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Quezon City News May 2016

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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.

Maynilad sets P42-B capex for expansion

By VOLTAIRE PALAÑA

WEST Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) said on Monday it plans to spend P42 billion from 2016 to 2018 to accelerate the improvement and expansion of water and wastewater services for its customers.

Of the said capital expenditure (capex) program, some P21 billion will be spent for water projects, which include service expansion, management of water losses or Non-Revenue Water, operational support programs such as the upgrade of pumping stations, and the development of new water sources.

Meanwhile, about P20 billion is earmarked for Maynilad’s sewerage and sanitation program. This covers the construction of sewage treatment plants, laying of conveyance systems, acquisition of lots for new wastewater facilities, and maintenance of the existing wastewater infrastructure.

Funding for Maynilad’s infrastructure investments will come from local and international bank loans, and internally generated funds. The water company expects to generate over 126,000 jobs from its P42 billion capex for the next three years.

“Through this three-year capex program, we hope to ramp up our massive investments by accelerating the completion of new projects so we can meet our service obligations to our customers and the government,” Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said in a statement.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is the agent and contractor of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.

DOST launches Filipino Weather Channel

By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata [(PNA), BNB/MCCA]

MANILA, May 30 (PNA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) held the soft launching of DOSTv, The Filipino Weather Channel, Monday at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) central office in Quezon City.

First launched in 2013, the DOSTv can be viewed via livestreaming at www.dostv.ph/youtube and www.dostv.ph starting Monday, 11:00 a.m.

Currently, its studio is located in PAGASA. As the weather bureau's broadcasting system, DOSTv is one of the agency's platforms to ease calamaties and make the public well-informed.

Aside from real-time weather updates, DOSTv will also showcase interviews, bulletins, public announcements, trivia segments and short documentaries.

DOST said that by watching DOSTv, viewers will also learn to check if their homes can withstand an earthquake.

During the launch, DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said weather-related information from Diwata-1, the country's first microsatellite, will also be shared through DOSTv.

For the initial broadcast, a feature on Diwata-1 was part of the program lineup. Here, viewers can have an overview of Diwata-1's functions, its role, and also the people behind its development.

The DOST highlighted that weather updates are important in decision making, such as in events planning. "In adverse conditions, weather updates are important in disaster preparedness, especially in areas prone to flooding, landslides, and other hazards," the agency said.

When asked what's the DOSTv's difference from other weather broadcast stations (e.g. Panahon TV), the DOST noted that there's no competition in weather reporting, since they have one common goal -- to inform the public.

However, it noted, "As a government station, we have inside information."

Meanwhile, the DOST wants to reach out to a bigger audience for DOSTv in the near future. It also hopes that the next DOST chief will continue and strengthen this initiative.

DENR celebrates Environment Month in June

(PNA), SCS/DENR-PR/PJN

MANILA, May 29 (PNA) -- June will be a busy month for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as it leads the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month.

“We celebrate Environment Month this year with the renewed and strengthened conviction to care for the land we live on, the air we breathe, and the water which gives us life. More than any time in this planet’s history, it is now that we must put our acts together to combat increasing threats to our ecosystems,” said DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje.

With the theme, “Go Wild for Life, Combat Biodiversity Loss,” Paje said that the fight against illegal wildlife trade must continue, noting that the extinction of species is irreversible and losses are permanent.”

He added that biodiversity loss has affected the livelihood of many Filipinos, especially those in the agricultural and fisheries sector and even causes losses in the economy due to natural calamities.

The month-long celebration begins with a three-day Young Eco-Ambassador’s Camp that will be held on UP National Engineering Center on June 1. The said event will be the first national camp for high school students.

Sponsored by the Young EcoAmbassadors Pilipinas, the Department of Education, and DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the camp will bring together successful high school student applicants together with their advisers from all over Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) will host the Philippine Eagle Week celebration in collaboration with Enchanted Kingdom (EK) in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna with the theme “Saving Eagles, Protecting Forests, Securing our Future” on June 4. A series of fun-filled activities will take place during the celebration, which includes the participation of the winners of the AGILA costume contest, and EK’s Circle of Artists wearing of eagle costumes while parading around the amusement park.

Philippine Eagle Week is observed annually from June 4 to 10.

The EMB will also hold a multi-media exhibit on combating biodiversity loss and beating climate change at Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas Center, Quezon City, from June 6 to 8.

The EMB’s Air Quality Management Division will conduct an orientation on ecosystem-based adaptation at its Air Quality Management Training Center (AQMTC) on June 6, and an emission inventory training-workshop for the EMB regional offices.

The EMB’s Environmental Education and Information Division (EEID) will bring together hundreds of bloggers for the Environmental Blogger’s Forum to promote the hashtag #GreenEnvironmentGawingForever at the Cocoon Boutique in Quezon City on June 7.

A General Assembly and Consultation Workshop on the Upland National Implementation Action Plan on June 7 and a workshop on the draft Revised Chemical Control Order for Cyanide and its compounds will be held June 9 at the EMB AQMTC Conference Room.

To showcase an environment-friendly building, the Laguna Lake Development Authority will conduct a “Green Building Tour” of its office on June 8.

The annual Clean Air Forum, which is DENR’s sustaining effort to further improve air quality, and the activity on the Capacity Development of Micro and Small Medium Enterprises in compliance with the Environmental Permitting Requirements are scheduled on June 14, 15 and 16, respectively, at the DENR Social Hall in Quezon City.

The Capacity Development of Micro and Small Medium Enterprises is a two-day seminar that will be in partnership with EMB-AQMS and the Environmental Compliance Assistance Center, and is open to the public.

On June 16, the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Amphitheater in Quezon City will feature the live mural painting by A.G. Saño and the youth artists, as the “Stop Illegal Wildlife Trade Campaign” will be held in General Santos City.

The EMB will also hold the 2nd Integrated National Solid Waste Management Summit on SM Megatrade Hall on June 21-24, and the Training on Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Management for Industries in Cebu City on June 23-24. An orientation on the Globally Harmonized System will be held on Davao City on June 24.

The Philippine Arbor Day, a nationwide tree planting activity, will be spearheaded by the Strategic Communication Initiatives Service of DENR at the Upper Marikina Watershed and the Ipo Watershed on June 25.

Activities that will be spearheaded by the EMB’s Climate Change Division will be training on Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Development Planning on June 27-29 for selected DENR employees.

The EMB will also hold an Environmental Eco-Tour at the Las Piñas Parañaque Critical Habitat on June 29, and a National Training-Workshop on Air Quality Monitoring Network on June 27-30.

Cleaning of adopted esteros, tree planting activities, and a bike parade will also be held nationwide during the month-long celebration.

QC to hold bike day, road-sharing exercise on Sunday

By KIERSNERR GERWIN TACADENA (KBK, GMA News)

In its effort to continue its commitment to making the city bike-friendly, the Quezon City government will hold on Sunday, May 29, another bike day and road-sharing exercise.

Participants from the city government, civic organizations and barangays will converge along Maginhawa Street near Teacher’s Village beforer dawn to commence the Quezon City Bike Day (QCBD).

The route of the QCBD stretches 14 kilometers, from Maginhawa Street to both lanes of Commonwealth Avenue.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Councilor Allan Reyes said the QCBD will coincide with the launching of Maginhawa Street food strip as a tourist destination.

“The second Quezon City Bike Day would like to highlight certain portions of the city. We chose Maginhawa, being pushed by the city to become a tourist attraction, as a main center of attraction,” Reyes said.

The QCBD was held on May 31 last year.

For the second QCBD, a portion of the said street, from cor. Magiting to cor. Masinsinan St, will be closed to traffic from 3 a.m. to 12 p.m. that day.

Karen Crisostomo from the Bicycle-Friendly Philippines said the event aims to encourage people to consider cycling as a mode of transportation. According to her, certain privileges will be given to cyclists who will participate in the event.

“We want to make this even more significant to cyclist. We have also requested from the business establishments in Maginhawa to offer discounts for the cyclists,” Crisostomo said.

Crisostomo stressed that even though the ultimate goal is to make Quezon City bike-friendly, the event also aims to address other pressing problems of the city.

“We are doing this because we believe the use of bicycle as a sustainable form of transportation. This is to show that cycling addresses issues like traffic congestion and air pollution,” she said.

Paulo Burro of Bayanihan sa Daan echoed the same statement, saying the road-sharing scheme involves a change in the mindset of how people use public spaces and roads.

“What we advocate for is walkability, bikeability and efficient public transport system. We aspire to have a community which is open in a sense that we get our equal share of the road,” Burro said.

Meanwhile, Reyes said the QC government has already taken steps to mainstream the use of bicycles.

