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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.

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.

PAGASA expects rain showers over parts of PHL

by LBG, GMA News


Rain showers may fall over parts of the country as a potential cyclone, a low-pressure area, heads for the West Philippine Sea Saturday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

PAGASA forecaster Fernando Cada said their models show the LPA is not likely to intensify into a cyclone while still inside Philippine territory.

“Ito ay papalabas papunta sa West Philippine Sea.... Hindi na ito makakaapekto sa ating bansa," Cada said in an interview on dzBB radio.

But he also said the rain to be expected on Saturday does not yet mean the rainy season is already here.

He said the rainy season is due to set in during the second half of May, when the southwest monsoon begins to become dominant.

PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin indicated the LPA was estimated at 270 km west of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, embedded along the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Palawan and Mindanao.

It also noted the diffused tail-end of a cold front is affecting the eastern section of Southern Luzon.

“The whole archipelago will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms,” PAGASA said.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to northeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the west to southwest over the rest of the country, it said.

The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate, it added.






4 charged with tax evasion

by Jun Ramirez


Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed yesterday two separate tax evasion cases against four individuals for “doctoring“ transaction papers to save on tax payments totaling more P53 million. BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares submitted the complaints to the Department of Justice (DoJ) for preliminary investigation and the filing of the cases in courts if probable cause is established.

The first case concerned a Manila City Hall contractor identified as Oscar Badillo of Wack-Wack Twin Towers who was commissioned by the city government to construct the three-storey Balagtas Elementary School in Tondo in 2009. Badillo was paid P49.2 million for the schoolbuilding project but the amount was not reported in his Income Tax Return (ITR) for the year. The second case involved a land seller in Oriental Mindoro and buyers who allegedly conspired to undervalue the transaction to save on tax payments. They were identified as Lerma Lasala and Flemming Remmer and Annbrit Remmer, president and corporate secretary, respectively, of First Flemming Properties.

Philippine Consular Corps plants 30k mangroves in Baco, OrMin

by Luis T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, May 8 (PIA) -- The Philippine Consular Corps recently planted 30,000 mangrove propagules in barangay Pulantubig (formerly known as Mayagao) in Baco, Oriental Mindoro.

This is part of the rehabilitation project of the national government against climate change in partnership with Conservation International (CI).

Like many coastal areas in the Philippines, Baco’s mangrove areas have suffered over the years, making the area more vulnerable to climate change impacts such as sea level rise and stronger, more frequent storms.

“We are happy to support this endeavor as a continuing partnership with Conservation International,” said Armenia Honorary Consul Jose Periquet, Jr., Dean of the Consular Corps.

Country executive director of Conservation International Romeo Trono said, “Rehabilitating and expanding mangrove greenbelts are among the most cost-effective ways of enhancing a community’s capacity to adapt to climate change impacts. Mangrove belts protect communities from storm damages and help stabilize coastlines.”

“In fact,” he added, “the mangrove rehabilitation project was launched simultaneously with SICAD (Strategic Intervention and Community-focused Action towards Development) in Pulantubig, Baco to pursue a holistic and integrated approach to alleviating poverty in the coastal communities with the end in view of capacitating them to become development partners in sustaining local environmental management efforts.

“We are bent on implementing an honest-to-goodness coastal resource management development program, dispensing with the idea that this is only for publicity,” said Gov. Alfonso V. Umali, Jr. who led the launching of a mangrove rehabilitation project, part of the provincial government’s climate change adaptation efforts.

The participants planted Rhizophora propagules, one of the mangrove varieties chosen as most appropriate to the area and most likely to thrive given the site’s conditions. The rehabilitation site is a sand bar and river delta formation, which serves as the community's barrier against strong waves.

It can be recalled that when a tsunami hit in 1994 which killed at least 41 people in the affected communities, the area helped shield the residents from devastation that caused flooding and beach erosion.

According to Conservation International, the combination of true mangrove and associated species that will be planted under this initiative will enhance the stability of coastal ecosystems in the area. It will provide the community with a more efficient means of protection from climatic factors and other natural events and likewise improve habitats that will serve as homes for fishes, crabs, clams and other provisioning functions of a healthy mangrove forest.

“Aside from enhanced coastal protection, this project is expected to provide additional benefits to fisherfolks engaged in aquasilvi projects or crab culture,” said Marilyn Alcañices, head of the Fishery and Coastal Resources Management Division of Oriental Mindoro’s Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO).

“Rehabilitating mangrove areas will increase aquasilvi project sites and increase the population of crablets and other marine finfish like milkfish, grouper that need mangrove areas as their nursery and feeding grounds,” she explained.

