Quezon City News August 2018

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

Quezon City - Archived News
Manuel quezon.jpg
The Founder Manuel Quezon
Up diliman.jpg
University of the Philippines
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Quezon City
Quezon city.png
Quezon City Map Locator
Quezon city NCR.jpg

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.

Quezon City grants special permit for e-games ops

By Perfecto Raymundo, Jr. (PNA)

MANILA -- The Quezon City Council on Wednesday granted a special permit to a company for the operation of its e-games (electronic-games) in the city’s territorial jurisdiction.

The City Council, via a resolution, granted a special permit to a private gaming corporation, allowing it to operate an “Electronic Bingo” in Barangay Manresa.

Councilor Ivy Xenia Lagman authored City Resolution 7458-2018, which states that “the Total Gamezone Extreme, Inc., represented by Samuel Jardin, is being issued a special permit to operate an e-games establishment at the corner of Banawe Avenue and Panultaran Street.”

The issuance of the special permit was in accordance to Ordinance 2285-2014, pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, or the “Local Government Code of 1991”.

“The aforesaid business activities will provide employment to the residents and additional revenue to the city government, thereby boosting the city’s economy for the welfare of its inhabitants,” the resolution said.

The issuance of the permit was subjected to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

The authority to operate was granted the Total Gamezone Extreme, Inc. subject to the following conditions: the establishment should only be for the playing of e-games; minors should be prohibited from playing e-games; and the operator should remit to the City Treasurer a franchise fee of three percent of their gross revenue.

Quezon City exempts fastfood firm from zoning rules

By Perfecto Raymundo, Jr. (PNA)

MANILA -- The Quezon City local government on Tuesday granted a fastfood company an exemption from the city’s zoning rules, allowing it to renovate its own building.

The Quezon City Council granted the Savory Fastfood, Incorporated (Savory) a certificate of exemption from zoning ordinance for the renovation of their two-storey building located in Barangay San Antonio.

Councilors Hero Clarence Bautista and Allan Butch Francisco authored the City Resolution 7419-2018, authorizing the exemption of Savory from zoning rules.

The resolution states that “the city council is authorizing the issuance of an exemption certificate to Savory Fastfood, Inc., represented by Kristoferson Davy Ting, as it plans to renovate its two-storey building at San Antonio Street.”

Ting, the owner of Savory, wrote a letter to Bautista and Francisco on Dec. 30, 2017, requesting for the issuance by the Quezon City local government of a certificate of exemption pursuant to the provisions of the Quezon City Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of 2016.

The firm has already complied with the necessary requirements prescribed by the law, ordinance and administrative issuance.

“The applicant has complied with the documentary and mandatory requirements as provided in the checklist of requirements under the project evaluation mandatory requirement request form for certificate of exemption issued by the City Planning and Development Office,” the resolution said.

The Savory building is specifically located in Lot 36, Block 105, San Antonio Street, Barangay San Antonio, Quezon City.

Quezon City taps volunteers to aid in disaster ops

By Perfecto Raymundo, Jr. (PNA)

MANILA -- Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday mobilized volunteers to assist in disaster relief operations in the city, in coordination with local government officials.

Together with the vice mayor, members of the Joy Belmonte Volunteers’ Movement (JBVM) distributed food, sacks of rice, blankets, and beddings to families and individuals forced to evacuate from their homes in barangays Roxas, Bagumbayan, Damayan, Masambong, Manresa, Tatalon and Matandang Balara, among others.

“Dito po, ang atin po kasing kalakasan ay magmumula sa ating pagkakaroon ng kusang-loob at pagkukusa maglingkod (Here, our strength comes from our having willingness and our volunteerism to serve),” Belmonte said in gratitude to the newly-inducted volunteers.

Launched in 2008, the vice mayor convened the JBVM to respond to the needs of the city. To date, the movement has about 20,000 members.

Due to the succeeding onslaught of natural disasters, Belmonte urged volunteers of the movement to work with the local government to become “force multipliers.”

“Kapag masama ang weather, mayroon pong mga sakuna, mayroong mga disaster, kulang po ang mga tao ko pong bumababa po mula sa (local government) offices (When the weather is bad, when there are accidents and other disasters, there is lack of manpower from the local government),” Belmonte said.

