Quezon City News December 2013

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Quezon City - Archived News
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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Up to P60M in revenues expected; fund to go to environmental projects

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines—Is the Quezon City government in need of additional revenues that it has to charge homeowners a garbage fee?

This was the question raised by some residents who voiced their opposition to the recent signing into law of a new ordinance that would require them to pay an annual fee for trash collection.

The ordinance introduced by Councilor Victor Ferrer Jr. of the first district was approved by Mayor Herbert Bautista on Dec. 26.

In an interview with the Inquirer on Monday, Bautista said the new regulation would take effect as soon as it is published in a generally circulated newspaper next month.

The annual garbage fee, which ranges from P100 to P500 depending on the size of a homeowner’s lot, condominium unit or apartment, is to be paid simultaneously with the real property tax.

Bautista said the new fee was expected to generate between P50 million and P60 million every year. The additional funding, he added, would go to the city’s environmental projects such as urban reforestation, waterway cleanup operations and even disaster risk reduction and management.

“If P100 to P500 is paid on an annual basis, I do not think it will be a big burden,” Bautista told the Inquirer.

But residents are questioning why the city, known to be among the richest in the country in terms of revenues, needs more money.

A check of its website showed that Quezon City’s gross revenue collection for 2012 totaled P13.69 billion, an increase of P750 million compared to that of 2011. The figure dwarfed the P11.37 billion total revenue in 2012 of Makati, traditionally the country’s richest city.

“Quezon City has a lot of money so I wonder why the government has to collect more,” Mazen Obanil told the Inquirer.

Redundant

A writer who has been renting an apartment in Tandang Sora for six years with her husband and son, she called the garbage fee redundant as local taxpayers were already funding garbage collection services. “This is too much,” she said.

Kaye Morales, 26, a radio station staffer living in a condominium unit at Barangay (village) South Triangle, agreed that imposing a new fee was unreasonable.

There was no logical explanation for her to fork out additional money on top of her monthly condo rent to avail of a basic service that should be provided by the city government, she said.

For his part, businessman John Chang, 60, who lives in Barangay Del Monte, told the Inquirer: “Quezon City has money. The city is not lacking funds. A local government unit only raises taxes and imposes fees when it lacks funds.”

Chang, who has run for mayor twice against Bautista, said he was among those invited to a public consultation held in November on the proposed garbage fee and a plan to raise business taxes.

A public consultation is usually held before the Quezon City Council deliberates on enacting an ordinance or a resolution. It is called by the proponent of the measure as well as the council committees studying the feasibility of a draft legislation.

Chang described the meeting held in a mall on Edsa corner Quezon Avenue and attended by just a handful of participants as a mere “formality,” saying the city government was already bent then on approving the twin measures.

He pointed out that when Quezon City Mayor and now Speaker Feliciano Belmonte raised taxes in 2001, it was justified because the local government had a budget deficit. “But now, the city has more than enough funds so there is no justification for the collection from its constituents,” he said.

Chang added that the ordinance’s author, Ferrer, had told the gathering that the city government was looking into raising an additional P250 million from the new taxes to build more school buildings.

Greedy

“Everything boils down to one thing; they are just being greedy,” Chang said.

Based on the ordinance, an annual garbage fee will be collected from all domestic households in Quezon City ranging from P100 to P500, to be computed based on the land area of a resident’s lot. It provides a separate schedule of fees for condominium and socialized housing units where P25 will be collected for a unit with an area of less than 40 square meters; P50 for an area of 41 sqm to 60 sqm; P75 for an area of 61 sqm to 100 sqm; P100 for 101 sqm to 150 sqm; and P200 for 151 sqm to 200 sqm or more.

In the case of residents in buildings, the homeowners’ association of a high-rise condominium will be required to pay the annual garbage fee based on the total lot size of the entire condominium.

Owners of high-rise apartment units, on the other hand, are to pay the annual garbage fee computed based on the total lot size of the apartment and an additional garbage fee based on the schedule of fees on the size of the unit actually occupied by a tenant.

A violator of the ordinance will be fined 25 percent of the garbage fee on top of the amount due and a two percent monthly interest until the fee is paid fully.

QC commemorates Rizal’s 117th death anniversary

(PNA), PDS/LSJ

MANILA, Dec 30 (PNA) --The Quezon City government in commemoration of the 117th death anniversary of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal held a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at Bantayog ni Gat Jose Rizal at the Quezon City Hall Grounds Monday morning.