Meanwhile, the Consular Corps of the Philippines Environmental Concerns Committee, chaired by Sweden Honorary Consul General Carla Limcaoco, held a charity bike run in Makati City to raise funds to support mangrove reforestation efforts. She was assisted by her Co-Chair, El Salvador Honorary Consul Ma. Josefina Ortigas-Duarte, and project coordinators: Jordan Honorary Consul Michael Alexander Ang, Italy Consul Dr. Adriano Stefanutti, Guatemala Vice Consul/Corps Secretary Marc Thomas Ablaza, and other committee members. They plan to hold a second charity bike run for environmental protection sometime this year.

The Bantay Dagat group of Baco will take on the task of monitoring and taking care of the planting site to ensure a high survival rate. As part of its climate change adaptation and coastal resources management efforts, the municipality is also in the process of establishing new marine protected areas. (LBR/PIO/LTC/PIACALAPAN)

Driver bashes live-in partner to death over friend’s unpaid P200 debt

by Jeannette I. Andrade


MANILA, Philippines–A truck driver spent his birthday behind bars after he allegedly turned his own party into a bloody scene when he beat to his live-in partner to death in Tondo, Manila Sunday over a friend’s unpaid P200 debt. Suspect Erick Jun Paglinawan, in an interview with the INQUIRER, claimed he could not remember how he killed 54-year-old Mercedes Dela Rosa, of 5-C Venus Street, Herbosa Extension in Tondo, who had thrown him the party. “I was drunk,” said 41-year-old Paglinawan, an employee of the Mazen Transport Service and a native of Oriental Mindoro. Senior Police Office 1 Mario Asilo, of the Manila Police District (MPD) Homicide Section, said that based on witness accounts Paglinawan had broken a bottle of beer over Dela Rosa’s head before grabbing her by the hair and repeatedly bashing her face against a concrete wall. The woman died instantly from massive head wounds. Asilo pointed out that after the attack, Paglinawan was accosted by his birthday guests at Dela Rosa’s house and turned over to police custody. He remains detained at the MPD Homicide Section holding cell pending the filing of a homicide charge against him before the city prosecutor’s office. Asilo said the incident supposedly stemmed from a P200 debt that Paglinawan’s co-worker owed to Dela Rosa. The truck driver, apparently embarrassed by his live-in partner’s act of taking his helper’s mobile phone in payment for the debt, attacked her. Judith Belves, 43, a guest during Sunday’s celebration at Dela Rosa’s house told the INQUIRER that the co-worker, whose name was not given, borrowed the P200 from the victim several years ago. “She (Dela Rosa) took his cell phone as payment for that debt which angered Erick who said that it was shameful for her to do something like that on his birthday. He said that she had embarrassed his best friend,” Belves narrated. She claimed that she was surprised when Paglinawan suddenly grabbed a bottle of beer, broke it over Dela Rosa’s head and ordered everyone to get out. He then allegedly grabbed his live-in partner’s hair with both hands and started slamming her face against the concrete wall near the door. “We tried to tell him to stop and take pity on her. But he was so angry and he would not listen. I tried to return for Mercy (Dela Rosa) but he threatened to do the same to me and I had to get out,” Belves told the INQUIRER. As Dela Rosa lay lifeless, the other guests grabbed hold of Paglinawan, beat him up before turning him over to the police. Paglinawan simply maintained that he could not remember anything that happened the previous day and claimed he knew nothing of the P200 debt that apparently triggered the killing. With a report from Julliane De Jesus, Inquirer trainee

Seares: Kingmakers Erap, PNoy

by Atty. Pachico A. Seares

PRESIDENT Noynoy Aquino must be a reluctant kingmaker. Until last weekend, when in Oriental Mindoro he fired his first campaign salvo, he hadn't been active in mending Liberal Party fences. The 2013 election must hold scant interest to PNoy: he won't face reelection in 2016 and no coup, impeachment, or post-term lawsuit threatens him. PNoy is no Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. From year one, GMA beat back threats of uprising by wooing police and armed forces and won local politicians to her side, which required year-round campaigning. PNoy being on the campaign trail means he has realized he has a debt to pay his party, it would help LP if the next president is a Liberal, and he could return the favor Mar Roxas gave him in 2010. The payback argument is pretty strong but more persuasive is that another LP president could continue PNoy's fight against corruption and poverty. Redemption Joseph Estrada very much wants to be a kingmaker. If Vice President Jojo Binay would win in 2016, it would prove Erap's clout and offer some redemption after his ouster from office and conviction of plunder. Erap would've preferred the vote of confidence in 2010, which would've wiped out the slate that a pardon couldn't. Binay's becoming president would be the next best thing. A rematch for PNoy and Erap though not as principal fighters but as handlers. And the clash begins next year. They are the kingmakers although a lot would depend on the would-be kings: who between Binay and Roxas could get the nation's mandate and fate's blessing?