“Humihingi po ako ng tulong sa inyo na pwede nating tulungan yung mga kapatid natin, kapwa natin mga mamamayan na siguro nasalanta o nahirapan (I’m asking for help from you to help our brothers and sisters, our fellow citizens who might have been hit by disaster or are in difficulty),” she added.

In Quezon City, the massive flooding and heavy downpour caused by the southwest monsoon intensified by storms have forced the evacuation of at least 1,623 families or 6,455 individuals. Two persons who had drowned were also identified in the city.

As presiding officer of the City Council, Belmonte also led the passage of Ordinance No. 2578 that aims to establish multi-purpose permanent evacuation centers in every district in Quezon City.

The ordinance was approved on April 10 last year.

The Quezon City local government is already studying possible sites for evacuation centers.

Saint Padre Pio's relic up for veneration until Sept. 8

By Ben Cal (PNA)

MANILA -- Filipino Catholics will again have the chance to venerate the relic of St. Pio of Pietrelcina which arrived in Manila on July 31.

Fr. Gian Maria Di Giorgio, an Italian priest, Sister Veronica and Sister Lea are accompanying the sacred relic during the visits to various parishes in the country starting Aug. 3 until Sept. 8, said Miriam Felipe of the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel (SPPC) in Libis, Quezon City on Sunday.

Escorting them during their more than a month tour are Angie de Castro and Archie Rodriguez of SPPC.

The last time St. Pio’s relic was brought to the Philippines was in 2015.

During his lifetime, Padre Pio became famous worldwide for his stigmata boring the wounds of Christ which he endured for 50 long years without complaint but joy in his heart for being given the rare opportunity to feel the suffering of Christ when He was crucified on the Cross more than 2,000 years ago.

In fact, Padre Pio’s stigmata generated much interest and controversy around the world.

Born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887, he was given the name of Pius or Pio in Italian when he joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

When he was still alive, there were reports that Padre Pio was said to "have had the gift of reading souls, the ability to bilocate, among other supernatural phenomena,” communicated with angels, and healed those who were sick.

Padre Pio died on Sept. 23, 1968. He was beatified in 1999 and canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II.

As he predicted himself when he was alive, St. Pio’s name continued to reverberate across the globe to date. “I will make more noise after I’m dead than when I’m alive. My true mission will begin after my death,” Padre Pio once said.

When he was still alive, he would levitate while attending mass; and all the wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ when He was crucified would appear in the same parts of Padre Pio’s body. He made miracles during his lifetime.

Manoling Morato, a devout Catholic and former chairman of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), in his opinion column in the People’s Journal dated Aug. 7, 2018, said “Now St. Padre Pio continues to give miracles. Just ask for help for good and honest cause. Don’t ask for anything wrong for he won’t give it to you. Ask only for what is right.”

Here are the schedules of St. Pio’s relic display while in the Philippines:

Aug. 9-12 -- Pampanga, Tarlac, Baguio

Aug. 14-23 -- Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol

Aug. 25 (6 p.m.) -- Santuario de San Antonio

Aug. 29 (12 noon) -- St. John Bosco Parish; (5 p.m.) -- Greenbelt Chapel

Aug. 31 (11 a.m.) -- Santuario de San Jose Parish, Greenhills

Sept. 1 (10 a.m.) -- Our Lady of Beautiful Love Parish Merville; (4 p.m.) -- Sacred Heart Parish Alabang Hills

Sept. 5 (10 a.m.) -- St. Augustine Parish Church, Baliuag, Bulacan

Sept. 5-7 (4:30 p.m.) – St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel, Libis, Quezon City

Sept. 7 (7 p.m.) -- Main Church, Christ the King Parish Church

Sept. 8 (12 noon and 5 p.m.) -- St. Pio Pietrelcina Chapel, Libis, Quezon City

For further information, call 0977-097-7048.

Quezon City links up with Rotary for disaster management

By Perfecto Raymundo, Jr. (PNA)

MANILA -- Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, supported by the Liga ng mga Barangay, on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Rotary International (RI) District 3780 to assist and respond in times of disasters and emergencies.

During the MOA signing, Bautista said the partnership will strengthen both parties’ drive in providing services to city residents.

“We are looking forward that this partnership, aside from making it institutional, is talagang mas ma-tighten pa nang husto (really tightened up even more),” Bautista said.

The Quezon City government has already entered into a partnership with the RI District 3780 with only a few selected barangays (villages) last year.

