Quezon City News April 2014

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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.

QC allots P22M for Leyte town’s rehab

By Janvic Mateo (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City local government has allotted almost P22 million for the reconstruction of the municipal hall complex of Santa Fe in Leyte that was destroyed by Super Typhoon Yolanda last year.

Second district councilor Ranulfo Ludovica filed a proposed resolution that will authorize Mayor Herbert Bautista to release P21.96 million for the reconstruction of Santa Fe’s old town hall, sangguniang bayan building, mayor’s office building, and the municipal public market.

“The municipality of Santa Fe, Leyte issued a Resolution No. 14-05, Series 2014, seeking financial assistance from the Quezon City government for the restoration and reconstruction of its municipal hall complex,” said Ludovica in his draft measure.

“The Quezon City government expressed its sympathy for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, most especially for the provinces of Leyte and Eastern Samar,” he added.

Santa Fe, Palompon, and Tolosa – all in Leyte – have been adopted by the Quezon City government following the onslaught of the typhoon.

In December, Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte led the 100-man contingent from the city government that brought relief goods, medical supplies and engineering equipment for the city’s three adopted towns.

Quezon City also made available P50 million, authorized for release by the city council in November, for all areas affected by the typhoon. It was taken from the city’s Quick Response Fund.

The additional P21.96 million for Santa Fe, meanwhile, will be taken from the city’s general fund. An approval from the city council is still needed before it can be released.

“Our blessings should be transformed into generosity towards thousands of victims in other towns and cities that are suffering now,” the mayor said in his state of the city address in December.

Singaporeans, QC execs hold talks

By Astrid Santos

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista met with Singaporean delegates on Monday to discuss best practices in urban governance at the UP Ayala Technohub Tech Portal along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

The party was led by Center for Livable Cities Executive Director Khoo Teng Chye and Temasek Foundation Chief Executive Officer Benedict Cheong under a joint program between the counterpart city governments.

“I am very happy that we were able to successfully negotiate with the Singapore government’s Temasek Foundation, to craft an urban governance and challenge program for our city executives and legislators,” Bautista said. “

“I would like these smart city learning experiences to benefit all our local leaders, including our barangay officials, so that more of our city leaders will have the chance to learn the best practices from other countries as well.” Bautista was joined by Councilor Anthony Peter Crisologo who represented Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who is in Morocco attending a conference sponsored by the Board of Directors of the African Network of the Social and Solidarity Economy.

At least 38 senior Quezon City officials who went to Singapore last year received their certificates from the Singaporean officials.

They were joined y top urban planners from Singapore, including Alan Tan, Director of Singapore’s housing and development board; Toh Eng Shyan, Director of Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority; Larry Cheng, director of the country’s housing and development board; Teva Raj, director of the inspectorate and review division of Singapore’s National Parks Board and Mohinder Singh, dean of the Land Transport Authority Academy.

QC gov't welcomes Obama visit to PHL

(PNA), SCS/QC-PAISO-PR/LSJ

MANILA, April 28 (PNA) -- The Quezon City government welcomes the April 28-29 state visit of United States President Barack Obama to the Philippines, citing it as “a big boost to continuing efforts to strengthen US-Philippine partnership for democracy.”

Mayor Herbert M. Bautista said on Monday that President Obama’s visit can be considered “a reaffirmation of the US commitment to help transform the Philippines of the Commonwealth years into a strong and prosperous republic of a united people who launched in 1896 the first Asian revolution against colonialism.”

“Quezon City is most honored with this historic Obama visit as the state visit coincides with the celebration of the 75th founding anniversary of our city,” Bautista said.

Quezon City was founded on Oct. 12, 1939 by then Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon.

Quezon died on Aug. 1, 1944 at Saranac Lake, New York.

More mobile libraries eyed in QC's six districts

(PNA), SCS/LSJ

MANILA, April 27 (PNA) -- The Quezon City Council said over the weekend it has passed a resolution urging the QC Public Library (QCPL) to put up more mobile libraries in the city.

According to 5th District Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae V. Medalla, the author of the resolution, they want the mobile libraries to be stationed in the city’s six legislative districts to address the declining literacy rate among the youth and children of urban poor families.

“Along with the decline in the literacy rate is the downward trend in the utilization of libraries, which has to be considered in achieving the zero illiteracy thrust of the city government,” Medalla said.

She pointed out that there is a need for the city government to consider the option of "bringing library services to the doorsteps" of residents to give no excuse to parents whose reason for denying their children’s exposure to books and other reading materials is the monetary problem that the family is facing.

She further said that although there are lots of steps taken to combat the growing number of concerns when it comes to educating less fortunate citizens such as the “Kariton Klasrum” of 2009 CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida and the “MOLI” or Mobile Library in District 5, such efforts are not enough to address the needs of the young population of Quezon City.

Meanwhile, QCPL Chief Emelita L. Villanueva has welcomed the councilors' proposal, saying she is thankful for the trust and confidence that the city legislative body has endowed to her office.

QC malls now required to have clinics, ambulance

(PNA), JBP/LSJ

MANILA, April 26 (PNA) -- The Quezon City government announced Friday that it is now requiring all malls in the city to have a clinic with at least one unit of ambulance manned by a medical team to cope with any emergency situation.

The new ordinance aims to ensure speedy help to people who will suffer from any man-made or natural incidents, through relief services and assistance that will be made available right on the spot.

Under Ordinance No. SP- 2281, S-2014, all mall owners are mandated to put up an emergency corner where injured or ill-patrons can secure first aid treatment at the fastest time possible.

A standby ambulance should also be made available if in case the victim needs to be rushed to the nearest hospital for further medical attention.

Councilor Jose Mario Don S. De Leon, the author of the ordinance, cited that the ordinance was crafted due to numerous incidents of violence, like the “Martilyo Gang” incident, that caused a stampede resulting in injury to some mall goers.

“There have been lots of reported incidents inside the thickly populated establishments which resulted to death or serious injury to shopping visitors,” De Leon said.

The ordinance provides that the medical team shall at least be composed of one paramedic driver, a registered nurse, a trauma staff, one crew and a documenting clerk.

It is also stipulated there that the ambulance shall be equipped with basic equipment such as stretcher, one set of oxygen tank, blood pressure apparatus, code blue kit, C-collar, long and short board and splints.

The councilor added that future investors who will be interested to do mall business in the city must comply with the mandatory requirement prior to the issuance of business permit.

PHL Post issuing special commemorative stamps for two popes’ canonizations

(Joel Locsin/VC, GMA News)

Stamp collectors and history buffs can immortalize the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII with limited-edition stamps and souvenir sheets to be issued by the Philippine Postal Corp.

The stamps and sheets are to be launched in Quezon City on Sunday and will be available to the public starting Monday, according to a report on GMA News TV's "News to Go."

Each stamp will sell for P200 per piece, the report said.

On Sunday, the two popes will be formally declared saints in rites at the Vatican. John Paul II is popular with Filipinos, having visited the Philippines in 1981 and 1995.

On Sunday, PHLPost will launch the commemorative stamps and souvenir sheets and present them to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.

"For the first time, PHLPost will be presenting a unique 3D, embossed, and in gold foil stamping of the Circular Postage Stamps valued at P200 per piece," it said.

It said the limited edition stamps and souvenir sheets carry the images of the two most popular Popes, "which will be the central figure in Vatican City and their corresponding emblem at the background."

A souvenir sheet that goes with the circular stamp measures 105 mm X 70 mm while the stamps measure 38 mm. Graphic designer and layout artist Jose Antonio Jayme designed the canonization stamps.

Fitting tribute

“We are proud to release the first Circular stamps in 3D embossed and in gold foil stamping as our fitting tribute to Pope John Paul II, who is well loved by Filipino Catholics, and Pope John XXIII,” said Postmaster General Josie dela Cruz.

PHLPost said it has produced 10,000 pieces of Blessed John Paul II souvenir sheets and 5,000 copies for Pope John XXIII.

AFP advises pensioners to apply, transfer accounts to authorized government banks

(AFP/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, 24 April (PIA) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines Pension and Gratuity Management Center (AFPPGMC) called on AFP pensioners to apply or transfer their monthly pension to any Authorized Government Servicing Banks (AGSB) to avoid inconvenience in allocating funds for their pension.

AFPPGMC advises pensioners to get a Letter of Introduction (LOI) at the nearest AFP Finance Service Unit (FSU) and bring it to authorized government banks to be able to open an AFP Pension Account.

Pensioners are also advised to send a copy of the LOI and pension account at the AFPPGMC in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on or before June 30, 2014.