The ceremony was led by Mayor Herbert M. Bautista with guests Bb. Gemma Teresa G. Cruz-Araneta, representing Rizal’s clan; officials from National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Division of City Schools of QC, Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Knights of Columbus QC Chapter and other city officials.

It was held simultaneously with the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony held in Rizal Park, Manila and in Tarlac, the hometown of President Benigno S. Aquino III and in other parts of the country.

In Barangay Novaliches Proper in Novaliches, Quezon City another wreath-laying ceremony was conducted and led by Nova Proper barangay captain Asuncion Visaya and its barangay council together with representatives from the office of Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Knights of Columbus Novaliches Chapter officers and other concerned officials.

According to Visaya, the wreath-laying ceremony is a yearly event that the barangay council traditionally conducts in order to give honor to the national hero and for his contribution in the freedom that our country is enjoying which should continue to inspire the future generation.

Visaya cited that Rizal’s effort in proving that pen is mightier than the sword is a long and lasting legacy of the hero which should be forever instilled in the hearts and minds of every Filipino especially the youth.

QC federation pushes reforms to benefit city elderly

By Oliver Samson (Correspondent)

THE Quezon City District Council of Senior Citizens (QCDCSC), the umbrella organization of six federations of the elderly in Quezon City, is appealing to the city’s councilors to pass resolutions calling for additional health-service privileges and employment opportunities for the elderly who are fit and still inclined to work in government service, QCDCSC President Romeo Alvarez said on Tuesday. The resolutions authored and being pushed by Councilor Rogelio P. Juan, one of the pro-elderly figures in the city tribunal, include the PR19CC–096, which requires the Quezon City District Hospital, the Novaliches District Hospital and other hospitals owned by the city that will rise in the future, to allocate at least 10 percent of their total beds to elderly patients, he said.

This bed allocation shall be designated in an area in the hospitals and shall be called Quezon City Senior Citizens Ward, Alvarez said. It shall exempt the elderly from lining up in the long queue at the emergency room and admit only patients without contagious diseases and health conditions that require surgery.

If passed by the city council and finally penned by Mayor Herbert Bautista into an ordinance, the resolution will benefit the most indigent of the over 340,000 elderly citizens living in the six districts here, especially the registered and active members of the elderly federations, he said. Councilors Ramon P. Medalla, Ranulfo Z. Ludovica and Juan, who chairs the committee for elderly citizens’ welfare, are also asking Bautista in a resolution to allocate funds that will bankroll a free pneumonia and flu vaccines program for the elderly.

The finances for the free pneumonia and flu vaccines proposed by the city council members shall come from grants, subsidies and contributions of the Mayor’s Office from any available funds in the City Treasury.

Free pneumonia and flu vaccinations shall benefit at least 30,000 elderly or senior citizens, Alvarez said. The recipients shall be indigent, especially the registered and active members of the federations.

The QCDCSC is also lobbying for the passage by the city council of PR19CC–279, another resolution authored and pushed by Juan that will bind all Quezon City barangays “to appoint qualified senior citizens as members of Lupon ng Tagapamayapa,” Alvarez said. The resolution shall require the appointment “of at least 10 elderly citizens to the barangay peace council.”

Alvarez, who was a barangay chairman for eight years, said a barangay peace council here may consist of 20 members maximum. Employment opportunities for the elderly is generated “if half of the total number of members of this peace board shall be senior citizens.”

The elderly, harnessed by their long years of experience, have become conciliatory in character at their present age, he said. They are both ideally and practically fit to assume the responsibilities of peacekeepers in the barangays.

The elderly umbrella federation also backs PR19CC–164, another resolution espoused by Juan. It seeks to broaden the employment opportunities for elderly citizens here, Alvarez said.

The resolution shall require each of the 36 city councilors “to employ/designate a senior-citizen coordinator who will develop, facilitate, assist and coordinate all services, programs and activities relative to the promotion and protection of the welfare and rights of senior citizens.”

Alvarez and his company of “old hats” also support other pro-elderly resolutions being pushed in the city council, such as a proposal to request Congress to enact a law establishing the Senior Citizen General Hospital in this city. This resolution is being pushed by Councilor Melencio T. Castelo.

A coaster van for each of the six federations of the elderly is also being requested by its umbrella organization from the Mayor’s Office, he said. The federation members simply love trips.

The elderly are inclined to dip in hot springs that can be found in Laguna, Alvarez said. They will enjoy convenient trips in coaster vans committed for their exclusive use. Each of the elderly will be easily picked up and returned home after the outing. Bautista will also give cash gifts to elderly citizens who are 75 years of age during the 75th jubilee of the city next year, he said. Elderly couples both of that age will receive P5,000.

