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Quezon City - Archived News

The Founder Manuel Quezon

University of the Philippines

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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:

The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

‘All gender’ restrooms now a must in QC

Source: http://www.philstar.com/metro/2014/10/10/1378480/all-gender-restrooms-now-must-qc
Friday, October 10, 2014 12:00 am

By Janvic Mateo (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Government agencies, private offices, and commercial establishments in Quezon City will now be required to have a designated unisex comfort rooms to address discrimination issues among members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

The city government, through the office of Vice Mayor and city council presiding officer Joy Belmonte, has started this week distributing copies of the recently approved “gender fair” ordinance of the city.

“With political will, we would be able to realize the equality that everyone has long hoped for. In Quezon City, everyone stands equal,” Belmonte said in an earlier statement.

Under the new measure, all establishments in the city must have designated lavatories and toilets labeled “All Gender CR,” the acronym for comfort room.

The provision is under the section on affirmative acts on employment, which also mandates that employers grant LGBTs the same wage and benefits accorded to people of other gender.

The measure also mandates the conduct of annual gender sensitivity training and orientations for employees to eliminate all forms of discrimination based on perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

Earlier this year, a transgender call center employee sued two security guards for refusing to allow her to use the women’s restroom. She charged them with violating an earlier city ordinance that prohibits gender discrimination in workplaces in the city. The case is currently pending before the city prosecutor’s office.

Watered-down version?

Despite the passage of what some groups dub as a landmark ordinance, The STAR learned that various key provisions included in the proposal of first district Councilor Lena Marie Juico were removed from the final version.

Among these is the inclusion of an additional gender option in forms distributed by government agencies and health facilities in the city.

Also removed were proposals to review school textbooks to ensure the compliance with a non-sexist curriculum and the conduct of gender orientation activities among teachers.

The provision allowing LGBTs in tertiary education institutions to choose the manner of dress that they want to wear based on their perceived sexual identity was removed in the approved bill.

The council approved the measure on third reading following a marathon eight-hour session presided over by Belmonte on Sept. 29.

WHO marks World Sight Day Thursday

Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/112250/who-marks-world-sight-day-thursday
Thursday, October 9, 2014 7:55 am

(Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines–The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness celebrate World Sight Day Thursday to draw attention to blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation of the visually impaired.

St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC-Global City) Eye Institute head Dr. Noel G. Chua said World Sight Day seeks to come up with a global action plan to battle treatable eye ailments, with governments mandated to draw action plans for the 285 million people with low vision and the 39 million blind worldwide.

Dr. Chua said that both SLMC facilities in Global City and Quezon City will offer a three-day promo on discounted packages from Oct. 9 to 11, 2014, in line with the celebration, particularly for the most common treatable eye diseases. These include packages for biometry, glaucoma screening, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and optic neuropathy.

The theme of this year’s World Sight Day celebration is “No More Avoidable Blindness,” which means that eye ailments like glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and optic neuropathy would be given added attention so that those afflicted would continue to have quality of life, Dr. Chua said.

For inquiries on treatable eye diseases, call the St. Luke’s Eye Institute at tel. 7897700 ext. 2024 (Global City) and 7230101 or 723 0301 ext. 5422/4143 (Quezon City).

PHLPost to release QC anniversary stamps

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=281412070038
Wednesday, October 8, 2014

(PHLPOST/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

MANILA, 8 October (PIA) – In celebration of the 75th founding anniversary of the Quezon City government, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) will issue commemorative stamps to mark its silver jubilee this year.

According to PHLPost, QC’s anniversary commemorative stamps will be issued on October 12, 2014.

The 120,000 commemorative stamps come in four designs, featuring the Tandang Sora Shrine, E. Jacinto Shrine, SM North EDSA, and UP-Ayala Techno Hub. The stamps are printed on imported unwatermaked at P10.00 each.

Likewise, 700 pieces logo, glow in the dark souvenir sheets will be out and sold at P100 each. The souvenir sheet features the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

In 1938, Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon directed the Peoples’ Homesite Corporation to purchase 15,723 square meters of land in the Diliman Estate. This tract of land later becomes Quezon City.

After 75 years, Quezon City is the fastest-growing city in the country.

Guide to QC app launched Tuesday

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=281412070038
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 3:08 am

By Jaymee T. Gamil (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines–Finding your way around Quezon City has just become easier.

As part of the city’s 75th founding anniversary celebration on Oct. 12, a mobile application which will serve as a field guide to Metro Manila’s largest city will be introduced Tuesday.

The QC4ME app, which will be available for both Android and iOS users, includes a city map, a news portal, an events calendar, historical and cultural information about Quezon City, and even a hotel and restaurant finder, according to statement from the city government.

