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Palawan News October 2016
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Large MPAs set in Palawan to rebuild fish stocks
- Source: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/large-mpas-set-in-palawan-to-rebuild-fish-stocks/
- Monday, October 10, 2016
- (BusinessMirror)
A whopping 1,013,340 hectares covering both the coastal and offshore waters of Cagayancillo, plus 80,000 hectares of Aborlan in the Philippine province of Palawan were recently declared as marine-protected areas (MPAs).
This is part of a two-country initiative by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Fondation Segré to rebuild the fish stocks of the Coral Triangle by changing the way people view protected areas. MPAs are portions of the sea which are protected by law. According to MPAtlas, the Philippines hosts 1,557—more than any in Southeast Asia.
Established largely through local government initiatives and administered by coastal communities, these undersea enclaves provide vital safe havens for marine life, while also attracting droves of tourists.
Sadly, many MPAs are plagued by a lack of funding. Perhaps, just over 100 MPAs are properly administered. Many are negatively viewed by coastal people as deterrents to their ability to fish in front of their homes.
This is because most MPAs have been designed to protect marine biodiversity rather than to replenish fish stocks and support local economies. “Fishermen were initially concerned that they would no longer be allowed to fish,” Aborlan Barangay Captain Zabalo recalls. “But proper zoning allocated areas for fishing.”
Over the past decade, WWF has been trying to put people’s needs first by focusing on the value of MPAs to maximize fisheries production instead of merely protecting biodiversity. So effective has the move been that the people of Cagayancillo clamored to have their waters protected because they benefited from the bounty of the nearby Tubbataha Reefs plus their own marine conservation efforts in Cagayancillo.
“Since WWF introduced marine conservation in early 2000, we have been vigilant. The reefs sustain our need for food and income. For years, we have had an abundant fish supply. I really believe some of them come from Tubbataha, especially the big ones,” Cagayancillo-based conservationist Nison Abados said. Though composed of both offshore and coastal zones, Cagayancillo is now the largest MPA in the country—due mostly to an ordinance under Republic Act 7611. Collaborative management is the key to effective and sustainably funded MPAs.
Roles, responsibilities and benefits are shared between national and local authorities, communities, the private sector and other resource users. Realizing that sustainability means business viability, the initiative works with the local seafood and tourism sectors to finance and manage MPAs and sustainable fishing initiatives.
“The ease and speed by which Aborlan protected its waters was due to a three-year initiative by local provincial, municipal and village governments, the Environmental Legal Assistance Center, Western Philippines University and WWF,” WWF-Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma said. The move heavily involves local fishermen and communities in the management of marine resources by helping them gain exclusive rights to fisheries located in or near MPAs and by working with them to improve the health and productivity of their fisheries.
An example would be Seven Lines, a coral reef system in Aborlan. “Seven Lines supplies fish to smaller coral reefs in the region. This means fisherfolk don’t need to travel far for fishing,” said Aborlan Municipal Agriculture Officer Cacatian. This means that even if certain areas are off-limits to fishers, the spillover effects of protection will seed large areas with life.
The project aims to expand the network of critical marine areas that are protected, effectively-managed and sustainably financed in the Coral Triangle. “Through well-managed MPAs, coastal communities can realize that conservation is the surest way to secure tomorrow’s fish,” concludes Palma.
As of 2016, the projects of WWF and its allies are protecting 904,000 hectares of MPAs in the Philippines.
FEATURE: Young Filipino doctor to the barrio becomes first Southeast Asian on the '120 Under 40' list
- Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2131475133062/feature-young-filipino-doctor-to-the-barrio-becomes-first-southeast-asian-on-the-120-under-40-list
- Sunday, October 9, 2016
- (The FORUM)
MANILA - Twenty-seven year old Dr. Marvin Masalunga is in the United States for a series of training and orientation on Reproductive Health.
Masalunga is one of the recipients of the 120 Under 40 Campaign of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Bill and Melinda Gates Institute. This project recognizes persons who champion the cause of reproductive health. A native of Cavite, Masalunga, whose nomination was initiated and recommended by the Forum for Family Planning and Development, is the only Southeast Asian individual to receive the citation. He joins nine other selected awardees in a string of talks on ways to improve maternal and child care among locals of their respective countries.
Masalunga will discuss about the state of reproductive health in the Philippines in Baltimore, Maryland. The next sessions will take place in Washington D.C, and New York where talks on the use of contraceptives, and the future of reproductive health will take place respectively.