The list of authorized government servicing banks include: Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), Philippine Veterans Bank, and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

For more information, please call AFPPGMC at 913-5627; via AFP GHQ operator 911-6001 local 6474; mobile numbers 0916-3197497, 0999-3055113 or visit AFPPGMC in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

DOH leads in reaffirming commitment to reduce newborn, young children and maternal deaths in PHL

By Sweetie Dela Torre [(PNA), CTB/SDT/SGP]

MANILA, April 23(PNA)- - The Department of Health (DOH), development partners, civil society and other stakeholders on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to end preventable child deaths and eliminate maternal mortality in the country.

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona, said that the DOH is really taking its course in ensuring that the health services and information reach all mothers and children especially the poor who needs the services the most.

Ona, in his keynote speech during the “Stakeholders” Forum on Enhancing Capacities to Save Mothers and Children” held at the Crowne Plaza in Quezon City, said that they are preparing for the full-scale implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (RPRH Law) which is part of its renewed pledge to reduce newborn, young child and maternal deaths in the Philippines.

“Your DOH is now in the process of revising the implementing rules of the RPRH Law to make them consistent with the specific rulings of the SC”.

The forum launched “A Promise Renewed for Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” aimed at calling for action anchored on the Government’s flagship health campaign for Universal Health Care, with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Health Organization (WHO),and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The forum concluded with the signing of the Declaration of Commitment by the government, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders.

“The honorable Supreme Court of the Philippines (SC) has already declared the RPRH Law to be “not unconstitutional”, with the exception of a few items. Furthermore, the SC has likewise lifted its Status Quo Ante Order on the RPRH Law, which means that the provisions in the republic act and its implementing rules and regulations not touched by the SC can now be fully implemented,”Ona said.

He said the DOH can now procure life-saving commodities such as drugs and devices distributed directly to all government health facilities.

He said that midwives and nurses will now be allowed to administer lifesaving drugs such as, but not limited to, oxytocin and magnesium sulfate.

“Mothers will now be able to practice healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy (HTSP), which is an intervention to help women and families delay or space their pregnancies, Ona added.

Likewise, he emphasized on focusing and renewing the promises made by the 176 governments that signed the Child Survival Call to Action in June 2012 to significantly reduce maternal and child mortality rates to meet the target set forth in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

Ona said that commitment should be echoed by local government units to make their health systems ready to protect Filipino mothers and children from succumbing to preventable causes of death and achieve a better quality of life.

” We invite all concerned stakeholders present here and with us in spirit and intent to support and join the DOH as it prepares for, and proceeds with full-scale implementation of the sustained provisions of the RPRH Law and its implementing rules, if only at least to manifest that yes, we are all renewing our promise to end preventable child and maternal deaths” Ona said.

In the Philippines, there are concrete achievements in terms of reducing-under-five mortality- from 59 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 30 in 2012. Despite this decline, however, much still needs to be done. The Philippines needs to further reduce its maternal and infant mortality targets under the MDG. For 2015, these two indicators are set at 52 and 19 per 1,000 live births, respectively.

Earth Day brightens Metro Manila with solar lamps

(PNA), LAM/PR/JSD

MANILA, April 22 (PNA) -- The international celebration of Earth Day on Tuesday marked the start of installation of solar-powered lamps in several of Metro Manila's pedestrian pathways, beginning with a footbridge along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.

Illuminating footbridges and other areas with a lighting system that is efficient, economical, and environment-friendly was the objective of the joint project of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The lights, while power-saving, will also help make the pedestrian footbridges and other areas in the metropolis safer.

The TESDA-MMDA Light the City 2014 Project was the agencies' contribution to the celebration of Earth Day. Under the Memorandum of Agreement, both agencies pledged to provide solar-powered pedestrian lights on footbridges or other areas to 17 communities in the 17 cities in Metro Manila.

TESDA will provide for the cost of production and for the training of those who will engage in the assembly of the 34 low-carbon solar street lamps.

MMDA, on the other hand, will provide the participants who will undergo training in the assembly of the 34 solar street lamps. It will also recommend the footbridges where the lamps will be installed.

"With the help of MMDA, this is TESDA's contribution to the environment on Earth Day," Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General, said.

"When the sun goes down, the solar-powered lamps will give off a full spectrum of light to the pedestrian bridges and to the street below. It will likewise brighten other areas in the communities," he added.

Villanueva signed the Memorandum of Agreement together with MMDA General Manager Corazon Jimenez on behalf of chairman Francis Tolentino for the implementation of the project.

The Earth Day project is an annual global activity characterized by switching off the lights by an hour to raise public awareness on the value of reducing electricity consumption to lower the amount of destructive carbon emission entering the atmosphere.

The Philippines is an active participant of the Earth Day project for 2014 to give due recognition to Filipinos lacking access to electricity.

The Earth Day celebration of TESDA and MMDA was held at the TESDA Women's Center in Taguig City, which featured the signing of the agreement, a press conference, and the unveiling of assembled street lamps.

“As we celebrate Earth Day, we are also opening the actual training on the assembly of the solar street lamps in partnership with Mr. Illac Diaz of My Shelter Foundation,” Villanueva said.

Together with My Shelter Foundation, TESDA is implementing the Gift of Light project that provides training to skilled workers and volunteers on the assembly of solar-powered lamps for communities without electricity, such as those affected by typhoon Yolanda in the provinces in the Visayas.

Of period movies & the making of a nation

By Nenet Galang-Pereña (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - A balmy morning visit early this year to the Quezon Heritage House, newly relocated at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, was an auspicious way to start 2014 with hope, in the same way that a December weekend respite at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, coinciding with the celebration of the martyrdom of Jose Rizal, was an opportune time to finish 2013 with gratefulness. Both jaunts reminded of how our country needs more historical movies so the next generation of Filipinos will have a keener sense of national events and greater accountability to who we are as a people.

The MLQ Gilmore House, the last which belonged to the family of the late president of the Philippine Commonwealth, Manuel L. Quezon, was bequeathed as a legacy house recently, in time for the 75th foundation year of Quezon’s dream city, through the conservation efforts of former actor, Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Josefina Belmonte, aided by Prof. Eric Zerrudo and his team from the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (CCCPET).

Vice Mayor Belmonte even donated a platera which belonged to her grandmother and my companion for this trip, UST’s Interdisciplinary Studies chair, Prof. Lino Baron, also donated a big framed sepia picture circa 1939 of Quezon with his grandfather who was the latter’s personal physician, as the museum house is still being refurbished. If MLQ’s humble ancestral house from Baler will be recreated in the same space, movie producers can easily make a biopic on the life of the Quezon-Aragon tandem, underscoring their service in government and the Red Cross, respectively. Real-life couple, Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong, will be perfect for this project.

Two productions had made use of the Acuzar heritage resort in recent years: Zorro for a GMA teleserye in 2009 and Scenema Concept International’s biopic El Presidente for the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). One movie, made before the living museum was started in 1999, used the Casa Candaba house of the Reyes Family (an antillan mansion dating 1789 which was reconstructed in the beach resort in 2005) in the 1961 film Noli Me Tangere megged by Gerry de Leon.

This marvel along the Umagol river, in Barangay Pag-asa, Bagac, Bataan (Northern Luzon, Philippines), was the perfect venue for nourishing the patriotic intellect and the nationalist spirit, as my husband wished for his birthday — the reticence of the resort’s manager notwithstanding. Her concierge at the Casa Mexico office (built from salvaged materials from junkshops) managed by Asian Grand Legacy Hotels Corp. gladly lent us a DVD copy of the film which we did not watch in the apocalyptic year prophesied by the Roland Emmerich disaster film 2012, because we could not decide which movie to see, and of course, ended up not seeing anything.

The 400-hectare heritage park provided a golden chance to appreciate the movie written and directed by Mark Meily, which romped off with the most awards at the 2012 MMFF, winning the plums for Second Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (for Cesar Montano), Youth Choice Award, Best Float, Best Sound, Best Musical Score and Best Make-up. Fortunately, the experience obliterated the lackluster period film with the Spanish dialogues badly in need of coaching from Instituto Cervantes (the only one we saw for the 2013 MMFF) from our mind.

UST’s Department of History chair, Dr. Augusto de Viana takes studious note that since El Presidente was based on Aguinaldo’s memoirs, to which Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito had access, the movie omitted his defeats in the political arena, especially in the 1935 elections for the presidency of the Philippine Commonwealth.

He adds: “I think it is also helpful to say that the movie was shown after Supremo (produced by Alternative Vision Cinema and Strawdogs Studio Productions, directed by Richard Somes) as a reaction to the Bonifacio film.”

