. (ALT/FPG/PIA-Zambo. Norte)

Cebuano news: Unom ka mga ahensiya naghiusa aron pagbatok sa dengue


ni Claro A. Lanipa
MANILA, Aug. 25 (PIA) -– Uban sa nagpadayong pagsaka sa mga kaso sa dengue sa nasud, unom ka mga ahensiya sa kagamhanan naghiusa sa puwersa sugod karong adlawa (Agosto 25, 2011) alang sa usa taktikanhon ug hiniusang aksyon batok sa gitawag nga mosquito-borne viral disease nga nakapatay na sa 267 ka mga tawo sa tibuok nasud sa milabay’ng pito ka bulan.
Kining kalamboan migula human ang mga Sekretaryo – Jesse Robredo sa Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Enrique Ona sa Department of Health (DOH), Armin Luistro sa Department of Education (DepEd), Ramon Paje sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Mario Montejo sa Department of Science and Technology (DOST) ug Chairperson Francis Tolentino sa Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) mipirma sa memorandum of agreement alang sa gitawag Inter-Agency Cooperation Strategy for Intensifying Anti-Dengue Drive sa Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City.
Matod pa ni Robredo, gikinahanglan gayud ang usa ka inter-agency ug intersectoral partnership aron sa pag-implementar sa usa ka mapadayonon ug halapad nga kampanya sa pagsumpo ug pagpugong sa dengue.
“Ang tanang hingtungdang departamento sa kagamhanan ania karon aron sa pagbarog ug pagpatuman sa mga istratehiya ug kongkretong aksyon sa pagsulbat sa pagkaylap sa dengue,” miingon si Robredo.
Ubos sa MOU, ang DILG moawhag sa tanang hepe ehekutibong lokal aron sa pagpalihok sa ilang Barangay Dengue Brigades nga mopahigayon ug mag-supervise sa kampanya sa pagpanglimpyo sa matag panimalay; mohimo ug ordinansang lokal alang sa estriktong pag-obserbar sa kalimpyo; pag-monitor sa kahimtang sa panglawas sa ilang tagsa-tagsa nga dapit; motabang sa mga rural health workers sa pagsabwag sa mga kasayuran; ug pantanyag sa hinabang alang sa mga posibleng pasyente nga gidala sa mga rural health units o mga ospital.
Ang DOH maoy mo-implementar sa epektibong dengue control measures, ug seguroon ang tanang ospital sa DOH ug mga sakop niini andam sa pag-atiman sa mga kaso sa dengue, samtang ang DepEd magtutok sa ilang kampanya sa mga tulunghaan pinaagi sa pagpahibalo sa mga kasayuran ngadto sa mga tinun-an ug ginikanan ug seguroon ang tukmang sanitasyon ug pagpanglimpyo sa mga palibot sa mga tulunghaan.
Sa pikas nga bahin, ang DENR motabang sa implementasyon sa environmental sanitation, samtang ang DOST mopadayon sa paghimo sa scientific ug technological research and development kon unsaon sa pagpakunhod ang sakit nga dengue. Ang MMDA usab, modasig sa mga mayores sa Metro Manila aron sa pag-organisar sa community clean-up sa ilang mga lugar.
Pagkahuman sa pagpirma sa MOA, ang unom ka mga opisyales miuna sa pagpanglimpyo sa mga barangay aron paghatag ug gibug-aton sa nasudnong kampanya batok sa dengue.
Gikan sa Enero hangtod Agosto 6 ning tuiga, adunay suma total nga 45,333 kaso sa dengue ang natala sa DOH sa tibuok nasud, diin 33.5 porsiento mas ubos kaysa 68,168 ka mga kaso sa susamang panahon sa milabay’ng tuig.
Sa suma total nga 45,333 kaso sa dengue sa tibuok nasud, 34,652 ka mga kaso ang nahitabo sa Luzon, 5,091 sa Bisayas ug 5,590 sa Mindanao. (ALT/CAL/PIA9/Zambo Sur)