When asked about how he feels with the recognition, he says “it’s a validation of what I, and our group of rural health workers in Palawan, do for the people. Aside from that, it speaks that I am probably doing something right in my service.”
- The Challenge of medical work in Palawan
Masalunga works in the district hospital of Coron, Palawan as a deputy municipal health officer. In his work, he meets and treats local patients day in and day out.
The latest figures show that among all the provinces in the Mimaropa region, Palawan has one of the highest maternal mortality rate (MMR) – or the number of women dying due to pregnancy and childbirth complications.
Records from the Provincial Health Office reveal that Palawan’s MMR rose to 182 in 2014 from 125 MMR per 100,000 live births in 2012.
While the municipality of Coron is one of the popular tourist spots in Northern Palawan with its pristine waters and captivating landscapes, little do most people know about the plethora of health issues that beset its locals, especially the women and the youth.
Coron has a total land area of 689.1 square kilometers – making it bigger than Metro Manila (which is at 613.9 square kilometers.). Coron is made up, mostly of coastal villages. And out of its 23 barangays, seven are flourishing, while the rest are far-flung and underdeveloped.
“Some areas don’t even have electricity and access to health facilities. Tara, the farthest barangay, can be reached from Coron via a three-hour boat ride.” Masalunga shared.
He further talked about a couple from Tara, whose statements on hoping to improve their life’s conditions struck him. Masalunga shared the story of a 23-year-old pregnant mother who was very compliant with her monthly checkups and procedures. But when she was about to give birth, she still found it difficult to get the baby out of her womb. After this experience, she said: ‘I would not have undergone a difficult delivery if only I’ve been aware of the things I need to do.’ To this, her husband remarked: ‘It’s so difficult to become impoverished. We don’t have enough access to health care.”
- Other reproductive health issues
Teenage pregnancies, aside from risky and complicated ones, are also health issues that need to be addressed in Coron. According to Masalunga, “one out of ten pregnant women in the municipality are teenagers.”
Culture may be one of the factors for this increasing rate. The young doctor cites the story of indigenous peoples – those who come from the Tagbanua ethnic group, in particular believe that any woman who gets her first menstrual period is free to marry and have children, regardless of age.
The Tagbanua people have what they call the ‘kasal sa banig.’ In this ceremony (that’s symbolic of marriage), the man will have to pin a woman down, and lock her by the ankle. After this, the latter is left with little choice but to marry the man.
- Addressing RH issues
Aside from regular medical assistance, Masalunga, together with his team of rural health workers in Coron carry out talks on the importance of reproductive health and family planning. Just last year, they helped organized the ‘Buntis Congress’ that gathered expectant mothers together for discussions, and counseling as well as provision of free health services such as laboratory, pre-natal checkup, and ultrasound.
Masalunga also led talks among the youth, especially to members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Through these proactive efforts, Coron’s medical team is seeing improvements in providing maternal and child care among locals. According to Masalunga, “80% of our woman now give birth in the hospital, and are assisted by a health care provider and a midwife. This is a good number because we are really pushing for facility-based delivery services, and not just in the home, where the lackof medical resources puts the mother and the child’s life on the line.”
- The 120 Under 40 Campaign
It was during one of the RH orientations that Masalunga met several members of the Forum for Family Planning and Development.
Masalunga further explained “In my involvement with the rural health community, I brought along with me three causes that are close to my heart – the disabled people, reproductive health, and mental health. To re-echo the voice of Vice President Leni Robredo, these are the people who are at the laylayan (the outskirts of society). And they are the ones who need medical attention, the most.”
In talks about pushing for the full implementation of reproductive health, Masalunga says we are facing a huge battle in the form of religious and cultural beliefs.
Masalunga asserts that reproductive health is not just about promoting the use of contraceptives, nor does it recommend abortion. Rather, it emphasizes the need for couples to space births and plan for their family – as doing so means planning for the future of their children.
- Masalunga’s future plans
This young doctor’s work in Coron is about to end in October. After this, he plans to take up Pathology as specialization as he further pursues his medical career.
With the experience he has gained out of working in a far-flung area, plus the recognition that allowed him to go places and develop a global perspective on the state of reproductive health, he can confidently embark on a project that will allow him to push for his advocacies a notch higher.
He reveals his plan for next year, that is to come up with an adolescent forum (in partnership with different groups). This activity will aim to empower the youth to know more about their reproductive health rights, and how they can take care of themselves better. (The FORUM)
Bimp-Eaga to finalize Vision 2025 blueprint
- Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2016/10/07/bimp-eaga-finalize-vision-2025-blueprint-502260
- Saturday, October 8, 2016
- By Ace June Rell S. Perez
THE Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga) Vision 2025 is set to be finalized within this month, an official said.
