Quezon City News August 2015

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Quezon City - Archived News
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The Founder Manuel Quezon
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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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.

DA counting on El Niño measures to hit 2015 goal

By Alden M. Monzon (Reporter)

THE AGRICULTURE department is maintaining its 2015 target for farm production growth this year as it pinned its hopes on countermeasures to offset the El Niño weather phenomenon episode, which is expected to worsen towards year’s end.

“Our contraction [during the last quarter] is only 0.37%. That’s too small,” Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala told reporters in Filipino on the sidelines of the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City on the government’s Block Farm Program.

“At the department, we do not just lower the target for the year because that is tantamount to surrendering,” he said further.

Last week, the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Bureau of Agricultural Statistics reported that the volume of farm production contracted by 0.37% in the second quarter, due to the intense heat during April, May and June.

Despite this, Mr. Alcala admitted that the foreseen water shortage in the coming months due to the El Niño phenomenon is worrisome as it affects the production not just of rice, but of all crops, including corn, which will have a knock-on effect on feed supply.

“In the report, the production of rice and corn has diminished but at the end of the day, our livestock keeps on increasing... If corn will further deteriorate in the production, it will have an effect on our livestock,” he said.

The secretary however said that measures to counter these problems are being implemented, including changes to the normal planting practices of farmers and water conservation.

“One of the strategies we are doing is to encourage farmers to go into hybrid rice production. While some will experience water shortage, some will still have water and we want to maximize that,” Mr. Alcala said noting that farmers can increase their acreage by as much as 50% with this method.

Mr. Alcala also said that President Benigno S. C. Aquino III called for a meeting next week Wednesday of all department heads, who will be expected to lay out their projections for the rest of the year in accordance with the latest weather outlook from the state weather bureau.

Meanwhile, the government is expecting solid yields in the sugarcane industry with the government’s Block Farm Program, in which the smaller farms of agrarian reform beneficiaries are consolidated into larger units to take advantage of the economies of scale in production.

SRA Chief Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin said that based on experience, consolidated sugarcane farms can double production and lower costs through this system.

“Total right now, we have ninety-nine block farms [which] were given specific training and assistance,” she said.

The Block Farm Program is backed by a P1.5-billion fund allotted by the government through the Land Bank of the Philippines as well as P2 billion set aside for the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015, which was signed by the President in March.

President Aquino graces opening of modernized 'Museo ni Manuel Quezon’

(PNA), SCS/PND/EDS

MANILA, Aug. 19 (PNA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III joined officials of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the Quezon City government during the inauguration of the newly renovated "Museo ni Manuel Quezon" at the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Quezon City on Wednesday.

The opening of the modernized museum coincided with the 137th birth anniversary of Quezon, who served as the president of the Philippine Commonwealth government from 1935 to 1944.

Upon arrival, President Aquino and NHCP Chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the shrine in front of the museum's entrance.

After the wreath-laying rite, the President witnessed the presentation of a posthumous award to the family of Quezon in recognition of his implementation of the open-door policy that allowed 1,200 Jews to migrate to the Philippines to escape the horrors of the Holocaust.

The posthumous award -- the Raoul Wallenberg Medal -- was presented by Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Effie Ben-Matityau to President Quezon's daughter, Zenaida Quezon Avancena, and grandson, Manuel Luis "Manolo" Quezon III.

After the awarding ceremony, President Aquino returned in front of Quezon's bust to bang the gavel on the table, which marked Quezon's act of opening the Senate sessions from 1916 until he became president in 1935, to signal the formal opening of the newly refurbished museum.

The President toured the museum, which features the life and political career of Quezon and explains the historical context in which he emerged as the leader of the country.

The museum has a sizable collection of the late president’s memorabilia, a hologram of Quezon delivering his inaugural address, and various interactive booths and terminals that show information about the Commonwealth period. It also offers other facilities, such as the audiovisual room, which presents a brief documentary about Quezon and the museum; a gallery dedicated to Aurora Quezon; and a recreation of Quezon's office.

Also present during the museum opening were House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Maria Josefina Belmonte, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Hernando Iriberri.