Alvarez also called on Bautista to support the QCDCSC program for 2014, which include livelihood for the federation members, establishment of elderly-citizens recreation center and setting up a rehabilitation center for older people who suffer from various health conditions.

‘Star of the North’ rises in Quezon City

(Manila Standard Today)

Quezon City Central Business District (QC CBD) is described as the “center of gravity of all commercial activities in the coming years” by the World Bank, and for a good reason.

The 250-hectare mixed-use development is strategically located to offer unparalleled metropolitan access to private firms and residents alike.

SM Development Corporation’s Grass Residences Phase II, marks the next phase of SMDC’s Grass Residences, a sprawling residential community built in anticipation of an upsurge in public demand for residential property in QC CBD (also referred to as Triangle Park) and beside the original catalyst of urban development in the area, SM City North Edsa.

The latest phase of residential component is a 40-storey podium that has two towers built on a 1.4 hectare tract within Grass Residences’ planned five-tower condominium complex.

“It will suit individuals who want to capture the unprecedented growth happening today in Quezon City, particularly in its central business district,” said SMDC president Jeffrey Lim.

Apart from an abundance of proximate commercial establishments, Future residents of Grass Residences Phase II will get to enjoy its country club-like amenities that feature landscaped lawns, swimming pools and water cascades. They can also access exclusive amenities that include a main clubhouse with function rooms, badminton courts, an indoor basketball court, a fitness gym, a children’s play area, cabanas, and pavilions.

Civil Service Commission launches new computerized examination system

By Nica Estorias and Rica Fernandez [(PNA), LAM/PCF AND MNE-OJT/UTB]

MANILA, Dec. 27 (PNA) -- The Civil Service Commission launched on Friday its CSC Computerized Examination System (COMEX), a new process in the conduct of the civil service examinations for those wanting to enter government service.

The CSC launched its new computerized examination system at its main office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City by showing to the public how the system works.

CSC senior officer Edith Almirez said the COMEX is a tamper-proof secured system that integrates and streamlines the application and examination process.

She said examination through the COMEX is an easy process - where the public can register their application anywhere and anytime as long as they have Internet connection.

She said those interested can apply online and select the preferred exam schedule such as the date and time of examination, location of the venue, confirmation of the slot, identity verification and the payment of the examination fee of P600.

"The applicant can also have their photo, biometrics and digital signature captured," Almirez said.

The duration of the actual test program, is either a three-hour general ability test for the professional level or the 2.5 hours for the subprofessional level.

The full implementation of the new computerized examination system will start on the third week of January at the CSC head office in Diliman, Quezon City. The CSC regional offices will implement the new online system towards the 2nd quarter of 2014.

The COMEX was jointly developed by the CSC Examination, Recruitment, and Placement Office and the Department of Science and Technology's Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI).

The CSC said the pencil-paper mode of examination is still available for those who prefer the written exam.

For more information on the new examination system, the public may contact the CSC Examination, Recruitment and Placement Office at telephone numbers (02) 931-7935; 931-7939; 931-4138 or email at erpo@webmail.csc.gov.ph

PNP chief to the public: Report cases of indiscriminate firing

(PNA), SCS/CLTC

MANILA, Dec. 26 (PNA) — Philippine National Police Chief and Director General Alan Purisima appealed to the people on Thursday to immediately report cases of indiscriminate firing in their areas, especially as the New Year's celebration draws closer.

"Actually, the vigilance of the public is needed to prevent the occurrence of illegal discharge of firearms," Purisima said during a press briefing held at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

"There are police stations in your areas. Please get their contact numbers so you can immediately report any possible occurrence of indiscriminate firing, or if there is a tendency for anyone to fire a gun indiscriminately," he added.

The PNP chief said the public can also report cases of indiscriminate firing by texting the information at 0917-847-5757.

He added that abusive police officers can also be reported to the concerned police station.

“You text that to the number and I will have the station commander responsible for the actions of our policemen,” Purisima said.

Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, said that since Dec. 16 up to Thursday (Dec. 26), five people have been wounded due to stray bullets.

The victims were identified as Francisco Salazar, 19, of Sampaloc, Manila, who was hit in the left foot; Ginalyn Soncio, 32, Polomolok, South Cotabatao (hit in the left arm); Donna Padol, 31, Iloilo City (hit in the nose); Deo Tam-og, 22, Itogon, Benguet (hit in the leg); and Rommel Geroy, 40, Naga City (hit in the left leg).