Romeo Castañaga, country’s focal person for the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Working Group of Bimp-Eaga and Davao del Sur Provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) told reporters Thursday at the sidelines of the National Banana Congress 2016 at the SMX Convention Center that the blueprint will be finalized on October 12 and 13 in Makassar, Indonesia.
He said that it will be in preparation for the launching of the document during the 12th Bimp-Eaga Summit, which will be hosted by the Philippines on November 28, 29, and 30 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The Bimp-Eaga Vision 2025 will serve as the successor document to the Implementation Blueprint 2012-2016. It also eyed “to support and complement the Asean 2025: Forging Ahead Together roadmap recognizing the sub-region's strategic role in the Asean community encouraging greater synergy between the regional and sub regional's sectoral bodies”.
“The Vision 2025 has pillars namely connectivity (transport), trade facilitation covering the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS), SME Development, Socio-cultural and environment,” he said. It also anchored the tourism, agribusiness, education, among other sectors.
He added that for the SME Working Group, the Growth Corridor Roads integrates the value chain approach.
In a recent 19th Bimp-Eaga ministerial meeting in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia last December 10, ministers from the member countries said in a joint statement emphasizing that the ministers urged all Bimp-Eaga stakeholders, especially the private sector and the local governments, to share their views, inputs, and projects that will generate economic growth and development in the sub-region.
"We welcome the formulation of the Bimp-Eaga Vision 2025 to develop a resilient, inclusive, sustainable and economically competitive sub-region. We endorse the guiding framework for BIMP-Eaga Vision 2025 and direct our senior officials to finalize it in time for the 12th BIMP-Eaga Summit," a statement, signed by six ministers, three representing Malaysia and one each from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, said.
Meanwhile, Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro said earlier that the transport and connectivity cluster of the Bimp-Eaga) is crucial for the vision’s realization of the sub-economic region.
Montenegro said that transport and connectivity is among the priority clusters being looked at by the multi-sectoral technical officials and private sector representative of the four member-countries of Bimp-Eaga.
“We have already identified our direction with the BIMP-Eaga Vision 2025 and we consider the transport and connectivity cluster as among the essential area because how can other projects and programs be achieved if we (four countries) are not that connected, the transport and connectivity is indeed the common denominator in the discussions,” Montenegro said.
The sub-economic region’s clusters are agribusiness, environment, information and communication technology, socio-cultural and education, power and energy infrastructure, tourism and transport.
Large marine protected areas established in Palawan to rebuild fish stocks
- Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=8&rid=929388
- Friday, October 7, 2016
- (PNA), FPV/WWF-PR/EDS
MANILA, Oct. 7 (PNA) -- A whopping 1,013,340 hectares covering both the coastal and offshore waters of Cagayancillo, plus 80,000 hectares of Aborlan in Palawan were recently declared as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
This is part of a two-country initiative by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Fondation Segré to rebuild the fish stocks of the Coral Triangle by changing the way people view protected areas.
MPAs are portions of the sea which are protected by law. According to MPAtlas, the Philippines hosts 1557 – more than any in Southeast Asia. Established largely through local government initiatives and administered by coastal communities, these undersea enclaves provide vital safe havens for marine life, while also attracting droves of tourists.
Sadly, many MPAs are plagued by lack of funding. Perhaps just over 100 MPAs are properly administered. Many are negatively viewed by coastal people as deterrents to their ability to fish in front of their homes.
This is because most MPAs have been designed to protect marine biodiversity rather than to replenish fish stocks and support local economies. “Fishermen were initially concerned that they would no longer be allowed to fish,” recalls Aborlan Barangay Captain Zabalo. “But proper zoning allocated areas for fishing.”
Over the past decade, WWF has been trying to put people’s needs first by focusing on the value of MPAs to maximize fisheries production instead of merely protecting biodiversity. So effective has the move been that the people of Cagayancillo clamored to have their waters protected because they benefited from the bounty of the nearby Tubbataha Reefs plus their own marine conservation efforts in Cagayancillo. “Since WWF introduced marine conservation in early 2000, we have been vigilant. The reefs sustain our need for food and income. For years, we have had an abundant fish supply. I really believe some of them come from Tubbataha, especially the big ones,” shares Cagayancillo-based conservationist Nison Abados.