QC remembers late President Manuel L. Quezon with a stage play

By Leilani S. Junio [(PNA), RMA/LSJ]

MANILA, Aug. 18 (PNA)-- The Quezon City government, through the Diamond Jubilee Commission, will conduct the premiere showing of “MLQ: Ang Buhay ni Manuel Luis Quezon, Isang Dula” at new Frontier Theater in Cubao on Wednesday, as part of the Quezon City's 75 founding anniversary celebration.

The play will be shown on Aug. 20, 25, 26, 27 and 28.

There will be two showings per day: 10 a.m. – 12 noon and 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

The play was first presented in 2009, during the 70th anniversary of the founding of QC, wherein the PETA Theater served as performance venue.

The play highlights s the life and legacy of the late, great President Manuel L. Quezon wherein his historical and his heroic contributions to the establishment of an independent Philippines were narrated.

This play also hopes to be a catalyst for people to have a better awareness and appreciation of the sacrifices and patriotism of Quezon who is remembered also as “Father of the Philippine National Language” for advocating Filipino language amendments.

Manuel Luis Quezon y Molina was born in Tayabas, Quezon on Aug. 19, 1878.

He served as president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944.

He was the first Filipino to head a government of the Philippines and was considered to have been the second president of the Philippines, after Emilio Aguinaldo (1897–1901).

He was first Senate President elected to the presidency, the first president elected through a national election and the first incumbent to secure re-election.

During his presidency, Quezón tackled the problem of landless peasants in the countryside.

Other major decisions include reorganization of the islands' military defense, approval of recommendation for government reorganization, promotion of settlement and development in Mindanao, dealing with the foreign stranglehold on Philippine trade and commerce, proposals for land reform, and opposing graft and corruption within the government.

During his exile in the United States, he died of tuberculosis at Saranac Lake, New York on Aug. 1, 1944.

He was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery until the end of World War II, when his remains were moved to Manila.

His final resting place is the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

QCHD, DOH and pharmaceutical partner activate schools in anti-dengue campaign

(PNA), SCS/LSJ/EDS

MANILA, Aug. 17 (PNA) -- The Quezon City Health Department (QCHD), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur, will launch a massive dengue awareness campaign on Tuesday to gather QC public schools' active participation in the drive against dengue-prone areas.

Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte have been invited to lead the campaign launch, which will be held at the Esteban Abada Elementary School in Barangay Veterans Village in Project 7.

The campaign, known as Dengue Mission Buzz 2015, will be anchored on the revival of the "4 O’clock Habit" -- a campaign strategy adopted by the DOH where community members search and destroy mosquito breeding places every 4 p.m. in a bid to contain the spread of the deadly disease which usually peaks during the months of July and August.

The Dengue Mission Buzz 2015, which has the theme “Linisin ang Kapaligiran, Dengue ay Maiwasan,” will be highlighted by a parade and a dance competition among students enrolled in public schools.

To date, 13 schools have already confirmed their participation in the event. These are Sto. Cristo Elementary School, San Francisco Elementary High School, Bagong Silangan Elementary School, Batasan Hills National High School, Quirino Elementary School, Quirino High School, Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School, Don A. Roces High School, Kaligayahan Elementary School, San Bartolome High School, Bonifacio Memorial Elementary School, Culiat High School and host Esteban Abada Elementary School.

The inter-school dance competition carries a grand prize of PhP 10,000, while PhP 7,000 and PhP 5,000 cash await the second and third placers, respectively.

Based on the Aug. 8 dengue update provided by the QCHD Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, a total of 1,958 dengue hemorrhagic cases were recorded in QC from Jan. 1 to Aug. 8, this year.

Barangays Holy Spirit, Batasan Hills, Fairview, Commonwealth and Greater Lagro registered the most number of dengue hemorrhagic fever cases.

20 groups back QC Council resolution vs foreign waste dumping in Payatas

(PNA), SCS/PR/PJN

MANILA, Aug. 16 (PNA) -- Environmental, labor and women's groups urged the Quezon City Council to fast-track the unanimous adoption of a resolution that will serve as a deterrent against any move to dump Canadian garbage in Payatas, Quezon City.

