Quezon City News February 2013

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Quezon City - Archived News
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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.

Man nabbed at QC Hall for impersonating as cop

By Jamie Marie Elona (INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines—A man was arrested at the Quezon City Hall Thursday morning for allegedly impersonating as a police officer.

Daniel Caballero was busted when an alert policeman at the city hall noticed that his uniform had two different ranks.

Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr. of the Kamuning police station said Caballero, 34, was arrested at the Hall of Justice in Barangay (village) Central in Quezon City around 9:15 a.m.

Pedrozo said Senior Police Officer 1 Conrad Lim of Kamuning police was at the city hall for a court hearing when he noticed Caballero’s uniform had conflicting ranks–a police inspector on the shoulder board and a Senior Police Office 1 on the shoulder patch.

Pedrozo said Caballero failed to produce proper documents to support his claim that he is a police officer.

Police Officer 1 James Tawan, also from the same station, said investigators have yet to determine Caballero’s motive, but quoted the suspect as saying that he just wanted to talk to Quezon City Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista.

Among the recovered items from Caballero were two driver’s licenses that had different names.

Caballero was placed under police custody for further investigation.

MMDA: Road repairs in Manila, QC starting Feb 28

By Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday advised motorists to avoid some areas in Manila and Quezon cities where the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will conduct road repairs starting Thursday, February 28.

The MMDA said the DPWH will conduct road re-blocking and asphalt overlay works on R-10 in Manila from February 28 to March 3.

From March 1 to 2, the DPWH will be doing road works along Quirino Highway near Regalado North, in Quezon City.

The government agency will also do repairs along Mindanao Avenue, from Road 1 to 8, also in Quezon City, from March 1 to 3, the MMDA said.

"The public is hereby advised to use alternate routes as heavy traffic is expected at the said areas," the MMDA added.

PNP terminates experimental detail of private security guards in Camp Crame

(PNA), LAM/CLTC

MANILA, Feb. 26 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday announced the termination of the experimental detail of private security guards in securing its headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the three-day "experiment" with the blue guards ended Monday, but they have not totally junked the idea yet.

"This is part of our study. What the PNP Headquarters Support Service wants is to delegate to non-police personnel the less sensitive work in Camp Crame, so we can maximize our police forces for anti-crime work," Cerbo said.

He said the blue guards had kept watch over Camp Crame last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Cerbo said that during the three-day "experiment," police personnel acted as supervisors of the blue guards.

He said the blue guards were now relegated to conducting traffic in less sensitive parts of Camp Crame.

Bridge inspection

By Chito A. Chavez

Manila, Philippines – As a precautionary measure, the Quezon City government has routinely inspected the city’s bridges and footbridges to ensure their structural safety.

Mayor Herbert Bautista said an assessment has been conducted on the stability of the bridges and footbridges constructed by the DPWH and the MMDA in the city. “This is a necessary precautionary measure, considering that earthquakes could happen anywhere in Pacific countries like the Philippines,” Bautista added.

Runners commemorate 27th EDSA anniversary

By Precie Catherine C. Cuarto (PCCC-PMD)

QUEZON CITY, Feb 24 (PIA) -- For the first time, the longest, most congested road in Metro Manila was closed Sunday morning for the conduct of a race to commemorate the bloodless revolution that ousted a 20-year government dictatorship.

Roughly 3,000 runners assembled at the People Power monument this morning to join the official race of the 27th EDSA (Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue) People Power anniversary dubbed “Run for Juan - Run for Good Governance,” centering on the theme, “Pilipinas Natin, Abot-Tanaw Na!”

“As we are excited to run this morning, maybe we’ll get more excited to know that we are running for our country. We are running for our brothers and sisters. And now we can somehow see the improvement of our country’s governance,” Philippine Information Agency Director General and Pilipinas Natin Volunteer Movement proponent Jose Mari M. Oquiñena told runners.

“Don’t give up (during the race). Giving up means giving up for the country,” Oquiñena added.

The race, chiefly organized by the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges Student Network (APMCSN)-NCR and the EDSA People Power Commission, was also supported by government agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Interior and Local Government, Office of Civil Defense, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Air Force, PNP Academy, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Public Safety College, and PIA.

Runners who finished the 21K, 10K, 5K, and 3K run categories were encouraged to write their pledges for “Ano Ang Taya Mo Para Sa Pilipinas Natin” wall.

PCSO joins support groups to cheer kids with cancer

(PNA), LAM/PR/EBP

MANILA, Feb. 22 (PNA) -- Around 25 to 30 children undergoing dialysis and treatment for cancer were given a surprise Valentine’s Day party Thursday at Tahan Tahanan, at the basement of East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City.

As a half-way home for cancer sufferers from infancy to 20 years old, Tahan Tahanan provides a temporary shelter for young patients who live in far locations and who must undergo frequent and regular treatments and procedures such as chemotherapy and dialysis in Manila.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) officials and staff, headed by PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II joined other supporters from all walks of life.

On hand to co-host the event, and to also mark the second year of Tahan Tahanan, were Barbie Atienza of Manila Bulletin, comedienne Beverly Salviejo and civic leader Stauro Punongbayan of the Rotary Club of Midtown Diliman.

PCSO’s support comes in the form of medical assistance including help in hospitalization expense, laboratory procedures, medicines and medical procedures such as dialysis and chemotherapy.

Volunteers from all walks of life came to give of themselves—academe, artists, Rotary Club volunteers, private citizens, including the Kapisanan ng may K sa Pilipinas, the umbrella organization of all cancer groups in the Philippines.

Media personalities who have shown support in giving cheer to the kids on Valentine’s Day are GMA-7’s Kara Constantino David, TV-5’s Luchi Cruz Valdes, Mons T. Romulo, Mandy Navasero who will donate children’s books, Fe Zamora, Isabel de Leon, and Badette Cunanan.

BFP reminds household to get involved in fire prevention programs

(PNA), LAM/SMARTIN/ABB

QUEZON CITY, Feb. 21 (PNA) -- As the fire prevention month approaches, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Thursday reminded households especially those in crowded areas to get involved in programs and measures concerning fire prevention.

Senior Supt. Bobby Baruelo BFP-Asst. Regional Director for Administration and concurrent Quezon City Fire marshall, said fire prevention is not only a month-long awareness but should be a 24/7 and year-round preparation.