Though composed of both offshore and coastal zones, Cagayancillo is now the largest MPA in the country – due mostly to an ordinance under Republic Act 7611.
Collaborative management is the key to effective and sustainably-funded MPAs. Roles, responsibilities and benefits are shared between national and local authorities, communities, the private sector and other resource users.
Realizing that sustainability means business viability, the initiative works with the local seafood and tourism sectors to finance and manage MPAs and sustainable fishing initiatives.
“The ease and speed by which Aborlan protected its waters was due to a three-year initiative by local provincial, municipal and village governments, the Environmental Legal Assistance Center, Western Philippines University and WWF,” says WWF-Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma.
The move heavily involves local fishermen and communities in the management of marine resources by helping them gain exclusive rights to fisheries located in or near MPAs and by working with them to improve the health and productivity of their fisheries.
An example would be Seven Lines, a coral reef system in Aborlan. “Seven Lines supplies fish to smaller coral reefs in the region. This means fisherfolk don’t need to travel far for fishing,” says Aborlan Municipal Agriculture Officer Cacatian. This means that even if certain areas are off-limits to fishers, the spillover effects of protection will seed large areas with life.
The project aims to expand the network of critical marine areas that are protected, effectively-managed and sustainably financed in the Coral Triangle. “Through well-managed MPAs, coastal communities can realize that conservation is the surest way to secure tomorrow’s fish,” concludes Palma.
As of 2016, the projects of WWF and its allies are protecting 904,000 hectares of MPAs in the Philippines.
Prov’l Board officially supports declaration of Pag-asa Island as special eco-tourism zone
- Source: http://palawan-news.com/provl-board-officially-supports-declaration-pag-asa-island-special-eco-tourism-zone/
- Thursday, October 6, 2016
- By Catherine Santos
The Palawan Provincial Board passed a resolution recently to officially express the province’s support to Senator Juan Edgardo Angara’s bill which declares Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan as a Special Ecological Tourism Zone.The said resolution, which was authored by Board Member Roseller Pineda, is a reiteration for a previously passed resolution, in support to the re-filing of the bill in the current Upper House.
According to Pineda, the clamor for passing the resolution came from the people and officials in the said municipality. “Ito talaga nag-emanate sa mga mamamayan, sa mga opisyales natin, noon pang panahon ni dating Mayor Bitoon-on, noong last set of government officials pa, doon nagsimula at humingi nga ng support sa amin,” Pineda explained.
The local legislator also cited what he sees as the undeniable ecotourism potential of Pag-asa Island, including the adjoining islands of Parola, Kota and Panata, which are all within the disputed area of West Philippine Sea. “Very potential diba? Nakita natin ang Palawan as tourist destination, number 1 island in the world. Ideal talaga na tourist destination,” BM Pineda said in an interview.
Another notable provision of the resolution is the proposal to declare the Spratlys as an international marine park and protected area, which the document said originated from a Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice who served as a member of the legal team that prepared the country’s case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
Meanwhile, AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya, in his visit to Western Command on Wednesday, October 5, expressed support to the proposed legislation. “Alam niyo ang ating Armed Forces [] we will always support the government programs. Basta pagdating sa kabutihan ng ating bansa, nand’yan ang ating armed forces,” Visaya said in a media interview.
SB 944 also aims to declare Parola, Kota and Panata as protected areas under NIPAS or National Integrated Protected Areas System.
Puerto Princesa records highest solo parents in MIMAROPA
- Source: http://palawan-news.com/puerto-princesa-records-highest-solo-parents-mimaropa/
- Wednesday, October 5, 2016
- (Palawan News)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development through ‘Listahanan’ recently disclosed that Puerto Princesa has the highest number of solo parents in the MIMAROPA region, recording 1,700 cases. The city is followed by the municipality of San Jose in Occidental Mindoro with 1,036 solo parents and the town of Narra, Palawan with 672 solo parents. Republic Act No. 8972, also known as the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, defined a ‘solo parent’ as an individual left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood or providing parental care and support to a child or children.
According to the 2015 Listahanan database, there are 69,646 individuals, or 2.7 percent, of the total 2,573,992 assessed population in the region who claimed as solo parents. The figure comprises 19,722 (28.3%) males and 49,924 (71.7%) females. There are 6,057 poor solo parents in Oriental Mindoro; 3,478 poor solo parents in Occidental Mindoro; 1,661 solo parents in Marinduque; 2,813 solo parents in Romblon; and 8,595 poor solo parents in Palawan.