The Acuzar repository of Philippine customs and traditions recreating a community typical of the 18th to early 20th-century Philippines is a goldmine for filmmakers with a commitment to history. There is the fascinating Novicio House, also called Casa Luna, which was owned by the family of Laureana (the mother of the Luna brothers) and built circa 1850 in Namacpacan (renamed Luna in honor of Juan, Antonio and Jose), shielded by volada on the entire length of the façade. It was a venue of important gatherings during the liberation period and the latter part of the Japanese occupation in 1942.

Together with the reconstructed bahay na bato in Badoc, where the older Luna brothers were born and which is now a museum, these aristocratic ancestral mansions will be magnificent locations for a sociological movie on the dramatic turns of the lives of these patriots, including the lesser-known Jose, who rivaled Rizal during their medical studies at UST. Real-life brothers in showbiz like the Santiagos, the Sottos and the Padillas and their showbiz wives maybe good choices to play the Lunas and their paramours, including Isidra Cojuangco of Tarlac, allegedly one of the sweethearts of the fiery Antonio.

Casa Biñan or the Alberto House, reputed to have been originally built in the 16th century in front of the Biñan Plaza in Laguna, belonged to Rizal’s maternal grandfather, Don Lorenzo Alberto, and inherited by Doña Teodora, who expanded it in the 18th century. A family dispute forced Rizal’s mother into exile by walking from Biñan to Calamba while her father was imprisoned. The house became a movie theater, a bank and before it deteriorated further, architect Jerry Acuzar of San Jose Builders came to its rescue. The Alonzo twin structure with a courtyard, replicated with great attention to detail, now houses the La Bella Teodora Italian Restaurant and provides the temporary chapel (until the bigger church, floating in the man-made lagoon with sea water channeled from the West Philippine Sea, is finished) in the bodega/cochera space in its ground floor for Sunday Mass celebrations of the resorts’ guests.

This two-centuries-old house will definitely inspire a revisiting of the Rizal story, with focus on his strong-willed mother (with Boots Anson-Roa as one of the casting choices), whom Rizal loved so much that he took up medicine to cure her failing eyesight — a welcome contribution to feminist films in the country. With the Casa de Segunda Solis Katigbak (home of Rizal’s first crush, built in 1880) still standing in Lipa City, a lesser-told love story can be a counterpoint in this film. The search for the young Pepe and Gunding can be launched nationwide by any of the noontime variety shows, a relief from the perya-like song-and-dance contests they dish out for ratings.

The Casa Hidalgo or Enriquez Mansion constructed in 1867 in Calle San Sebastian (now R. Hidalgo St.), Quiapo, Manila and reconstructed by Acuzar in 2006, housed the first campus of the UP School of Fine Arts where Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Fernando Amorsolo, Guillermo Tolentino, Emilio Alvero, Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Tomas Mapua studied. Envisioned to be a museum for the arts, this edifice with ionic columns and colonnaded sidewalks can very well breathe life into a psychological film on the agony and ecstasy of these painters as they created their obra maestra. These are the dream roles to be reserved for our veteran actors, just like Surviving Picasso was given by Warner Brothers to the great Anthony Hopkins in 1996.

The harvest of recent notable epics to mark the milestone centenary of our country’s glorious but bloody claim to independence in 1898: Viva Film’s Baler (1997), also by Meily; Tirad Pass (1997) by Carlo J. Caparas; movies on the national hero — Rizal sa Dapitan (1997) by Tikoy Aguiluz and Jose Rizal (1998) by the late Marilou Diaz-Abaya — are heroic efforts by our filmmakers to retell history with outstanding mise-en-scene, generating a sense of time and space, recreating a mood from the vicissitudes of war and fortune, and introspecting on our heroes’ psyche despite financial constraints by the producers.

With the production design and location not eating up the budget because the Acuzar paseos and plazas like the one in the Quezon Memorial Circle will provide these requirements excellently, historical films may still save the movie industry from the flash-in-the pan genres solely churned for shallow entertainment and box-office killings. “Pride in the past, hope for the future,” the theme of the vintage architectural showcase of ciudad Acuzar, or “A testament to a bygone era so inextricably entwined with the birth of an independent nation,” the tagline of the MLQ Heritage House, may well be borrowed by the Philippine movie industry if it is to recoup its golden age.


Cardinal Tagle to hold Mass at Araneta Coliseum on papal canonization day

By Josephine Darang (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Today, Easter Sunday, we celebrate the Life of Salvation because Jesus rose from the dead after three days.

We also prepare for the much-awaited canonization of two great popes of the Catholic Church: Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII on April 27 in Rome.

On April 3, 2005, the Blessed Mother told Filipino visionary Nora Luna Ilagan through inner locution while she was inside the Adoration Chapel of Magallanes Church: “Rejoice! Celebrate because my son John Paul II is now with me in heaven.”

The day before, the pope passed away after a long bout with Parkinson’s disease.

Fr. Arnel Recinto, parish priest of the Blessed John Paul Church in Eastwood, is a devotee of Blessed John Paul II.

Already, he has a statue of the pope in the altar of his church. I understand Fr. Arnel’s devotion to this pope who inspired many of the clergy to become holy priests, never compromising their faith and commitment to the service of the Lord as priests.

Celebration

The Blessed John Paul II Parish will host the Diocesan celebration of the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII on St. Peter’s Square in Rome on April 27 at 10 a.m. (4 p.m. in Manila).

It will be held at the open park of Eastwood City in Quezon City.

The faithful who come from either the Diocese of Cubao or other parishes can preregister either in their own parishes or at the event area before the Mass.

The Quezon City event will start at 1:30 p.m. with the praise and worship.

Msgr. Daniel B. Sta. Maria, the vicar general of the Diocese of Cubao, will officiate the concelebrated Mass at 3 p.m., representing Cubao Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco.

At 3:45 p.m., the canonization will be broadcast live from St. Peter’s Square in Rome on the wide screen at the John Paul parish for all to witness.

The faithful are advised to whisper their petitions or prayers of thanksgiving when the bells ring at the moment Pope Francis announces that the two popes have been elevated.

Choirs from the different parishes of the Diocese of Cubao will perform in a concert at 5:45 p.m.

Celebration at Araneta Coliseum

Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, archbishop of Manila, will lead the celebration of the two popes’ canonization at the Araneta Coliseum on April 27 at 4 p.m. (10 a.m. in Rome).

It will be a concelebrated Mass.

Servant of God

Bishop Alfredo Verzosa

The cause of the canonization of Servant of God Bishop Alfredo Verzosa is now with the Sacred Congregation of the Causes of Saints in the Vatican.

Bishop Verzosa was the bishop of Lipa during the apparitions of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace to Sr. Teresing Castillo who was a postulant then at the Carmelite Convent in Lipa.

Bishop Verzosa had already retired to Vigan, Ilocos Sur, when the apparitions were declared fake, causing him to die brokenhearted. His tomb is now a site of pilgrimage of devotees who pray for his intercession.

One such devotee is Soledad Ventura Fariñas who was cured of cancer after making novenas and visiting Verzosa’s tomb. Her story will be the subject of a future column.

Auditions for Bishop

Verzosa musical

The “Alfredo Verzosa, Obispo, Ang Musikal” will be staged in July. Produced by the Bishop Alfredo Florentin Verzosa Foundation Inc., it will be directed by Joey G. Nombres from a script written by Frank G. Rivera.

Auditions for male and female roles are set 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 21 at the training center of SM City Lipa, Batangas; April 29 at the event center of SM City San Fernando, Pampanga; May 3 at the Skydome, SM City North Edsa; and at SM City Rosales, Pangasinan.

E-mail resumés and full and half-body pictures to alfredoverzosa.obispo@gmail.com.

‘A Life of Union with Christ’

The Diocese of Pasig’s Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod in SM Aura will hold the fourth installment of its “The Laity as Bearers of Christ” lecture and sharing series on April 26 at 7 p.m.

The latest lecture, “A Life of Union with Christ,” will feature the teachings of the Catholic Church about the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

The speaker will be Erickson S. Javier, director of the Center for Christian Formation of Pasig Catholic College.

A special guest from the corporate world will share his experience and reflections. The faithful from the business community are urged to come.

To preregister and for complete schedule of topics, call 4033372 or e-mail spcchapelformationteam@yahoo.com.

Happy Easter to all my readers!

May God bless you all with good health and protection! (Psalm 91).

Quezon City parish divided over priest with dubious wealth

By Aries C. Rufo

MANILA, Philippines – This Holy Week, some parishioners of the Santo Niño Parish in Bago Bantay, Quezon City, want their own priest to atone for his own deadly sin of greed.

Father Enrique Aloysius Aliño is facing a complaint for 14 counts of qualified theft before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. He allegedly misused more than P1.7 million of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) funds.

He has denied the allegations, but his parishioners have documented more cases of the priest's unexplained wealth such as several real estate properties and vehicles.