“Papasok pa nga lang ang tag-init ay kaliwa’t kanan na ang sunog kaya dapat talaga laging pag-ibayuhin ang pag-iingat,” Baruelo said in a teleconference interview with reporters.

The observance of Fire Prevention Month began in 1967, under Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A. March was chosen as it marks the start of the summer season during which most fires occur. The BFP is tasked to spearhead information dissemination and other programs during its month-long observance.

On Tuesday, fires hit Quezon City, Valenzuela and Tondo in Manila. Hundreds of families were rendered homeless while three people perished in the Tondo blaze. Another fire Tuesday night also destroyed P200,000 worth of properties at the Manila Film Center in Pasay City.

Baruelo emphasized the need for residents to always practice concerted efforts during times of fire emergencies.

“Dapat lahat ay maki-alam, magtulungan, di lang dapat isang tao ang mag-iingat para mailigtas ang buhay at ari-arian,” the fire official explained.

Records show that fire incidents usually rise during summer and Metro Manila remains top in terms of occurrences, properties damaged and lives perished.

“Kapit bisig lagi lalo na ngayong papasok na ang tag-init,” Baruelo stressed.


Quezon City court to take custody of 101st accused in Maguindanao massacre

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Site of the Maguindanao massacre. A Quezon City court has ordered the transfer of an accused in the 2009 massacre from the custody of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police to the Quezon City Jail. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A Quezon City court has ordered the transfer of an accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case from the custody of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police to the Quezon City Jail.

Quezon City regional trial court branch 221 Jocelyn Solis-Reyes also directed state witness Sukarno Badal on Tuesday to take the stand in the continuation of proceedings on Wednesday, and on Thursday to resume his testimony.

Reyes issued on Tuesday a commitment order to the warden of the Quezon City Jail Annex at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, directing him to take custody of former Mamasapano town councilman Talembo Masukat who was arrested last week in the Maguindanao province, and has been held at the ARMM Criminal Investigation and Detection Group headquarters in Cotabato City.

Masukat is the 101st of 195 accused to be arrested for the November 23, 2009 carnage at Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman near Ampatuan town in Maguindanao Province, where 58 persons were killed.

He was arrested on Feb. 16 after he and several other armed men engaged members of the Army 45th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Manungkaling, Mamasapano town in Maguindanao. Masukat carried a P300,000 reward for his arrest as one of the suspected perpetrators of the 2009 massacre.

Masukat is identified as a trusted aide of Mamasapano town mayor Bahnarin Ampatuan, another accused in the massacre and grandson of former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. He had also worked as a driver for the ex-governor’s eldest daughter, Bai Rebecca Ampatuan.

He was identified by Datu Abdullah Sangki town councilor Mohammad Sangki as the person who relayed to him the alleged plan to block the Mangudadatu convoy and who deployed on November 19, several days before the massacre, a dozen members of a civilian auxiliary unit to a checkpoint at Crossing Saniag in Sitio Masalay, Ampatuan town.

Meanwhile, Reyes issued a subpoena for state witness Sukarno Badal, a former vice-mayor at Sultan sa Barongis town recently discharged as one of the accused in the Maguindanao massacre case.

Badal, who is under the justice department’s witness protection program, was ordered by the court to continue his testimony during the resumption of the scheduled hearings at the Quezon City regional trial court annex in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

In his testimony last week, Badal claimed that members of the Ampatuan clan had three plans to kill then Buluan vice-mayor and now Maguindanao governor Esmael Mangudadatu.

He testified that there were three options: Manila, Maguindanao, and Cotabato, depending on where Mangudadatu filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC). The Maguindanao governor asked members of his family, lawyers and supporters to file his CoC at Shariff Aguak. It was their convoy, including 32 members of the media, that was blocked at a checkpoint from where they were herded to a secluded area for slaughter.

Information officers, called to inspire and involve people in nation-building

By Alfred Kristoffer A. Guiang (RJB/AKG-PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Feb 19 (PIA) -- Information officers in Metro Manila were urged to involve people in nation building by being their source not only of information but also of inspiration.

This was what Philippine Information Agency’s (PIA) newly-installed Director-General Jose Mari Oquiñena said during the First Meeting of the Association of Information Officers in Metro Manila (AIMM).

He said that information officers must be able to encourage the participation of the Filipino people in nation-building by providing them with timely, relevant, and truthful information, as well as engage them in activities that will help improve the lives of our fellow men.

The director-general also called for the active involvement of the AIMM through AIMM founder and PIA-NCR Regional Director Riza J. Baldoria in building stronger alliance with other information officers in the country.

One of the proposals of the DG is to hold a nation-wide Information Summit tentatively scheduled in July 2013 which aims to gather all information officers in the country and reaffirm their role as responsible conveyors of information and establish a network with other information officers.

AIMM members were also encouraged to participate in the upcoming “Bayani Challenge,” an activity under the Pilipinas Natin—the government’s campaign to build a volunteerism movement among Filipinos to effect positive change to the country.

The Bayani Challenge is a five-day outreach activity where volunteers will build communities for their fellowmen by building and repairing schools, and conducting health missions and climate change mitigation activities, among others.

To take place from March 23-27, “the Bayani Challenge is an action-oriented activity which hopes to develop ‘involvement’ and ‘physical presence’ among the people—a shift from being a passive audience in the country’s daily activities,” the DG Oquiñena said.

Bayani Challenge is expected to be the biggest volunteerism event of the country as it targets to serve 35 provinces in the country.

The Bayani Challenge is among the activities of the government’s Pilipinas Natin launched in 2011 as a response to President Benigno Aquino’s (PNoy) call for the Filipinos to work together in empowering the nation through patriotism and the Filipino concept of “Bayanihan” or working with each other.

Pilipinas Natin aims to inculcate an “inclusive mindset” in Filipinos, the kind of thinking that includes fellow Filipinos.

The AIMM is composed of public information officers of the 17 local government units in Metro Manila as well as NCR regional information officers of national government units whose primary tasks are to disseminate information on development programs and projects of the government, and plan and implement communication campaigns in support of development plans of NCR.

World's seventh best player to teach darts as tool for math proficiency

By Eddie G. Alinea [(PNA), LAM/EGA/EBP]

MANILA, Feb. 18 (PNA) -- He started playing darts to while away time.