Japan envoy turns-over P28M ‘friendship’ building to ARMM


ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Aug 25 (PIA) -– Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe turned over last week the Japan-funded P28.8-million friendship hall and training center to the management of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, calling it as an edifice that will tighten his nation’s link with the Filipinos and help capacitate workforces in ARMM.
The ARMM information bureau said in a press release that the ambassador expressed elation over the present ARMM officials’ warm reception of the interventions of his government, particularly the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the fields of peace-building, human resource enhancement and infrastructure development.
Urabe assisted the Acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong in the ceremonial ribbon cutting, marking the opening and turnover of the Japan-Muslim Mindanao two-storey “Friendship Hall and Training Center”, which is built inside the ARMM compound in Cotabato City.
Ambassador Urabe said the building is part of his government’s assistance to the people of ARMM towards gaining peace and prosperity in the region.
“This will help you train eligible, competent administrators to effectively govern ARMM towards peace and prosperity,” Urabe said citing that governing is hard because it involves listening to the diverse views of the people and encouraging their assistance towards attaining a common goal.
Urabe also thanked the ARMM people for their sympathy and support to the Japanese people during their ordeal after the unfortunate earthquake and tsunami last March 11, 2011.
On his part Adiong accepted the gift with “pleasure and gratitude that I receive this gift from the Japanese people as a symbol of the solid friendship and cooperation between the Bangsamoro people and the people of Japan.”
“Let me also assure you that this will be maximized for its noble purpose,” he assured the Japanese officials present. Ambassador Urabe was also accompanied by other Japanese officials led by Minister for Political Affairs Keisho Takewaka.
ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo also expressed gratitude and pleasure during the turn-over citing that the landmark building signifies the enduring friendship between ARMM and Japan.
“As we open this building today, we also open the hope for peace and development for ARMM as we can now train highly competent people for us to ultimately attain peace and development,” he said.
The JICA approved the building’s P28.8-million allocation on October 8, 2009 but construction works commenced in 2010 due to the disruptive effects of the Maguindanao massacre that had created a major overhaul in the ARMM’s top leadership, engineering officials said.
The building, fully completed early this month, is equipped with office spaces, function halls and training equipment, and other facilities of international standard, they said.
It will house among others the ARMM development Academy (ADA), a regional counterpart of the Development Academy of the Philippines.
Sinarimbo announced that a series of trainings of administrative and technical personnel in the autonomous region has been lined up to start one after the other after the fasting month of Ramadhan.
Ambassador Urabe came here Thursday for various official functions including his gracing of the “Friendship Hall” building turnover.
Upon his arrival, Urabe immediately met officials of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) and top leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in separate meetings.
At a dinner reception with Adiong and other ARMM officials, Urabe talked casually to give emphasis on the “great potentials” of the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao in terms of “vast fertile lands and natural resources.”
Such bright prospects, he said, would just need “proper” interventions and investments to spur socio-economic development in the region.
Noting that “Japan is close to the Philippines,” Urabe said his government’s interventions in the region are meant “to help create peace and bright future for Mindanao.”
Japan is a key member of the IMT that monitors the ceasefire accord between the government and the MILF, and in the pool of foreign institutions facilitating the GPH-MILF peace talks. It had hosted early this month the one-on-one meeting between President Aquino and MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim. (BPI-ARMM/ALT/RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

1ID commemorates International Humanitarian Law Day

by Alma L. Tingcang
PAGADIAN CITY, Aug 9 (PIA) -– The 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, Philippine Army commemorated yesterday the International Humanitarian Law Day in a simple yet meaningful ceremony held at the Division Parade Ground, Camp Major Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
BGen Roland C. Amarille, Assistant Division Chief,1ID led the AFP Soldier’s Pledge of Reaffirmation and Support for the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), foremost of which is to strictly adhere to and abide with the provisions of the IHL in the discharge of their duties and functions.
The soldiers also pledged to observe the fundamental principles of IHL on distinction, proportionality of force, military necessity, limitation, humane treatment and non-discrimination; recognize, respect, defend and fulfill the dignity and rights of every person
Amarille said EO 134 formally declares August 12 as International Humanitarian Law Day, but he opted to have the celebration earlier, the soldiers having been fully rested and refreshed to face another week as he called on them to “seize the day to reflect and understand the provisions stipulated in this commitment.”
The good general read the message of AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen.Eduardo S. Oban Jr. “As I speak before u today, I reaffirm to you that the AFP leadership will remain committed in ensuring that everyone, starting with the commander down to our well-respected soldiers will strictly respect, adhere, abide, and support the provisions of the IHL. Rest assured that we will also continue giving technical assistance to further raise the awareness, training on capacity building of our personnel,” the AFP Chief said.
He concluded his message with a very touching note, “At bilang paggunita natin sa araw na ito, ang pamunuan ng 1st Infantry Tabak Division ay hinihimok ang lahat na manatiling nasa gabay ng sinumpaang tungkulin, sumpa na siyang bigkis ng ating pagkakakilanlan bilang tagapagtanggol ng mamamayan. Isang napakamaliwanag na mandato na siyang sumasalamin sa adhikaing protektahan at bigyang seguridad ang mga nararapat na pagkalooban nito. Maraming salamat at mabuhay ang kawal Pilipino,”
Tabak troopers were also privileged to hear lectures on International Humanitarian Law by Atty. Rene M. Quicoy and Capt. Rodolf John G. Dela Cruz, JAGS (PA). The theme of this year’s celebration is: “IHL, the International Criminal Court and RA 9851 protecting against impunity as an instrument of peace.”
Joining the AFP in its celebration were: Acting Labangan Mayor Ukol Talumpa, Upper Pulacan Barangay Captain Jesus Dawala, Atty. Rene Quicoy, Human Rights Officer, PIA9 RD Ms. Noemi Edaga, other dignitaries, local officials and civilian employees. (ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sur)