Proposed Resolution No. 19CC-1131, introduced by District 1 Councilor Dorothy Delarmente, seeks to “express strong disapproval against any plan to dispose foreign waste at the Payatas Sanitary Landfill.”

Backing the City Council’s approval of the resolution are Quezon City-based groups such as Ang NARS, Arugaan, Associated Labor Unions-TUCP, Bangon Kalikasan Movement, Ban Toxics, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino-NCR, Citizens' Organizations Concerned with Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability, EcoWaste Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Green Convergence, Greenpeace, Health Care Without Harm, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, Mother Earth Foundation, Oceana Philippines, Piglas Kababaihan, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, WomanHealth Philippines and Zero Waste Philippines.

"The resolution, which is not contentious at all, should be swiftly passed by the councilors to send a clear signal that garbage imports from Canada and elsewhere will not be allowed in Payatas,” said Aileen Lucero, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

"Its passage is one great gift that the councilors can give as the city marks on August 19 the 137th birth anniversary of former President Manuel Luis Quezon after whom the city was named. They will surely earn ‘ganda’ and ‘pogi’ points for saying ‘no’ against dumping,” she said.

“Whether hazardous or not, as some quarters would claim, the controversial garbage would not qualify as ‘municipal waste’ because it’s not locally generated,” she added.

Republic Act No. 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, defines “municipal waste as wastes produced from activities within local government units.”

“Like the Tarlac Provincial Board, we appeal to the QC Council to take a patriotic and precautionary stand versus foreign waste dumping in Payatas and the Philippines for that matter,” Lucero stated.

According to the proposed resolution, “the Bureau of Customs is reportedly scurrying for alternative sites where the illegal garbage imports from Canada can be disposed of after Tarlac and Bulacan officials have raised legitimate objections to foreign waste being dumped in local landfills.”

"The Quezon City Council finds the dumping of foreign waste into our country as totally inexcusable and unacceptable and demands that such unethical and unlawful act be brought to a halt,” the proposed resolution stated.

From June 2013 to January 2014, a total of 103 shipping containers of mixed garbage from Canada misdeclared as “plastic scraps” for recycling were illegally exported to the Philippines.

Trash from 26 of these containers were dumped at a landfill in Capas, Tarlac from June 26 to July 8 without authorization from the provincial government, prompting the local authorities to immediately stop further dumping of the foreign garbage in the facility.

Such illegal importation of garbage contravenes national and international laws, including the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order 1994-28 (Interim Guidelines for the Importation of Recyclable Materials Containing Hazardous Substances), Republic Act 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act) and Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act), as well as the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, which also covers “wastes collected from households.

LRT-1 southbound passengers can use “beep” cards starting Aug 16

(LRTA/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 15 (PIA)--The Light Railway Transit Authority (LRTA) announced Friday that passengers of LRT-1 on southbound journeys can use the “beep” cards starting on Sunday.

In a statement, private supplier AF Payments Inc. CEO Peter Maher said a successful trial was conducted on the southbound direction of LRT-1.

AF Payments Inc. has conducted selling activities for pre-loaded beepTM cards from August 10 to 14 at seven LRT-1 stations (Roosevelt, Doroteo Jose, Central, EDSA, Gil Puyat, Monumento and Baclaran).

The “beep” cards can be purchased at P100 (with P80 load) from beepTM promo personnel in the said stations.

“The southbound direction of all 20 stations (from Roosevelt to Baclaran) will be ready to sell and re-load beepTM SVCs as well as the new Single Journey Tickets (SJT) and have gates that accept the new contactless cards beginning Sunday, August 16,” Maher said.

Maher said they are encouraging commuters who regularly use LRT-1 to purchase their beepTM cards during the pre-selling period so they don’t have to line up to buy their cards on August 16.

He added that in the first week of the public trial, "passengers should allow more time to purchase their ticket as the riding public familiarizes itself with the new system."

Pre-loaded beep cards will also be available for purchase beginning August 17 at the following locations: Unibersidad de Manila, Philippine Normal University, Technical University of the Philippines, Masagana Building and Victory Mall.