“We are pushing for bike-related ordinances and measures so that the city could be called bikeable and walkable city,” Reyes said.

The QCBD is supported by different government groups including the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Public Works and Highways.

The world’s first “Dark Chocolate Mocha” found only in PHL

By Filane Mikee Cervantes [(PNA), RMA/FMC]

MANILA, May 27 (PNA) -- Swiss Miss Philippines, under American food company ConAgra Foods, unveiled on Friday its newest flavor, Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Mocha, exclusively in the Philippines and the first of its kind in the world.

The new variant brings together two flavors that appeal most to the Filipinos—dark chocolate and café mocha.

“Dark Chocolate Mocha is the newest flavor of Swiss Miss. It is exclusive in the Philippines, and first in the world, we are the first to have this flavor. We are introducing this to the Philippines,” Catherine Castro, Marketing Manager of ConAgra Foods in Asia during the media launch at SM North Edsa, The Block in Quezon City.

According to Castro, the Dark Chocolate Mocha flavor is catering to the flavor preference of Filipinos.

“We conducted a study in the Philippines a couple of years back and then what we found out, in terms of flavor preference, dark chocolate mocha comes out as number two,” she said, but did not divulge the top choice because the flavor is currently in the works.

The newest flavor was launched through another first in the Philippines, a tandem pop-up café called Café Duo by Swiss Miss.

The product is made with 100 percent real milk and 50 percent more premium cocoa.

With “duo” as the running theme, the event was hosted by celebrity couple Sam YG and Joyce Pring of Magic 89.9. KC Concepcion and longtime bestfriend, Teacher Georcelle of GForce, also dropped by the event.

Café Duo by Swiss Miss, which will run until May 29, offers guests with a variety of options to mix and match their classic Dark Chocolate Mocha with a variety of hot and cold drinks from Swiss Miss.

DA awards 'true heroes' for invaluable contribution to the country

By Carlos Baldosa (CB, AFID)

QUEZON CITY, May 26 -- Four outstanding farmers and fisherfolk were recognized for their vital contribution to the different sectors of agriculture (fisheries, high value crops, livestock, rice, and corn) in line with the celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month held at the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Quezon City on 23 May 2016.

The awards were presented by DA Undersecretary for Operations Emerson Palad, Assistant Secretary for Finance Ophelia Agawin, and Region IV-B Regional Executive Director Cipriano Santiago to Fidel Josue (fisheries), Demetrio de Ocampo (high value crops), Jerry Villanada (rice), and Leon Bonilla (corn). The four were recognized for their commendable impact to the growth and development of the Philippine agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, through his message read by Usec Palad, he described the farmers and fisherfolks as the “true heroes” of our country.

“They constantly provide food on our tables,” the message stressed.

DA continues to collaborate and partner with farmers, fishers and other agricultural stakeholders as part of the efforts of the government geared towards a more developed rural sector, focusing greatly on food production.

Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, agricultural losses due to El Niño and other calamities like typhoons were much lower than the projected figures because of the steadfast cooperation of the private and the public sectors.

Aside from these, the government provided interventions including the conduct of cloud seeding sorties, information dissemination, technology adaptation, construction and rehabilitation of diversion dams, and similar projects essential in mitigating the impacts of the long-dry spell.

Farmers’ and Fisherfolks Month is celebrated every May each year, by virtue of Proclamation No. 33 signed by President Corazon C. Aquino in 1989. The annual celebration aims to give honor and recognition to the men and women of the agriculture sector who toil on the farms, amidst adverse weather conditions to provide safe and quality foodstuff to the entire nation.

QC Trowel Club donates school supplies for 280 QCPD civilian employees

(PNA), RMA/CLTC/PR

MANILA, May 25 (PNA) -- Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Police Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio joined the officers of the Quezon City Trowel Club and the QCPD Non-uniformed Personnel Association Inc. (NUPAI) in distributing free school supplies donated by the club to children of less privileged civilian employees of QCPD on Wednesday in Camp Karingal, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City.

Tinio also received reference books for the QCPD Library donated by the club whose officers were led at the event by Club President, Eduard Sevilla, and past President retired Police Sr. Supt. Procopio G Lipana.

NUPAI President, Emilia C. Cawa expressed deep gratitude to the Club for institutionalizing its sponsorship, this being the fourth year of the club’s participation in this six-year old project of the NUPAI.

“Instead of soliciting school supplies from generous QCPD officers and friends as in the first and second years, the kindness of the QC Trowel Club made this yearly event not only possible but less stressful,” Cawa said.

She added that the free school supplies are of great help to the less privileged NUPs, police aides and utility strikers in lessening their class opening expenses.

The free school supplies consisted of a bag, notebooks, pad paper, ballpens, pencils, erasers, crayons, and a ruler.

Tinio thanked the QC Trowel Club for its sponsorship and the QCPD-NUPAI officers for initiating and institutionalizing this project.

Metro Retail opens 49th store

(Cebu Daily News)

Following its strong 69-percent growth in net income for the first quarter of 2016, leading homegrown retailer Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) recently opened its 49th store at the in Quezon City.

“We continue to harness opportunities presented by highly populated, fast-growing areas like Quezon City as we build on our growth and double our footprint in the next five years,” said MRSGI president and chief operating officer Arthur Emmanuel.

The four-story, 14,600-square-meter department store is part of the department store assets that MRSGI previously acquired from SIAL Specialty Retailers, Inc., a joint venture between Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) and the Tantoco-led Store Specialists, Inc. (SSI).

Last April, MRSGI also opened a two-story department store in UP Town Center, bringing its department store network to 12.

MRSGI’s net income after tax grew 69.2 percent to P52.8 million in the first quarter of 2016, driven by a 7.4-percent growth in same stores sales and a 9.7-percent growth in all-stores net sales.

MRSGI’s 49-store network also includes 24 supermarkets and 13 hypermarkets.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the continued support of our trusted partner Ayala Land, with whom we share the same commitment for excellent customer service,” said Emmanuel, who added that the Metro Department Store is MRSGI’s eighth store with ALI.

MRSGI recently inked an agreement with ALI for the establishment of its stores in four new Ayala commercial developments in Capitol Central in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Mandurriao, Iloilo City; Central Bloc in Cebu City; and Ayala Malls Feliz in Pasig City.

Metro stores are present in key cities in Central, Western and Eastern Visayas, as well as in Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and South Luzon.

According to Euromonitor, Metro is the Visayas’ largest department store and hypermarket operator, and second-largest supermarket operator in 2014 in terms of retail sales value.

Metro was also Cebu’s largest retailer across all its three store formats in terms of retail value in the same year.

Forensic science, DNA applications, vital for Philippine development

By Stephanie Tumampos

The scene was like from CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) TV show, where slides of dead bodies were shown to the audience and discussions on forensics were held. But no, it was from the third Forensic Science Symposium held at the Seameo Innotech in Diliman, Quezon City. The occasion was held in celebration of the 20th founding anniversary of the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the Natural Sciences Research Institute of the University of the Philippines (UP).

Ever since the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was first isolated by Friedrich Miescher in 1869, and its molecular structure identified by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, the applications of the DNA has evolved from the realm of science, to being applied to resolve many issues of humanity—such as social, criminal and political issues.

In the Philippines alone many paternity cases have been resolved. According to Dr. Maria Corazon de Ungria, head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory, the research status on DNA in the country is on a par with laboratories overseas.

“We are part of the Asian Science Forensics Network and we get opportunities every year to talk to different Asian labs to try to see how we are going to exchange practices and solutions to problems,” de Ungria said in an interview with the BusinessMirror on the side of the symposium. But she added, “We are getting there.”

Most of the researches carried out in the DNA laboratory were paternity cases, but they have been already part of collaborative projects, especially on criminal cases, most recent on human trafficking.

“We have been working on the DNA prokids which is using DNA to fight human trafficking, child trafficking, in particular,” she said.

The United Nations Children’s Fund alone has found out that more than 60,000 to 100,000 children were involved in prostitution, a form of child trafficking that is rampant in the country.

The DNA laboratory is also in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“We have a memorandum of agreement with DSWD and the [DOJ] to try to help them in the Innocence Project Philippines network on the wrongful criminal conviction of people.”

In the fight against crime, the DNA falls into a big role through forensic science and research.

State of forensic science and DNA research in the Philippines

Just like anyone who watches TV shows, such as CSI (Crime Scene Investigation), we often wonder how science and the advancement of technology has paved way into cracking crimes. But in the Philippines, the applications of these new technologies are still way beyond the hands of those who need to use it.

“We are the US [when it was] in the 1960s,” said Dr. Raquel del Rosario-Fortun, a professor at the UP College of Medicine, in reply to the question of the BusinessMirror on where the Philippines is in forensic science compared to other countries. Fortun is the current chairman of the UP Department of Pathology and holds the distinction as the first forensic pathologist in the Philippines.