It will be launched Tuesday at city hall, along with a Diamond Jubilee coffee table book, commemorative coin and stamp.

In the afternoon, Mayor Herbert Bautista will deliver his fifth State of the City Address at the Carlos Albert Session Hall. He is expected to report on the status of various city programs and projects, including upcoming developmental plans and goals.

DENR sets out roadmap to inclusive growth via biodiversity conservation

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=281412070038
Monday, October 6, 2014

(RJB/AKG-PIA-NCR/DENR)

QUEZON CITY, 6 Oct. (PIA)- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will focus on effectively managing natural resource wealth to achieve broad-based inclusive growth as the agency sets out a roadmap towards sustainable use and conservation of the country's rich biodiversity.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP), which was launched recently at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City, is a strategic plan that highlights key initiatives that the department will aim to complete within the next 15 years, with the help of its partners and stakeholders.

The roadmap sets "clear directions on how we can achieve sustained growth but with clear warning signs if we overstep our so-called development activities," Paje said during the launch, which was attended by environmental advocacy partners from both public and private sectors, as well as by Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on environment.

Paje described the PBSAP as a plan that identifies the need for ecosystem approach; recognizes humans as an integral component of many ecosystems; balances the values of conservation, sustainable use, and the fair equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources; and considers all forms of relevant information including scientific and indigenous local knowledge, innovations and practices.

According to the environment chief, the PBSAP is consistent with the "Philippine Development Plan chapter on sustainable and climate-resilient environmental and natural resources, which points to inclusive economic growth that is not at the expense of our natural wealth."

He said the roadmap includes four additional themes to address ecosystem concerns. These are agrobiodiversity, urban biodiversity, access and benefit sharing, and invasive alien species (IAS).

Agrobiodiversity is a term used to encompass all biodiversity and ecosystems relevant to food and agriculture, including those necessary to sustain agricultural production. An example of this is the rice culture and traditions in upland communities, which need to be managed sustainably to ensure the country’s food and livelihood security.

Under the plan, the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) will identify at least 10 nationally recognized agricultural heritage systems, of which the Ifugao rice terraces are already part of.

Urban biodiversity refers to the management and restoration public open space areas and corridors, improvement of waterways, and wastewater management. This includes identifying or establishing pockets of green space in urban areas.

The PBSAP also looks at securing benefits for the community that supplies genetic resources and traditional knowledge utilized as biological materials by scientists, researchers and collectors.

The biodiversity roadmap also seeks to address the impact of IAS, which usually result from the movement of species beyond their natural barriers through increased travel, trade and tourism by humans.

Paje said that the country’s environment and natural resources are “a means and an end in achieving inclusive growth.”

“As a means, they provide the needed inputs and ecosystem services to sustain [us]. As an end, they bear both the positive and negative impacts of activities intended to accelerate economic growth,” he explained.

In presenting the details of the PBSAP, BMB Director Theresa Mundita Lim discussed the goals of the plan in addressing drivers of biodiversity conservation, reducing threats, improving the status of biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem services, and improving human well-being.

The plan will be implemented in partnership with other relevant government agencies and organizations, along with the academe, non-governmental organizations, media and the private sector.

QC council approves pro-LGBT ordinance

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/642680/qc-council-approves-pro-lgbt-ordinance
Sunday, October 5, 2014 5:16 pm

By Jaymee T. Gamil (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The rainbow flag has been raised in Quezon city.

In what has been touted as a pioneer legislation in Metro Manila, the Quezon City Council passed on second reading an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (Sogie) in the city.

Dubbed the “Gender-Fair City” Ordinance, the measure protects LGBT rights in the workplace, in schools, in accommodation and in accessing basic services.

The ordinance authored by first district Councilor Lena Marie “Mayen” Juico expands the 2003 Quezon City Ordinance No. 1309, which prohibited discrimination against homosexuals in the workplace.

It also takes off from Mayor Herbert Bautista’s office order in 2013, creating the Quezon City Pride Council (QCPC) to integrate the LGBT community in government programs. The Gender-Fair City ordinance tasks the QCPC as its oversight and implementing committee.

Juico, in her ordinance, noted the lack of a “state mechanism” to stem the “stigma, prejudice and discrimination” continually faced by the LGBT community.

“This stigma is manifested in actions such as bullying, teasing and harassment…[in] schools and [in] communities, in media portrayal of LGBT persons as frivolous, untrustworthy and even dangerous or predatory; [in] denying transgender Filipinos entry into commercial establishments; [in] pigeonholding LGBT Filipinos into particularly limited roles and occupations, or curtailing their rights to participate in the political sphere,” Juico said, in her ordinance.