“Dati, kaunti lang ang barangays na partners ng Rotary. Ngayon ay sasakupin na ‘yung mga hindi nakasali. Bawat isang club ay baka may tatlong hahawakang barangay (Formerly, only a couple of villages were partners with Rotary. Those excluded will now be covered. Each club may handle three villages). We are improving on the achievements of the past so that mas maging maganda at mas malawak pa ‘yung pagkakataon na makapagsilbi tayo (the opportunity for us to serve will be even better and wider),” Bautista said.

Under the MOA, the RI 3780 will be the first civil society organization to be tapped by the Quezon City local government to strengthen its DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) capability.

It will help respond to calls for rescue operations, provide the communities and the city logistical support for its DRRM efforts; assist in relief goods provisions; and coordinate with the city and barangays in advocating disaster resilience.

“It is nice to see that the Rotary International 3780 is pursuing unity and trust that concern each and everyone of us, especially our brothers and sisters who will need emergency services in various parts of the city,” Bautista said.

Quezon City will also undertake humanitarian projects based on “Rotary’s Six Causes” such as fighting diseases, saving mothers and children, promoting peace, supporting education, providing clean water and sanitation, and helping local economies grow.

Meanwhile, RI District 3780 Gov. Pastor Mar Reyes lauded the city government for its continuing support to their organization.

“Mayor Herbert understands the needed support of the private sector. Rotary cannot do what they vowed to do, which is to serve the community, without the help of the barangays. That is the best partnership,” Reyes said.

RAMP for LIFE brings back life

(PARM)

QUEZON CITY, Aug 10 -- For the past 13 years, the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM), a group of Rehabilitation Medicine specialists from all over the country, have been supporting indigent persons with disabilities (PWDs) in various ways through their PARM FUND.

They have assisted many PWDs in various regions with their medical and rehabilitative care, provided orthoses, prostheses and adaptive devices, helped athletes with disabilities participate in sports events here and abroad, supported community activities to increase disability prevention and awareness, and given assistance in livelihood programs.

This year, PARM partners with Amp for Life, Adaptive Climbers, and designers for a benefit fashion show, “RAMP for LIFE”, happening this Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Seda Vertis North, Quezon City.

Amputees, celebrities, and rehab doctors will walk the ramp during this unique and worthwhile event. Ramp for Life aims to heighten the sensitivity and increase awareness on the power of assistive technology and rehabilitation through inclusion of PWDs, amputees in particular. In addition, the project aims to raise funds to help procure prostheses for indigent amputees. The cost of each prosthesis ranges from P25,000 to P100,000, depending on need.

We invite everyone to support Ramp for Life! Everyone can help bring back life to persons with disabilities. Together, we can make this happen.

For further inquiries, you may contact the PARM Secretariat at +63 2 4159048 or email at parm_ph@yahoo.com.

DAR issues administrative order requiring public consultations in land use conversion applications

(DAR)

QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently issued Administrative Order No. 5, Series of 2018 requiring the conduct of a public consultation to solicit public sentiments and ensure transparency in the approval or disapproval of certain applications for the conversion of lands from agricultural into other purposes.

Secretary John R. Castriciones said “the conversion of agricultural lands may affect the public and the future generations of the Filipino people. Thus, the concerned Regional Director should call for a public consultation before acting on an application for land conversion”.

Castriciones disclosed that the holding of public consultations are necessary to ensure that any interested person may be given the opportunity to present comments or sentiments about the certain applications for land conversion.

“Such views, comments, or sentiments may be utilized as a guide in the processing of the application for conversion. However, the inputs derived from such public consultations do not necessarily bind or has no effect being the Secretary or the Regional Director in the action on the pending application for land conversion,” he added.

Castriciones emphasized that the contents of notice of public consultations should include: the case title and name of applicant/developer and oppositor, the nature of conversion or project to be undertaken, the location, area and the title of the land, the name of the registered owner, the date, time and venue of the public consultation and the advice that any person may submit any written position paper regarding the application.

“The Notice of Public Consultation shall be in English or the local dialect in the area where the property is located. The Notice should be posted conspicuously at least ten days prior to the conduct of the public consultation in the barangay hall, municipal or city hall, DAR Provincial and Municipal Offices and other conspicuous areas where the property is located,” he added.