Instead of answering allegations, the cleric “is creating division, sowing intrigues and forcing others to lose their faith in the Church hierarchy,” said Del Mabait Sin of the Bago Bantay Movement for Justice and Peace (BBMJP). Parishioners who are disgruntled and dismayed with Aliño’s continued stay in the parish started the movement.

They have called the attention of Aliño’s superiors – Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle – to no avail. They have gone to the Nunciature, the official residence of the Pope’s envoy to the Philippines, but were simply advised to report the matter to Pope Francis.

Now, they’re preparing to tell the Pope all they know.

"Do not underestimate our resolve. Do not mistake our humility for weakness. We are prepared to pursue our ends...just like the brave parishioners of Limburg, Germany," the parishioners said in a letter to Ongtioco in November 2013.

They were referring to the case of Limburg Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz van Elst, who scandalized his congregation with an extravagant renovation of his residence and church buildings. The scandal prompted the bishop to resign.

Rappler sought to get in touch Aliño through his mobile phone number and his parish office. Requests for return calls were ignored.

Juggling funds

Once a peaceful community of the faithful, the Santo Niño Parish is now divided into 3 factions: those who want Aliño out, those who support him, and those who try to remain neutral.

The first group consists of former PPC officials who were removed by Aliño shortly after they started questioning how he had been handling the parish and the PPC funds. Aliño took over the parish in 2012.

Outgoing parish priest Father Glenn Orocio turned over to Aliño P1.06 million for safekeeping. It was an amount that the PPC raised from a raffle drive in 2012. Orocio also turned over to him the PPC funds amounting to P761,183 at the time. The money was supposed to be used to build a baptistery and to renovate the Adoration Chapel and confessionals.

In a complaint affidavit submitted to the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, however, former PPC official Alfredo Ramos said Aliño deposited the money in a parish fund-cum-personal account without getting the consent of the PPC.

PPC members found that Aliño used portions of the transferred money to pay for electricity bills and to refurbish the church altar when these were not part of PPC projects.

When the former PPC officials found this out, they dug into other financial transactions and found a pattern of anomaly. They requested an audience with Aliño to hear his explanation.

While the confrontation was belligerent, both parties agreed to resolve the issues. The priest drew first blood, however, by condemning the complaining PPC officials during his homily in one mass.

Realizing that the lines of communication had been severed, the PPC members sent a letter to Ongtioco, requesting him to intervene. By this time, Aliño had been regularly using the pulpit to insult other PPC members.

In their meeting with Ongtioco’s representative, it was agreed that the Diocese of Cubao would conduct a financial audit on Santo Niño Parish. The diocese cleared Aliño of anomalies, but the vicar general, Monsignor Dan Sta. Maria, supposedly told the PPC officers that Aliño admitted before Ongtioco that he indeed juggled the funds and that he had gotten reprimanded.

Hidden wealth

Dissatisfied with the result of the audit, the PPC officers asked Ongtioco to dig deeper into Aliño’s financial transactions. They also complained that the priest had been fostering a “hate atmosphere” by calling them names during his homilies. The bishop was in no mood to listen further.

The parishioners then sent letters to Papal Nuncio Guiseppe Pinto, Tagle, and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Socrates Villegas. During this time, the former PPC officials formed the BBBMJP “to fight against the corruption and pastoral mismanagement” of Aliño.

A last ditch effort to meet with Ongtioco was scuttled when the bishop cancelled at the last minute. By this time, PPC officials had been gathering evidence against Aliño for his alleged hidden wealth.

In a Nov 8, 2013, letter to Ongtioco, the former PPC officers accused the priest of engaging in money-making activities and owning several condominium units and expensive vehicles, whose ownership they validated with the Land Transportation Office.

“If only he were a government employee, he can already be charged under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” the parishioners told Ongtioco.

Citing the example of Pope Francis, the parishioners challenged the bishop to call Aliño's attention on his lifestyle that was beyond his means as a priest. “If the Pope can be so humble, simple, and so sincere, can other bishops and priests live like kings and princes instead? If you answer yes, then you may be the simplest hypocrite in this side of town. If you answer no, then you do not obey the Pope’s own teaching and what will prevent us from not obeying you too given the lifestyle you lead?” the letter said.

Qualified theft case

Eleven months after they raised the issue against Aliño, the parishioners decided to bring the matter to court.

On Nov 26, 2013, acting on behalf of other former PPC officials, Ramos, who formerly headed the PPC planning committee, filed 14 counts of qualified theft against the priest in connection with the misuse PPC funds.

In his counter-affidavit, Aliño squarely denied that he financially gained from the PPC funds. He said the money was all disbursed for the parish’s operations. He cited the diocese’s audit findings that "no money is missing and every single centavo is accounted for."

As head of the parish, Aliño said he had “all the authority, right, and power as to where and how the ‘parish goods’ are to be administered in the parish,” so long as it would benefit the parish and its parishioners.

He also said Ramos had no right to complain and the complaint against him was intended “to harass, intimidate and remove me as parish priest.”

Condo, ivory figurines, cars

Refuting Aliño’s defense, the parishioners struck back with more damaging statements against the priest.

In his reply to Aliño’s affidavit, Ramos cited instances and examples of Aliño’s hidden wealth, including two condominium units at the Manhattan Gateway in Cubao, Quezon City, where monthly payments amount to P109,000. The priest himself at one time sought the help of former PPC officials “in restructuring his payments” for his two condo units.

They also found out that the priest owned residential houses and lots in Bayan-bayanan, Concepcion, in Marikina City. This is where he supposedly keeps his collection of “religious artifacts and expensive ivory figures...[that] are banned under the worldwide protocol against possession, selling, and trading of ivory after 1980.”

The parishioners established Aliño's ownership of the properties based on the tax declaration.

On top of his real estate properties, the priest also acquired a brand-new Hi-Ace Grandia just 6 months after his assignment in Santo Niño. He also has a Fortuner, a Nissan Patrol, and an Isuzu utility usually seen parked within the parish premises. When they checked with the LTO, they found the vehicles registered under "Enrique Aliño."

The parishioners said they hope Pope Francis will hear their side, and deliver them from Aliño.

Additional benefits for government non-regular employees pushed

(PNA), FPV/SFM

MANILA, April 18 (PNA) -- A Metro Manila solon filed a measure that will seek the granting of benefits to non-regular employees of the government to protect them from possible exploitation.

Quezon City Rep. Alfredo Vargas III said he wants to address the needs of the non-regular employees in the government who get the heavier workload as compared to those who have plantilla items.

Actor turned politician cited Section 9, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, which guarantees to promote a just and dynamic social order free from poverty through policies that promote full employment geared towards a rising standard of living and an improved quality f life for all.

“As a matter of fact, the Constitution also recognizes temporary employees of the government as part of the Civil Service and the same shall also be accorded with protection as may be provided for by law,” Vargas he pointed out.

Vargas said the government being the largest employer in the country should take the lead in ensuring that the employees are well taken care of and protected from possible exploitation.

“We may not be able to provide them with permanent jobs at this time but by giving them what is due, we can encourage more bright and young minds to work for and with the government,” Vargas said in his explanatory note in his House Bill 3577.

Vargas said at present, non-regular employees, also known as job order personnel, are not covered by Civil Service Regulations since the services they render are not considered part of government service.

According to Vargas, most, if not all, of the non-regular employees in the government do not enjoy an employee-employer relationship which excludes them from being covered by the Labor Code.

“These reasons, in effect, put the non-regular personnel in limbo, an area where exploitation is at hand. In fact, it is only the Commission on Audit (COA) who looks at the terms and conditions of the contracts entered into by the government and the employee,” Vargas stressed.

Vargas underscored that a common practice in the government is that non-regular employees get heavier workload probably because the regulars enjoy a security of tenure and is made to believe that working for the government is characterized with laid-backness and mediocrity.

Under the measure, all the branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of the Government, including local government units and government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters are covered by this Act.

Non-regular employees shall be granted rights to holiday pay, 13th month pay, multi-purpose leave credits, and membership to the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

The bill amends Paragraph I, Section 3 of Republic Act 8291 or “The Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997,” which includes the compulsory membership of contractuals who have no employee, employer relationship in the GSIS.

In consultation with the GSIS, HDMF and Philhealth, the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) are directed to issue the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

Heavy traffic continues on EDSA due to massive road reblocking --MMDA

(PNA), SCS/CLTC

MANILA, April 17 (PNA) – There were traffic snarls in several portions of Epifanio Delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) on Maundy Thursday due to massive road reblocking activities, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

However, Emerson Carlos, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, said vehicular traffic was lighter on Thursday compared to Wednesday when the contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways started transferring their equipment and closed the lanes to be repaired.