But after barely four years in the sport and earning the recognition as the seventh best player in the world, Filipino Bryan Elibar III is advocating the throwing of the tiny spear to help kids learn the game and excel in math as well.

The Quezon City-born Eribal who now calls Barangay Balubad in Porac town in Pampanga his home, is, in fact, embarking on a Darts Game Clinic-School Caravan province-wide for the purpose.

“In playing the sport, which people believe to be only a parlor game played mostly in dark corners of beer houses, I’ve realized, like the Europeans, most particularly the British did, that it, indeed, is a great way for kids to learn math even without them realizing it,” the 33-year-old triggerman bared during the recent SCOOP session at the Kamayan Restaurant in Manila.

“Habang naglalaro ka kasi, players have to make instant mental calculations quickly -- adding, multiplying and subtracting their scores,” Eribal, baptized as “The Incredible” following his seventh place finish in the Soft Darts World Championships held last December in Hong Kong, said.

“So that without knowing it, yung basics para matuto at gumaling sa math, nagagamit ng isang player habang naglalaro. As a result, gagaling talaga ang isang dart player sa subject na, sa tutoo lang, eh iniiwasan ng maraming kabataan sa eskuwela, di ba?” he told his audience at the public service forum sponsored by Powerade, AKTV and FILA.

“In other words, hindi na natin pipilitin ang ating mga anak na kumuha ng math sa school, paglalaruin na lang natin ng darts na ma-e-enjoy nila and at the same time, gagaling sila sa subject na iniiwasan nila,” he said.

“While competing in last year’s World Championships and even in my previous participation in international competitions, players from Europe, especially from the United Kingdom, have often told me that the link between playing darts and improve an individual’s ability at match is well proven in their countries,” Eribal, who came from a family of darters, recalled.

Eribal is the son of Boy Eribal II, one of the famous “Eribal Brothers” in the 80s that included Cesar, Ted and Mario. His father was, in fact, ranked no. 1 in the country during his prime and was once the MVP in the then Terton Open.

“Kaya pagdating ko dito from Hong Kong, I introduced the idea of putting up the Darts Game Clinic-School Caravan "Aral Matematika, Aral Dartero” in all schools in the province to Governor (Lilia) Pineda who, along with board member (Olga Frances) Dizon, readily approved the project,” Eribal, father of three (Andrea Kyle, Bianca Louise and Mattheu Bryan) with wife Maria Victoria (nee Marquez) said.

Eribal explained that besides making school children proficient in math, playing darts will encourage them to play again (forget computers) and be kids once more, promote good health through physical exercise, teach good values like camaraderie, sportsmanship and discipline.

His target, according to Eribal, are all public and private schools in Pampanga which, he assured, will have no obligation except provide the students who will participate and time and place for the clinic.

“This is the reason why I sought the help of the provincial government, headed by Governor Pineda and the provincial board para maging successful ang program. Just imagine kung ang lahat ng aming mga bata sa Pampanga ay magiging proficient sa math. Hindi ba isang napakalaking serbisyo na ito para sa kabataan?” Eribal said.

Toby’s Sports, Target Darts, Mekeni Food Corp. and JDarts Asia have also promised support for the project.

Eribal said that to elevate his knowledge about the sports and help more in improving, too, the Filipinos’ match proficiency, he is scheduled to take part in no less than eight international competitions starting this April until November.

Hip and historic QC

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo, HBC/PCOO/SSC

MOST folks have never thought of Quezon City as a tourism destination. I don’t blame them. It is mostly known as a shopping and dining capital, not to mention the location of most government agencies and educational institutions.

Then, not too long ago, I read a newspaper piece quoting a Quezon City government official announcing that the city was targeting to become the “main tourist destination” in Metro Manila. So, of course, I couldn’t help but take a closer look at the resources Quezon City has that would entice tourists to come and visit it. And true enough, when viewed from a sightseer’s perspective, Quezon City does have a lot of interesting places and fun-filled activities that would surely delight any out-of-towner.

Quezon City has history, art, health and wellness spaces, as well as areas to commune with nature—or with other people if you wish, in hip, modern gathering places.

Must-see’s

Historical landmarks. Melchora Aquino, or Tandang Sora, is known as the “Grand Old Lady of the Revolution.” Her remains are interred at the Tandang Sora National Shrine on Banlat Road (near Tandang Sora and Mindanao avenues) believed to be her actual birthplace.

At the shrine is a towering brass statue of Aquino caring for a sick Katipunero with two other compatriots, sculpted by artist Abdulmari de Leon Imao Jr. The shrine, open to the public only on weekdays, also features six brass murals depicting the revolutionary’s life.

The Quezon City Memorial Circle (along Elliptical Road) is both a national park and shrine dedicated to the memory of Manuel L. Quezon Sr., the president of the Philippine Commonwealth.

Rising at its center is a tall, three-pronged, 66-feet monument that houses a museum containing the late president’s memorabilia, and a mausoleum where his remains and those of his wife, Doña Aurora Quezon, rest. In the morning, the park is a favorite among bikers and joggers; in the evening, visitors are drawn to the lit-up monument and the surrounding dancing water fountains.

Religious significance. The Sanctuario de San Pedro Bautista (69 San Pedro Bautista Street, San Francisco del Monte) was founded in 1599 by Fray Pedro Bautista, superior of all Franciscans in the Philippines, as a retreat house and novitiate in what was then a secluded part of town.

While the original structure itself has undergone many renovations, the church became a sanctuary for Katipuneros and American military forces in the 19th century. There is a cave—still open to the public—which was used by the Franciscans so they could pray in silence.

Constructed only in 1954, the Santo Domingo Church (537 Quezon Avenue) and its liturgical objects have been declared National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum.

Although its centuries-old religious artifacts, like ivory statues of saints and gold crucifixes, are hidden in the church’s vaults, on permanent display is the oldest Marian image in the country—the Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval. Other interesting features of the church are the magnificent stained glass windows created by Filipino artist Galo Ocampo, and eight murals by National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco, depicting the life of Saint Dominic de Guzman.

Artistic endeavors. The Ateneo Art Gallery (Rizal Library Special Collections Building, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights) is home to Philippine modern artwork, including a collection donated by the late artist Fernando Zobel de Ayala, now part of the permanent exhibition.