Juico cited research conducted by the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch that of 141 documented cases of hate crimes from 1996 to 2011, 95 cases involved gay men, 26 involved transgendered people, 16 involved lesbians, and four involved bisexuals.

Juico’s ordinance not only prohibits penalizing people or denying them services because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, but it also bans verbal or non-verbal ridicule in the same discriminatory vein.

The ordinance also legislates affirmative acts for the cause—for instance, adding gender options for sexual orientation or genders in forms, putting up unisex lavatories in workplaces, conducting gender-sensitivity training, disseminating anti-discrimination materials in schools, workplaces and communities, and commemorating LGBT events in the city.

The ordinance also calls for the incorporation of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (Sogie) concerns under the function of the Violence Against Women and Children police desks, as well as the putting up of LGBT desks in hospitals.

The ordinance requires the allotment of funds for a widespread informational campaign on the anti-discrimination policy, for the setting up of a “discrimination databank,” and to provide legal representation and psychological counseling to victims of gender-related harassment.

Though the ordinance is still up for third reading before it gets enacted and submitted for Bautista’s signature, the QCPC believes the measure is “as good as passed,” with the final reading remaining a mere formality.

In an interview, QCPC member, Bishop Emerson Beriones, of the Orthodox Church, explained that getting this far was already a triumph for the ordinance.

“This is not the first in the Philippines, but the most comprehensive, the deepest, in protecting LGBT rights,” Beriones said.

Beriones said that before the ordinance was passed last Monday, it was subjected to council deliberations that took around eight hours, up to the late evening.

Beriones said it was “amazing” that the ordinance was able to hurdle “a big council—six districts, with eight councilors each, with different beliefs and principles.” Beriones said Quezon City has always been a “strong Catholic city,” which usually meant a more conservative stance on gender issues.

Beriones shared his personal advocacy of moving around other Churches “to talk about acceptance and fair treatment for the LGBT community.”

“How do we make them understand doctrines if they’re excluded from the Church? And in my personal opinion, what we straight people have, they should also have. What’s the difference?” the priest explained.

In a press statement, no less than Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who presides over the city council, noted: “The LGBT community has been a significant partner in ensuring the success of Quezon City. While contributing on various arenas—politics, arts, business, sciences, education, among others—they have long been ignored, their rights unrecognized, and worse they are often discriminated against. This is the city’s way to protect its citizens by saying no to discrimination.”

“With political will, we would be able to realize the equality that everyone has long hoped for. In Quezon City, everyone stands equal,” Belmonte added.

PHLPost issuing glow-in-the-dark stamps for QC anniversary

Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/382159/lifestyle/design/phlpost-issuing-glow-in-the-dark-stamps-for-qc-anniversary
Saturday, October 4, 2014 8:44 am

By Joel Locsin /LBG, (GMA News)

The Philippine Postal Corp. will issue commemorative stamps, including glow-in-the-dark souvenir stamps, this coming week to mark the 75th anniversary of Quezon City.

PHLPost said it will issue 120,000 commemorative stamps in P10 denominations and four designs starting October 12.

It will also issue 7,000 souvenir sheets with P100 denomination.

Designs on the stamps include the Tandang Sora Shrine, E. Jacinto Shrine, SM North EDSA, and UP Ayala TechnoHub.

The souvenir sheet will feature the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

PHLPost noted that in 2012, Quezon City became the first Philippine local government unit to fully connect to the Philippine Business Registry.

In 2013, the QC-LGU offers mobile money technology for payments of real property taxes, for remittances of city scholarship stipends and for teachers’ allowances.

This year, Quezon City marks its 75th founding anniversary as the country’s fastest-growing city, PHLPost said.

QC unites with global community in People’s Climate March

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=281412070209
Friday, October 3, 2014

(RJB/AKG-PIA-NCR/QC-PAISO)

QUEZON CITY, 3 Oct. (PIA)- Quezon City has joined other cities around the world, including various non-government and grassroots organizations, in collaboration with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) World Secretariat, in the People’s Climate March – dubbed as the largest and most diverse mobilization for climate action in history – on September 21.

The People’s Climate March in Quezon City was highlighted by a tree-planting activity attended by Councilor Alan Reyes, Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department head Frederika Rentoy, QC Parks Development and Administration Department head Zaldy de la Rosa, other city officials and employees, barangay officials and residents.

The activity aims to showcase the city’s commitment to combat and mitigate the effects of climate change as well as to show support of ICLEI’s call for mobilization. The tree-planting activity, which coincides with the Barangay Day, was conducted in Central Avenue and held simultaneously, in various sites in the city’s 142 barangays.

The Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department spearheads the implementation of Quezon City’s environmental programs and climate change initiatives. The department has also taken the lead in crafting the City’s Climate Change Action (CCA) Plan, which provides guidelines for the city’s adaptation to climate change. This project is being undertaken as City’s participation in the ICLEI Local Government for Sustainability’s Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network.