Carlos said traffic gridlock was monitored along the southbound lane of EDSA, particularly in the Guadalupe area in Makati, P. Tuazon in Quezon City to Ayala, and Magallanes to Taft Ave. in Pasay City.

Due to traffic congestions caused by the reblocking, hundreds of commuters were stranded on the northbound lane of EDSA.

Carlos said that the number of passengers buses was not enough as many of them got stuck in traffic on the southbound lanes, causing delay in their turnaround to go northbound.

QC cops bear crosses as penance for demerits

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines—Quezon City policemen bore on Wednesday morning 30-kilogram crosses as part of their penitence and sacrifice, commemorating the passion of Christ through the Way of the Cross along Elliptical Road.

Some 50 policemen from the 12 Quezon City Police stations, led by director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano and district chaplain Rev. Fr. Alexander Pardo, along with personnel from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Bureau of Fire Protection and City Hall, went through the 14 Stations of the Cross set up around the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Among the participating policemen were those facing administrative cases for less grave offenses and those slapped with demerits due to tardiness or absence from formations.

“This is a way of giving them penance so that they would be spiritually enlightened and hopefully mend their ways,” Albano said

The participants, including Albano, bore the crosses throughout the procession from the first station, where Jesus is condemned to death, until the last station where Jesus is laid in the tomb.

The QCPD director explained that his participation in the activity was part of his annual sacrifice for the Lenten season and its application to his erring men was based on the belief that those who express remorse deserve forgiveness.

According to Albano, the activity was part of the QCPD’s activities for the Holy Week, including a Mass and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Maundy Thursday at the QCPD chapel at 3 p.m. followed by hourly vigils by local police stations and units; a Way of the Cross around Camp Karingal at 9 a.m. on Good Friday followed by a Veneration of the Cross; and celebration of Masses on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday when a traditional egg hunt will be held.

Noy leads meeting on security measures for Holy Week

By Aurea Calica With Sheila Crisostomo, Lalaine Jimenea, Ric Sapnu (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday led a meeting on the security preparations for Holy Week, the upcoming World Economic Forum on East Asia next month and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that the country would host next year.

The Palace said Aquino presided over a Philippine National Police command conference held at PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City “to ensure that the Holy Week holidays are orderly and peaceful.”

“Apart from the other engagements in the President’s schedule, he will also spend the week monitoring the preparations and actions of concerned government agencies in light of the upcoming holidays,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a press briefing.

The Palace earlier wished the nation a peaceful and reflective Holy Week but cautioned against possible risks that may be encountered by travelers.

Safety plans

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., Manila North Tollways Corp., Cavite Infrastructure Corp., Tollways Management Corp. and Toll Regulatory Board have expressed readiness for the influx of motorists passing by the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) this Holy Week.

At the NLEx, additional personnel will be deployed to man major toll plazas in Balintawak, Bocaue, Mindanao Avenue, Dau and Mabalacat.

At the SCTEx, personnel will also be deployed at the Tarlac and Tipo exits.

Additional lanes will be opened to speed up the passage of vehicles through the toll gates during peak hours.

Traffic personnel in the two expressways will also be required to work extra hours to ensure efficient traffic management.

Additional patrol cars and traffic enforcers will also be dispatched from April 16 to 21 to guarantee immediate response to emergency situations and assist distressed travelers.

Medical teams deployed

Medical teams will be deployed by the Philippine Red Cross to assist the public starting tomorrow.

“The PRC will start its operations tomorrow by setting up first aid stations and welfare desks and deploying volunteers and ambulances in public areas,” PRC chairman Richard Gordon said yesterday.

Gordon noted that most of the PRC personnel will be posted at terminals and ports which “are very strategic areas as huge volumes of people go through these places during the start of the Holy Week.”

He added that first aid stations will also be set up at gasoline stations, highways, major roads, churches, parks and other crowded areas.

LGU help

Meanwhile, with the expected exodus of people to the provinces this Holy Week, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on all local chief executives to convene their peace and order councils to ensure the safety of their residents and visitors.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II directed provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and other local officials to formulate plans to address the expected increase in the number of visitors to their localities.

Roxas said that for some Filipino families, the Holy Week is not only a time to reflect. They also take this opportunity to go on vacation.

He also sought the deployment of village watchmen to help ensure peace and order.

QC receives Meralco Luminaries Awards

(RBJ/AKG-PIA-NCR/QC-PAISO)

QUEZON CITY, April 14 (PIA) - Quezon City (QC) led five other local government units (LGUs) in this year’s “Meralco Luminaries” Awards, an annual event honoring outstanding organizations and groups in the country for their exemplary contribution to nation building and helping the country achieved world-class stature.

QC was cited for its carbon footprint reduction initiatives and its project with PANGEA Green Energy Philippines for the waste-to-energy biogas plant in Payatas, as among the best in innovation in environment advocacy.

The city’s waste-to-energy biogas plant has been expanded to produce more green energy.

Now, it has two additional 320 kW engines to supplement the existing 236 kW engine and the biogas extraction plant has been modified to supply the additional requirements of the new engines.

The plant now produces an average of 750 kW of power from methane gas extracted from the landfill.

The power generated from the captured methane is sold to the Manila Electric Company at time-of-use rates approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

In addition to this, the plant was also able to provide employment to local residents and remit a portion of its electricity sales to the city government.

The Meralco Luminaries awardees are recognized by Meralco as “partners for progress”. They include private institutions and businesses, small and medium scale industries whose success stories have significantly contributed to the country’s economic growth.

The awardees are also acknowledged for their creativity, leadership and innovation, specifically in managing their resources by way of job creation, operation expansion, increased exports, spurring foreign investments and advanced knowledge transfer to the local market.

QC to conduct drug test for all barangay officials

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

MANILA, April 13 (PNA)--The Quezon City anti-drug abuse advisory council over the weekend said that it is seriously eyeing the conduct of a drug test among on all officials of its 142 barangays after receiving reports of substance abuse among their ranks.

Vice mayor Joy Belmonte, who sits as council chairperson, said QC’s continuing effort to curb its drug problem need to be minimized if not totally eliminated also on the grassroots level.

Belmonte also disclosed that they are planning to provide incentives to QC barangays whose officials will be all tested negative during the drug test.

“What we need is to empower the youth, parents, the church and the barangays to address the drug problem in QC. We all have a stake here and it is imperative that we work together since addressing the problem requires massive support by the stakeholders,” Belmonte said.

According to mayor Herbert M. Bautista, it is very important to boost also the pillars of the criminal justice system for the speedy disposition of cases filed against drug pushers and couriers.

“Mahirap na kalaban ang drugs. (It is a tough job to fight drugs syndicate). But, if we work closely with other agencies and strengthen our relationship with them, we can prosecute those people behind the illegal drugs trade,” the Mayor said.

In 2013, at least 379 drugs cases were filed in court.

Last year’s total is 41 cases more than the 338 cases filed in 2012.

Aside from the proposed drug testing on barangay officials, the QC anti-drug abuse advisory council is also planning to organize counselling programs in QC public schools.

Strengthening of the barangay anti-drug abuse councils of the city’s 142 barangays is also included among the plans.

Quezon City's continuing effort to curb the drug problem also includes the expansion of partnership with schools, non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) for the implementation of a comprehensive and integrated program designed to making the city a drug-free community.

Based on a report submitted by QCADAAC, barangays registering the highest number of drug dependents in 2013 are Bagong Pag-asa, Bahay-Toro, Sto. Domingo, Balingasa and San Jose, for District I; Commonwealth, Payatas, Holy Spirit, Batasan Hills, Bagong Silanagan, for District II; Matandang Balara, E. Rodriguez, Socorro, Pansol and San Roque, for District III; Pinyahan, Tatalon, San Martin de Porres, UP Campus and Krus na Ligas, for District IV; Gulod, Bagbag, San Bartolome, Novaliches Proper and Kaligayahan, for District V; and Pasong Tamo, Tandang Sora, Culiat, Baesa and Apolonio Samson, for District VI.

More brgy parenting seminars, BCPC’s participation could help curb child abuse, teenage pregnancies (Feature)

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

MANILA, April 12 (PNA) — A call for more parenting seminars and functional Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children (BCPC) was highly recommended at a policy forum on child and teenage pregnancy held in Quezon City on Friday.

In the said forum, Kaisahang Buhay Foundation social worker Rosario Dela Rosa underscored the urgent need for more parenting seminars and active participation of barangays all over the country to help battle the increasing number of child and teenage pregnancies.

Dela Rosa said that the 42,000 barangays all over the country should actively do their role to help in solving problems on child abuse and alarming rise of teenage pregnancies.