“A classic example,” she said, “is the paraffin test. They [US] have junked it in the 1960s,” pertaining to the paraffin test on the hand of a person who was suspected of firing a gun to determine the presence of gun powder through chemical analysis.

“Forensic science is a basic discipline to answer specific questions,” Fortun explained. She said this field is used to address many issues in the country, such as crime and even mass disasters, such as the Supertyphoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan), which struck in November 2013 and killed more than 6,000 people.

“That [Yolanda] was a very frustrating experience for me,” Fortun said.

In her presentation at the symposium, Fortun showed images that display malpractice in the basic steps in investigating dead bodies, such as opening of bodies,the writing of autopsies and death reports.

“It [malpratice] even becomes more glaring when you have a mass disaster. Notice how badly we deal with dead bodies,” she added.

Another important aspect, where the Philippines falls short in forensic science, is the lack of trained personnel. “The biggest challenge is we need more people in the lab.”

For de Ungria, many students and researchers have been knocking at their doorstep, but they lack the people to train them.

She said the lab receive support funding for it needs from other government agencies, including from Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology. She added, “We’ve got equipment and enough funding for research for now.”

Fortun said her first hurdle when she returned to the Philippines from a training abroad was to look for teammates.

“That’s the No. 1 problem in forensics; you have to be in a team.”

She emphasized that there is no training in the Philippines at all.

“I had to leave the country, but I always knew I had to come back.”

Need for fingerprint and DNA database

Both de Ungria and Fortun agree that legislation is badly needed to answer the needs of the sector.

Fortun said a mandatory autopsy bill is urgently needed. “Our laws are outdated and we only have the sanitation code,” she said. “We need to define which deaths have to be investigated and how is it going to be done. Where, who and what training? Who will pay and where are the equipment?”

Fortun emphasized the need to prepare, most especially in disasters, such as Yolanda.

“In a mass disaster, your first priority would be survivors, but you also must have a system for dead bodies.”

It is a common misconception that people will get sick when surrounded by dead bodies, but it has been proven to be not true at all, she said.

“But you have to do something,” she said. “Number one issue is the presence of multiple bodies, their identity and you must have a way to systematically handle that.”

Citing the recent terrorist attack in France, Fortun quickly explained how the French system handled the situation.

“Right after the incident, they have sorted out the victims and have identified the assailants because they have database of the fingerprints. We have to have the AFIS [Automated Fingerprint Identification System].” The AFIS is a biometric identification where digital imaging is used to obtain, store and analyze fingerprint data.

To advance the forensic state of the country, what the Philippines needs is a DNA database. Christopher H. Asplen, an attorney at Hill Wallack Llp., told the symposium there is a need for a law to create a DNA database and the country can start in making a database for criminals.

“You would take DNAs from individuals who are convicted or arrested or both, and you would take their profiles and put them in this database,” Asplen said. “So that when a crime is committed, you can take the DNA from the crime scene and compare that profile with the database.”

There are about 75 to 80 countries that have this kind of database. Asplen emphasized that the Philippines needs it “very badly.”

“If you’re going to really fight crime with DNA, you can’t really fight it efficiently, unless you have a database and that’s the most important law that needs to be passed in the Philippines.”

Asplen also indicated that more money needs to be allocated. “Though it might be more of a legislative issue, but they [UP DNA Laboratory] just don’t have enough people at the UP Lab at the moment to do the amount of work that could be done if you really want to maximize the potential of DNA.”

He added, “The country has to invest in the resources in the lab, so that they can actually do the actual work, the quality is excellent, leadership is excellent.”

It is not also a human rights issue, he said. “It hasn’t been found to be a rights violation in the world,” Asplen said in the interview with the BusinessMirror. “In the US it’s not a human-rights issue, but a constitutional issue and that it is not unconstitutional.”

Although DNA testing, profiling and putting up a database might be expensive, according to Asplen, it provide the nation more security.

“It’s a big crime and justice issue,” he said.

Legislation

For de Ungria, she and her team have already campaigned in the Senate and Congress to pass a DNA bill.

“We’ve actually been to the Senate and Congress through the years and proposed DNA bills…. What we need are champions who will carry it through,” de Ungria said, lamenting that the proposed bills have yet to be tackled at committee hearings and ended up in congressional cracks.

De Ungria emphasized the need to institutionalize or legislating DNA testing. “We are willing to cooperate and collaborate,” pertaining to drafting the bill and giving technical assistance.

De Ungria believes that political differences must be set aside because forensic application, disaster victim identification, paternity testing and criminal investigation are very vital in a developing and progressive country, especially in fighting crime.

“For us to progress, we need to pull down the barriers of division, let’s not heighten or elaborate too much on diversity,” de Ungria said.

Araneta allots P50B for Cubao redevelopment

By Keith Richard D. Mariano

ARANETA CENTER, Inc. will spend P50 billion more for the continuing redevelopment of its property in Cubao, Quezon City, a senior company official said.

“In the pipeline, we’re looking at the present estimate is about P50 billion maybe (over) five to 10 years,” Araneta Senior Vice-President for Operations Antonio T. Mardo said Friday.

The budget covers the construction of three more office towers in the CyberPark Complex and the expansion of Gateway Mall, among others, within the 35-hectare Araneta Center.

Araneta already broke ground for the second of the five office towers it intends to build within the CyberPark Complex designed particularly for business process outsourcing locators.

The projects form part of the comprehensive redevelopment of Araneta Center over a 20-year period starting 2002. The first phase alone could cost around P30 billion, Mr. Mardo said.

Araneta thus far completed the construction of the international leisure and business hotel Novotel Manila, the 2,500-seat Kia Theatre and the high-rise Cyberpark Tower 1.

Asked how and when the company intends to fund the rest of the redevelopment, Mr. Mardo said: “We have to review our program. It really depends on how the economy moves also.”

Araneta is hoping for the best under the new administration, Mr. Mardo added. “Of course, we want to see the best things to come, but we have to wait and see.”

The company’s parent -- Araneta Properties, Inc. -- shed 2.27% to settle at P2.15 on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday.

DOLE leads 6th Workers in Informal Economy Labor Day celebration

(DOLE)

MANILA, May 21 --Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced that the DOLE led the holding of the Labor Day celebration for Workers in Informal Economy (WIE) yesterday at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City.

“The celebration of Labor Day for Workers in Informal Economy is in line with Proclamation 1215 which declared May 1 to 7 of each year as ‘Linggo ng Paggawa’”, said Baldoz.

“This year’s WIE Labor Day celebration recognized the potential of the workers in informal economy in sustaining economic growth by transforming their micro-enterprises into larger enterprises,” she added.

The 6th WIE Labor Day celebration has a theme of “Pagyamanin ang Kaalaman Tungo sa Maunlad at Disenteng Kabuhayan.”

For this year’s celebration, Baldoz said the DOLE, through the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns, and in coordination with its partners—National Anti-Poverty Commission-Workers in Informal Sector (NAPC-WIS); Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC); Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); DOLE National Capital Region; and Employees Compensation Commission (ECC)—had lined up meaningful activities, programs, and services that directly benefitted the participating informal workers during the event.

Baldoz added that the event was aimed at recognizing the economic and social contributions of the workers in the informal economy. It also served as a venue for the presentation of the outputs from the Regional Labor Social Dialogue which was discussed during the National Labor Relations Forum on 30 April at the OSHC.

The WIE Labor day celebration was also highlighted by the Commitment Setting between the government and the workers in the informal economy. The DOLE and representatives from WIE signed a formal declaration to promote the welfare and decent work agenda of workers in the informal economy. The welfare and decent work agenda for WIE was part of the output during the regional consultations between the government and labor groups on the Labor and Employment Plan 2016-2022.

The event was also highlighted by testimonials of selected worker-leaders and advocates from the informal economy sector about their experiences on the current challenges of the economic activities and general welfare of informal sector workers. The worker-leaders also gave recommendations on how the government can contribute to the overall improvement of the socio-economic conditions towards the goal of transitioning the workers in the informal economy to formal economy.

There were also information booths which disseminated information, education, and communication material that promotes the developmental needs and welfare of the WIS. The information booths included the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, National Housing Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Transportation, and Department of Interior and Local Government.

To enhance workers’ knowledge, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) conducted an orientation of 5S, Productivity, and Occupational Safety and Health, while TESDA also provided WIEs with free massage during the event.

Feature: Misconception about hypertension

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

MANILA (PNA)--There are misconception about high blood or hypertension that should be corrected based from the testimonies of persons brought to emergency room of hospitals when they suffer hypertension or high blood pressure.