Mayor also said that in 35 reported incidents, 1,164 illegal firecrackers worth P720,000 were confiscated.

Former QC Mayor Mathay dies on Christmas Day (Obit)

(PNA), SCS/LSJ

MANILA, Dec. 25 (PNA) -- Former Quezon City Mayor Ismael A. Mathay Jr. died of heart attack on Christmas Day, Wednesday, at the age of 80.

His family said the former mayor suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the Medical City where he was declared dead at around 9 a.m.

His remains are scheduled to be brought to the Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows, White Plains Subdivision, Quezon City, according to his brother, Simplicio Mathay.

Mathay, who was mayor of Quezon City for three consecutive terms from 1992 to 2001, was born in Manila on June 26, 1932.

He graduated with Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Major in Economics, in 1953.

He later enrolled at the San Beda College of Law and successfully passed the Bar examinations in 1957.

He was elected vice mayor of QC in 1967.

He figured prominently on the national scene when he became the powerful and results-oriented vice governor of the Metro Manila Commission, a trusted implementer of the policies and vision of then First Lady Imelda Marcos, who was also governor of the MMC during the Marcos regime.

Under his term as QC chief executive, big urban enclaves were developed in the city, notably Eastwood and the SM chain of malls.

Interment details will be announced later, his family said.

QC to give financial help to first-time job seekers

(PNA), FPV/LSJ

MANILA, Dec. 24 (PNA) -- Pre-employment requirement expenses will no longer be a problem to underprivileged first-time job seekers in Quezon City.

QC 6th District councilor Donato Matias on Tuesday said an ordinance he principally authored was passed recently by the 36-member QC Council, that qualified city residents seeking employment shall be provided financial assistance by the city government.

Under the said resolution, the QC government will set aside P1 million budget to bankroll the program that will help them (city residents seeking employment) pay for their pre-employment requirements, to include, among others, NBI certification, police clearance, medical certificate, mayor’s permit, court clearances and other documents required by employers.

Matias said the program under the said ordinance is dubbed as “Hanap Na, Pay Later” program.

Under the said program, qualified program beneficiaries will be entitled to a maximum financial assistance of P2, 000, which can be paid through salary deduction (in coordination with employers), installment basis or tagging in their renewal of mayor’s permit.

“The city government’s role will be to provide job seekers with the necessary financial support to help them the necessary clearances and related requirements,” Matias explained.

Job seekers who wish to avail of the program may enroll with the city’s public employment and services office (PESO), which is primarily tasked to oversee the implementation of the provisions of the ordinance, in coordination with other relevant agencies and offices.

PESO, as provided under the ordinance, will also be tasked to oversee the formulation of appropriate rules and regulations necessary to implement the measure, which forms part of the poverty alleviation programs of Mayor Herbert Bautista.

QC, Valenzuela set more aid for Leyte, West Samar

By Jeannette I. Andrade and Nathaniel R. Melican (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

To help typhoon-ravaged communities in Leyte province get back on their feet, the Quezon City government has set aside an initial P10 million to pay residents in three towns who will be hired in ongoing recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

The city government also pledged 100 motorized boats to be donated to fishermen who lost their vessels at the height of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in November.

In a statement Sunday, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, who personally supervised the city’s humanitarian mission from Dec. 16 to 20 in its “adopted” municipalities of Tolosa, Sta. Fe and Palompon, said local workers should be hired for the reconstruction of school buildings, municipal halls and health centers, as well as for road-clearing and maintenance operations.

The P10 million would form part of the city’s cash-for-work program in the three towns and “will be replenished as the need arises,” Bautista said. The amount is on top of the P50 million donated by Quezon City to 44 Yolanda-affected provinces.

City Engineer Joselito Cabungcal said carpentry tools and two power generators would also be handed over to the municipalities of Tolosa and Sta. Fe. The city’s environmental protection and waste management department would provide shovels, rubber boots, hand gloves, chain saws, life jackets and crash helmets.

Earlier, the city gave solar lighting and charging systems, medicines and other basic necessities, Cabungcal said.

In Palompon, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte turned over Quezon City’s P6.1-million donation to town Mayor Ramon Oñate.

Also on Sunday, the Valenzuela City government pledged continuing assistance to the towns of Basey and Marabut in Western Samar, where it had conducted two relief missions. A third mission is being planned for January next year.