Consumers who purchased a beepTM card in LRT-2 may also start using it on LRT-1 (Southbound direction only) beginning August 16.

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has stopped selling magnetic cards for LRT-1 stations since August 8. But holders of the magnetic stored value cards may get a cash refund for the remaining value of their cards in all LRT-1 station Teller’s Booths from August 8 to 15.

LRTA spokesperson Atty. Hernando Cabrera said that after August 15, cash refund will no longer be accommodated.

However, Cabrera said that any unused credit in an old magnetic SVC may be transferred to the new beep card beginning August 16.

“This may only be done in the LRT-1 Central Station Teller’s Booth,” Cabrera added.

DND-AFP, DILG-PNP bolster alliance against insurgencies

By Kristel Claudine D. Aslanbaigi

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 14 (PIA) – In hopes of countering insurgencies, agencies concerned with territorial defense and public order and safety came together to reaffirm cooperation and enhance existing coordination mechanisms, today.

These were made possible through the joint signing of the Revised Joint Implementing Rules and Regulations (RJIRR) to Executive Orders 546 and 110.

The RJIRR is a policy measure enjoining the Department of National Defense (DND), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the PNP and the AFP to further enhance cooperation and coordination in combating insurgencies.

Said policy is also expected to clarify operational procedures and roles of the AFP and PNP in connection with the implementation of the abovementioned executive orders that pertain to PNP’s support to the AFP’s internal security operations (ISO).

Under the RJIRR, the PNP QUAD composed of Operations, Intelligence, Police Community Relations and Investigations, is mandated to give support to the AFP Triad composed of Combat Operations, Intelligence, and Civil Military Operations.

Aside from these agencies, the RJIRR considers the crucial role local government units play in ISO, hence the policy tasks the DILG to ensure that LGUs act within their prescribed duties and functions to support the implementation of the RJIRR without prejudice to the Local Government Code 1991 and other applicable laws.

Aside from being a mechanism that ensures cooperation between the AFP, PNP and LGUs in addressing all peace and security concerns, the RJIRR also covers emergencies and calamities.

Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin and Undersecretary Atty. Edwin Enrile, representing Secretary of Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas, in the presence of General Hernando DCA Iriberri, Chief of Staff AFP, and Police Director General Ricardo C. Marquez, Chief of PNP, signed the RJIRR at the AFP Commissioned Officers’ Club in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.

QCPD to deploy more traffic enforcers near accident prone areas

By Francis T. Wakefield

After the tragic Valisno bus accident which claimed four lives Wednesday morning, the chief of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has ordered the deployment of additional traffic enforcers particularly near road accident prone areas in Quezon City.

Police Chief Supt. Edgardo Gonzales Tinio, QCPD director, gave the orders to Quezon City District-District Traffic Enforcement Unit (QCPD-DTEU) Chief, Police Superintendent Ely Pintang during a meeting and inspection he conducted to traffic personnel in Camp Karingal.

He said although there are other factors that could be attributed in traffic accidents, the deployment of additional traffic personnel will be helpful especially when motorists are reported to be driving recklessly which often result in fatal accidents.

“Aside from doing normal traffic management and direction, the presence of the traffic enforcers in accident prone areas will also be helpful in rendering immediate assistance to motorists who need help,” Tinio said.

Meanwhile, Pintang identified some of the thoroughfares in Quezon City as accident prone as Regalado cor. Minadanao Avenue; Don Mariano Marcos Ave. cor. Labayani; Quirino Highway in Gulod Novaliches; C.P Garcia and Katipunan Avenues; Aurora Boulevard; Don A. Roces Avenue and Scout Tobias Street; EDSA cor. Aurora Ave.; EDSA cor. Kamuning Road; EDSA cor. Timog and Santolan Roads; Commonwealth cor. Tandang Sora Ave.; Commonwealth cor. Winston St. in Fairview; Mindanao Ave.; Congressional and Visayas Avenues.

On Wednesday, four people died in an accident after a Valisno Bus rammed into a concrete marker along Quirino Highway in Quezon City.

JSDF head visits PHL counterpart Wednesday

(PNA), RMA/PFN

MANILA, Aug. 12 (PNA) --- The head of the Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF), Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, paid a visit to his Filipino counterpart at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Wednesday.