In a health forum spearheaded by Philippines College of Physicians (PCP) at Annabel’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, Dr. Carlos L. Chua, neurologist, internist and hypertension specialist; trustee of Philippine Society of Hypertension and past president of Stroke Society of the Philippines cited some wrong notions about hypertensions that should be corrected.

In a slide presented about “Haka-haka o mga maling akala tungkol sa hypertension or high blood”topic Dr. Chua gave some clarification among the media health reporters.

On the belief that a person does not have a high blood if he/she is not feeling anything which implies or shows that he/she is experiencing it.

Dr. Chua said that because of that if the blood pressure monitored from the person who is not yet complaining of something wrong with him/her and was monitored with high blood pressure ---for example 200/110mmHg, its probable that such person will doubt and even questioned the accuracy of the recorded high blood pressure.

Moreover,he said that most likely that person would stick to his belief that he does not belong to the category of people suffering from high blood pressure.

“Iyan ho ay isang maling haka-haka dahil pwedeng mataas ang BP ng isang tao pero wala siyang nararamdaman dahil nagsisimula pa lang,” Chua pointed out.

The neurologist also said that such was true among people who have a family history (parents, relatives with hypertension) and there is a possibility that they will inherit it and surfaced later in life.

He said that since the high blood or hypertension was just in the starting stage, its possible that the symptoms would not be actually noticed.

Also, he said that another wrong belief that should be corrected was if a person had a high blood pressure, he could donate blood because they had higher volume of blood and it would lower down their BP if they would decrease it by donating in blood letting program..

As a clarification he said that the normal volume of blood of an adult is 5 liters.

“Hindi ibig sabihn na pag may “high blood” yung blood volume ay dumami na sa 5 liters or naging 6, or naging pitong litro or dumami yung dugo ko kaya tumaas ang BP…When we talk of BP, there is a big difference between pressure and volume. There is actually no increase in volume of blood,” he explained.

He further said that a person suffering from high blood pressure still has five liters of blood circulating in his body and what was actually happening was “increasing of pressure” in which the heart was playing a role because it pumped blood.

He said that an increase in the pump of heart can lead to high blood pressure.

On the other way around, he said that those who were diagnosed with low blood probably believing that they will not experience high blood or hypertension should not think that way.

He said that the expalanation behind that was the still, the volume of blood is “still the same” volume and it is only the red blood cells that are lacking in numbers and the condition being experience is low blood cells or what is being called as anemia or iron deficiency.

On the belief also that only that thin people will not suffer hypertension he said that such was not true and there is no such a thing that hypertension is only among those who are fat.

“Hindi ho totoo iyan-- wala hong pinipili ang alta presyon-- dahil ang alta presyon ay nasa lahi. More than 90 percent of hypertension in the world is acquired by inheriting them… It’s in the genes,” he said.

On the basis of age, he said that at present there is a subset of young population that can develop hypertension especially if they suffered from kidney problems at young age.

Normal BP is 140/90 mmHg.

High Blood Pressure/hypertension is diagnosed when the BP is consistently equal to or higher than 140/90

Some important approach to prevent or control hypertension can be done through lifestyle changes, maintaining nomrla weight, reducing sodium in the diet, exercising, limiting alcoholic drinks, non smoking and avoidance of people who smoke,managing stress, etc.

SSS welcomes Enterprise Bank as new partner for housing and business loans

(SSS)

QUEZON CITY, May 19 - The Social Security System (SSS) forged a memorandum of agreement with Enterprise Bank (A Thrift Bank) as its new partner in providing housing and business loans to members and employers during ceremonies held at the Executive Lounge at the SSS Main Building in Diliman, Quezon City, recently.

Enterprise Bank is the first thrift bank accredited in 2016 by the SSS as a participating financial institution (PFI) for the agency?s housing and business loan programs.

The bank is expected to help the pension fund provide financial assistance to individual members and businesses — including micro, small and medium enterprises — particularly in Visayas and Mindanao. Other SSS-accredited PFIs include the Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine National Bank and Philippine Veterans Bank.

Intersection in Q. Ave-Roosevelt Ave. to close on Saturday for Skyway Stage 3 project

(MMDA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, May 18 (PIA) – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced the temporary closure of the intersection along Quezon Avenue-Roosevelt Avenue to give way to the ongoing construction of Skyway Stage 3 project.

In the advisory, the temporary closure will start Saturday, May 21 at around 10 AM.

Left-turning traffic from Roosevelt to Quezon Avenue may take the u-turn slot in front of Maxima.

Roosevelt Avenue has become an alternate route for vehicles from the northern side of Araneta Avenue because of the Skyway Stage 3 project.

This has resulted to an increase in left-turning traffic (average increase in the number of vehicles at 6,000 daily) and gridlock in the area.

As such, traffic lights in the area will be in flashing mode and the u-turn slot will be opened for affected vehicles going to EDSA while the Skyway Stage 3 project is ongoing.

Affected motorists are advised to take alternate routes.

BMB hosts local celebration of Int’l Day for Biological Diversity

(PNA), SCS/PR/EBP

MANILA, May 17 (PNA) -- The Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, has lined up a host of events and activities to mark the annual International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22.

This year’s theme is “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Sustaining People and their Livelihood.”

The highlight of the celebration is the photo and livelihood exhibit showcasing products and services that contribute to conservation of the country’s rich biological diversity.

Biodiversity-friendly businesses and products will be on display at the BMB Training Center inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City, starting May 20.

The exhibit will also feature the winners of the photo contest dubbed “Selfie for Biodiversity and Livelihood 2016,” which aims to show how efforts in protecting biodiversity help sustain livelihood.

The whole event is held in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation or GIZ.

Biodiversity conservation has long been at the forefront of environmental issues given that it is directly affected by climate change and in turn impacts food security.

In the recently concluded 2nd National Protected Area Conference held at the Holiday Inn Manila Galleria on April 26, Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje noted how protected area (PA) management enjoyed exponential support in the past years.

The Environment chief added that substantial funding was also allocated for reforestation of beach and mangrove areas frequented by typhoons, after super typhoon "Yolanda" struck central Philippines in 2013.

“This is intended to restore the integrity of mangroves and ensure that they perform their function as natural buffers from typhoons and storm surges,” Paje said.

Under the Aquino administration, the DENR has received considerable foreign assistance to scale-up PA management effectiveness.

DENR hails enactment of Green Jobs Act

(DENR)

QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) hailed the enactment of a law promoting the creation of “green jobs” or employment activities that contribute substantially to preserving the quality of the environment.

Republic Act (RA) 10771 or the Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016 was signed by President Aquino on April 29.

“This law will shore up support to our commitment to the Paris Agreement to work with the United Nations and other countries against global warming,” DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said. “It cements our pledge to pursue policies that would make communities climate change adaptive and resilient.”

The Paris Agreement is the new global climate accord dealing with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020. It was negotiated and adopted by representatives of over 190 countries at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December 2015.

The agreement was opened for signature on April 22, Earth Day, and has so far been signed by 177 countries, including the Philippines. President Aquino had designated Paje to sign the Paris deal for and on behalf of the Philippines at the UN Headquarters in New York City.

RA 10771 defines “green jobs” as employment that contributes to preserving or restoring the quality of the environment, be it in the agriculture industry or services sector.

It includes those that help protect the ecosystems and biodiversity, reduce energy, material and water consumption through high efficiency strategies, decarbonize the economy, and minimize or avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution.

The law grants businesses special tax deductions from their taxable income and duty-free importation of capital equipment on top of the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives already provided for by existing laws, orders, issuances and regulations of the government to encourage them to help generate and sustain “green jobs.”

It will also not diminish or limit the incentives granted by prevailing laws like the Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275), the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003), and the Philippine Clean Air Act (RA8749).

According to Paje, RA 10771 is expected to “propel the delivery of the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution to reduce by 70 percent our GHG by 2030 compared to 2000 which will come from the waste management sector.”

“In the long-term, this will greatly benefit countries like the Philippines which are most vulnerable to climate change,” he added.

DSWD leads PHL celebration of 2016 International Day of Families

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

MANILA, May 15 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led the Philippine celebration of the 2016 International Day of Families (IDF) at SM North EDSA Skydome in Quezon City on Sunday.

IDF is observed annually every May 15 based on the 1993 Resolution of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. It is in recognition of the crucial role that families play in ensuring the well-being of their members, educating and socializing children and youth, and caring for the young and old.

DSWD is the chair of the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF) which conducts every year activities aimed at strengthening Filipino families, both locally and worldwide.

The conduct of the Philippine celebration is in line with what is stated in the Constitution that recognizes family as the foundation of the nation.