In the gallery’s collection are works of Filipino post-war artists such as Ang Kiukok, Vicente Manansala, Napoleon Abueva, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, etc., as well as fine prints and drawings by Rembrandt, Goya, Delacroix, Toulouse-Lautrec and Picasso. (The gallery is open daily except Sundays.)

The Vargas Museum (Roxas Avenue, University of the Philippines Campus, Diliman) has a permanent exhibit of artwork from the 19th century (Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo) to post-war modernists (Vicente Manansala), as well as works of invited guest artists.

Current exhibits are Curiosities by Geraldine Javier (until April 20) and Walang Sinasanto by Emmanuel Garibay (until March 15).

To-do’s

Shop. Other than its myriad of malls, there are other places in Quezon City that will attract offbeat buyers and bargain hunters.

The Sidcor Sunday Market at Eton Centris Mall (Edsa and Quezon Avenue) is a haven for cheap dry goods, fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables, and new foodie finds. Choice items include reasonably priced tapang usa (deer jerky) and tapang baboy damo (wild boar jerky), live suahe (greasy back shrimps), haricot vert (French beans), organic vegetables and plants.

Cubao Expo (or simply Cubao-X) is a community of shops and dining establishments mostly run by local artists. There are quite a few fascinating finds like vintage clothes, quirky comic books, artwork, secondhand books, furniture and antiques, handmade novelty items, as well as bars and restaurants. (Location: the former Marikina Shoe Expo, General Romulo Avenue, Araneta Center.)

The Dapitan Arcade (Dapitan and Kanlaon streets) is a virtual treasure trove of low-priced export-overrun furniture, shoe accessories, ceramic items and Christmas gee-gaws. It’s a great place to spend one’s afternoon and buy up stuff that can enliven any part of one’s home. There are wrought-iron chairs in antique finish for less than P1,500; assorted white ceramic dinnerware starting from P35; Moroccan hurricane lamps cost about P150, to name a few.

Kamuning Road (from Edsa to Tomas Morato Avenue) is also an area where stores selling antiques, secondhand hardwood furniture and vintage lamps are located. Haggling is the order of the day.

Wine and dine. Maginhawa Street in Teacher’s Village and Katipunan Avenue are new magnets for food enthusiasts.

Along Katipunan Avenue, your best bets are Wooden Spoon (329 Katipunan Avenue) owned by Chef Sandy Daza, which serves up reworked native Filipino dishes (try the stuffed pechay with smoked tinapa, crab pancit and adobo flakes); and Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza (341 Katipunan Avenue, above Mercury Drug Store), which serves Italian dishes with a sincere touch. The pizzas use local kesong puti. (Order the Bianca Verde Pizza, Pesto Raviolo and the sinful Crack Pie.)

Along Maginhawa Street, notables are The Burger Project (12 Maginhawa) for customized burgers, Crazy Katsu (81 Maginhawa) for chicken katsu, and The IScreamist (46-D Magiting Street) for the Dragon’s Breath S’mores.

Breathe and relax. Go to the La Mesa Ecopark (East Fairview) for a picnic, a swim, or a hike. The park with its lush surroundings has been spruced up and cleaned, and is now a quiet area to bond with one’s family, like the pasyalan of old. (Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)

Where to stay: For visitors staying more than a day, the Cocoon Boutique Hotel (61 Scout Tobias and Scout Rallos, Barangay Laging Handa) has all the amenities of a five-star Makati hotel, at more reasonable rates. It is also a 100-percent green hotel, using repurposed furniture and wood from old houses, organic bathroom toiletries, and is committed to recycling. (For reservations: www.thecocoonhotel.com/index.php)

Getting there: Quezon City is accessible via private vehicle, bus and FX shuttles (mega taxis), which normally pass through Edsa, the main artery in Metro Manila that connects most major cities. You can also reach Quezon City via mass transportation using the LRT 1 and 2, and MRT 3.

(For more information on Quezon City tourist stops, click www.quezoncity.gov.ph.)

(Lead) Aquino assures establishment of more heart centers

(PNA), HBC/PCOO/SSC

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III gave assurances that more heart centers will be established in various provinces in the country in fulfillment of his administration's goal of securing the people’s health and welfare.

In his speech during the 38th anniversary of the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) on East Avenue, Quezon City on Friday, the Chief Executive said the government is allocating funds for the establishment of heart centers in a bid to provide better health treatment for the people suffering from heart illness.

"Natatanaw na rin po natin ang araw kung saan hindi na kailangang lumuwas ng Maynila ang ating mga kababayan para ipatingin ang kanilang karamdaman sa puso. Sa kasalukuyan po, mayroon na tayong dalawang operational heart centers sa labas ng Maynila --- ang Southern Philippines Medical Center sa Lungsod ng Davao, at ang Vicente Sotto Medical Center sa Lungsod naman ng Cebu," the President said.

"Sa ilalim ng ating PPP Projects, inihahanda na rin ang dagdag pang heart centers sa mga lungsod ng Cabanatuan, Legazpi, Bacolod, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, at San Fernando sa La Union," he said.

The President said the establishment of heart centers and facilities across the country would greatly help in lessening the burden for medical expenses especially of the less fortunate Filipinos who have heart ailments.

"Ang nais po nating idiin dito -- ang lunas sa mga malulubhang sakit ay hindi lamang para sa may kaya sa buhay, mas lalong dapat itong inilalapit sa mga gipit at kapos sa buhay," the President stressed.

The government, through the Department of Health, is pursuing reforms dubbed as Kalusugan Pangkalahatan Program which focuses on the health needs of the poor and the marginalized.

"Isa pa po sa ating mga inisyatiba -- ang pagpapalawak ng ating PhilHealth wards dito sa Heart Center. Gamit po ang isandaang milyong pisong pondo ng DOH, ang dating tatlumpung kamang nakalaan para sa mga nakatatanda, at ang lalabindalawang kama naman para sa kabataan, ay dodoblehin natin para umabot sa isandaang kama. Ang target natin ay makahiga na nang mas maginhawa ang mas maraming pasyente dito bago matapos ang 2013," he said.

The President also commended the unshakable commitment of the Philippine Heart Center in accelerating their efforts to provide better health services to the public.