“From the outset, I have said that our help for Basey and Marabut would be a sustained effort. We would send whatever help we can until they are finally back on their feet again,” said Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian.

In the first mission, Valenzuela sent a 50-member contingent that included five doctors, five nurses, 13 police officers and 14 rescuers, and brought 16,000 food packs and P1.3 million worth of medicines.

The first team reported that the homeless in Basey and Marabut could do nothing but walk all day to look for shelter, Gatchalian noted. In response to this observation, the second relief mission that was sent days later brought tarpaulin sheets and other construction materials for the setup of temporary shelters.

The second mission, this time involving 31 people, built two bunkhouses in Basey and Marabut, and distributed 2,000 sheets of tarpaulin in other areas.

The sheets and relief goods were donated by residents and civic groups in Valenzuela. The second relief mission also distributed an additional 2,400 food packs, 2,000 sets of mosquito nets, 9,850 packs of used clothes and 4,000 pairs of slippers.

The city government also donated P1 million to Western Samar’s rehabilitation efforts and a total of P16.9 million to

seven other provinces, five cities and 11 municipalities in Palawan province and the Visayas.

QC hires Leyte folk

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City is set to hire 60 typhoon victims from two Leyte towns under its emergency employment program, or cash-for-work program.

Mayor Herbert Bautista said he has tasked city engineer Joselito Cabungcal to recruit at least 30 workers from the city’s adopted towns of Tolosa and Sta. Fe. A P10-million budget has been allocated to cover the wages of the victim-workers, he said.

The workers will help in the reconstruction of public buildings, public schools, municipal halls and health centers, and in road clearing and maintenance in Leyte, he noted. “The budget allocation is just an initial release. The amount will be replenished as the need arises,” Cabungcal said.

Last Tuesday, Bautista went to Tacloban City for a three-day humanitarian mission.

Apart from the provision of emergency employment, two generators and carpentry tools have been donated to Tolosa and Sta. Fe.

The city’s Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, headed by Fredericka Rentoy, has donated cleaning paraphernalia, such as shovels, 120 rubber boots, 100 hand gloves, chain saws, life jackets and crash helmets.

The city’s allocation for emergency employment is being provided on top of Quezon City’s P50 million financial assistance to the victims of Yolanda in Eastern Visayas and other areas.

QC gov't allocates 4,000 flu vaccines for protection of city hall employees

(PNA), SCS/LSJ

MANILA, Dec. 21 (PNA) -- The Quezon City Health Department said over the weekend that it has allocated some 4,000 flu vaccines to meet the number of city hall personnel queuing for free injection.

According to Dr. Antonietta Inumerable, QCHD chief, the allocation is part of the immunization program of the QC government for its employees that started on Dec. 16 at the city hall lobby.

Dr. Inumerable said that the free flu immunization for the city hall employees is conducted in response to a directive issued by Mayor Herbert M. Bautista with the aim to strengthen the employees’ immunity against the influenza virus.

She added that Mayor Bautista has stressed that city hall personnel, especially those who deal directly with client-city dwellers, need to be healthy to be able to respond and do their duty as public servants.

Earlier, the mayor had pointed out that with the sudden change of weather and the unpredictable climate change that the country is experiencing nowadays, people are getting susceptible to different kinds of illness, including influenza.

Bautista said that in order to make the city hall employees productive and able to meet their daily tasks of serving the people well, they should be provided with protection from the ailment that leaves the infected no choice but to skip regular routines and be confined at home, or worst hospitalized to recover.

“Healthy body means good service,” the mayor stressed.


QC ordinance tightens regulation on kids in cars

By Patricia De Leon

Children aged six years and below are now prohibited from sitting in front of any running motor vehicle within the territorial jurisdiction of Quezon City, based on Ordinance 2186.

Statistics show that accidents prove to be highly fatal for passengers seated in the front seat.

Sherly Lim, whose kids are aged 1 and 7, moves around the city with her family on a motorcycle.

She says she welcomes the ordinance, even if it means her kids can no longer take a ride with her and her husband.

MMDA data show that for 2012, almost 19,000 motorcycle-related crashes were recorded in Metro Manila.

For just the first half of 2013, there were almost 11,000 motorcycle-related accidents.

And among the cities in Metro Manila, Quezon City has the highest number of motorcycle-related accidents last year and this year.

Although Section 5 of Republic Act 8750, or The Seatbelts Use Act of 1999, already prohibits children ages 6 and below from being seated on the front seat of any moving vehicle, no penalties or sanctions were provided for violators.