PNoy pledges support for electrification, tourism for OrMin

by Lanie B. Ronquillo


BONGABONG, Oriental, Mindoro, May 1 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III pledged to support the province's electrification and tourism promotion programs during his visit here where he led the ceremonial harvesting of “king crabs” and bangus at the farm at Barangay Anilao, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, April 29.

The Chief Executive pledged to provide necessary support for the development of Oriental Mindoro, particularly in harnessing renewable energy resource projects such as the hydro-power resources in Linaw Kawayan and research on possible utilization of wind panels, which will be managed by the cooperatives, increasing the power generated for the province from 2.1 Megawatts to 4.5 Megawatts.

He also added that it is important to promote the scenic spots that may be ordinary to the locals but extra-ordinary to tourists, as this will help the local economy and provide livelihood to the communities. He cites aqua-culture in Mindoro as one of its unique features which has the potential to attract tourists, having seen the king crabs that each weighs one kilo per piece.

He shared that the tourism department reported that in January alone, there were 411,000 tourists who came to the country, and is projected to reach 4.8 million by the end of the year. Also, it is expected that by July, more tourists will be coming here. The government targets to boost tourism by 10 million in 2016, which is more than thrice last year’s three million tourism data. He emphasized the need to be ready for the influx of tourists by fast-tracking the government’s infrastructure development efforts.

Incidentally, the affair coincided with the 57th birthday of Gov. Alfonso V. Umali. Some of the governor’s other guests who came to greet him were Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, Sec. Neric Acosta of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Rep. Sonny Angara, Sec. Joel Villanueva of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, Calapan City Mayor Doy Leachon, and the other mayors in the different municipalities of Oriental Mindoro.

The event was witnessed by the Farmers Organization for the Urban Upliftment of Mindoro (FORUM), barangay officials from various municipalities in the province, and people in the community who warmly greeted the President when he arrived.(LBR/PIA4-B)

Aquino maintains that the PHL wants to de-escalate tension with China on Scarborough Shoal territorial claims

by (PNA)

DCT/LAM/TPG/ssc


BARANGAY ANILAO, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, April 30 (PNA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Sunday that the Philippines will continue to support its stand to resolve territorial claims over contested Scarborough Shoal diplomatically and to de-escalate any tensions between the country and China.

This after a Chinese general recently called for decisive action against the Philippines.

The President expressed confidence China would not take any action against the Philippines as both countries believed no one would benefit if military force was used to end the dispute.

“We don’t think that at this point in time they will engage in any military activities. Purposely, our actions have been geared towards de-escalating the situation,” the President said.

“It's clear that it is to nobody’s benefit and there are a lot of repercussions if any military force happens to be employed here,” he added.

He said the continued presence of Chinese vessels and crew at the disputed island is being documented “so that when we make our case in the appropriate body, we have the necessary evidence.”

He also said the government will continue reviewing all relevant local and international laws to determine the rules that will operate in the area.

PNoy believes China won’t take military action vs PH

by Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News


BONGABONG, Oriental Mindoro - Despite reports that a Chinese general had his government to take "decisive action" against the Philippines over a territorial dispute, President Benigno Aquino III believes that China will not launch a military action against the country.

Aquino is convinced that the Chinese general's statement may be more metaphorical than substantial, adding that the general being quoted may not have a direct command of the Chinese military.

Aquino added that the Philippines' actions over Scarborough shoal are aimed at "de-escalating" the tension.

"I think basahin mo siguro 'yung iba-ibang headline nung People's Daily na mas matindi pa. Meron 'yung isa na 'prepare to hear the sound of canons,' etcetera. But it's a question of style. Mahilig silang mag-ganun e, 'yung parang…metaphoric siguro magsalita,” he said.

“We don't think that at this point in time that they will engage in any military activities… Purposely, our actions have been geared towards de-escalating the situation. So 'yung clear it is to nobody's benefit and there are a lot of repercussions if any military force happens to be employed here. So we think that is more a statement… that lacks substance. Hindi indicative of the real intentions," Aquino told reporters.

Asked if Philippine authorities would arrest Chinese poachers, Aquino said the priority is not to escalate the situation but said activities there are being documented so that there would be evidence if cases are filed.

He said the government is also reviewing all relevant local and international laws to determine the rules that will operate in the area.