Moreover, the top barangays with the highest number of solo parents are Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro with 155 poor solo parents; Barangay Bancalaan, Balabac in Palawan with 152 poor solo parents; and Barangay Sicsican in Puerto Princesa City with 124 poor solo parents.
The database further revealed that in terms of marital status of poor solo parents, 9,755 (43.2%) are widowed, 6,000 (26.5%) are separated, and 4,296 (19%) are single. Also, most of the solo parents are in the age bracket of 35 to 44 years old.
Listahanan is a mechanism of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that identifies who and where the poor are nationwide. From the 569,000 households assessed region-wide, about 207,863 were identified as poor in MIMAROPA.
According to DSWD, qualified solo parents may avail the following benefits from the government: parental leave, educational aid from the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education, livelihood training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, as well as allocations in low-cost housing projects and medical assistance.
DSWD calls for solo parents to get their ID valid from the office nearest them. The card is renewable after a year and will entitle the parent to the said government benefits.
-with excerpst from Press Release of DSWD-Mimaropa
Puerto Princesa launches ‘Hanging Library’
- Source: http://palawan-news.com/puerto-princesa-launches-hanging-library/
- Tuesday, October 4, 2016
- By Catherine Santos
The Department of Education Puerto Princesa (City DepEd), in partnership with the Rotary Club of Makati Olympia, launched the ‘Hanging Library’, also tagged as “Cocoon of Knowledge”, on Sunday, October 2 at Sittio Tuod, Bgy. Montible. The said library, which featured a reading area hoisted on treetops, was made to mainly benefit members of the Tagbanua tribe, out-of-school youth (OSY) and other students of Alternative Learning System (ALS) in the area, all with ages ranging from 12 to 62 years old.
Ferlison Moore Yanson, a mobile and ALS teacher, said the concept started in 2013 but construction only started May this year.
“Pinagsama namin ang edukasyon at kalikasan. Yung puno kumakatawan sa kalikasan, hindi natin sisiraain, aalagaan. Tapos nilagyan natin ng library sa ibabaw,” Yanson shared. He admitted that funding the first phase of construction came from his personal pocket, until the concept was adopted and supported by the DepEd under its ALS program.
“Ang nag-inspire talaga sa akin [ay] si former chieftain Melino Baquiao. Ang sabi n’ya sa akin, matututo lang ako bumasa at sumulat masaya na ako. Kumpleto na ang buhay ko. So, mas lalo ako na-inspire, nagsikap na talagang gawin ang hanging library na yan,” Yanson explained.
The Indigenous group, along with the other students, will take charge in managing and maintaining the area. The hanging library is for free; visitors will only be asked for some donations for maintenance and sustainability of the project.
The Rotary Club of Makati Olympia donated books and instructional materials for the said hanging library.
The PTA Federation of Puerto Princesa also extended support to the Hanging Library. According to Felisa Acosta, PTA Federation President, “Ang mga IPs po talagang nangangailangan ng tulong. Nakita ko na dapat magkaroon sila ng identification. Kaya nag-offer po ako, kami po ay magbibigay ng mga uniform.”
According to Mariflor Musa, Regional Office Chief of ALS Program, the DepEd already have many mobile libraries but the concept of a hanging library is unique. That’s why on the next National Literacy Award under “Literacy Program”, the hanging library of Puerto Princesa will be the official entry of the MIMAROPA Region.
Yanson is 2015 MIMAROPA regional awardee for Best ALS/Mobile teacher.
Puerto Princesa breaks ground on cherry blossom park
- Source: http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2016/09/30/Puerto-Princesa-breaks-ground-on-cherry-blossom-park.html
- Monday, October 3, 2016
- By Catherine Santos (Puerto Princesa-based journalist)
Puerto Princesa (CNN Philippines) — The Puerto Princesa city government broke ground Thursday on a park that will feature Palawan's version of Japan's cherry blossom "Sakura" trees.
The 5.8-hectare "Balayong Park" gets its name from Palawan's cherry trees, known locally as "balayong." These are endemic in the province and are recognized for their white and pink flowers that adorn the balayong trees when in full bloom.
City Information Officer Richard Ligad said fully-grown balayong trees were transplanted to the park using Korean technology.
Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron said it has been his dream to build a park that will cater to almost all events in the city.
"Kapag natapos ang Balayong Park na ito, dito na natin gagawin ang Balayong Festival at iba pang aktibidad sa lungsod," he said.
[Translation: We will hold the Balayong Festival and other city activities in Balayong Park once it is completed.]