“Parenting seminars will help in reshaping the spiritual and moral values of parents and families towards rearing children,“ said dela Rosa who expressed alarm over the incidents of child as young as 10 years old getting pregnant due to sexual abuse while there is also a trend on the increasing number of teenage moms ages 15-19 years old or adolescents giving birth at a young age.

Dela Rosa also said that there were cases that she even had talked to the mothers of some children who got abused in on-line cyber sex and the mothers themselves even insisted that they do not see that their children’s rights are being abused or violated as there were no actual penetration on the body of their children in cybersex.

“These changing values and beliefs of parents should be corrected as it pose danger on the part of the children that are being abused and must be protected by the barangay as the second line of defense for protection of children,” she stressed.

Dela Rosa added that some parents should be educated to let them also realize that certain things they believe or presumed to be correct in imposing discipline to their children or their way of rearing them should be changed.

“In some seminars, it showed that some parents do not really know what is the exact way of handling their children, as well as in teaching them the correct values including sexual education,” added Jonalyn Bren, a 17 year old student representing National Anti-Poverty Council (NAPC) children sector and member of Laura Vicuna Foundation Inc at the presscon at the midst of the forum.

Bren added that after the seminars they had conducted in some barangays, most of the parents got an eye opener and realized their faults and decide to correct them as they reasoned out that lack of formal education and inability to get correct advices about sexual education were the reasons for their misconception about sex and rearing of children.

Bren said that with these modern age where lots of modern gadgets such as computers and cellular phones surround children and teenagers, more educational parenting seminar should be conducted to help some parents understand the dangers of letting their children being exposed to these without proper guidance.

She added that if children see that their parents have time for them and were reared correctly, they cannot be easily influenced by some peer pressures in their environment to enter early relationships, such as having an eye ball with someone they just came to know through text or chatting in internet as a new and popular form of socialization among the youth today.

“The nearest person to the child, are their parents, if the parents will just be relax and not monitor their children, they will find it easier to engage in certain vices or forms of releasing their boredom that may possibly lead to other teenage problems such as teen pregnancies,” Bren explained.

She stressed that lack of enough knowledge on what are the dangers present in the environment and the ways to protect their children, no open communication lines and happy relationship between parents and children who feels neglected are some of the reasons that teenagers seek the company outside their homes and classes that often lead to grave repercussions if they fall prey to some dangerous groups of friends.

Dr. Ma. Lourdes Carandang, a psychologist added that parents should be educated to learn the value of respect for their children and even find ways to raise their child self-esteem by making them feel worthy as they recognized their child’s abilities.

“If the child learns these values like respect, they will also have the intention to respect and protect their body and other people too,” Carandang said as she stressed the role of parents in the formation of child’s values and sexual education as solution for the problems.

Percival V. Cendana, from National Youth Commision (NYC) said parents should begin talking and explaining to their children about sexual issues and concerns as sex negativity may lead their children to misconception about sex.

According to Council for the Welfare of the Children director Brenda S. Vigo, they plan to conduct a summit about families sometime in October in celebration of family week to help address the problems and open the eyes of both the parents and children and their immediate family members to further strengthen relationships as a way to cope with the problem.

She added that with BCPC support and other inter-agencies joint efforts such as Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH) , Department of Justice (DOJ), and other civil society organizations (CSOs) they will arrive at a fruitful solution to these problems.

QC ready for Lenten Public Safety -- Mayor Bautista

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

MANILA, April 11 (PNA)--The Quezon City government said Friday that it will be deploying some 300 traffic personnel from the city’s department of public order and safety to complement the police and traffic management force that will be mobilized by the QC Police District and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

QC mayor Herbert M. Bautista issued the order to ensure public safety during the observance of the Holy Week in the city.

According to QC’s Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) chief Elmo San Diego, the city’s deployment of traffic personnel will start on Wednesday, with the traffic enforcers assisting in securing provincial bus terminals in the Cubao area.

He said that QC plays host to several provincial bus terminals.

Buses plying the Southern Luzon – Quezon City routes and vice versa include Tritran, JAC and JAM Liners along Kamuning Road while those plying the Northern Luzon – QC routes and vice versa include Baliwag, Victory, Partas, Dagupan, Five Star and the Dominion Bus Lines in the Cubao area.

Aside from securing bus terminals, QC traffic enforcers will also provide assistance to pilgrims, particularly those who will be going to Antipolo City and the Lourdes Grotto in San Jose del Monte, on Holy Thursday.

Traffic deployment will be concentrated along Aurora Boulevard for pilgrims going to Antipolo, and the Quirino Highway, for the Grotto pilgrims, the DPOS said.

On Good Friday, QC traffic personnel will be visible near churches to provide assistance to churchgoers for the “Visita Iglesia.”

DPOS has also enlisted the support of the city’s barangay public safety officers for maintaining peace and order in QC during the Lenten break.


Construction of PHL Genome Center Bldg. in UP-Diliman underway

By Aerol B. Patena [(PNA), SCS/ABP]

MANILA, April 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the University of the Philippines (UP) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) building at the National Science Complex in Diliman, Quezon City on Tuesday.

The event was graced by DOST Undersecretary Fortunato dela Pena, UP President Alfredo Pascual, PGC Executive Director Dr. Carmencita Padilla and other key officials of the UP and DOST.

In her address, Dr. Padilla expressed her gratitude to the UP administration for providing the research institute with a permanent facility which will enable it to further conduct studies that will help boost the development of the country.

“PGC started as a virtual office wherein we share facilities and laboratories with UP to conduct our researches. Thus, we are grateful to the administration led by President Pascual for giving us a new home,” Padilla said.

She also acknowledged the government, through the DOST, for its research grants which will help boost the capability of their researchers.

Meanwhile, DOST Undersecretary Dela Pena, who represented Secretary Mario Montejo, stressed the importance of modernizing research facilities as a key to attaining inclusive development in the country.

He related that the establishment of a genomics research facility will help address the brain drain of scientists and engineers in the country.

“Boosting human resources development is vital to creating world-class and competitive scientists in the Philippines,” he said.

“The DOST sees to it that support for projects that enable the building of state of the art facilities for our scientists is given extra attention and priority. We believe that by ensuring that our laboratories and facilities are equipped by modern and essential equipment, we fuel the nation’s dream of inclusive growth and development for all,” De La Pena added.

The event was concluded through the laying of a time capsule by the guests.

The building will house three PGC facilities, namely: the DNA Sequencing Core Facility, Core Facility for Bioinformatics, and Biobank Facility as well as offices and laboratories for its research programs on agriculture; biodiversity for drug discovery and bio-energy; ethics, legal and social issues; forensics and ethnicity and the health program.

It will be located along A. Ma. Regidor Street across the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Observatory and behind the newly-constructed National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in the National Science Complex in UP Diliman campus.

The Philippine Genome Center is a multidisciplinary institution that combines basic and applied research for the development of health diagnostics, therapeutics, DNA forensics and preventive products, and improved crop, aquaculture and animal varieties.

It is a genomics-focused and multidisciplinary research unit of the University of the Philippines which was founded by the UP Board of Regents on July 31, 2009.

QC gov't announces diamond jubilee plans

(MST Lifestyle)

Quezon City, a dynamic city for business, entertainment, culture, wellness and education, has much to celebrate as it is now a vibrant and progressive metropolis that nurtures the environment and the dreams of its citizens. A milestone event that aims to mobilize active participation and partnerships among all Quezon City residents is about to take place, as the city moves towards becoming a “premier global city.”

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who also sits as commission co-chairman, unveil plans for QC’s diamond jubilee celebration at the 1st stakeholders’ forum hosted by the QC government at UP Techno Hub. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte

This very well summed up what could be the biggest and grandest string of major initiatives that the Quezon City government has conceptualized for its monumental 75th Diamond Jubilee Celebration happening October 11-12, 2014.

In his keynote address during the recent stakeholders’ meeting, Bautista shared this grand masterplan as he called on the business sector, the academic community, the media, the representatives of various sectors and barangays to support the city government’s plan of year-long celebration.

“As the birthplace of many important events, endeavors and revolutions that shaped the nation’s historical and economic history, Quezon City is indeed a bastion of continued innovation. The 75th year celebration of cityhood gives us the perfect opportunity to show off what Quezon City has to offer. Thus we came up with a masterplan that commemorates its rich past, as well as welcomes its progressive future which we all excitedly look forward to,” said Bautista.

According to Tadeo Palma, secretary to the Mayor who is also the overall chairman of the 75th Year Diamond Jubilee Commission, part of the proposed grand 75th year-long cityhood celebration will include monthly as well as simultaneous commencement of event festivities which will then lead to the much-anticipated culmination on October 2015. One of the first events to mark the Jubilee year is the search for the Miss Quezon City which will begin in May.