30,000 mangrove propagules to be planted in Oriental Mindoro town

by Karen Boncocan

INQUIRER.net


MANILA, Philippines—Some 30,000 mangrove propagules will be planted in Oriental Mindoro as part of a rehabilitation project in Baco town, a conservation group said Friday. Implementing agency Conservation International (CI)-Philippines said that the project, launched on Thursday in coordination with 37-year-old Consular Corps of the Philippines (CCP), was part of the province’s climate change adaptation efforts and was the initial salvo to take mangrove rehabilitation efforts further. It was launched alongside Strategic Intervention and Community-focused Action towards Development (SICAD) for a holistic and integrated approach to getting rid of poverty in the coastal communities by making them development partners. According to CI-Philippines, the Bantay Dagat group of Baco will monitor and take care of the site to ensure high survival rate while the municipality will be establishing new marine protected areas as part of its climate change adaptation and coastal resources management efforts. Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, who was present during the launch, said the province was determined to conduct this “honest-to-goodness coastal resource management development program, dispensing with the idea that this is only for publicity.” The initial batch of Rhizophora mangrove propagules were planted in Pulantubig village (previously known as Mayagao) in Baco town—a part of the Verde Island Passage, a globally-important marine biodiversity area and one of CI-Philippines’s priority project sites. The said variety was chosen as it was the most appropriate to the conditions in the project site, a sand bar and river delta formation, and will most likely thrive in the area. The project site acts as a natural barrier to the community against strong waves. But the area has become more vulnerable after suffering losses in mangroves and Romeo Trono, CI-Philippines country executive director, saw the rehabilitation project as one of the “most cost-effective ways of enhancing a community’s capacity to adapt to climate change impacts.” “Mangrove belts protect communities from storm damages and help stabilize coastlines.” CI-Philippines said that propagating a mix of true mangrove and associated species that will improve the stability of coastal ecosystems in the area and give the community with protection from climatic factors and other natural events. While it improves coastal protection in the area, the project is also expected to “provide additional benefits to fisherfok engaged in aquasilvi projects or crab culture,” said Marilyn Alcañices, head of the Fishery and Coastal Resources Management Division of Oriental Mindoro’s Provincial Agriculture Office (PAgO). According to her, the project will help “increase aquasilvi project sites and increase the population of crablets and other marine finfish like milkfish, grouper that need mangrove areas as their nursery and feeding grounds.” The Bantay Dagat group of Baco will take on the task of monitoring and taking care of the planting site to ensure a high survival rate. As part of its climate change adaptation and coastal resources management efforts, the town is also in the process of establishing new marine protected areas.






Ex Mindoro town councilor gunned down

by Juancho Mahusay


CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – A former municipal councilor in Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro was gunned down by an unidentified hitman in an ambush Tuesday (April 24) morning at a crowded public market in the town.

Police Supt. Jonathan P. Paguio, chief of police of Pinamalayan, identified the victim as Nilo L. Panaligan, 63, a resident of Morente St., Brgy. Zone 2, Pinamalayan.

According to the initial police reports by Paguio to Oriental Mindoro Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial director Sr. Supt. Anthony Alcañeces, Panaligan was about to leave the public market with his daughter,Melissa, 30, and was boarding their private vehicle when a man wearing denim jacket casually approached and fired three successive shots at the victim.

A gunshot wound in Panaligan’s temple and two other similar wounds in his lower bodies killed the former councilor.

After the shooting, the suspect climbed to a waiting motorbike driven by another unidentified man and sped off in the direction of the town proper.

Panaligan died on the spot in the driver's seat of his vehicle, a Toyota Innova.

Police recovered three empty shells of a .45 caliber revolver at the scene of the crime, as well as the .45 caliber handgun of the victim, who was said to have taken his service firearm but failed to fire a shot.

Police are still investigating the incident. Panaligan served as a municipal councilor in the 1980’s.

Puerto Galera highlights Mangyan culture on Earth Day

by Luis T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 24 (PIA) -- Puerto Galera, a booming tourism town in Oriental Mindoro celebrated Earth Day on Sunday highlighting the rich cultures of the Mangyan natives in Mindoro Island.

French expatriate Hubert d’Aboville, the lead organizer of the event which had as its theme, “Belongingness to Nature,” said they highlighted the rich cultures of the Mangyans on Earth Day because they wanted the world to emulate the lifestyles of the Mindoro aborigines who protect and conserve the environment in their own way, as they feel that they belong to nature.

In cooperation with the municipal government of Puerto Galera, D’Aboville, a French businessman who declared Puerto Galera Bay as “one of the most beautiful bays in the world,” led the participants during the whole day program in his demonstration farm at Mount Malasimbo, the town’s highest peak.

The celebration featured rituals, songs, and dances of the Mangyans; a community mass; an environment-inspired on-the-spot drawing contest; and a bike contest.

The Earth Day celebration will now become an annual occasion in Puerto Galera to create environmental awareness among the people in the community, the French environmentalist said. (LBR/DOS/JRMahusay/LTC-PIA4B, Calapan City)

CHED grants P1M aid to college scholars

by Luis T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 23 (PIA) -- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has awarded almost P1 million worth of educational aids to scholars in Oriental Mindoro.

Under the Kabuhayan, Kaunlaran, Kalikasan at Kinabukasan (K4) program and Priority Development Assistance Program (PDAF), educational aids were awarded to 178 scholars in the first district of the province.

Amounts ranging from P2,500 to P10,000 were given for the coming school year, depending on each student's college program; this amounted to P1,008,000 given to the scholars.