Cebuano news: BCDA naka-remit ug P1.962 bilyon alang sa AFP modernization sulod sa 7 ka bulan

by Alma L. Tingcang
MANILA, August 9 (PIA) -– Ang gipanag-iya sa kagamhanan nga Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) nakaremit sa kantidad nga P1.962 bilyon ngadto sa nasudnong panudlanan alang sa AFP Modernization Fund gikan sa Enero ngadto sa Hulyo, 2011.
Ang presidente sa BCDA ug chief executive officer nga si Arnel Casanova miingon nga ang maong tipik sa AFP Modernization Fund naggikan sa net proceeds gikan sa mga non-sale transactions sama sa lease ug joint venture agreements sa kanhi Metro Manila military camps, diin ang kinadak-an niini mao ang Fort Bonifacio ug parte sa Villamor Air Base nga gi-develop na isip Bonifacio Global City ug Newport City.
Ubos sa Executive Order 3019, ang Armed Forces of the Philippines makakuha sa 50 porsiyento sa net proceeds gikan sa non-sale transactions.
Niining bulan sa Hulyo lamang, ang BCDA naka remit ug P19.5 milyon alang sa maong katuyoan. Matod pa nga gitakda na usab kini nga motunol sa P36 milyon sa ikaduhang semana sa Agosto.
Matod pa ni Casanova, ang BCDA naka-generate ug P51.307 bilyon gikan sa pagdispose sa mga kampo sa Metro Manila gikan sa Mayo 1993-July 2011 ingon man naka-remit sa National Treasury ug P33.131 bilyon, naglangkob kini sa proceeds gikan sa sale ug non-sale transactions.
Sa kinatibuk-ang kantidad, ang P21.309 bilyon alang sa AFP nga gitipak isip:P11.813 bilyon alang sa AFP Modernization program uf P9.496 bilyon alang sa paghimo ug military facilities.
Ang nahibilin nga P51.307 bilyon nagrepresentar sa payments ngadto sa Bureau of Internal Revenue ug local government units pinaagi sa national ug local taxes ug fees, non-military facilities ug housing, ingon man compensation alang sa mga informal settlers.
Sayo niini, gipaklaro ni Casanova nga ang share sa AFP diretso nga gi-remit ngadto sa National Treasury ug ang Department of Budget and Management maoy responsable sa programming ug pag-release sa appropriation ngadto sa AFP aron pag-finance sa ilang modernization program. (ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sur)
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DOE lifts Pantawid Pasada application deadline


by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA) -– The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a memorandum to Land Transportation Office lifting the deadline for jeepney drivers to claim their Pantawid Pasada Cards.
LTO-Zamboanga Chief Noel Noche said he received the memo from Regional Director Aminola Abaton, instructing him to remove the deadlin for claiming the Pantawid Pasada Card last week.
Abaton has already released the same order to all LTO District Offices throughout the region and also tasked them to conduct information dissemination.
As of yesterday, LTO IX has already released 914 cards to jeepney drivers out of the 1,612 identified beneficiaries here in the city or 57% accomplishment, Mr. Yuri Lim, in charge of the Pantawid Pasada Card releasing section, said.
Region-wide, there are 1,810 beneficiaries with 980 (54%) already released.
Lim is encouraging all beneficiaries to claim their cards as soon as possible. He said that the 1,810 cards are ready for distribution and that beneficiaries should bring all necessary papers to claim their cards. (ALT/MVC/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Zambo City, champion in implementing MDG – ILO


by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 8 (PIA) – Zamboanga City local government received recognition from the International Labor Organization (ILO) calling it a “champion” in achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG).
ILO head of the technical working group on MGD - Expanded Breast Feeding Program Ana Valencia said they were pleased to see that the city is right on track in the implementation of MDG programs particularly on breastfeeding in workplace with an ordinance already in place.
“Our visit to Zamboanga City has been very fruitful. In fact, we were surprised that the city government has passed a local ordinance promoting breastfeeding in workplace”, Valencia said.
What’s more laudable, Valencia said, is the fact that the city came up with the ordinance even before they even asked LGUs to do so.
“This came even before we reached out to LGUs”, she said.
Valencia praised the local government saying it is proactive, and has taken the initiatives even when not told, and is serious in taking up issues under the MDG.
ILO National Coordinator Jonas Madagia called the city government a champion in adhering to the MDG.
“We are very happy that Zamboanga City is actually a champion in achieving the MDG”, he said. (ALT/MVC/PIA9-Zambo City) 
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