“Our general theme is summed up perfectly in two words: participatory and partnership. We are inspired by one common goal, and we need all the support that we can get from everyone to make this happen. It’s not all revelry, but a grand coalition of mutual minds and hearts,” Palma added.

For her part, Belmonte said the entire Quezon City community – composed of 142 barangays, 24 areas, and six districts – will be engaged in the development and execution of the citywide efforts.

This participation, she added, will include creating ideas that will complement or incorporate the celebration of cityhood into their projects.

Some of these potential projects include scholastic conferences for the academic community, public health clinics, medical missions and colorful food and cultural events like the La Loma Lechon Festival and the Grand Diamond Salubong.

Among the highlights of this year-long celebration will also be the formal opening of the state-of-the-art Quezon City Museum on October, inauguration of several public office and school buildings, and pocket cultural exhibits, among others.

QC dads want ban on incinerators lifted to clear way for waste-to-energy plant

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Quezon City council has asked Congress to lift the ban on incinerators under the Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 to pave the way for the setup of a waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in the city, a project discussed by City Hall officials and the group of businessman Manny Pangilinan last year.

In a resolution approved late last month and addressed to former Quezon City mayor and now Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., the councilors asked members of the lower house to file a bill amending the two laws.

They said the city’s growing population and economic development had increased the generation of solid waste, posing disposal problems.

Setting up landfills has been an option, but the local government is limited by “the scarcity of land (and) the exorbitant cost of acquiring such” within the city.

Having a sanitary landfill outside Quezon City would entail additional hauling costs, the resolution added.

A more sustainable or long-term solution would be a “state-of-the-art WTE facility” similar to those extensively used in the United States, Japan, South Korea and Europe, it said.

Apart from requiring a smaller land area, it added, “a WTE project provides socioeconomic and environmental benefits” such as lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced dependence on fossil fuel, job generation and having an alternative energy source.

But such a facility could not be set up because of the two laws banning incineration as a means of waste disposal.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2002 that the Clean Air Act could not absolutely ban incineration but only burning processes that emit poisonous and toxic fumes, the councilors noted.

“The amendment of said laws is necessary since technological advancements have ensured that (WTE) facilities can conform with the emission standards stated in the Clean Air Act,” the councilors stressed.

In June last year, the Quezon City government held exploratory talks with the Pangilinan group of companies for a possible joint venture operating a WTE plant.

Under the planned venture, the city would be supplying the garbage to be converted into energy while the Pangilinan group would finance the construction and operation of the facility.

Establishment of more public schools in QC eyed

(PNA), SCS/LSJ

MANILA, April 7, (PNA) -- The Quezon City Council has passed a resolution requesting Congress to enact a measure for the establishment of a public high school in Barangay Pasong Tamo in the city's newly-created 6th district.

The resolution, authored and introduced by Councilor Melencio T. Castelo Jr. of the 6th district, highlighted the need for putting up an additional public school within Barangay Pasong Tamo, one of the most populous barangays in northern Quezon City.

In a related development, Castelo said on Monday the City Council also approved a resolution requesting the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement Republic Act No. 9670 for the establishment of a high school in Barangay Apolonio Samson, also in the infant 6th district.

He said the establishment of more public high schools will ensure that students of the city will benefit from the free secondary education program of the government.

He added that under the resolution, the city government will allot funds so that the additional public schools will have the necessary facilities for the students.

The councilor explained that the city government’s mission to raise productive citizens can be achieved best if it focuses on the development of the students while they are still in schools.

QC polishing diamond year with major projects

(Philippine Daily Inquirer), CTB/QC-PAISO-PR/LSJ

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Major projects, including academic conferences, public health clinics, medical missions and food and cultural events, are being planned by the Quezon City government to mark its 75th Diamond Jubilee celebration starting in October.

This was announced by Mayor Herbert Bautista in a keynote address during the recent stakeholders’ meeting held at the UP Technohub in Quezon City, where he called on the business and academic communities, representatives of various sectors and barangays and the media to support the city government’s yearlong celebration.

‘Bastion of innovation’

“As the birthplace of many important events, endeavors and revolutions that shaped the nation’s historical and economic history, Quezon City is indeed a bastion of continued innovation. The 75th year celebration of cityhood gives us the perfect opportunity to show off what Quezon City has to offer. Thus, we came up with a master plan that commemorates its rich past, as well as welcomes its progressive future which we all excitedly look forward to,” Bautista said.

He added: “To make this happen, the city needs the support and pioneering efforts of volunteers, community partners, the private sector and citizens to work together with the city government to be able to [make] this vision a reality for all.”

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who heads the city government’s tourism department, said community events had initially been planned for the city’s 70th anniversary but these were shelved after Tropical Storm “Ondoy” in 2009. “Hopefully this year, we can see the fruition of all these efforts,” she said.

According to Tadeo Palma, the mayor’s secretary and overall chair of the Diamond Jubilee Commission, the planned celebration will include monthly and simultaneous events that will culminate in October 2015. One of the first events is the search for Miss Quezon City which will begin next month, he said.

“Our general theme is summed up perfectly in two words: ‘Participatory’ and ‘partnership.’ We are inspired by one common goal and we need all the support that we can get from everyone to make this happen. It’s not all revelry, but a grand coalition of minds and hearts,” Palma added.

QC Museum, tourism app

Among the highlights of the celebration are the formal opening of the state-of-the-art Quezon City Museum in October, inauguration of public office and school buildings and pocket cultural exhibits.

“We are so excited to commemorate the future now, by preserving the past.” She listed permanent legacy markers such as the reconstruction of the late President Manuel L. Quezon’s heritage house in the Quezon Memorial Circle, the launch of the history book “City with a Soul” in June and the release of a nondenominational commemorative coin by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Other events lined up in October are a Diamond Jubilee photo exhibit, the launch of a QC tourism app, as well as the QC Business Forum and International Friendship Day with sister cities.

QC gov’t earmarks P5-M for Barangay Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) award

(PNA), CTB/QC-PAISO-PR/LSJ

MANILA, April 5 (PNA)--The Quezon City government announced over the weekend that it has earmarked P5 million to finance the implementation of Barangay Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) award starting this year.

The allocation is in support to Ordinance No. 2273 that QC mayor Herbert M. Bautista signed into law highlighting the seal of good housekeeping for the city’s 142 barangays.

The said ordinance was authored by Councilors Jesus Manuel Suntay and Franz Pumaren, seeking to aggressively institutionalize the fundamentals of good governance essential to barangay's public administration and development.

“QC Seal of Good Housekeeping is the city’s version of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) program Seal of Good Housekeeping,” mayor Bautista said.

Bautista added that the law aims to advance primacy of performance, accountability, transparency and participation among local government units.

QCSGH will have two levels of seal awards– the 'Gawad Huwarang Pamamahala Award' as the second level of seal and the 'Dangal ng Lungsod Award' being the highest level of the seal.

Cash awards will be given to barangays that will be chosen as winners in the two levels of the QCSGH.

Among the criteria of the QCSGH search are full compliance with the barangay's full disclosure policy on the local budget and finances;

posting of bids and public offerings in three conspicuous places as well as the localized full disclosure policy portal;

at least 8 percent average rating in DILG Barangay Governance Performance Management System (BGPMS);

at least 80 percent average rating in QC Barangay Legislative Services Assessment;

compliance to Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red tape Act;

and the opinion rendered by the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the financial statements of barangays for the immediately preceding year.

EDSA repairs

By Anna Liza V. Alavaren

Another set of road reblocking activities have been set on sections of Epifianio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and Balete Drive in Quezon City this weekend.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said they will be conducted on five portions of EDSA, between Roosevelt Avenue and East Lawin (southbound, fourth lane) in Quezon City; between Guadalupe Bridge and Ayala Avenue (southbound, first lane), Makati City; between Reliance and Ortigas Avenue (northbound, first lane of Shaw Boulevard tunnel), Mandaluyong City; between Santolan and Ortigas Avenue (southbound, fifth lane from Santolan to approach of Ortigas flyover and on first lane of service road of Ortigas flyover); and between New York Street and Monte de Piedad (southbound, first lane), Quezon City.

Balete Drive between Aurora Boulevard and Campanilla (first lane) in Quezon City will be reblocked.

The MMDA said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will undertake road reblocking and repairs from 10 p.m. tonight until 5 a.m. Monday.

DOST recognizes outstanding projects of electronics, engineering students

By Aerol B. Patena [(PNA), CTB/ABP]

MANILA, April 3 (PNA) -- A team of engineering students from the University of the Philippines-Diliman bagged first place in the Electronics Design Competition of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for designing a cost-friendly 3D printer which uses scrap plastic as printing material.