In a turnover ceremony held at the Filipiniana Resort Hotel in Calapan City, council president Nico Valencia said that they are also supporting students taking up technical-vocational courses on Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and those under the Technical Education Extension Program (TEEP) of K4, guided by the Mindoro Kabuhayan Foundation, Inc. (MKFI).

Barangay chairman Robert Baez of Mangangan, Baco and one of the youth scholars, expressed their gratitude for the opportunity given to the youth (LBR/JRMahusay/LTC-PIA4B, Calapan City)






President Aquino urges LGUs to play major role in reducing maternal deaths by 2015

by Jelly F. Musico


MANILA, April 21 (PNA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III urged the local government units (LGUs) on Friday to play major role along with the private sector in achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 or reduction of maternal mortality ratio from 162 to 52 per 100,000 live births by 2015. ”Allow me to use this opportunity to appeal to our partners in the LGUs. Your support means a lot in saving the lives of your constituents,” the President said in his message read by Health Secretary Enrique Ona during the 162 to 52 Summit: Accelerating Collective Impact on Maternal and Child Health at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). President Aquino also recognized the continued support and commitment of the private sector to achieve a daunting task of reducing the maternal deaths before the term of the President ends in 2016. ”With just three years left, the Philippines is behind the target maternal mortality ratio. All sectors both in the private and public fields, from government partners and in the civil society, can unite and make strong push to attain MDG 5,” the President emphasized. Aside from improving maternal health, President Aquino said his administration is also determined and committed to reduce child mortality and fight other diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and human immune deficiency or HIV through strengthened vaccination campaign nationwide. ”To achieve these goals, we have formulated a health reform plan that centers on promoting universal health care and we called this Kalusugan Pangkahalatan (health for all) or KP,” the President said. The President revealed that for the last two years, the government has spent P15 billion for the improvement and construction of health facilities, including health centers with operating rooms nationwide to prevent maternal deaths. President Aquino also said the Department of Health (DOH) hired more than 20,000 nurses and 7,000 midwives to serve in the barrios, including in the far-flung areas where the poorest of the poor hardly get properly medical care. ”We need more equipment, we need more medicines, we need more trained and compassionate, committed people to man our hospitals. The more people manning our health facilities means more lives will be saved,” President Aquino said. Due to the health reform program implemented by the Aquino administration, more than 15 million infants and children have been given proper care all over the country. The President commended the DOH, the LGUS, private sector as well as the national government organizations (NGOs) for coming out with the multisectoral organization called the “162 to 52 coalition” which is envisioned as the catalyst for strategic, targeted, and innovative public-private partnerships (PPPs) for the attainment of better maternal indicators. ”This coalition needs to prosper for us to achieve MDG 5 and reduce maternal mortality. The bottom line, this is not just about saving the lives of people, we are also saving the lives of our future generation,” the President said. In a press conference, Ona stressed the importance of coming out with updated and accurate data on the real number of mothers who died due to inadequate pre- and post- natal to achieve the MDG 5. Governor Alfonso Umali Jr. of Oriental Mindoro, president of the League of Governors of the Philippines, agreed with the DOH chief that all the stakeholders should come up with uniform data on the number of the maternal mortality rate. Based on the data provided by the United Nations Fund for Population Agency, 11 mothers die everyday in the Philippines due to maternity-related causes, leaving more than 30 children motherless. ”As of 2008, the Philippines has an adjusted maternal mortality ratio of 162 per 100,000 live births. This is far from MDG target of 52 deaths per 100,000 live births,” Ona said. ”The shortfalls are brought about by inadequate investments in health and not enough political will of our leaders do to what needs to be done to achieve our goals,” the DOH head added. UNPFA country representative Ogochi Daniels said the Philippines is one of 68 countries accounting for 95 percent of all maternal and newborn deaths in the world and “there has been no notable decrease during the last several years.” ”The good thing is we know the cures. The solutions aren’t complicated. If women have access to Family Planning so she can get pregnant only if she wanted to, we could prevent almost a third of maternal deaths,” Daniels said. Umali vowed to convince his colleagues to support the coalition’s goal “to make a it a successful one.” Rafael Cofa, executive director of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), also made commitment to continuously support to uplift the lives of every Filipino through responsible business practices in the country. ”PBSP engages companies to promote health in the workplace by integrating health projects and promoting access to health services for employees and communities,” Cofa said. The 162 to 52 Summit has been organized to provide the non-profit sector and the governors a venue to forge partnerships and commit to improve maternal and child health through PPP at the local government level. ”Solving the maternal mortality problem requires the expertise and skills of both the public and private sectors,” Ona said. (PNA) scs/jfm

LGUs, national gov’t to conduct dialogue on flood mitigation measures

by The Philippine Star


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 20 (PIA) -- The local government units (LGUs) of Oriental Mindoro and other concerned national government agencies (NGA) will have a dialogue on flood mitigation measures on April 28, to be held at the Provincial Capitol Square, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines.