NCFF is composed of the following agencies and organizations: National Youth Commission (NYC); Department of Agriculture (DA); Department of Education (DepEd); Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Department of Health (DOH); National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF); Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and different civil society organizations.

NCFF was created by Executive Order No. 238 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sept. 22, 2003.

As chair of NCFF, DSWD spearheads the conduct of national family forums every year to gather together advocates to discuss and ponder emerging issues, trends and problems affecting typical Filipino families in modern times.

It also awards outstanding families or "Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya" as part of pushing the advocacy to create united and closely-knitted families that are also “models” as they contribute various efforts in building their communities.

The IDF celebration also aims to inspire every family to become better members not only of a family but also of society.

According to DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman, it is important that there is adequate assistance provided for families, especially the poor, to strengthen them.

“That is why we, at DSWD, and partners from the national government, together with the local government units, are helping each other in the delivery of services under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps),” she said.

Secretary Soliman also said that in the delivery of such services, they are focusing on the main goal of the program — investing on the health and education of children through cash grants.

“Hindi lang po pansin, kundi tulong, nang sa gayun ay hindi mapabayaan ang kalusugan ng ating mga pamilya,” she said as she emphasized the theme for the celebration this year which is “Families, Healthy Lives, Sustainable Future.”

The DSWD Chief said that such is being done under the program by ensuring that children are visiting the health centers where they are immunized, dewormed and weighed.

In addition, pregnant mothers are also required to visit the health centers for pre- and post-natal check-ups.

As conditions of being enrolled in the 4Ps, children are required to have 85 percent school attendance and their parents also attend the monthly Family Development Session (FDS).

The FDS is a session wherein families, particularly the parents, are given sort of seminars on how they can strengthen their family relationship, be effective family members and useful members of society.

All of these requirements are the ones that qualify them to receive the monthly cash grants under 4Ps and to continue staying in the program.

“We hope that on this day that we celebrate IDF, we are able to bring in to the leaders who are coming in the new administration the importance of keeping the family together,” the DSWD Chief said.

She added that it is important to give ample time and resources in strengthening the Filipino families so that parents need not have to leave or go abroad to earn by ensuring that there are sustainable economic opportunities for them in the country.

Meanwhile, Joy Arsenio, assistant manager of SM City North EDSA, who provided the venue for the celebration, said that SM Super Malls value the work of every unit of the family as they build their malls fitting to what typical Filipino families need to enjoy different harmonious moments and foster strong relationships of families.

PH Cancer Society holds ‘Relay for Life’

(Manila Bulletin)

The Philippine Cancer Society held a successful fund raising activity at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, drawing hundreds of runners to participate in the “Relay for Life” event. Some were fit triathletes, others hobbyists, with the majority running under the scorching sun simply up and about to help raise funds for cancer awareness and patients’ services for the less fortunate afflicted with the life threatening disease.

According to organizers, among the biggest and most enthusiastic groups at Relay for Life was the 250-plus-strong contingent from Brother International Philippines comprised of employees from all levels, who joined the race with their partners, family and friends. They took turns going around the oval track in this year’s cancer awareness overnight vigil, making 2016 the fifth year the company has joined the Philippine Cancer Society’s annual activity.

Company president Glenn Hocson said their continued support for the event allows employees to contribute funds for cancer patients and support groups; provide moral support for patients battling the disease; and cheer on the cancer survivors who are winning the fight against the “Big C.”

DOH to commemorate 33rd Aids Candlelight Memorial; to launch first 'AIDS Hour'

(PNA), FFC/LSJ

MANILA, May 13 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) in collaboration with the local government of Quezon City will spearhead the observance of the 33rd International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (IACM) at the Liwasang Aurora, Quezon City Memorial Circle on Saturday (May 14, 2016).

IACM is an annual global event which commemorates those who have died from HIV and AIDS.

During the event, everyone will light candles signifying hope for those left behind by people who died from HIV/AIDS and will unveil the AIDS Memorial Quilt, whose individual patches are rendered by loved ones, family, and friends of the victims of HIV and AIDS.

This year, the AIDS Candlelight Memorial will features two new highlights-- "AIDS Hour" and renaming of IACM as Philippine AIDS Candlelight Memorial (PACM) to encourage nationwide observance.

“The public is encouraged to light a candle from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. as an act of solidarity and participation in the IACM,” said DOH Secretary Janette L. Garin.

"The launch of the first ever AIDS Hour in the world is a concrete example of the Philippines doing our part in the global effort against HIV and AIDS. We need to raise awareness because many people living with HIV do not know what health services are available to them. Others are afraid to consult, or are socially stigmatized for being HIV-positive. We hope the AIDS Hour movement will spread not just in our country but globally,” said Secretary Garin.

Garin said that the event will also set the beginning of the conduct of “AIDS Hour” observance annually as part of the PACM.

After which, other host cities will then be selected by DOH yearly to lead the awareness campaign about HIV and AIDs for continuity of the awareness campaign.

Since Quezon City is the first host city, it will spearhead the lighting a candle project on a local landmark which will be then imitate by other local government units in the country in the coming years as a way of spreading awareness about HIV and in reducing the stigma.

According to Project Ribbon Care Management Foundation president and chief executive officer ICO Rodulfo Johnson, the event aims to engage yearly participation of different LGUs in the country for candlelight program.

“In this way, our international AIDS candlelight can start moving from NCR to different cities all over the Philippines” said Johnson.

He added that part of the event will also involve awarding of plaque to the host city and photo contest.

In line with this, he urged everyone to upload on Facebook a photo of their AIDS Hour participation using the hashtag #AIDSHour2016.

He added that prizes will be awarded by the Red Ribbon Project in June 2016 for the best photos.

Meanwhile, the Filipino community in New York, USA will also conduct AIDS Hour this month.

"As we join the rest of the world in this memorial, let us remember that every candle we light represent our struggle to overcome HIV and AIDS,” said Garin.

The health chief added that DOH is continuously offering free and confidential HIV testing in Social Hygiene Clinics run by local government units and in 22 HIV Treatment Hubs nationwide.

Location of these were not disclosed as part of reducing the stigma but there are numbers available that can be contact as reference.

For queries on DOH testing centers and information on HIV and AIDS, dial these hotline numbers: (02) 651-7800 local 2550 or 09289086288/09771312046/09154273407.

In 2015, under the High Impact Breakthrough Strategies or Hi-5, DOH aimed to reduce the number of new cases of HIV/AIDS by 40 percent.

Under the Hi-5 strategies, people are made aware of the importance of finding out their HIV status by getting counseling, screening and testing.

Laboratory confirmation of HIV seropositivity also allows patients to avail of the PhilHealth Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) package.

"HIV is just a virus. We cannot allow it to destroy the lives of our fellow Filipinos. We can stop HIV transmission only through a collective societal effort, beginning with widespread awareness about HIV and the necessary preventive behaviors and measures,” she added.

Since the beginning of the epidemic in 1984, a total of 1,675 Filipinos have died because of AIDS. From January 1984 to March 2016, a total of 32,647 HIV cases were reported in the country.

Most (82 percent or 26,632) were reported from January 2011 onward. Currently, 13,387 people living with HIV are on anti-retroviral treatment, which is 41 percent of the total cases.

More than half of all cases (16,697) belong to the 25-34 year age-group while 8,738 cases are youth aged 15-24 years. The predominant mode of transmission from 1984 to 2007 was heterosexual sex.

After 2009, male-male sex became the predominant mode of transmission.

In 2010, HIV transmission through sharing of infected needles started to increase.

HIV is now spreading to female partners of infected male injecting drug users.

Mother-to-child transmission also occurs during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

UP Diliman's 3rd Forensic Science Symposium set on May 16-17

By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata [(PNA), SCS/MCCA]

MANILA, May 12 (PNA) -- University of the Philippines Diliman's (UPD) 3rd Forensic Science Symposium (FSS) is set on May 16-17 at the SEAMEO Innotech along Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City.

Organizers DNA Analysis Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute (UPD-NSRI-DAL), Institute of Biology, College of Science (UPD-CS-IB) and the Program on Forensics and Ethnicity of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC-FnE) have combined the 3rd FSS with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of UPD-NSRI-DAL on May 16.

DAL,formerly known as the Genetic Engineering Laboratory of the Natural Sciences Research Institute (UPD-NSRI), was established on May 16, 1996 as a research facility for human population genetics and forensic DNA analysis.

Currently, the UPD-NSRI-DAL is involved in numerous scientific projects involving DNA analysis from various forensic casework samples as well as establishment and expansion of Philippine genetic database using capillary electrophoresis-based and next generation sequencing technologies.

In addition, the laboratory also offers DNA testing services for parentage (paternity and maternity) and human identification as part of their extension and public service work.