Team RAL was recognized for their project entitled “3D Print Earth: A Linear Data Robot as a 3D Printer with Scrap Plastic from Bottles as its Printing Material”.

The team which is composed of Juan Paolo Espiritu, Martin Jude Borja, Carissa Norielle Cruz, Emilio Vicente Gomez and Kevin Matthew Yatco under the mentorship of Dr. Manuel Ramos of the UP-Diliman College of Engineering, received a cash prize of P 200,000.

Team Low-Cost WiFI Based BEMS, from the same university, has garnered second place for their research on low-cost Wi-fi Based Building Energy Monitoring System.

The project uses distribution panel meters (DPM) to measure power consumption from electric distribution panels of buildings and monitoring software that gathers, processes, and sends data to users through a web-based interface.

Team members are Anna Katrina Gomez, Dan Niel Ramos and Anthony Kristianne Tang with Dr. Jhoanna Rodette Pedrasa as their faculty adviser.

Third place Team RTU-ECETSS was cited for their project on homebrew micro-controller-based solar/wind power generators which intends to save electricity cost by utilizing solar irradiance and gusty wind as sources of energy.

The members are Renz Benhar Bobadilla, Florimund Bryan Garalde, Rhene Anne Orayan, James Brandon Masikip and Enrico Feliciano of the College of Engineering and Industrial Technology of Rizal Technological University under the supervision of Engr. Wilfredo Tamajo.

The second and third runners-up received cash prizes of P 100,000 and P 50,000, respectively.

The teams were recognized in an awarding ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Ortigas Center, Quezon City last March 27, 2014.

The Electronics Design Competition which was organized by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), intends to encourage innovation among electrical engineering, computer engineering and electronics students.

“The competition seeks to motivate students in designing electrical projects that can be commercialized in the country by local and foreign investors,” Darwin Santos, Supervising Science Research Specialist of PCIERRD-Emerging Technology and Development Division, stated in an interview with the Philippines News Agency, Thursday.

Launched during the third anniversary of PCIEERD last June 2013, the competition has drawn 76 entries from colleges and universities nationwide.

“We have received a tremendous amount of support from the Commission on Higher Education and the universities in nominating students for the competition,” he said.

Each university was able to send a maximum of three teams consisting of three to five students.

From an initial list of 76 contestants, the list was eventually narrowed down to 18 by a five member board of judges which consists of leading figures in the electronics industry. They were selected based on their socioeconomic potential, project demonstration, innovativeness and presentation.

The finalists received a P 10,000 grant from PCIEERD to motivate them on further developing their prototype electronic products.

“We are hoping that the students would be able to pursue further development of their projects through the Electronics Product Development Center of the DOST,” Santos said.

ASEAN member countries highlight programs and services for PWDs

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

MANILA, April 2 (PNA) -- Different strategies, programs and interventions for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were discussed Wednesday in an effort to improve delivery of social services for PWDs and make their rights real.

In the first day of the three-day “ASEAN Program Evaluation and Planning Conference for PWDs” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Quezon City, member countries shared their best practices and different auxiliary services for PWDs as part of their efforts in making the rights of every PWD in conformity with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of PWDs.

Th Philippines is hosting the conference through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) headed by Secretary Corazon J. Soliman.

One of the opening day speakers, Kin Fun Kwok, National Secretary for Hong Kong Rehabilitation International, gave an overview of the different strategies and recommendations they created and implemented for the benefits of PWDs.

“We ensure that all development policies take into account the needs and benefits of all PWDs,”Kin told the conference.

He cited the importance of accessibility, provision of support services such as health-care, financial support, education, vision and hearing screening to lessen the effects of impairment.

Aside from these, he also mentioned the use of sign language in television documentary drama in presenting the inspirational lives of PWDs.

He added that in doing so, they strengthen social protection and encourage the mobilization of private sectors, other organizations and partners to implement the disability perspective.

As part of the strategy, a strong collaboration among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other non-profit making bodies was crafted with the government as the prime funder, he said.

“We also instituted provision of family care services geared toward developing the capabilities of the families with PWDs to help them respond to the needs of PWDs,” he added.

Suporntum Mongkosawadi, executive director of Father Ray Foundation in Thailand, shared that their social services program is focused on providing education and employment to let PWDs be economically independent and employable aside from making them accessible to public services.

“We give them chance and option like promoting of skills training such as handicraft-making and aid them also in marketing and even in job placement as we conduct job analysis at the same time,” Suporntum said.

He explained that they started vocational training for PWDs in 1984 as they make training based on what the market needs.

In addition to that, he said that they created PWD Hotline 1479 in Thailand which PWDs can call if they want to know about availability of employment or what are the specific programs available that can help empower them.

Hamidah Hassan, principal assistant director on Policy and International Affairs Division of the Social Welfare Department of Malaysia, shared that they are using "job coaches" as one of their strategies to empower their PWDs.

“In job coaches, there are personnel that assist PWDs who go out to work in the public company and assist them as they move around and help them adapt in their job surroundings,” she explained.

She said she is hoping that they can get more information on upcoming programs to enhance and develop more opportunities suitable for PWDs.

Carmen Zubiaga, director of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, cited that she expects that very soon more appropriate support services will be crafted for PWDs in the Philippines.

Zubiaga expressed optimism that support for education, training, livelihood and assistive devices for PWDs will become an outcome of the conference for the benefits of more PWDs in the country as a response by the government.

“Let us keep on pressing the government to respond to our needs and make our rights real,” she told the Philippines News Agency in an interview as her message for the PWDs in the country.

In her welcome speech, DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Taradji cited that based on statistics, about 10 percent of the world population consists of PWDs, which means that around 650 million people are PWDs.

Taradji added that about 80 percent of PWDs live in developing countries which differ from one country to another.

“We are pursuing efforts in making PWDs empowered and self-propelling and look at themselves not just as program beneficiaries but rather as partners in development,” she added.

According to her, the Philippine government's Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) includes families with children with disabilities aged 0-14 as beneficiaries of the program.

She als cited that the government enforces laws that provide for the rights, benefits and privileges of PWDs such as the Magna Carta for PWDs (Republic Act No. 9442).

Among the participating ASEAN countries with delegates in the conference are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and the host Philippines.

The conference, which ends on April 4, aims to develop new strategies to improve service delivery of ASEAN countries to their PWDs population in conformity with the UN Convention on the rights of PWDs.

Medical experts cite vital role of moisturizers in management of atopic dermatitis

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

MANILA, April 1 (PNA) — A group of medical experts on Tuesday cited the vital role of moisturizers in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema, during the launching Tuesday of a handbook titled "A Guide to Understanding Moisturizers in Atopic Dermatitis" at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel in Quezon City.

“Moisturizer plays a key role in the management of AD since it can restore skin barrier strength and improve lipid barrier function in AD patients,” according to Dr. Adelaide A. Hebert, a professor of the Department of Dermatology and Pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Dr. Hebert said that children who suffers from AD experience itchiness and discomfort as a result of scratches and inflammations which make them a bit miserable and prone to infection.

She also said that for such reason, children also become prone to lack of sleep and reduce their time to participate in school and play activities and hence experience less normal childhood

“But these can be within our control through the use of effective moisturizers,” she added.

Experts say AD is a chronic, relapsing inherited inflammatory condition of the skin more commonly seen among infants and children. It is characterized by a very sensitive skin with sensitive holes or openings where irritants can enter and cause the skin to lose moisture.

It usually begins during infancy, and in 90 percent of affected patients, the onset is before the age of five years old.

However, there are still adults that also suffer from AD.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maria Victoria Dizon, chair of the Pediatric Dermatology Subspecialty Core Group of the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS), said it is important to include the use of moisturizers in patient’s daily regimen as part of managing the discomfort brought about by AD.

Dizon pointed out that for such reason, the PDS has come out with a handbook that will serve as a guide for the treatment.

She said the book contains a list of moisturizers and their characteristics and effects to the patients with AD, and where the physicians can go over and check the best moisturizer for their patient’s conditions.

“This handbook is an important guide for Filipino physicians by providing complete and concise information about and how they work and what makes them different from one another,” she added.

Based on the data in a study conducted by the information department of PDS, AD ranks number nine among the top skin problems in the Philippines.

“About 2.29 percent or two to three out of every 100 patients suffer from AD,” said Dr. Angela Katrina M. Esguerra, one of the dermatologist consultants and a contributor to the handbook.

Medical experts said AD may be acquired through heredity.

However, it does not always follow that all of the children of a person with AD may suffer from it.

In the press conference that followed the book launching, the medical experts also advised that those with normal skin also need to use moisturizer as a daily regimen to maintain their skin's good conditions.

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