It can be recalled that a month ago, several barangays in the province particularly in the areas of Naujan, Baco, Mansalay, Victoria, and some parts of Calapan City experienced massive flooding caused by a low pressure area.

The dialogue was initiated by Gov. Alfonso Umali who said that it is time to prepare mitigating measures for the safety of individuals especially those who are in flood-prone areas of the province. Umali said the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is ready for the distribution of relief goods in case of shortage of relief goods in the municipal level when disaster strikes.

The dialogue will also tackle how government agencies can use their available funds to integrate programs on flood mitigation measures and other solutions.

Meanwhile, a flood summit will also be held in the province on May 8 with the provincial government as lead LGU. (LBR/LTC/PIA-Calapan City)

Public school tanker shines in Umali meet

by The Philippine Star


MANILA, Philippines - Ten-year-old public school swimmer Khiel Libat won all five events in his age group and emerged the most outstanding swimmer in the Philippine Swimming League 22nd leg, dubbed Gov. Alfonso Umali Cup, yesterday at Calapan, Oriental Mindoro.

Libat, from the Lipa Mediatrix Swimming Club, outclassed the opposition in the 50m butterfly (35.01), surpassing the American AAAA age group motivational time of 35.09.

Libat also reached the AAA mark in the 50m backstroke (39.61), 50m breaststroke (44.05) and 50m freestyle (34.69) and AA in the 100m breaststroke (1:38.8).

Fifteen-year-old Michael Sangalang of the host Raging Paddlers topped the 200m breaststroke while Andrei Manzo (17), a candidate for 2013 Summer Universiade, topped the 200m, 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.

PSL president Susan Papa said the monthly PSL competition drew the full support of the Calapan City and provincial government headed by Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr.

Other most outstanding girl swimmers were Isis Arnaldo (6), Iris Arnaldo (7), Bernice Anne Magtibay (8), Charize Esmero (9), Bela Louise Magtibay (10), Veevien Vance Herrera (11), Angelica Eunice Mascarinas (12), Trisha Anne Oliveros (13), Mia Mantaring (14), Jemcy De la Cruz (15), Jackilyn Orig (16), and Denise Angela Tiquia (17 and over).

Most outstanding boy swimmers were Eddrian Galeno (6), Lanz Alonzo Ventabal (7), Carl Jude Tence (8), Marione Patrick Barcelon (9), Khiel Libat (10), Christopher Catelo (11), Lyndon Baines Herrera (12), Emmanuel Adornado (13), Joey Lavina (14), Ron Angel Serrano (15), Mhikcoloe Abina (16) and Andrei Lorenzo Manzo (17 and over).

The Ibalong Magayon Aquagliders Swim Club (IMASC) took the overall team championship with five swimmers won most outstanding awards.

Tubbataha Reef, The Canyons among world’s best dive sites

by Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz, Reporter


DIVING is definitely more fun in the Philippines.

Palawan’s renowned Tubbataha Reef and Oriental Mindoro’s The Canyons were recently named among the best dive sites in the world.

Travel website www.cnngo.com named Tubbataha Reef as the eighth best dive site in the world in an article, titled Into the deep: World’s 50 best dive sites.

Written by Jade Bremner, the article noted that the water in the reef “is exceptionally clean,” among others.

“Super-size your dive experience at Tubbataha where everything comes in giant form. The main advantage to diving at Tubbataha is that the water is exceptionally clean, so the marine life lives much longer, making it grow to silly proportions,” it said.

“These two small atoll like reefs in the middle of the ocean offer an inner lagoon with overhangs, slopes, crevices and caves with more than 300 different types of coral and 379 species of fish,” it added.

The dive site has a depth of five meters to 60 meters and has very clear visibility for a few meters. It is located 182 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City, the province’s capital.

“Expect kaleidoscopic colors combined with guitar sharks, black tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, gliding blue-spotted lagoon rays, unicorns, boxfish, scorpion fish and more,” the website said further.

Likewise, The Canyons in Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro province is included in the list of the best dive sites.

“Schools of spotted and ribbon sweetlips, shiny trevallies and weird-looking batfish make up the scene at this first-rate drift dive site… There’s also an explosion of coral and plant life including beautiful delicate gorgonian sea fans and hollow barrel sponges; look inside for critters lurking within,” Bremner said in his report.

The Canyons has a depth of up to 30 meters and visibility of 10 to 30 meters. It can be reached by a 30-minute boat ride from Puerto Galera.