With the theme, "DNA as a Catalyst for Change," the symposium will have speakers who were especially selected from among the institutional collaborators of the UPD-NSRI-DAL, as well as those who gave invaluable support in their own professional capacities from 1996 to 2016.

"The lectures would take us back to 1996 when DNA forensics was relatively unknown in the Philippines, through the years of struggle to engage the various stakeholders in activities aimed at demonstrating the utility of forensic science, and finally to the present when different scientific fields such as genetics, environmental biology, pathology, anthropology and medicine are being utilized to help criminal investigations, to settle civil disputes and/or to aid Philippine courts by providing objective evidence relevant to a particular case," the organizers said.

Four international experts will share their insights on the contribution of forensic science in strengthening the criminal justice system in different parts of the world.

They are George Sensabaugh Jr., professor emeritus, Forensic and Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Berkeley; Christopher Asplen, former director of the United Nations National Commission on DNA Evidence, and currently the attorney in charge, Life Sciences Practice, Hill Wallack LLP; Nor Aidora Saedon, head of the Crime Unit, DNA Forensics Section, Department of Chemistry, Malaysia; and Sheila Dennis, former assistant director, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, New York City, and currently a Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Balik Scientist at the UPD-NSRI-DAL.

For inquiries regarding registration and fees, one may contact the organizers at https://www.facebook.com/ForensicsScienceSymposium.

Meanwhile, UPD-IB first offered Biology 397 Forensic Biology Seminar Series as a graduate course in November 2012. The course covered fundamental topics in forensic sciences which included DNA analysis, botany, microbiology, crime scene investigation and legal/ethical issues in forensics.

Bio397 also provided opportunities for students to work with the UPD-NSRI-DAL and PGC-PFnE to co-organize a forensic symposium that was open to the public.

The 1st FSS was held in 2014 and carried the theme “Forensic Science in the Philippines: Status, Challenges and Opportunities.” Last year, the 2nd FSS had the theme "The Next Generation/The Now Generation" and focused on the use of DNA technology in disaster victim identification.

Red Cross assists 11,000 in election-day operations

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) extended assistance to more than 11,000 people in the first- aid stations, ambulance units and welfare desks that were deployed to help ensure the safety and well-being of voters and the general public during election day on May 9.

“Beyond providing first aid and welfare services, our staff and volunteers in the field, likewise, assisted persons with disabilities [PWDs] and elderly voters who had difficulty finding or going to their polling precincts,” PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said.

PRC Operations Center reported that the humanitarian organization was able to assist a total of 11,817 people in its “Halalan 2016” operations. Aside from first-aid stations, PRC welfare stations were also put up and provided psycho-social support and referral service to some 202 individuals.

In Quezon City elderly and PWD voters asked for Red Cross assistance in going to the third floor of Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science and Technology High School to find their voting precincts so they can cast their votes. A concerned individual personally called the Red Cross to send volunteers to assist the elderly and PWDs in the said school.

The national headquarters immediately asked assistance from the PRC Quezon City chapter, which deployed an ambulance team to the area. The team assisted elderly voters and PWDs in walking or going to the school grounds and even going up to the third floor voting precincts.

In Manila PRC volunteers aided PWDs and senior citizens in locating their voting precincts at the Ramon Magsaysay High School on España Street.

“As always, I am grateful to our staff and volunteers in the Red Cross who responded to the call of duty to serve during the elections. We would not have been able to assist all those people without our staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to help those in need,” Gordon said.

The PRC put up first-aid stations near 360 polling precincts and along 23 highways nationwide for their election operation. Of the total number of people served by the PRC, the majority, or 11,395 persons, were assisted for blood-pressure monitoring.

Aside from monitoring blood pressure, Red Cross staff and volunteers manning the first-aid stations and ambulances provided immediate medical care to at least 153 patients who were seen for minor medical cases, like loose bowel movement, contusion, abrasion, dizziness, fainting, hyperventilation, hypertension, asthma, wounds, nose bleeding, hypoglycaemia, headache, fever and sprain.

There were also 25 people who were given first-aid treatment for major cases, like epileptic seizure, laceration, dog bite, loss of consciousness, fainting, slight vaginal bleeding and heat exhaustion.

PRC ambulances transported to hospitals 30 patients who suffered from hypertension, vomiting with fever, dizziness, fracture, difficulty of breathing, chest pain and fainting.

For the election, PRC set up 355 first-aid stations, 52 of which has ambulance units; 63 mobile or roving first-aid units; 192 welfare desks; 68 ambulances and 42 emergency vehicles stationed near major polling areas nationwide. The national headquarters located in Boni, Mandaluyong, also deployed 11 ambulances and five emergency vehicles within Metro Manila.

More than 300 PRC staff members and more than 2,000 volunteers were on duty to man the first aid stations, welfare desks, ambulance units and emergency vehicles for PRC’s election operation. Management and staff of the PRC national headquarters, as well as in all PRC chapters nationwide, also worked round the clock during the election to help monitor the situation in all territorial jurisdictions where PRC has a presence.

QC Board of Canvassers proclaim winning candidates

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

MANILA, May 10 (PNA) -- The Quezon City Board of Canvassers (BOC) officially proclaimed Tuesday evening the winning local candidates for the May 9 polls at QC’s Albert Hall.

The BOC was led by chairperson Attorney Jonalyn S. Sabellano.

Incumbent mayor Herbert M. Bautista and vice mayor Joy Belmonte were officially proclaimed, along with the city’s six winning congressmen and 36 councilors from the six districts precincts consisting 1,062 precincts.

Bautista gathered a total number 729,917 votes while Belmonte obtained 733,925 votes.

The following are the winning candidates in the congressional seats:

Bingbong Crisologo (1st District); Winnie Castelo (2nd District); Jorge Banal (3rd District); Sonny Belmonte (4th District); Alfred Vargas (5th District); and Kit Belmonte (6th District).

The following are the 36 winning councilors with votes obtained:

District 1—Anthony Peter Crisologo with 100,675 votes; Mayen Juico with 88,707 votes; Tita Beth Delarmente with 86,708 votes; Jun Ferrer with 85,088 votes; Ollie Belmonte with 80,585 votes and Alexis Herrera with 75,979.

District 2—Precious Hipolito-Castelo with 164,852 votes; Bong Liban with 162,097 votes; Toto Medalla with 149,381 votes; Rannie Ludovica with 141,731 votes; 122,683 votes; and Roderick Paulate with 109,298 votes.

District 3-- Allan Benedict Reyes with 63,236 votes; Gian Carlo Jose Sotto with 58,661 votes; ; Kate Abigael Coseteng with 57,330 votes; Jose Mario Don de Leon with 56,87; Franz Pumaren with 56,616 with and Eufemio Lagumbay with 52,206 votes

District 4-- Marvin Rillo with 101,548 votes; Raquel Malangen with 96,935 votes; Irene Belmonte with 93,322 votes; Ivy Lagman with 91,928 vote; Marra Suntay with 91,131 votes; and Hero Bautista with 73,394 votes.

District 5—Jose Visaya with 119,408 votes obtained; Karl Castelo with 105,633 votes; Aly Medalla with 102,958 votes; with Godofredo Liban II with 98,607 votes; Anjo Yllana with 91,581 votes and Allan Francisco with 90,981 votes.

District 6--Marivic Co-Pilar with 91,671 votes obtained; Milencio “Jun” Castelo with 90,371 votes; Rogelio Juan with 87,576 votes; Lala Sotto with 83,970 votes; Donato Matias with 83,596 votes; and Eric Medina with 76,064 votes.

PWDs, senior citizens, pregnant women given voting priority in QC barangay

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

MANILA, May 9 (PNA) -- Senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and pregnant women were given priority in casting their votes at Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon Elementary School in Novaliches, District 5, Quezon City during the national and local elections on Monday.

These vulnerable sectors of voters were able to exercise their right of suffrage smoothly as a result of the implementation in the said school of the emergency accessible polling places (EAPPs).

EAPPs are makeshift tents located at the ground floor of multi-level voting centers, intended to make the voting process easier to the vulnerable, whether or not they have signified their intent to vote in an APP, according to Comelec Resolution 10108.

In every precinct in the school, the younger voters themselves notify ahead the PWDs, pregnant women and elderly citizens, particularly those suffering from rheumatism and gouty arthritis, that they are the ones that will be given priority in casting their votes.

For PWDs on wheelchairs and clutches who cannot go upstairs as there are no elevators available or special lanes for them, voting in clustered precincts located in higher floors of voting center is a big problem.

One of them was Alma D. Mirasol, with orthopedic disability and a resident of Lazaro Subdivision in Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon, Novaliches.