The courtesy call to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri took place 3: 30 p.m.

Kawano will stay in the Philippines until Aug. 14 to observe the activities under the Pacific Partnership (PP) 15.

Pacific Partnership is an annual humanitarian and civic assistance exercise aimed at strengthening international relationships with partner and host nations in the Asia-Pacific Regions.

It started last May and will end in September this year.

It is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region.

Its missions have provided medical care, veterinary services and critical infrastructure developments to host nations through engineering projects.

The PP15 also includes advance disaster risk reduction trainings for stakeholders, multilateral leadership forum on gender and development, partnered training with barangay health workers, biomedical repair exchanges, and a disaster risk reduction forum intended to enhance international response to natural disasters.

Among the highlights of PP15 is the medical mission being conducted by personnel from various countries onboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) which arrived in the Philippines last July 18.

PNP assesses performance of Crame security guards

By Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo (Sunnex)

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reviewing its policy of tapping private guards to secure the gates of its headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

PNP chief Ricardo Marquez said they are conducting performance evaluation of all the security guards deployed in Camp Crame to determine if they will renew the contract with the Right Eight Security Agency Inc.

He said the PNP will review if they are able to provide security in the camp as much as the policemen do.

Seventy-three security guards are assigned in four gates of the PNP headquarters. They are rotated in three eight-hour shifts to make sure that the security inside the camp is continuous day and night.

In November 2014, then PNP chief Alan Purisima approved the replacement of cops manning the police camp gates to deploy them in the streets to boost police visibility in the wake of the increasing criminality particularly in Metro Manila.

Marquez said around 500 policemen in Metro Manila have been removed from their desk jobs to man the streets.

He said such project supports his goal of improving police presence in communities as a deterrent to crime.

BIR’s electronic registration resumes Aug. 10

By Susan G. de Leon (PIA-NCR/RJB/SDL)

QUEZON CITY, AUG. 10 (PIA)--The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) online application for taxpayer identification numbers, or TINs is now back in operation starting Monday, August 10.

BIR Deputy Commissioner for information systems group Lilia C. Guillermo, in a memorandum issued August 7 said, the technical issues encountered in eREG System that made it go offline for several months have been resolved.

Guillermo advised taxpayers and all eREG users to use online TIN applications as Revenue district offices will no longer manually issue TlNs.

The BIR eREGISTRATION (eREG) system is a web application system for various taxpayer registration services, such as TIN issuance, payment of registration fee and issuance of Certificate of Registration

The eTIN is a module of the eREG System. It offers convenient access to application for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) over the internet.

It currently caters to the following types of individual taxpayers: Self-employed individuals such as Single Proprietors and Professionals, Mixed Income Earners (e.g. employee and single proprietor and/or professional at the same time), Employees, and Executive Order (E.O.) No. 98.

Quezon City garbage hauling expenses up

By Reina Tolentino

The local government of Quezon City’s expenses for collection and hauling of garbage to sanitary dumps reached over a billion last year, according to a 2014 audit report by the Commission on Audit (COA).

Based on the city’s consolidated statement of income and expenses, it spent P1,014,195,457 for Environment/Sanitary Services in 2014.

The figure has been increasing since 2009, when P755,264,596 was spent.

In 2010, it rose to P828,714,386 then P920,757,953 in 2011.

The collection expenses fell to P903,715,477 in 2012 and again rose to P994,590,354 in 2013.

Quezon City is followed by Manila, the country’s capital, which spent P512.564 million for garbage hauling in 2013 and Makati City, the business capital, which paid P440.157 million in the same year.

Quezon City is the largest of 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila both in terms of population and land area.

It covers almost one-fourth of Metro Manila (National Capital Region) with 16,112.8 ha. or 160 sq. km. and its population of more than 2.9 million is the biggest in the NCR.

The P1.014 billion would mean about P340 from each resident.

Aquino lauds Oplan Lambat Sibat on PNP’s 114th Service anniversary

By Susan G. de Leon (PIA-NCR/RJB/SDL)

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 08 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded Philippine National Police’s Oplan Lambat Sibat saying that the campaign accomplished a lot by keeping a decreasing trend in the National Capital Region crime rate.