The top 10 best dive sites in the world are composed of Barracuda Point, Sipadan Island, Malaysia (1st); Yongala, Queensland, Australia (2nd); SS Thistlegorm, Red Sea, Egypt (3rd); Blue Corner Wall, Palau, Micronesia (4th); Richelieu Rock, near the Surin Islands, Thailand (5th); Gordon Rocks, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (6th); Great Blue Hole, Belize (7th); Tubbataha, Palawan, Philippines (8th); Big Brother, Red Sea, Egypt (9th); and Maaya Thila, Maldives (10th).

OrMin Scholarship program still open

by Luis T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Apr. 13 (PIA) -- The provincial government’s Oriental Mindoro Integrated Scholarship Program is still open for qualified applicants until today.

Under the program, the provincial government will shoulder the expenses for tuition fees of qualified scholars. In order to qualify for the program, applicants must have the following qualifications: a) High School graduate with general average of 85% and above; b) A full-fledged Filipino citizen residing in the province; c) Applicants must not be more than 21 years old; and d) The income of parents must not exceed P150,000 yearly as reflected on their Income Tax Return (ITR) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The examination will be held at Jose J. Leido, Jr. Memorial National High School (JJLJMNHS), Calapan City on April 18 at 9 a.m.

For details regarding the program, please contact the Secretariat, Provincial Scholarship Committee, Governor’s Office-Integrated Scholarship Program Section, Provincial Capitol Compound, Calapan City at Telephone No. 043-2882184. (LBR/Louie T. Cueto/PIA-Calapan City)

Motor banca encountered engine trouble at Oriental Mindoro

by ufs.com


A passenger motor banca encountered engine trouble while navigating at Oriental Mindoro, a report reaching the headquarters of Philippine Coast Guard today. Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL) received information from Coast Guard Station (CGS) Romblon that M/bca Alad Expressed 1 encountered engine clutch malfunction at vicinity waters between Tablas and Sibale Island.

Immediately, Coast Guard Station (CGS) Calapan and Coast Guard Detachment (CGDet) Conception conducted search and rescue (SAR) operation at vicinity of Maestro De Ocampo Island where the team rescued ten passengers onboard the said motor banca and safely towed it to Port of Conception.

Upon arrival at Conception Port, all passengers onboard were safely disembarked in good physical condition. Initial investigation stated that the said motor banca departed Port of Romblon enroute to Conception Island, Romblon without submitting Master Oath of Safety Departure (MOSD) through which CGD Conception issued Maritime Violation Receipt (MVR).

CGDet Conception also conducted Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Inspection and advised the Boat Captain to file marine protest regarding the incident. M/bca Alad Express 1 of 8.25 gross tonnages is skippered and owned by Naptali M Molina with business address at Brgy Alad, Romblon.






2 dive sites in MIMAROPA listed as among world’s best

by Luis T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 11 (PIA) -- Two tourist destinations in Region 4B or MIMAROPA (Mindoro-Marinduque-Romblon-Palawan) have been listed as among the best diving sites in the world, according to last week’s posting of the travel news website of the Cable News Network (CNN).

The CNN’s list of best dive sites in the world ranked eighth the Tubbataha reef, located southeast of Palawan, and 45th place “The Canyons” in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

According to the said website, one can feel a “super-size dive experience at Tubbataha, where everything comes in giant form.” It also said the main advantage to diving at Tubbataha is that the water is “exceptionally clean, so the marine life lives much longer, making it grow to silly proportions.”

“Expect kaleidoscopic colors combined with guitar sharks, black tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, gliding blue-spotted lagoon rays, unicorns, boxfish, scorpion fish, and more,” it added.

Tubbataha is located 181 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan Province. The reef is made up of two coral atolls divided by an eight-kilometer wide channel. Its diving area has a depth of five to 60 meters.

It is also part of Tubbataha National Marine Park, which was established on August 11, 1988 and was declared a “World Heritage Site” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in December 1993. It is under the protective management of the Department of National Defense (DND), and under the technical supervision by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR).

Another dive site in the Philippines that made it to CNN’s list is “The Canyons" in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

“Schools of spotted and ribbon sweetlips, shiny trevallies and weird-looking batfish make up the scene at this first-rate dive site. There’s also an explosion of coral and plant life including beautiful delicate gorgonian sea fans and hollow barrel sponges; look inside for critters lurking within,” the website said about The Canyons, which was rated as a five-star diving site and located at the northeast of Escarceo Point, some five minutes away by boat from Brgy. Sabang.

With a depth of up to 30 meters or about 95 feet to a maximum of 200 feet, The Canyons’ area was designated as a “Man and Biosphere Reserve” of United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1973. (Source: J. R. Mahusay/Louie T. Cueto-PIA 4B))

Philippines chosen as recipient of solar-powered lights

by (TBO/Louie T. Cueto-PIA4B)


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 10 (PIA) -- Energizer and the One Million Lights organization has chosen the Philippines as one of the 4 country-recipients of the energizer solar-powered lights, together with Argentina, Kenya and Ethiopia.