"Nalulugod din po tayo sa pagtutulungan ng Heart Center at ng PhilHealth para palawigin ang sakop ng PhilHealth benefits. Hindi po magtatagal, hindi na lang catastrophic diseases tulad ng breast cancer, prostate cancer, at acute leukemia ang libreng maipapagamot sa pamamagitan ng No Balance Billing Policy; isasama na rin sa listahan ang coronary bypass o bara sa ugat ng puso," he said.

PNoy inaugurates PHC’s new state-of-the art facilities

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

QUEZON CITY, Feb 15 (PIA) -- President Aquino today inaugurated the new state-of-the art facilities of the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) in time with the celebration of its 38th anniversary.

According to PHC Executive Director, Dr. Manuel Chua Chiaco Jr., the centerpiece of the PHC’s new facilities is the Hybrid Operating Room, the first and only one in the Philippines, with a built-in robotic imaging system for advanced cardiovascular procedures.

Chiaco describes the Hybrid Operating Room as a sterile environment where are traditional and interventional functions.

It allows cardiovascular surgeons, intervention cardiologists and radiologists, and the cardiovascular healthcare team to perform combined open, minimally invasive, and catheter-based procedures in the same operating setting.

President Aquino also inaugurated a Pediatric Cardiovascular Operating Room that aims to increase the number of children that PHC can treat with heat surgery. It also has the only Intra-operative Transesophafeal echo 3D TEE for infants, neonates, young children and adolescents in the country.

A new General Surgery Operating Room, separate from the cardiac operating theaters, and an Endoscopic and Special Procedures Operating Room were also inaugurated.

The entire Operating Room Complex of the PHC now includes 10 operating rooms, eight of which are dedicated for cardiovascular surgery, according to Chiaco.

The PHC executive director said that the hospital is also proud of of its three top-of-line cath labs and life support training programs that have earned for the hospital the status of an internationally certified life support training center.

Chiaco also said that other facility improvements have also been recently completed, including the total renovation of the original Presidential Suite, a Wellness Clinic to take care of out-patient check-up services, and a new children’s ward.

PHC is also currently constructing 38 new "garden villa-type" rooms on the roof deck of the hospital building and a bigger, more efficient hospital cafeteria to better cater to the dining needs of the PHC staff, patients, and visitors.

PHC is a tangible beneficiary of the President’s Kalusugan Pangkalahatan or the Universal Healthcare Program.

Foreign, Pinoy doctors cure cleft lips and palates in Quezon City

By Jenny Red (PIA/RJB/JGR-PIA NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Feb 14 (PIA) -- Now on its fifth day of mission proper operations in Quezon City, the Philippine American Group of Educators and Surgeons (Pages) have operated on 60 children with cleft lips and palates for free.

For the past 23 consecutive years, the group has been providing free medical services to mostly less fortunate children in the Philippines affected by an impairment of normal physical function such as cleft lip or palate that impedes verbal communication.

This year, Pages chose Quezon City to be their mission proper area after Mayor Herbert Bautista agreed to sponsor their program with the Quezon City General Hospital Medical Center as host hospital.

Fifty members of Operation Hope program consisting of surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nurses, technicians, and non-medical support personnel from the United States, United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and the Philippines are involved in this year's mission. These team members have brought with them their own instruments, devices, and equipment to use during the mission.

According to Ricardo Fulgencio IV, Operation Hope's overall coordinator, people who join their mission have the most genuine hearts in helping others as they sacrifice their jobs, income, free time, and comfort whenever they agree to do a medical mission here in the country.

"These people take a leave from their jobs and travel here at their own expense," said Fulgencio. He added that there are times when they consider canceling a mission because of lack of funds but their volunteers will insist on pushing through because they believe that they can help a lot of children through Operation Hope.

Since 1991, the group have operated on 9,500 Pinoy including children from Cebu, Laguna, Masbate, Iloilo, Batangas, Cavite, Zambales, Pangasinan, and Manila.

Fulgencio hopes that in the coming years, that with the help and support of government, they will be able to bring their pro bono services to more locations in the country and help bring back smiles one child at a time.

UP opens 2nd conference for teachers, media, students

(UP Communication Research Dept/PCCC-PMD)

QUEZON CITY, Feb 13 (PIA) -- Media practitioners, bloggers, students, and educators are invited to the 2nd National Communication Research Conference sponsored by the University of the Philippines – Communication Research Department.

The conference, with the theme, “Communication in a Glocalized World,” is set on February 15 and 16, at the Cine Adarna of the College of Mass Communication, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Its theme will focus on the importance of communication research as an academic discipline and an essential tool for better understanding of various issues and subjects that affect daily life.

Also, a post conference workshop on “How to Get Published” will be conducted to keep communication teachers abreast on the knowledge and skills in teaching and conducting research. Experts in communication and media research will talk about advanced research paradigms and methodologies.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos and Dr. Martin Hadlow from the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) in Singapore will be guest speakers. Professor Smith Boonchutima from Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University, a recipient of the 2013 Phil-Thai Cultural Organization Professional Exchange Program, will present his latest paper on communication and media.

The highlight of the conference is the awarding of best abstracts on communication research on related topics such indigenous media, traditional and electronic media, and the new social networks.

Registration will start at 8 a.m., and the opening ceremony at 9 am.

The conference is made possible in cooperation with the Philippines Association of Communication Educators and the Philippines Communication Society.

For concerns and confirmation of attendance, please contact organizing committee through mobile number 0943 5561254, or through e-mail, ncrc2013@gmail.com.

British Council, Ateneo to conduct seminar on teaching materials Feb 23

(PNA), HBC/PDN-PR

MANILA Feb 12 (PNA) -– The British Council and Ateneo Center for English Language Teaching will be conducting a seminar to enhance teaching materials in English classroom on Feb 23 in Quezon City.

The goal of the workshop is to build the capacity of Grades 7 and 8 English teachers to create and use appropriate materials for their own classrooms.

It aims to assess the suitability of Grades 7 and 8 teaching materials using defined principles.

It also aims to modify materials for classroom use and prepare possible lessons using these materials.

The target participants to this activity are Grades 7 and 8 English teachers from both public and private secondary schools.

Breast milk banks to be set up in QC public hospitals

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines–Aiming to provide infants with the healthiest, cheapest and most accessible form of milk, Quezon City will soon establish breast milk banks in all local government hospitals offering pediatric care.

Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista has approved the “Quezon City Human Milk Bank Ordinance,” under the policy that breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. The measure was enacted on September 17 last year after it was introduced by second district councilor Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla.

The human milk bank section will collect, screen, process, store and distribute donated human milk. The section will operate like a blood bank where infants who do not have access to their own mothers’ milk would be provided an alternative feeding option.

The milk banks, the ordinance states, shall be operated on a non-profit basis but a minimal processing fee may be charged for the screening process and administrative costs.

“However, inability to pay for the fee shall not be a reason for nonavailment of the milk for patients in need,” according to the measure.

The section would be manned by trained and dedicated health personnel in human milk banking and lactation management such as: a consultant physician; a lactation specialist or counselor who could be a nurse; a midwife; and a medical technologist.

The lactation specialist, assisted by the midwife, will be tasked to interview and conduct physical examination on milk donors. The specialist will also be responsible for the release of donated breastmilk to recipients.

Medical technologists are tasked to conduct laboratory tests after the initial screening interview and physical interview of donors and routine bacteriologic evaluation of all raw human milk and all batches of pasteurized donor milk.

The donated breastmilk will be dispensed by prescription or by hospital purchase order to infants at the intensive care unit, pediatric wards, pay wards and emergency rooms on the conditions of: prematurity, malabsorption, feeding intolerance, immunologic deficiencies, congenital abnormalities, or post-operative surgical conditions.

“No person, including hospital employees, other than the health personnel stationed in the human milk bank shall be allowed to allocate the breastmilk collected unless otherwise sanctioned by this ordinance,” the measure states.

It further says, “In the distribution of donor milk, priority will be given to service or private patients who are pre-term, post-surgical, or critically-ill newborns and for infants in disaster and calamity-stricken areas.”

The budget for the establishment of the human milk banks will be taken from the 2013 city budget and an annual budget shall be allocated for its continuous operation in the succeeding years.


QC Reports P2.9-B Tax Collection

By Chito A. Chavez

MANILA, Philippines --- The Quezon City government yesterday reported that it raised its tax collection from P2.497 billion in 2012 to P2.987 billion this year, or a 19.66 percent increase.

In its post collection report, the city government collected P238.042 million in real estate collection (city share), P2.661 billion in business collection and P88.637 million in miscellaneous collection.

For the period covering Jan 1, 2013 to Feb. 6, 2013, the city tax under the business collection category accounted for the largest collection in the city government’s coffers with P2.362 billion followed by the garbage fee with P61.972 collection.

The report also showed that the city government coolected P11.569 million for delinquency in penalties.

Garry Domingo, Chief of the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), said this year’s current tax collections showed a P490,864,917.19 increase compared to the previous year.

Reacting to numerous complaints, Domingo said the city’s increased collection is not due to the alleged overcharging to the 60,000 establishments operating in the locality.

As Domingo reported the P466,170,100.17 business tax collection increase for 2013, he was bombarded with claims that the rise in collection was natural since the city government allegedly cheated the taxpayers by their alleged enormous tax billings.

In an interview, Domingo branded the charges as “unfounded and far from the truth,’’ claiming that the city treasurer’s office and the BPLO impose the presumptive income leveling scheme only for business establishment without or incomplete documents like the value added tax (VAT) declaration document and financial statement.

In the absence of these documents, Domingo explained that the city government will have no option but to ask for the number and itemized salaries of each employee, monthly rental and other expenses before computing and determining which billing bracket a company should belong.

QC, Manila cops seize stolen bikes, spare parts in raids

By Reinir Padua, Rey Galupo (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Police officers in Quezon City and Manila seized stolen motorcycles and spare parts in raids, officials said yesterday.

Quezon City Police District director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano said the 20 shops they visited in the Banawe area did not have business permits and police clearances. One of the shops was selling a “police” car door, drawing the attention of authorities.

“They also had not invoices and when we asked them how they source their products, some said they get the parts from ‘individual’ suppliers,” Albano said.

“If there were no clearances from the police, how could we know the source of their supplies? There’s a probability the parts had been stolen from other vehicles,” he added.

The QCPD made use of the police’s “visitation powers” under the anti-fencing law and a city ordinance about the “market denial” move against sellers of stolen car spare parts, said QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao.

According Pagdilao, the supplies of the shops were brought to Camp Karingal for inventory.

On the other hand, the Manila Police District’s unit against car theft has recovered nine vehicles and 21 motorcycles in a series of raids from December 2012 to Feb. 1, Senior Superintendent Ronald Estilles said yesterday.

Estilles, who heads the unit, said the operations have resulted in the arrest and filing of charges against five suspected car thieves.

At least six vehicles and five motorcycles have been returned to their owners, while three cards and 16 motorcycles were impounded, he added.

He called on car owners to check if their lost vehicle is among those recovered by the MPD.

Aquino visits bone cancer patient on his birthday

(PNA), HBC/PCOO/SSC

MANILA, Feb. 8 (PNA) -- President Benigno Aquino III visited a bone cancer patient at a hospital in Quezon City as he celebrates his 53rd birthday anniversary Friday.

In a press briefing at Malacanang, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ramon Carandang said the President started his day by visiting a 15-year-old boy, Jericho Rafols, at the Philippine Orthopedic Center.

“You might be wondering what happened this morning, the President visited a young boy – Jericho Rafols – he is a 15-year-old bone cancer patient at the Philippine Orthopedic Center,” Carandang said.

"It was Jericho’s wish to meet the President. And so the President took time off from his schedule. He also had a meeting with the Presidential Management, then he took time off from his schedule to personally greet the boy,” he related.

In his interview in Davos, the Chief Executive said he wanted his birthday celebration to be simple by spending it with his family and some friends.

“You might be wondering kung sino ang unang nakabati kay Pangulo? and I will tell you that it was the Presidential Security Group. The PSG greeted him this morning as he left to begin his day. So as they are the ones who have access to him earliest, sila ang unang naka-greet sa Pangulo," Carandang said.

Carandang earlier said that the President’s birthday will just be another ordinary working day.

Aside from visiting the cancer bone patient, the President is also set to preside over a full Cabinet meeting this afternoon.

“We will be talking mostly about economic matters. There will be reports from Secretary Abad about the fiscal condition. There will be some discussion about the macroeconomic numbers also. As you know, the Cabinet tends to meet in clusters but occasionally, we will need to convene the entire Cabinet just to be able to more efficiently share information. So that is the purpose of today’s Cabinet meeting,” Carandang said when asked about the agenda of the Cabinet meeting.