Aquino yesterday (Friday, August 7) led the celebration of the 114th Police Service Anniversary in simple ceremonies at the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The President claimed crime cases, particularly murder, homicide and theft, have gone down compared to last year's numbers.

”Ayon sa pinakahuling datos: Mula sa 37 na kaso ng murder at homicide kada linggo sa National Capital Region mula Enero hanggang Hunyo 2014, bumaba ito sa 21 nitong Hulyo,” the President said.

He added the program will now be expanded to cover Regions 3 and 4.

“Dahil nga sa positibong resultang hatid ng Oplan Lambat-Sibat, pinalawak na rin natin ang saklaw nito; inilunsad na rin natin ito sa Region 3 at 4,” the President added.

Since the campaign began in June 2014, crimes in Metro Manila was reduced by more than 60 percent as of mid-June 2015.

From an average of 919 incidents last year, criminality went down to 315 incidents this year.

These incidents include street crimes like robbery, theft and carnapping.

Thru the relentless operations of Oplan Lambat Sibat, 438 of the Most Wanted Persons in Metro Manila were caught.

The PNP Directorate for Intelligence (DI) noted that out of 75 Criminal Gangs being watched by the PNP operatives, 43% were neutralized and 32% were degraded.

However, the DI said that elements of different PNP units are still on guard and looking for the remaining 25% of active criminal gangs in the NCR.

Oplan Lambat Sibat was designed as a unified intel target operations of the PNP using combined intelligence resources of various operating units.

Google celebrates Buwan ng Wika, launches Love Your Language campaign

(RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 7 (PIA)-- In celebration of Buwan ng Wika, Google Philippines invites every Filipino including translators, language lovers, and culture enthusiasts to contribute to the Google Translate Community to help bridge language barriers and bring the Filipino and Cebuano languages and cultures better representation online to share with the rest of the world.

In line with this, Google Philippines launched a nationwide translation campaign called Love Your Language, a first translate-a-thon to improve the quality of Filipino and Cebuano translations online.

Throughout August, Google is holding a series of Love Your Language translate-a-thons across the country through several community-led and campus-led events in Bacolod, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Guimaras, Halsema, Iligan, Iloilo, La Union, Los Banos, Makati City, Pangasinan, Quezon City, and Zamboanga.

According to Google Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Gail Tan, the Google Translate Community is a platform for Filipinos to express national pride and love for our local language through their contributions.

“Through this dedicated community effort, we believe that the Filipinos can build a web that truly works for them as they make Filipino and Cebuano languages better understood and appreciated online by both native and non-native speakers,” Tan said.

Individuals and organizations who want to help translate as part of Love Your Language in the Philippines can get more information and register at https://sites.google.com/site/loveyourlanguagephilippines/ or https://goo.gl/HPwI3Z.

Participants are encouraged to share their Google Translate Community anecdotes through their social media channels using hashtags #LoveYourLanguagePH or #GoogleTranslatePH.

Filipino blind singers, musicians perform exceptionally in "First Himig Tanglaw"

By Lily O Ramos [(PNA), LAM/LOR]

MANILA, Aug. 5 (PNA) -- Being blind, deaf, mute, bipolar or having some limb missing should not be an obstacle for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to become a successful worker anytime, anywhere.

Even in the arts, many PWDs can become famous.

Look at blind Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli who is now known as the best aria singer in the world today; legendary American singer/composer Stevie Wonder who sold dozen albums of classics worldwide; and Puerto Rico’s gifted guitarist-singer-composer Jose Feliciano of the "Feliz Navidad" fame.

The Philippines does not lack blind singers, musicians or instrumentalists as shown in Tuesday’s First Himig Tanglaw Grand finals at the Sky Dome in SM North Edsa, Quezon City.

Massage therapist Charmaine Tonid of Negros Oriental rendered “The Prayer,” navigating the soft to high notes with crystal voice and ease with correct pronunciation of the English and Italian parts of the song to covet the grand prize in the solo competition.