Castriciones disclosed that the Regional Land Use Conversion Committee (RLUCC) is responsible for applications for conversion falling within the jurisdiction of the Regional Director. The Land Use Cases Division of the Bureau of Agrarian Legal Assistance (LUCD-BALA), on the other hand, is responsible for conversion applications falling within the jurisdiction of the Secretary.

Castriciones said that the proceedings of the public consultations shall be documented and recorded by video. There shall be a written record of the minutes of the public consultations. Both the video recording and the minutes shall be undertaken by the DAR Land Use Cases Division and the Public Assistance and Media Relations Service.

Agricultural land use conversion is the process of changing the use of agricultural land to non-agricultural land uses.

DAR Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2002 (2002 Comprehensive Rules on Land Use Conversion) specifically states that it is the responsibility of the applicants to prove that they have complied with the legal substantive and procedural requirements, wherein public posting of billboards and notices in conspicuous places of the municipalities where the property is found is the sole procedural requirement which ensures that persons affected by the proposed land use conversion may file a protest.

SSS to work closely with DFA, DOLE to ensure OFW coverage

(SSS)

QUEZON CITY -- The state-run Social Security System (SSS) is expected to work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in ensuring the compulsory social security coverage of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) under the proposed Senate Bill that will amend the Social Security Law with Senator Richard Gordon as principal author.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said that one of the proposed measures under Senate Bill 1753, which seeks to amend the 21-year old charter of the pension fund, is the mandatory coverage of OFWs over the world to protect them from hazards of contingencies.

“Based on the latest statistics, there are more than two million OFWs around the world but only more than 583,000 are actively paying their SSS monthly contributions. With the help of Sen. Richard Gordon, our SS champion in the Senate, our goal is to make sure that all Filipinos in and out of the country are protected under the SSS,” Dooc said.

“And we are also aware that this goal of ours is not as simple as it seems. This means tremendous work for us and partner agencies like DFA and DOLE, which oversee OFWs. We will be working closely with them to deliver the SSS mandate and to make sure that we will make the hopefully soon-to-be-law implemented,” Dooc added.

Senator Gordon ensured other lawmakers during the interpellation on the Senate floor that the mandatory coverage of OFWs will be properly implemented by the SSS as they work hand-in-hand with other government agencies.

Gordon, together with officials of the pension fund, said one of the ways to implement this is through strengthened bilateral agreements with different countries in the world.

"There are only 13 states that have agreed to have a treaty with us to cover all workers but that should not stop us. Today, we have 13, tomorrow, well 15, your honor. Next year, we may have 17 and of course, that should not stop the Department of Foreign Affairs and our DOLE. And all of us should always bring this advocacy that we should protect all workers of the world," Gordon said.

To date, the Philippines thru the SSS as lead negotiator, has already forged into 13 bilateral social security agreements with Austria, UK and Northern Ireland, Spain, France, Canada, Quebec, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Germany and Japan.

Gordon deemed the proposed measure a landmark bill as it will enable the SSS to fulfill its objective of universal coverage.

“It is our constitutional duty to afford full protection to labor, whether local or overseas, and fundamental to this is the provision of social security protection to all Filipinos, including OFWs. It is likewise provided in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that everyone has the right to social security," the senator said.

Dooc, meanwhile, said that the main purpose is to provide OFWs the mechanism to save in order to secure their retirement through entitlement to lifetime SSS pension benefits, the value of which is at least P5.00 per peso amount of what they contributed.

He explained that an OFW paying the maximum monthly SSS contribution of P1,760 (or about USD35) for at least 10 years will be entitled to a wide range of SSS benefits and privileges such as: basic monthly pension amounting to at least P6,400 upon retirement, disability or death, with an additional monthly benefit of P1,000; other benefits for pensioners like 13th month pension, dependents pension, and supplemental monthly allowance of P500 for disability pensioners; short-term benefits in the form of cash allowances for sickness (up to P57,600 per year; and maternity for female members (up to P32,000 for normal delivery/miscarriage and P41,600 for caesarian delivery); funeral grant amounting to at least P20,000; salary loan of up to P32,000, and direct housing loan of up to P2-million.

In the event of death, 100% of their pension will be transferred to their spouse and dependent children as primary beneficiaries. The least that they can get if unable to complete 10 years of contributions upon retirement is a refund of all their contributions plus interest.