DOLE-NCR to hold job fairs for tech-voc graduates

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

QUEZON CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor & Employment-National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) will hold a series of job fair especially intended for graduates of technical-vocational courses.

DOLE Regional Director for NCR, Atty. Alan Macaraya, in a statement said, the holding of special job fairs dubbed as “Hanapbuhay para sa TESDA Specialistas” is a convergent project with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-NCR (TESDA-NCR), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), PESO Association of Metro Manila (PAMM) and the Association of Tech-Voc Schools.

The series of job fair will kick-off on March 11 at the Quezon City Covered Walk in coordination with the Quezon City Public Employment Service Office, on March 11, 2013.

Macaraya said the DOLE-NCR Quezon City Field Office along with the Quezon City PESO will invite employers who can offer jobs that correspond to the skills profile of registered tech-voc graduates of Quezon City.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will also be tapped for the overseas component of the job fair.

“Our approach will be “focused hiring”, we want to ensure higher placement rate, thus we asked TESDA to provide us with the profile and number of tech-voc graduates in a given district so we can match them with the industries that requires manpower for their specific skills,” Macaraya said.

Industries who are considered Key Employment Generators (KEGs) like Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Health and Wellness, Construction, Hotels and Restaurants, Tourism, Security Services, Hospital, Telecommunication Companies (Telcos) will also be invitedo to participate in the job fair.

Contractors under the program called Workers Hiring for Infrastructure Project (WHIP) will also be tapped for the activity.

Macaraya said, employment counselling will also be conducted on site, and applicants can avail of free seminars on interview tips and résumé writing.

Pre-employment and documentation services will also be provided such as NSO, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-ibig, NBI, and BIR to name a few.

Walk-in applicants and non-tech voc graduates will be provided with a special lane to facilitate their applications.

“Hanapbuhay pasa sa TESDA Specialistas” will also be conducted in Manila at SM San Lazaro on March 14; Muntinlupa at SM Tunasan on March 18; Malabon at Star-J Mall; and in Pasay City at Pasay Sports Complex on March 21.

Ex-Biliran Rep. Espina Sr., 77, dies of pneumonia (Obit)

(PNA), HBC/CMR

MANILA, Feb. 6 (PNA) – Former Biliran Rep. Gerardo “Gerry” S. Espina Sr. passed away early Wednesday morning at St. Luke’s Hospital in Quezon City due to pneumonia.

He was 77.

His son, incumbent Biliran Rep. Rogelio Espina, said the older Espina died peacefully and without pain during his sleep at 3 a.m.

Espina was a member of the House of Representatives in the 10th, 11th and 12th Congresses.

He served as Deputy Speaker in the 11th Congress and was the Majority Leader in the 10th and 12th Congresses.

He also served as mayor of the municipality of Kawayan, Biliran from 2010 to 2012.

A well-known journalist before entering politics, Espina became Assemblyman and Assistant Majority Floor Leader in the Interim Batasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1984.

QC to get more scholars in SY 2013-2014

By Alfred Kristoffer A. Guiang (RJB/AKG-PIA NCR/QC-PAISO)

QUEZON CITY, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- The Quezon City Scholarship and Youth Development Program (SYDP) expects to have more scholars for the next school year after the city government completes the screening of underprivileged but deserving applicants who wants to pursue further studies.

The Program will have a screening committee to select from among the growing number of applicants those who qualify as beneficiaries to the city’s scholarship program on masteral and doctorate degrees.

The city government will shoulder the P70,000 per year tuition fees of the beneficiaries in support of their postgraduate studies.

According to SYDP head Rogelio R. Reyes, the postgraduate program is in compliance with ordinance no. SP. 2165, S-2012 that mandates the creation of the city’s post-graduate scholarship program to help deserving students who are QC residents pursue further studies to enhance their knowledge and make them more effective partners in the city building efforts of the city government.

In addition to the current 9,005 regular scholars from the city’s 46 public high schools, the SYDP is looking forward to admitting 50 additional postgraduate scholars this coming school year. More than 5,500 of the scholars are now enrolled at the Quezon City Polytechnic University (QCPU).

Manual audit differs from PCOS count in mock polls

(HDT/Sunnex)

THE random manual audit (RMA) of the mock election results held by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Saturday night at the University of the Philippines–Integrated School (UPIS) in Quezon City has revealed disparities from the ones released by the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.

According to Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chairperson Henrietta de Villa, the RMA they conducted until in the early hours of Sunday show there are certain posts that had differing results from the manual and the automated count.

“Meron ding differences sa resulta na generated by PCOS. May slight differences in our RMA,” said de Villa in an interview.

In the RMA, she said they found differences in the votes of six senatorial candidates with one each; as well as with one mayor and one congressman.

Also, there were five over-votes and 147 under votes for senator, eight over-votes for congressmen, and five under votes for mayor as revealed in the RMA.

In the said mock polls at the UPIS, singer-actress Jennifer Lopez was found to be the top vote-getter with 77 votes, followed by fellow actress Cameron Diaz with 68 votes.

Other top vote getters for senator are Frank Allison (61 votes); Neil Armstrong (61); Michael Jackson (58); Tom Cruise (54); Michael Buble (50); Mariah Carey (49); Harrison Ford (48); and Sylvester Stallone (48).

On the other hand, top vote getters for the party-list race are Katipunan with 13; Aegis with 11; and Kabisayaan with 7.

The Comelec Education and Information Department (EID) noted that the nationwide results sourced from all the 20 identified voting centers in 10 areas around the country that simultaneously held the mock elections are not yet available.

De Villa said the difference could be attributed to the decision of the Comelec in its RMA General Instructions that ambiguous marks will still be counted in the auditing with notes, even though the PCOS machines will not be counting them.

“These will now be verified further by the Comelec as to where they can be attributed to,” said de Villa.

The RMA is the process required by the Poll Automation Law in order to check the accuracy of the results generated by the PCOS machines when compared to the manual reading of votes.