Visually impaired but very determined to live life at its fullest, Tonid said she would love to become a professional singer if given the chance to do so like normal people.

If any record producer out there would like to give her an audition, the pretty girl said she is willing to sing her heart out.

Young and talented, she hopes to be singing someday before big crowds and entertaining the audience.

”A song can help wipe away the tears and pain inside or outside the heart,” she said. ”I also want to help my family financially."

The battle of the bands crown went to the Sharp Trouperz Band with their rendition of “Mangarap Ka,” a song popularized by local band After Image. The group's creativity include a rain of confetti during the performance and a rap by their lead singer that won the judges’ nod.

Aside from creativity, the group’s mastery of the drums, electronic piano and guitar added to their confidence as they sang and rapped with gusto without being drowned by instruments on stage.

The Trouperz can even beat many of the local bands if ranged against them in an open competition. Just like their colleagues, the blind band wants to have the chance to perform in concerts if anybody would gamble on their talent.

One of the crowd pleasers is Dennis Battong from Amuyong, Cagayan up north who sang “I Live My Life For You” with such zest and sparkle.

The judges gave Battong the credit for his clear pronunciation and enunciation of his piece while sitting down or standing in front of the awed judges.

Also a massage worker, his wish is to earn enough for his family and go out to the world to share his powerful voice if somebody offers him to sing live or through recording.

Musical patrons like conductor Ryan Cayabyab, Vic del Rosario, Alpha Records and radio stations would like to showcase and enhance the talents of these visually-impaired aspirants. They are just waiting for your call.

NHA to grant housing assistance to families of fallen soldiers

(AFP/RJB/KCDA/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 4 (PIA) – With the passing of Resolution No. 5914 on March 31, 2015, the National Housing Authority (NHA) is bound to pursue the grant of housing assistance to the families of fallen armed personnel from both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The effort to provide said assistance is in line with the national government’s recognition of the departed combatants’ selfless sacrifice in the fulfillment of their duties to their country and fellowmen.

As the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) confirms this good news with the AFP, the families of the fallen soldiers can now look forward to getting new houses with AFP’s parallel implementation of the Killed-In-Action (KIA) Off-Base Housing Program.

For the beneficiaries to avail of the KIA Housing Program, they simply have to submit their names, registered mailing address, contact numbers and preferred sites among the President Benigno Simeon Aquino III (PBSAIII) Housing sites to the AFP Housing Board for endorsement to the NHA.

KIA beneficiaries are also advised to get in touch with Ms. Beth Campanano of the Housing Management Division of AFPREP at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City for details/processing. Contact numbers are (02) 911-60-01 local 6922/6782 and/or 09173909034.

General Hernando DCA Iriberri, Chief of Staff AFP, thanks the national government on behalf of all of AFP soldiers who perished in service of the country and their dependents. (AFP).

Maynilad launches new multi-channel customer service assistance

(MAYNILAD/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, August 3 (PIA) – Maynilad customers can now reach Maynilad’s customer service agents through SMS and social media channels Facebook and Twitter.

“Part of our efforts to improve services to our almost 9 million customers is to ensure that we are more accessible to them. With these new customer touch points, we hope to become more responsive to their concerns,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ricky P. Vargas.

According to Maynilad, inquiries on water services, billing concerns, service interruptions, application requirements, septic tank desludging, and reports of pipe leaks or illegal connections, among other concerns can now be sent to Maynilad via its new Text Hotline 0998-864-1446.

To avail of this service, customers should type MAYNILAD <space> 8-digit Contract Account Number> <space> Complete Name <space> Message.

Likewise, customers may now also send their concerns through Maynilad’s official social media accounts in Facebook (www.facebook.com/MayniladWater) and Twitter (@maynilad).

Company updates and news may also be seen on Maynilad’s FB and Twitter accounts.

The new channels of communication are addition to Maynilad’s customer service Hotline 1626 and website www.mayniladwater.com.ph.

QC mulls twice-a-year shake drill

(People's Tonight)

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista said the city now plans to institutionalize the conduct of earthquake drills in the city at least twice a year to raise public awareness and muscle memory on disaster preparedness.