In an interview, Mirasol told this writer that she came to the school at 7 a.m. so she could vote early to avoid congestion and the extreme heat of the sun, but she was dismayed upon learning that her polling precinct was located at the second floor of the one of the multi-level buildings of the school.

Since her disability became a hindrance for her to vote, Mirasol said she very much hurt with the consequence of not being able to vote since the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) in the building informed her companion that there were not enough volunteers who could assist her in going up to her voting precinct.

What was most disheartening for her was because she was told that her concern could be attended at p.m. or before the closure of the voting precincts.

Mirasol said her companion, who voted in a precinct in the same school, could not afford to wait for that long period as she had many work to do.

Upon learning of her plight, and seeing how sad she was with the thought of not being able to vote, I asked one of the poll watchers in the school to find out how Mirasol's problem could be resolved.

After some minutes, I was directed to Election Supervisor Thelma Valencia of the Nagkaisang Nayon Elementary School.

Valencia immediately decided to go to where Mirasol was staying and asked the necessary information so that she could assist her.

The election official later secure the needed election paraphernalia to enable the said PWD to vote with ease in the presence of her companion and some poll watchers.

The ballot, once filled up in the designated area, was fed into the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine by the companion of Mirasol in the precinct where she was supposed to vote.

Valencia told this reporter later that the Comelec devised the emergency accessible polling places (EAPPs) to make voting easier for PWDs, senior citizens and pregnant women in case their precincts are situated on the higher floors of voting centers.

Meanwhile, except for longer minutes of waiting as the voters were placed first in “holding areas” before voting, there were no big complaints from voters at the Nagkaisang Nayon Elementary School as volunteers from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) assisted the voters who forgot the location of their polling precincts.

Nagkaisang Nayon has a total of 16,536 registered voters.It is one of the 14 barangays that comprise Quezon City's fifth district which has a total of 204,483 voters.

BEST Center cage clinics listup still open

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The multi-awarded Best Center (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training Center), supported by Milo, is still accepting enrollees for its summer clinics at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City.

Best Center founder and president Nic Jorge, a recipient of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Olympism Award and the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Hall-of-Fame trophy, said interested students have until May 10 to list up for its Tuesday and Friday clinics from 8-11 a.m.

The Amoranto clinics are for students in Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Jorge also announced the opening of the Best Center basketball and volleyball clinics at the Angeles University Foundation beginning May 10.

The basketball clinic is for Levels 1, 2 and 3 while the volleyball clinic is for students in Levels 1 and 2. The clinics will run from May 10-15 and is being organized by Eddie Velasquez (0927-554-3254 and 0927-382-6748).

NIA, DTI joint program on Vetiver Grass

(NIA)

QUEZON CITY, May 7 -- A 5-day trainers’ training workshop on production and handicraft making of Vetiver Grass were attended by representatives from different NIA regional offices. The said training workshop was held from 2 May to 6 May 2016 at 5th Flr. IEC Bldg. Convention hall NIA compound.

NIA Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Engr. Erdolfo B. Domingo welcomes all the participants and challenge them in coming up with a training guide that can be helpful to farmers. “This workshop will not only benefit you (participants) but most importantly the farmers and Irrigators Association who will be the recipients of this endeavor” he added. NIA Operations Department Manager Engr. Romeo M. Lopez expresses his gratitude to all the participants who accepted the call to be part of the workshop. He noted that Vetiver Grass has been with NIA years ago, as a slope protection for irrigation structures like canals.

Mr. Renel A. Batralo and Mr. Cesar C. Pasco who are both DTI accredited trainers were the resource speakers during the course of training. The two are both designers and product consultants specializing in handicrafts making thru the use of indigenous materials such as bunot, water lily, buri, nito, tikog, etc. Mr. Pasco told everyone that with proper treatment and process at hand, Vetiver Grass can be a competitive Philippine product locally and internationally.

NIA, as early as 1988, uses Vetiver Grass as a slope protection mechanism because it has the capacity to hold large amount of soil thru its roots which grow deeper up to 5 meters. The use of this grass is included with the Irrigation Operation Support Project (IOSP) of the agency under operations and maintenance (O&M). NIA gives various seedlings of Vetiver Grass to farmers for them to plant it alongside with the irrigation canals to prevent soil erosion.

The problem comes when rats and snakes started to fill the area due to dense and weedy environment which make it suitable for the pests to live. That is why the agency, thru Office of the Irrigation Center, NIA Operations Department, in coordination with DTI Coco Coir National Industry Cluster, came up with this training workshop to resourcefully and efficiently use the Vetiver Grass for an additional income of our farmers.

“Motivate your counterpart, motivate your farmers. I want this training to be a productive one” said Mr. Pasco. The speakers also discuss other uses of the grass like absorbing toxic substance in soil caused by chemical fertilizers, serves as an herb for medical purposes, use as runoff mitigation, and helps in water conservation

Mr. Batralo told the participants to expect on-hands training as they will teach them preparations and processes on how to come up with a good piece using the Vetiver Grass. “Excited ako kasi aside from unleashing our creativity sa paggawa ng handicrafts, malaki rin ang maitutulong nito sa ating mga farmers (additional income) na ang tingin sa Vetiver grass ay walang pakinabang” as one of the participants from Region IV-B stated.

The use of Vetiver Grass will not only serve its primary purpose of preventing soil erosion but also open a new avenue for our farmers to be able to learn the potentials of this grass.

SSS outperforms investment benchmarks, earns over P28-B in 2015

(SSS)

QUEZON CITY, May 6 -- The Social Security System (SSS) attained a full-year investment income of P28.65 billion last year while its return on investments (ROI) reached 6.9 percent, outpacing key market indicators such as the 10-year Treasury bond and 364-day T-bill rates which averaged 4.0 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively.

SSS Executive Vice President for Investments Sector Rizaldy T. Capulong noted that the agency’s ROI last year also remained ahead of national economic indicators, particularly the 5.8 percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) and 1.4 percent inflation rate for 2015.

“Our investment activities are guided by SSS charter and adhere to the principles of safety, good yield and liquidity. SSS performance under present management has consistently outdone major investment benchmarks, and we continue to do our best amid the prevailing market conditions,” Capulong said.

From 2011 to 2015, the SSS annual ROI averaged 9.1 percent, outperforming the five-year annual averages of 5.9 percent for the GDP growth, 4.8 percent for the 10-year T-bond, 3.3 percent for the inflation rate, and 1.8 percent for the 364-day T-bill.

Government securities, the largest contributor to SSS investment earnings at 38.6 percent, registered a 7.1 percent ROI and brought in P11.05 billion last year, improving on the P10.98 billion earned in 2014. Combined income from government securities and equities make up two-thirds or P19.18 billion of the entire SSS investment earnings for 2015.

“Equity investments have been generating good returns for the funds of our members, earningP8.13 billion last year while the ROI reached 8.2 percent despite the 3.9 percent PSEi (Philippine Stock Exchange Index) decline in 2015. Equities accounted for 28.4 percent of our total investment income last year, and remain a major component in our investment strategies,” Capulong said.

Earnings from salary loans amounted to P4.86 billion, higher than P4.79 billion the previous year, on the back of a 7.8 percent ROI. Meanwhile, income from corporate notes and bonds rose from P1.03 billion in 2014 to P1.41 billion last year with nearly a five percent ROI.

The P426.66-billion SSS investment portfolio is currently comprised of government securities (39.9 percent), equities (23.0 percent), salary loans (15.6 percent), corporate notes and bonds (8.0 percent), bank deposits (5.9 percent), real estate (4.7 percent), and housing and development loans (2.9 percent).

Real estate, while only about five percent of the SSS investment portfolio, contributed P2.2 billion or seven percent of the total SSS investment income last year. Real estate also recorded the highest ROI among the different types of SSS investments in 2015,” Capulong observed.

The SSS, through its investments, supports the government’s economic and social programs such as education, infrastructure, water, communications, power and electrification. The pension fund generated earnings of over P11 billion last year from its investments with the government, which is SSS’ biggest borrower.

“Earnings of about P10 billion came from SSS placements in the private sector, including some P3 billion in stable cash dividends from financial, power and utility companies,” Capulong said.

About 1.5 million SSS members benefited from salary loan releases in 2015 alone, while over 70,000 student-beneficiaries have availed themselves of SSS Educational Assistance Loans as of end-2015.

SSS investment decisions are supervised by the Investment Oversight Committee (IOC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) of the Social Security Commission, which serves as the SSS governing board and highest policy-making body.

“Functions of the IOC include ensuring our compliance with the SSS Charter’s provisions on the investment of reserve funds, and spearheading the development and adoption of guidelines to ensure transparency in the investment performance of SSS. The RMC, meanwhile, is tasked to ensure SSS’ compliance with risk management policies and practices,” Capulong explained.