A provident fund scheme, called the SSS Flexi-fund, is also being offered exclusively to OFWs to allow them to set aside an additional portion of their earnings abroad and maximize their returns.

“SSS contributions are OFWs’ long-term savings for the future, especially when they eventually decide to return home and stay for good to retire,” Dooc said.

Senator Gordon stressed that every Filipino worker during his productive years should follow a sure-fire formula to become self-reliant and financially independent: “WORK, SAVE, INVEST, PROSPER.”

QC to hold Filipino film festival for 'Buwan ng Wika'

By Susan G. De Leon (PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- Quezon City will host the 2nd Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), a film festival featuring all Filipino films organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in celebration of the ‘Buwan ng Wika’.

Among the activities to be organized by the QC government and FDCP is the Grand Fans Day on Saturday, August 11 at Liwasang Aurora in Quezon Memorial Circle which will include an ‘all-star’ motorcade that will start from Amoranto Sports Complex and will pass through Timog, Maginhawa, and end up at Quezon Memorial Circle.

“Ang Quezon City po ang may pinakamaraming sinehan sa buong Metro Manila. Sixty percent of cinemas in Metro Manila are all in Quezon City, and the 80 percent of the gross box office receipts actually come from Quezon City. This will be a big step for us to work together towards naming Quezon City as one of UNESCO’s creative cities. Lalo pang mapapayabong ang kultura ng pelikula and the economic contributions of what film can do,” Liza Diño-Seguerra, chaiman and CEO of FDCP, said.

There will be an opening night for the PPP on August 14 and Film Industry Conference on August 17-18 at Novotel Manila in Araneta Center, Cubao.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte mentioned the plan of Quezon City Council to craft an ordinance that will require a one-week screening of Filipino films in Quezon City to all cinemas to celebrate ‘Buwan ng Wika’.

“May balak ang Sangguniang Panlungsod na magpasa ng isang ordinansa kung saan merong isang linggo sa Buwan ng Wika na puro Filipino films lamang ang pinapalabas sa lahat ng sinehan sa buong Lungsod Quezon,” Belmonte said.

Vice Mayor Belmonte also emphasized the vision of the city government to be the center for the culture and arts in the Philippines.

“Ang atin pong pangarap ay ang Lungsod Quezon ay maging permanenteng kilala bilang sentro ng sining at kultura sa buong Pilipinas lalo na sa larangan ng pelikula sapagkat tayo ay kinilala bilang ‘City of Stars’ by ordinance and entertainment capital of the Philippines. Gusto po talaga nating patunayan sa lahat na we are deserving of these titles that have been bestowed upon us,” Belmonte said.

Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino features eight films that will be shown in all theaters nationwide from August 15 to 21, 2018. The eight films are: Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi directed by Jun Lana; Bakwit Boys directed by Jason Paul Laxamana; Madilim ang Gabi directed by Adolfo B. Alix, Jr.; Pinay Beauty directed by Jay Abello; Signal Rock directed by Chito S. Roño; The Day after Valentine’s directed by Jason Paul Laxamana; Unli Life directed by Miko Livelo; and We Will Not Die Tonight directed by Richard Somes.

Ticket prices for movies included in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino will depend on the cinema, and will offer a 20 percent discount for students with valid IDs during weekdays.

LTFRB resumes Pantawid Pasada fuel cards' distribution

By Aerol John Pateña (PNA)

MANILA -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will resume the distribution of Pantawid Pasada fuel cards to jeepney drivers and operators starting Tuesday, August 7.

In a statement Monday, the Board said the distribution will resume on Tuesday, August 7 until Saturday, August 11 at the central office of the Land Transportation Office in Quezon City.

“The distribution will be done regularly thereafter,” according to the LTFRB, calling on legitimate franchise holders to avail of the fuel cards.

Drivers and operators should bring any valid government-issued ID and its photocopy, and a 1 x 1 ID photo in claiming their fuel cards.

The LTFRB suspended the distribution of the fuel subsidy cards due to technical issues encountered by Landbank of the Philippines.

The government's Pantawid Pasada is a fuel subsidy program for jeepney operators and drivers that seek to mitigate the impact of the recent oil price hikes and higher excise taxes due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

The government targets to distribute around 10,000 cards for the initial implementation of the program, which started last July 17.

A lump sum subsidy of PHP5,000 will be provided to 179,852 legitimate PUJ franchise holders.