According to Alvin A. Marayan, Media Relation Officer of Publicity Relationship-building and Communication, Inc. (PRC, Inc.), their office will distribute on April 16-18 some 400 solar-powered lights to the people of Oriental Mindoro as part of their advocacy to “light up the lives” of Filipino communities.

Beneficiaries of the said solar-powered lights will come from the towns of Victoria and Naujan, specifically sitios of Pamuwisan, Loyal; Alyanay, Sibayay, Puting Bato, Centro, Catinginan, Malayas, and Paray, all of barangay Villa Cerveza, Victoria together with barangays Leido and Bagong Silang; and Malta Village in the municipality of Naujan.

“More than 1.6 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity and Energizer is helping to raise awareness for this important issue. It’s the first global activity of Energizer’s new platform called ‘That’s Positivenergy™’, which combines performance plus responsibility and demonstrates Energizer’s long-standing commitment to responsible power and serving the community,” Marayan said.

Moreover, Energizer raises awareness for the need for clean and healthy lighting in communities without access to electricity. Working with the global nonprofit organization 'One Million Lights,' Energizer donated 11 million hours of solar light in 2011 and has pledged to donate an additional 12 million hours of light in 2012 to help rural families work, study and play a little longer each day.

“Lights for the barangays Leido and Bagong Silang will not be distributed during the April 16-18 activity due to logistical constraints. The Rotary Club of Victoria will handle the distributions and provide documentation,” Marayan added.






NDRRMC: 17 killed, 62 hurt in Holy Week incidents

by VVP, GMA News


The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said as of Monday, 17 people have died and 62 people were hurt during the Holy Week.

On its 8:00 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said the 17 fatalities from April 1 to 9 included: 10 people who died from drowning, three who perished in a fire incident, and one who died in a maritime incident. The NDRRMC said the most recent fatalities included:

Carlo Waggay Garcia, 9, who drowned in San Gabriel, La Union on Holy Saturday at 11:15 a.m.; Mark Anthony Talban, 19, who drowned at Anilao Beach Resort in Batangas on Good Friday; Abraham dela Cruz, 33, a barangay captain of San Manuel in Tarlac who died 2:55 a.m. Sunday after his vehicle hit a tree in San Manuel town Andy Gramo, 40, whose body was found floating at the Barangay Suqui coastal area in Calapan City in Mindoro Oriental at 2:20 p.m. on Easter Sunday.

The NDRRMC said the 62 people who were reported injured included: 61 who were injured from vehicular accidents, and one from a maritime incident.

Two people are still missing because of a maritime incident, it said.

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said a grenade explosion occurred 7:45 p.m. last Good Friday along Moreno Street at Rosary Heights II in Cotabato City.

While the explosion caused tension among residents gathering near the local cathedral for Lenten prayers, no casualty was reported.

The NDRRMC said the local police and Army are investigating the incident.





Boat operators in Puerto Galera hike fares

by Juancho Mahusay


CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – Fares for all motorized boats bound for Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro will increase starting Maundy Thursday because of the rising prices of fuel, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) reported here.

The one-way passenger fare will rise from P230 to P250 while the round-trip ticket will jump to from P450 to P500.

The Marina said that promotional fares of all boats arriving and departing in Oriental Mindoro and Batangas City ports will also be suspended because of the anticipated volume of influx of passengers and tourists.

An estimated 10,000 tourists usually flock to Puerto Galera’s White Beach, about 130 kilometers south of Manila, during Holy Week.

Shipping lines, meanwhile, added more trips to the town of Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro as it also increased the seating capacity to 700 passengers.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have beefed up security measures at the Batangas Port and at the ports of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

The security alert will remain until after the Holy Week for the anticipated return of thousands of passengers to Manila.

The PCG’s rubber boats and K-9 units of the PNP have been deployed at the ports.

“Oplan Ligtas Kwaresma” passenger assistance desks have also been set up near the ports’ ticketing booths.

9 drown in Visayas due to rains

by ABS-CBNnews.com


MANILA, Philippines – Nine people drowned at the height of rains in the Visayas region, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

Seven of the fatalities were from Capiz. They were identified as Diomer Albay, 14; Kathlene Padilla, 3; Jolly Dioso, 14; Karen Denunbo, 10; Rey Reyes, 9; Rey Ricaforte, 17; and Henrey Hulyete, 47.

The other fatalities were Negros Oriental resident Jean Academia, 50; and Northern Samar resident Angelo Lobos Sergio, 8.

The NDRRMC said Oriental Mindoro, which suffered from intermittent rains last week due the low pressure area, sustained a damage in agriculture and infrastructure worth P89.55 million.

Meanwhile, a total of 24,843 individuals were displaced in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.


Mindoro Oriental Archived News

The older news reports are kept here

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