Aside from a 'tunnel' of balayong trees, the Balayong Park will also host an ecumenical chapel and meditation garden, water park, fitness and recreational park auditorium, and amphitheater, among others.
Bayron said finishing the park would cost around ₱100 million. This will include renovation and upgrades on existing buildings at the City Sports Complex.
The mayor said in June the Balayong Park is part of the local government's plan to boost tourism.
The first Japanese cherry blossom park in the country is in Atok, Benguet. The sakura trees planted in June are expected to bloom in three years.
City Gov’t conducts Tourism Forum in Palawan
- Source: http://palawan-news.com/city-govt-conducts-tourism-forum-palawan/
- Sunday, October 2, 2016
- By Alliae Alexie Garcia
As part of the celebration for the 9th Tandikan Festival, the City Government conducted a program entitled “Tourism Forum 2016” with the theme “Tourism for all, promoting universal accessibility” at the City Coliseum on Friday, September 30.
The event was a whole-day forum divided into two plenary sessions, the first one focusing on ‘current tourism development initiatives’, while the second one discussed ‘infrastructure support’.
The guest speakers for the first session were from the City Tourism Office (CTO), Provincial Tourism Office (PTO), Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) Office, DLSU J. Robredo Institute of Governance, Palawan Tourism Council (PTC) and USAID.
The second half saw speakers from the Puerto Princesa International Airport, Traffic and Transport Management, PPC Water District and Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO), the body led by City Mayor Lucilo Bayron who also graced the said event.
The event primarily highlighted the updates within the tourism industry of Palawan as a whole. Puerto Princesa’s position as a gateway to the province was also particularly discussed, especially its role in generating economic growth and tourism.
“Ang pagiging gateway ng Puerto Princesa is a very big advantage,” Prof. Eddie Nuque, Sr., Fellow on Tourism and Governance, said as he highlighted the strategies that will benefit the tourism industry of the City. City Mayor Lucilo Bayron expressed agreement with Nuque’s statement, saying, “we should take advantage of it.”
“Sayangin mo na ang panahon, ‘wag lang ang pagkakataon,”said City Mayor Lucilo Bayron in appraising the opportunities within the tourism industry. He also added that tourism is the future of the City in advancing the local economy.
Aside from that, the event also covered the City Government’s proposed additional tourism destinations that will help the City in its future growth and development.
“Let’s work together as a team. By working together as a team, we can transform PPC,” Bayron said.
In the second half, the forum underscored issues and current plans concerning infrastructure projects in the city. This included the on-going plan for the “Puerto Princesa International Airport” which will be launched on March 16, 2017. Updates were also given by the PPC Water District and the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO).
After the plenary sessions, the City Gov’t answered queries from the participants regarding the discussions. City officials also sought the people’s participation in the upcoming events which include the 2nd MIMAROPA Festival, Mr and Ms MIMAROPA 2016, a street dancing competition and the popular ‘PPUR Day’. Aside from this, the public is also especially encouraged to witness the Dragon Boat Race Asian Championships to be held on November 10-13.
Prov’l hospital celebrates Civil Service Month for the first time
- Source: http://palawan-news.com/provl-hospital-celebrates-civil-service-month-first-time/
- Saturday, October 1, 2016
- By Nikki Aquino-Watt
For the very first time, the Ospital ng Palawan (ONP) is participating in the celebration of the Civil Service Month and held a Food Bazaar at the hospital premises on Friday, September 30.
The ONP bazaar showcased local food products that passed the criteria of the hospital’s nutritionist and was approved by the hospital’s Human Resource Officer. HR Officer Melba Cos confirmed that it was the hospital’s first time to hold an event for the annual Civil Service Month celebration. “Previously hindi nagcecelebrate ng Civil Service Month ang ONP due to heavy workloads ng mga empleyado,” she said.
The hospital’s administration came up with the Food Bazaar to let patients and their watchers get easy access to food without having to go far. Cos added that the bazaar was hosted to offer a variety of food to the employees themselves. “Yung canteen kasi ng ospital hindi pa fully operational kaya maganda rin ito para sa mga empleyado, marami silang choices ng pagkain habang nasa shift,” Cos said.
Aside from the food bazaar the organizers also invited a Zumba instructor for a one-hour zumba session and promotion of healthy lifestyle.
The hospital’s employees expressed gratitude to Medical Center Chief Dr. Melecio Dy for extending support to the said event. The ONP is looking forward to celebrate the civil service month next year.