A PHP977 million budget will be allocated to the fuel subsidy program for the succeeding months of 2018.

3,000 in Quezon City donate blood

By Rio N. Araja

Over 3,000 residents of Quezon City have again donated blood in an award-winning bloodletting drive to provide indigent or poor patients with free blood unit assistance.

“Blood-letting is one way in which we can show our love for our country and for countrymen. And I would like to thank everybody who is part of this,” Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Launched in 2010, the bloodletting drive organized by the Office of the Vice Mayor attracts thousands of donors yearly.

This year, the donors came from the city’s 142 barangays.

Due to the high volume of blood donors, the annual endeavor has reaped multiple recognitions from the Dugong Bayani Awards organized by the Philippine Blood Center under the Department of Health.

In 2017, the initiative was given the highest honor for institutions donating blood—the Jose Rizal Award.

The bloodletting drive was also recognized twice with the Andres Bonifacio Award, the second highest award under Dugong Bayani.

Belmonte said after the election of Sangguniang Kabataan last May, young people have also started to become active in the annual drive.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista on Thursday cited the need to encourage organizations and institutions to aspire for excellence in disaster risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptation.

He recently spearheaded the launch of the HB Search for Resilience: Huwaran sa Kahandaan Para sa Ligtas na Bayan or also known as the Search for Tatak Kyusi Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Climate Change Adaptation toward a sturdy and resilient city.

The search covers 14 categories to be participated in by the Sangguniang Kabataan, early learning centers, private and public elementary and high schools, local government unit hospital, national government hospital, higher educational institution, civil society organization, volunteer organization, people organization, and businesses.

QC launches Search for Resilience

By Susan G. De Leon (PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA)--The Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO) launched the HB Search for Resilience: Huwaran sa Kahandaan para sa Ligtas na Bayan during the DRRM fair on Saturday, July 28.

The competition, also known as the Search for Tatak Kyusi Excellence in DRRM and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), seeks to encourage all QC organizations and institutions to aspire for excellence in the fields of DRRM and CCA and to improve interventions and innovations aimed at building the city residents’ resiliency to disasters.

Mayor Herbert Bautista said the competition is a way to establishing a sturdy and resilient city.

“Sa paglulunsad natin nito, mas marami pang tao ang mahihikayat, matuturuan ng mga kaalaman pangkaligtasan kung mayroong kalamidad at sakuna,” Bautista said.

The search covers 14 categories, which will be participated in by members of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), early learning centers, private and public elementary and high schools, city government hospitals, national government hospitals, higher educational institutions, civil society organizations, volunteer organizations, people organization, and businesses.

Each entry will be reviewed and validated by selected members of the QCDRRM Council.

Three winners per category shall receive plaques of recognition and cash awards that will be used for their respective DRRM and CCA-related activities. Winners will receive P100,000, P50,000 and P30,000 for the first, second and third placers, respectively.

Since 2016, QC has consistently placed first in the regional and second in the national Gawad Kalasag competitions.

“Ang ating siyudad ay nanalo ng Gawad Kalasag award for the last three years sa National Capital Region. Kaya nais ni Mayor, dapat itong mga good practices na ginagawa ng siyudad ay mai-baba hanggang sa antas ng barangay,” QCDRRMO chief Mike Marasigan explained.

Quezon City urges small businesses to go digital

By Perfecto Raymundo, Jr. (PNA)

MANILA -- Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte is urging more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the city to go digital to attain higher profits and improve customer experience.

Speaking at the Globe myBusiness Day held Tuesday evening at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, Belmonte addressed an audience of entrepreneurs and cited the importance of digital solutions for thousands of MSMEs contributing to the economic growth of the city.

"We have over 75,000 MSMEs here in Quezon City, at marami pang hindi nagrerehistro, kaya sa tingin ko aabot sila ng isang daang libo (and still many more have yet to register. I think they're around 100,000)," she said.

"Kailangan na kailangan talaga natin matutunan itong mga bagong teknolohiya sapagkat, ayon sa aking (We really need to learn these new technology because, according to my) research, digitally-mature companies are businesses that are more profitable, have higher revenues, and have higher market valuations," Belmonte added.

She particularly discussed the importance of customer service through social media for MSMEs.