Last Saturday, mock polls were also held in Bagong Lipunan ng Crame (P. Bernardo High School) in Quezon City; fifth district of Manila (Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School and Herminigildo Atienza Elementary School); Iriga City (Iriga Central School and Sta. Teresita Elementary School), and the Municipality of Bato (Bato North Elementary School and Atipolo Elementary School), in Camarines Sur; Dumaguete City (City Central Elementary School and Camanjac Elementary School) and the Municipality of Sta. Catalina (Santa Catalina North Central School and Kabulacan Elementary School), in Negros Oriental; Cagayan de Oro City (City Central School and Balulang Elementary School) and the Municipality of Initao (Initao Central School and Oguis Elementary School), in Misamis Oriental; and the Municipalities of Bongao (Lamion Walking Blackboard Elementary School and Simandagit Elementary School) in Tawi Tawi; and Buluan (Pilot Elementary School and Talitay Elementary School) in Maguindanao.

The mock polls mimicked the entire voting process on Election beginning with the PCOS initialization up until the transmission of votes both directly to the Central Server at the Comelec PCOS warehouse in Cabuyao, Laguna and at the Comelec main office in Manila, and through the step-by-step process from the precinct, to the municipal canvassing centers, to the provincial canvassing centers and eventually to the central/national server.

Meanwhile, Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez cited the problem of transmitting some of the results as one of their main concerns after the exercise.

“There should be a review of our signal mapping in order to validate if those indicated there are still accurate. We have to see it with our own eyes also. Who would think that in Katipunan (UPIS), we would find a hard time transmitting our results,” said the poll official in an interview.

Jimenez also said their findings showed that the contingency programs for transmission, such as the use of the Broadband Global Area Network or the very small aperture terminal, must always be ready.

Dry run exposes glitches in poll equipment

By Philip C. Tubeza (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections’ dry run for the May 2013 elections was marred by glitches but Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. insisted that no major problem occurred.

Brillantes said the “minor” problems encountered during Saturday mock elections in 10 places across the country included precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines that did not immediately start or paper ballots that jammed.

Eric Alvia, secretary general of the election watchdog National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), said the other glitches reported were differing lists of voters, low turnout, PCOS machines with missing clips and rollers that did not work, and technical staff who did not report early.

“We saw no major problem. We had some initial minor problems but everything has settled down,” Brillantes said at a press conference at the P. Bernardo High School in Quezon City, one of the main voting centers.

“It’s speculative but maybe since the PCOS machines were last used in the 2010 elections, or two and a half years ago, we needed to heat them up a bit,” he added.

The Comelec held the mock elections 10 areas across the country from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and it involved 1,639 potential voters in 11 polling precincts. Brillantes said no major problems occurred.

Brillantes said one of the minor problems they encountered was the “initialization” or starting up of the PCOS machine at the University of the Philippines Integrated School in Diliman, Quezon City.

“And then when it started, the ballots would not enter. The machines did not absorb them. So, what happened was that there was an issue of whether the ballots were too thick,” he said.

To remedy the problem, the Comelec had to bring in a new PCOS machine and replace the one that malfunctioned.

“We will look into the extent of this problem. We think at this point that it affects that individual machine only,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez.

“We are also looking at the possibility that the ballot was rejected because it was somewhat crumpled at the edges, so maybe it did not fit the roller. Again we have to check the tolerance of the roller,” he added.

Jimenez said the Comelec would investigate the glitches so they would not recur on election day.

“We have 76,000 (voting) precincts but we have more than 81,000 machines so that the excess could be used for contingencies,” he added.

NAMFREL’s Alvia said that the reported incidents of ballot jamming in PCOS machines was a reminder for the Comelec.

“It’s a (lesson) because from February 4 to April 25, we print the official ballots. Now is the time to make sure the grade or quality of the paper is appropriate for the PCOS machines,” Alvia said.

“We don’t know if maybe the the humidity might affect the thickness, or how you store it, how you package it, you name it. Even the grade of the paper, it’s a science in itself. We have to pay attention to those things,” he added.

Alvia said incidents of jammed ballots were reported at the UP Integrated School, at P. Bernardo High School, and in Singalong, Manila.

He said the principal of P. Bernardo High School informed him that they had to assemble the kit for the PCOS machine on their own because there was no technical staff present.

“There was an absence of technical personnel from the vendor. They were not here. The technical person arrived at 7:15. So, you really have to be present early on,” Alvia said in an interview. “The teachers who were here—I surmised that some of them were really seasoned and trained already—they really knew how to respond to it and they kept calm,” he added.

Alvia noted that as of 10 a.m. Saturday—three hours after the precincts opened—only 27 out of the 750 voters had cast their ballots.

He also noted that the list of voters posted outside the precinct was different from the one that the Board of Election Inspectors held.

“There was a lady (who) had some difficulty in searching (for her) name. Anyway, we still have around two weeks to go before Comelec releases the CVL (Certified List of Voters) and we’re waiting for that,” Alvia said.

“NAMFREL and the other groups can help to really authenticate and validate if the CVL that Comelec national produces is one and the same as what the local Comelec has. It’s an area where fraud could occur,” he added.

Alvia also suggested that the Comelec should avoid using thermal paper in future elections.

“You can use ordinary paper. An ink printer may be mechanical but the ink would last. If you expose thermal paper to UV (ultraviolet) light, after probably one day, you won’t be able to read (what’s printed on it),” he said.

“And if you are really going to use that as a log, as a paper trail, then it defeats the purpose of using thermal paper,” he added.

MMC gives go-ahead signal on EDSA rehabilitation project

By Lloyd Caliwan [(PNA), HBC/CLTC ]

MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The Metro Manila Council (MMC), the group of 17 city executives in the National Capital Region, Friday "approved in principle" the planned rehabilitation of the 23.8-km Epifanio de Los Santos Avenue (EDSA).

The repairs will be done by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“We have approved the project in principle pending the creation of traffic management plan," Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, also the head of the Special Traffic Committee of the MMC, said.

Metro mayors agreed after DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson presented the details of the P3.4 billion rehabilitation project aimed at improving EDSA.

The project will involve the concrete re-blocking and asphalt overlaying of certain portions of the highway from Balintawak to Roxas Boulevard.

But the DPWH has to come up with a traffic management plan including the alternative routes.

Singson said they want to work on the project for 24 hours every day until the rehabilitation is completed.

The first segment of the plan is from Roxas Boulevard to SM Megamall, while the second segment is from Megamall to Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

The third and last segment is from Trinoma Mall to Balintawak.

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