Quezon City gets busy for diamond jubilee

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/642087/quezon-city-gets-busy-for-diamond-jubilee
Thursday, October 2, 2014 2:57 am

By Erika Sauler (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Quezon City marks its 75th year of cityhood this month as it forges partnership and participation among its six districts to celebrate its diamond jubilee.

Mayor Herbert Bautista kicks off the celebrations with his State of the City Address on Oct. 6. “The 75th year celebration of cityhood gives us the perfect opportunity to show off what Quezon City has to offer,” Bautista said in a statement. “There is so much to celebrate and look forward to in the coming weeks. This is why we are inviting everyone to become part of our city’s many celebrations as we show our support and pride as residents.”

There is an ongoing Scout Jamborette until Oct. 5 at Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) while there will be a Senior Citizens Walk on Oct. 4. From Oct. 3 to 12, there will be novena Masses in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary at city hall.

Also on Oct. 6, the QC App will be launched along with the QC Diamond Jubilee coffee table book, commemorative coin, commemorative stamps and the QC Mural of History. The day will also mark the start of the Super QC Sale in all eight SM malls in the city, which ends on Oct. 12.

A “Grand Diamond Salubong” is set on Oct. 11, featuring marchers and dancers from each of the city’s six districts. There will be friendly competitions, concerts, street parties and fireworks displays at various locations: QMC; Roosevelt-Del Monte (District 1); Sandiganbayan (2); Araneta and Anonas (3); Maginhawa and Tomas Morato Streets (4); Quirino Highway (5); and Mindanao Avenue (6).

To be held simultaneously with the Grand Diamond Salubong on Oct. 11 are a citywide medical mission, job fairs, fun run, senior citizens’ program, sports exhibition, skateboard competition, volleyball tournament, rock concert and “Martsa ng Musiko” as well as a food festival on Maginhawa Street.

Health and wellness advocacies as well as project launches will complete the string of activities on Oct. 12. To be launched are the Quezon City Airship (a 60-foot-long, helium-powered balloon that will rise to the city skies at about 400 feet) and the Zumba Fitness Outdoor Party (a high-energy celebration of fitness and community camaraderie with a goal to make a new Guinness world record for the largest Zumba party) at the QMC at 4 p.m.

There will be a “Misa ng Bayan” and a parade of floats starting from the QMC to the respective districts. Other events at the QMC include a “Palarong Pinoy” and Concert at the Park. There will also be an October Beer Festival at Eton Centris.

The day will be capped with the Gawad Parangal Grand Night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when the city will honor its outstanding citizens and companies.

Other events are the “Diskwento Caravan” on Oct. 15; health and wellness fair, Oct. 16 to 17; mass blood donation, Oct. 17; antipneumonia immunization for senior citizens, Oct. 18; “Novaliches Got Talent,” Oct. 24; “Indakan ng mga Estudyante sa QC at Amoranto Sports Complex,” Oct. 19; and Diamond Jubilee Cup: QC 75 Inter-Barangay Street Soccer Tournament, Oct. 15 to 31.

Before the yearend, there will be an international film festival at Trinoma, underpass photo exhibit, HIV awareness campaign, international marathon, Pride March and the formal unveiling of the Quezon City Museum.

Cash gifts set for QC seniors who’ll turn 75 in October

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/641850/cash-gifts-set-for-qc-seniors-wholl-turn-75-in-october
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 4:17 am

By –Erika Sauler (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines–Senior citizens residing in Quezon City who will turn 75 years old this October will receive cash gifts from the local government in line with the city’s 75th anniversary celebration.

Mayor Herbert Bautista approved an ordinance on Monday giving a treat to the elderly birthday celebrators, who were grouped under two categories.

The first group, the “recipient diamond celebrants” or those whose 75th birthday coincides with the city’s founding anniversary on Oct. 12, will receive P7,500 each.

“Recipient celebrants” or those whose birthday falls on other dates in October, will get P5,000 each.

The seniors are being given these gifts for being “our pillar of strength, source of wisdom and inspiration, and for being our guardian of morality,” according to the ordinance authored by Councilor Raquel Malañgen.

A tentative list prepared by the local Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (Osca) showed that are 21 diamond celebrants and 214 recipient celebrants.

“I will use it to give my amigas a treat,” said Erlinda Saligumba, a diamond celebrant from District 3, who was at the Osca office on Tuesday to coordinate an alay-lakad (walk for a cause) project on Oct. 4.

The cash gifts will be drawn from the city’s budget for the diamond jubilee celebration. Recipients must be registered at Osca for verification and will be formally recognized in a program to be scheduled by the city government.