"One of the tips na pinakamahalaga sa inyong mga small and medium enterprise owners, is kapag may komento sa website ninyo, kailangan agad-agad ninyong sinasagot (which is very important to you small and medium enterprise owners, is when there’s a comment on your website, you should immediately respond) because 1/3, I believe, of customers will post an experience," Belmonte said.

She cited insights from her own experience as a partner in Linea Etnika, a social enterprise for comfortable Filipiniana clothing that sells merchandise online.

"If you don’t listen to your customers and you neglect them, they will never go back to your website and purchase your products again," Belmonte said.

"It’s the importance that you give them. That is one thing that you should bear in mind as a user now of digital technology," she added.

In her speech, Belmonte thanked Globe myBusiness for partnering with the Quezon City local government.

She said it is the city's mandate to work with private organizations to ensure that "business enterprises in Quezon City continue to evolve and continue to improve so that they can better serve our nation and our country."

As presiding officer of the City Council, Belmonte led the passing of Ordinance SP-2364, which created the Small Business Development and Promotion Office; and Ordinance SP-2360, which sought the adoption of a Magna Carta for Micro and Small Business Enterprises in Quezon City, to support the operation of small businesses in the city.

QC vice mayor dreams of creating science, tech university

By Perfecto Raymundo, Jr. (PNA)

MANILA -- Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Tuesday expressed her hope to create a science and technology-focused higher education institution to place the city on the map of technology hotspots, such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

"One day, it is my dream to establish a Quezon City Science and Technology University in our city," Belmonte said after delivering the keynote address at the opening of this year's Science, Technology, Research in Innovative Venture (STRIVE) at Don Alejandro Roces High School in Quezon City.

The university would be a pioneering institution run by the Quezon City local government that intends not only to build up expertise in science and technology but also to promote entrepreneurship and innovation within the city.

"My dream is to hone and develop the interest and skills of our children in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) so that they can be inventors, innovators, creators, tech-preneurs, engineers, scientists in the future," Belmonte said, believing that the "future is in technology".

In an earlier statement, Belmonte said she hoped young people would dream of "becoming not just ordinary employees or businessmen, but innovators".

Along with advocating for STEM education in the city, the Vice Mayor has been active in institutionalizing support from the local government for the city's small businesses.

A believer in the capacity of small businesses to innovate, Belmonte said, "Pinapangarap ng isang innovator gumawa ng mga bagay na makabuluhan (An innovator is dreaming to make things that are meaningful).

“We don't need to invent something new. We can improve on something already existing. We can be improvers,” she added.

QC has new police precinct building at city hall

By Perfecto Raymundo, Jr. (PNA)

MANILA -- The Quezon City government has provided the city police with a new building, with the aim of serving and protecting the public better.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista led the inauguration of the new two-storey Quezon City Hall Police Precinct inside the Quezon City Hall compound along Kalayaan Ave. on Monday.

The new precinct houses a total of six offices -- the investigation room, evidence room, conference area with television (TV) monitor, holding area for children in conflict with the law, and two lockups for male and female detainees that can accommodate up to 20 persons.

The Quezon City Police District expressed gratitude to Bautista and the City Council for the new precinct building and its more spacious and convenient location.

“Makikita naman natin kung gaano ito ka-conducive para magtrabaho at tumanggap ng mga complaints at mga nangangailangan ng tulong (We see how conducive it is to work in and receive complaints and those needing help),” Quezon City Hall precinct commander Chief Insp. Rolando Lorenzo Jr. said.

“Mas makakapagtrabaho kami ng maayos kumpara doon sa dating opisina namin na maliit, at siksikan. Ngayon, halos lahat ng tao ay may kanya-kanya nang opisina (We would be able to work better now compared to our former office, which was small and overcrowded. Now, almost all personnel have their respective offices),” Lorenzo added.

National Police Commissioner Zenonida Brosas also commended the continuous support of the Quezon City government to its police force.

“Napakalaking pasasalamat ng kapulisan sa suporta ng Mayor ng Quezon City para maging disente at maayos ang kinalalagyan ng ating pulisya. Maliban doon, may iba pang suporta si Mayor Herbert Bautista para maging masigasig at masipag ang ating mga pulis (The police is expressing its utmost gratitude for the support of the Mayor of Quezon City to make the working condition of our police decent and conducive to working efficiently. Aside from that, Mayor Herbert Bautista has other forms of support to make our policemen persevering and industrious),” Brosas said.

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Quezon_City_News_August_2018&oldid=1119727"