If plans do not miscarry, Bautista said the city is planning to conduct a city-wide earthquake drill the last quarter of the year at the Quezon Memorial Circle, using the July 30 earthquake drill as template after it was described to be ‘generally successful.’

Bautista said that after the drill, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will also be conducting a gap analysis to address what are still lacking in the city’s disaster preparedness plan.

The city government is considering procuring water tankers and purifiers to ensure that potable water shall be provided to city residents during emergency situations. Under the plan, each of the city’s six districts shall have water treatment facility.

Earlier, Bautista called for a massive participation of all stakeholders in the July 30 metro-wide earthquake drill which was organized by the government to test the implementation of national and local contingency plans for emergency situations, including earthquakes.

Among those being mobilized by the mayor are the city’s 142 barangays, public and private schools, commercial establishments, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, government and private hospitals, churches, government offices, media organizations and other community-based institutions.

Bautista, together with National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Joel Pagdilao and QCDRRMC action officer Elmo San Diego, personally supervised the July 30 activity at QC Hall.

Aside from QC Hall, pocket drills were also conducted at Eastwood City, Veterans Memorial Hospital, Novaliches District Center and at SM and Trinoma malls. Eastwood City in Bgy. Libis hosted the biggest pocket drill.

Meanwhile, secretary to the mayor Tadeo Palma supervised the pocket drill at the Novaliches District Center.

During the July 30 activity, emergency responders from the QC Department of Public Order and Safety, QC Fire Department, Health Department, Social Services Development Department, Engineering Department and QC Red Cross demonstrated their rescue and response capabilities to highlight the city government’s continuing effort to provide the necessary emergency response services to city residents, especially in case of an earthquake that could emanate from the West Valley Fault.

PNP 114th police service celebration up

(PNA), RMA/PFN/SSC

MANILA, Aug. 1 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has lined up a week-long activities to celebrate its 114th Police Service anniversary starting Monday till Aug. 7.

President Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to attend during the Aug. 7 event.

Through its Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR) and Police Community Relations Group (PCRG), the PNP will conduct various activities such as:

-- The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the Regional Products Exhibit at the PNP Heritage Park, Camp Crame, Quezon City (Aug. 3 /9 a.m.);

-- Display of action photos on tourist destination, and Regional Products Exhibit at the PNP Heritage Park, Camp Crame, Quezon City (Aug. 3-6 / 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.);

-- 23rd PCRG Founding Anniversary at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City (Aug. 3 / 9:30 a.m.);

-- Disaster Preparedness Symposium at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City (Aug. 3 / 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.);

-- “Pulisteniks”, Arnis Exhibition and Rifle Exercises at the PNP Grandstand, Camp Crame, Quezon City (Aug. 4 / 4 a.m.);

-- PNP Mall Tours on Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. at Fisher Mall, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City and on Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. in Ever Gotesco Mall, Commonwealth, Quezon City;

-- School-Based Activities in Philippine Christian University, Manila and Ramon Magsaysay High School, Quezon City during the 1st week of August;

-- Film Showing at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City (Aug. 5 / 9 a.m.); and

-- Entertainment Shows at the PNP Grandstand, Camp Crame, Quezon City (Aug. 5 / 4 a.m.).

DPCR head Director Wilfredo D. Franco said the activities desire to exemplify the PNP’s organizational mandate focusing on public safety through crime prevention and disaster preparedness.

It also aims to showcase the skills, talents, capability, and expertise of PNP personnel.

Among the highlights of the week-long celebration is the Display of action photos on tourist destination and Regional Products Exhibit.

A 6x6 ft booth will be provided for the participating Police Regional Offices by their respective Directorates for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO) and selected National Support Units.

The best booths will receive cash prizes amounting to Php20,000 for the 1st prize, Php15,000 for the 2nd prize and Php10,000 for the 3rd prize.

The culminating activity on Aug. 6 at 5:00 p.m. in Ever Gotesco Mall, Commonwealth will be highlighted by a musical festival, exhibition of the PNP Grand Marching Band, dance numbers by PNP Mascots, cultural shows and silent drills to be performed by the PNPA cadets.

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