Limitations on the SSS reserve funds allotted per type of investment are specified under the SSS Charter, namely 40 percent for private securities, 35 percent for housing, 30 percent in real estate, 10 percent in short and medium term member loans, 30 percent in government financial institutions and corporations, 30 percent in infrastructure projects, 15 percent in any particular industry, and 7.5 percent in foreign currency dominated investments.

“While SSS investments are performing well, even in spite of a down market, these cannot be expected to adequately fund substantial benefit increases such as the proposed P2,000 pension hike, which would require an extra payout of least P56 billion annually, nearly double our entire investment income for 2015,” Capulong noted.

Metro Retail opens QC department store

By Krista Angela M. Montealegre

VISAYAN RETAIL giant Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) has completed the takeover of a department store previously owned by the partnership of the Ayala and Tantoco families that will expand its presence in Quezon City.

The Gaisano-led retailer recently inaugurated its 48th store -- a two-storey, 10,920-square meter (sq.m.) department store -- at the UP Town Center, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

“We are excited to grow our presence in Quezon City, which presents a lot of opportunities with its dynamic economy and large population,” MRSGI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank S. Gaisano was quoted in the statement as saying.

This is part of the department store assets with a combined gross floor area of 25,000 sq.m. that MRSGI had previously acquired from SIAL Specialty Retailers, Inc., a joint venture between Ayala Land, Inc. and Store Specialists, Inc.

MRSGI is opening another department store -- also formerly under SIAL’s Wellworth brand -- at the Fairview Terraces Mall, also in Quezon City.

Metro UP Town Center is offering a variety of general merchandise such as apparel and fashion accessories, appliances and electronic, furniture, home ware, hardware, and travel items.

MRSGI President and Chief Operating Officer Arthur Emmanuel credited the store associates for a smooth transition between the acquisition and the opening of the store.

“Our new Metro department store also underscores the dynamic alliance we have forged with Ayala Land throughout the years, as we look towards mutual growth and build on our shared passion for excellent customer service,” Mr. Gaisano said.

MRSGI had previously sealed a deal with ALI for the establishment of its stores in four new Ayala commercial developments in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Mandurriao, Iloilo City; Cebu City; and Pasig City.

In the next five years, the retailer is targeting to double its gross floor area from 400,000 square meters, translating to the opening of additional 50 to 70 stores, on top of the existing 46 stores, Metro Retail Vice-President for Business Development Joseph Conrad M. Balatbat said in November.

This year, MRSGI is opening seven new stores in Luzon and Visayas that will add approximately the midpoint of the planned 36,000 to 60,000 square meters of gross floor area. MRSGI’s net profit rose at an annual clip of 20.6% to P758.6 million last year. Net sales climbed 13.9% year-on-year to P32.3 billion, with same-store sales growth at 8.8%.

Shares in MRSGI shed seven centavos or 1.83% to close at P3.75 each on Thursday.

SSS partners with banks for faster delivery of benefits to members

By Rea Cu

The Social Security System (SSS) has partnered with 25 banks all over the country to provide convenient and faster coverage of maternity, sickness and employee compensation benefits to its members.

Through its Sickness, Maternity and Employees Compensation thru the Banks Program, members can now retrieve payment-benefits from the automated teller machines of partner-banks. The direct releasing of the benefits, either to their savings or current accounts, will give members a more convenient and faster means to get their funds.

The new scheme would be beneficial to both SSS and partner-banks as it will reduce operational expenses with the decrease in the use of printed checks and mailing papers, and it will further expand the clientele of the partner-banks in terms of bank account generation.

SSS self-employed, voluntary, nonworking spouses, overseas Filipino workers, employee members, as well as those members who are already separated from employment now have a safer and easier way of receiving their cash benefits.

The SSS had made it mandatory for employers to enroll their businesses or employees in the sickness and maternity benefit payment thru the Bank Program so that reimbursements for their benefits may be received.

The 25 SSS partner-banks are Asia United Bank, Bank of Commerce, China Banking Corp., CityState Savings Bank Inc., Country Builders Bank Inc., CTBC Bank Corp., Development Bank of the Philippines, East West Bank, First Consolidated Bank, Innovative Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines, Merchant Savings Bank, One Network Bank, Philippine Bank of Communications, Philippine Business Bank, Philippine Savings Bank, Philippine National Bank, PNB Savings Bank, Philippine Veterans Bank, Postbank Savings Bank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Security Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Union Bank of the Philippines and United Coconut Planters Bank.

The memorandum of agreement for the expanded coverage of payment of benefits through partner-banks was signed on April 19 at the SSS main office in Diliman, Quezon City.

PNP holds training of police IT personnel for SAFE polls

(PNA) BNB/CLTC/Christian Robert M. Roxas(OJT)

MANILA, May 3 (PNA) -- A total of 233 police officers who are also experts in information technology (IT) on Tuesday undergone the first ever two-day Training of Provincial and City Police Office IT personnel as part of the Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) for the May 9 polls.

According to Chief Supt. Nestor Mendoza Bergonia, Chief of National Operations Center (NOC), the event was conducted in preparation for the deployment of the personnel on monitoring the real-time conduct of election through National Election Monitoring Action Center (NEMAC) at the Main Hall, Multipurpose Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The 233 police IT expert attendees came from 81 provinces and 21 cities of the country.

Bergonia said that personnel who attended the training will soon be deployed to their respective regions to carry out election monitoring duties.

These personnel are particularly undergone training on on web mapping and quantum geographical information system (GIS), which are responsible for transporting the updates of the vote counting machines to NEMAC, he noted.

The web mapping system includes monitoring the situation in voting precincts nationwide which includes checking on power supply, communication signal and election-related incidents.

The monitoring system will be beneficial as it will bring the real-time update of elections from different positions.

The deployment will be effective before, during and after the election day.

The PNP aims to have a peaceful elections in cooperation with Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other force multipliers in the Philippines.

The training which started Tuesday will last until Wednesday. After this, the said police IT personnel will be deployed to their respective places of assignment.

PNP activates EOD, K9 units

(PNP/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday activated its newly organized National Operational Support Unit (NOSU), the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group (EOD/K9 Group).

“The activation of Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group will bring forth more positive results in our campaign towards durable peace and order and solve problems involving explosive ordnance,” said PNP chief Police Director General Ricardo C. Marquez.

Under Resolution No. 2016-277, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has approved the creation of EOD/K9 Group as the primarily responsible for the management, deployment, utilization and development of EOD and Canine units of the PNP.

The EOD/K9 group, to be headed by Police Senior Superintendent Regimio B. Gregorio, is mandated to conduct safe disposal of all bombs and neutralization of hazards from chemical, nuclear, and improvised explosive devices (IED) that create threat to public safety, installation and utilities as well as to police operations and personnel. Also, it is tasked to conduct of post –blast and crime scene investigations.

The group is also responsible for effective and standardized utilization and development of all Canine Units/Teams of the PNP as well as the procurement, inventory, breeding, training, deployment, distribution and management of all canines/working dogs of the PNP.

Meanwhile, with the activation of EOD/K9 Group, the Philippine Bomb Data Center (PBDC) shall continue to exist under the Directorate for Intelligence and mandated to provide technical intelligence reports to the EOD/K9 Group, other PNP units and law enforcement agencies, establish and maintain target list of suspected local and foreign terrorist, and gather and maintain data of all bomb related incidents.

BEST Center gives back to community

(The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines – The Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training (BEST) Center, the country’s premier basketball clinic, gave underprivileged kids the chance to enhance their basketball skills during a free two-day workshop held at Barangay Milagrosa, Project 4, Quezon City. The event was held as part of BEST Center’s community development program through sports.

Participants were taught the basics of playing basketball in a scientific way, such as handling, dribbling, shooting, and passing. After the workshop, they were encouraged to continually practice these techniques to improve their game.

“BEST Center has always been an advocate of sports development especially on the grassroots level. It is our hope that by reaching out to the Filipino children through our clinics, we can inspire more kids to get into sports and lead an active healthy lifestyle,” said BEST Center founder coach Nic Jorge.

The BEST Center clinics teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and help them develop good character and values such as discipline, sportsmanship and camaraderie through their interaction with coaches, instructors, classmates, and peers. Founded in 1978, BEST Center is an award-winning basketball clinic inducted in the Philippine Sportswriter Association Hall of Fame in 2007 for pioneering scientific approach of basketball training in the country.

For more information on BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, visit its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BEST-Center-Sports-Inc-66172039922 or call telephone nos. 411-6260 and 372-3066 or telefax 372-3065 or email at bestcenter@gmail.com.

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