The QC government will also be directing barangay officials to be on the lookout for violators, since not all roads can be covered by personnel of the Department of Public Order and Safety, which is tasked to enforce the ordinance.

A fine of P1,000 awaits first offenders, P2,000 for second offenders, and P3,000 plus one week suspension of driver's license for the third and successive offenses.

QC contingent embarks on a 5-day relief mission for calamity survivors

(RJB/AKG –PIA-NCR/QC-PAISO)

QUEZON CITY, Dec. 19 (PIA) – Quezon City Hall (QC) personnel have embarked on a five-day relief operation in Leyte, particularly in the QC-adopted municipalities of Tolosa, Palompon, and Sta. Fe, from December 14 until December 20.

The volunteers will carry out relief and rehabilitation operations in the area until December 20.

Apart from the financial assistance for infrastructure development earlier pledged by the QC government, the team brought with them more than Php 20-million worth of relief goods that included construction materials, carpentry tools, and food and medical supplies. Part of this includes the Php 4-million assistance earlier committed to the municipality of Tolosa.

Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council action officer (Gen.) Elmo San Diego acted as the over-all head of the teams, which is composed of 60 persons each, which are tasked with recovery and rehabilitation.

They have with them rescue operations equipment and tools as well as generator sets, chain saws, and folding stretchers.

The city’s Health Department will conduct medical programs and distribute medical supplies to the survivors in the three towns.

On the other hand, social workers, under instructions from SSDD chief Ma Teresa Mariano, are tasked to conduct day care programs and soup kitchen as well as assist in the distribution of relief goods.

QC Mayor Herbert Bautista had earlier vowed to support the long-term recovery of the three municipalities which he said could take three years.

“We intend to help and assist the three adopted municipalities in the long run because we know that rehabilitating and rebuilding their communities will not be an easy task.”

The mayor also called on all the 142 barangay chairs of QC to sponsor a barangay in the three municipalities to help people rebuild their communities.

“The gesture is one way of saying that Quezon City, from local executives down to the barangay level, is one and united in the effort of helping these typhoon-ravaged localities recover from the devastation,” he explained.

Megawide taps Landbank to arrange P2.9B loan for Orthopedic Center upgrade

By Krista Angela M. Montealegre (InterAksyon.com)

MANILA – Megawide Construction Corp is taking on fresh debt to finance the upgrade of the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Quezon City.

Megawide chief financial officer Oliver Tan told reporters that the company is finalizing a P2.9-billion syndicated loan arranged by Land Bank of the Philippines.

The long-term loan will be completed "soon" with two or three banks expected to participate in the project financing, Tan said.

"We're prepared for the airport and hospital. We are ready without even going to the capital market. You don't go to war without ammunition," he said.

The company’s partnership with World Citi Inc has been issued a Notice of Award for the construction, operation and maintenance of the P5.7-billion Philippine Orthopedic Center for 25 years. The consortium submitted the lone offer for the project.

Last week, Megawide and its partner India-based GMR Infrastructure topped the bidding of the P17.5-billion Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal Project. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Bids and Awards Committee’s technical working group is evaluating the financial bids.

When asked if the company will sell shares to raise more funds for its infrastructure ventures, Tan said: "We're a growing company so tapping the equity market is always an opportunity, but we don't want to be diluted anymore. If there will be [an equity fundraising], it will be a stock rights offering."

The Megawide-World Citi consortium will start the upgrade of the Orthopedic Center in the fourth quarter of 2014 after completing the design in six to eight months. The project will be completed in early 2017.

The new 700-bed Philippine Orthopedic Center will be built on a new site beside the National Kidney Transplant Institute along East Avenue in Quezon City. Seventy percent of the beds will be for use of PhilHealth members and indigents, while the remainder will be for paying patients.

The old facility located on Banawe, Quezon City will be converted into rehabilitation and prosthesis manufacturing centers.

Megawide is one of the most active participants of the government’s Public-Private Partnership program. Besides the hospital and airport deals, the company also secured two of the five contracts under the second phase of the School Infrastructure Project worth a combined P25 billion.

Incorporated in July 28, 2004 to engage primarily in general construction, Megawide began as the contractor of the SM group, particularly for its high-rise condominiums under SM Development Corp.

Megawide has since diversified by taking on contracts with other property developers and by venturing into the manufacture of pre-fabricated materials. The company, which went public two years ago, is also eyeing construction ventures overseas.

QC mayor visits 3 Leyte's towns to lead humanitarian mission

(PNA), FFC/LSJ

MANILA, Dec. 17 (PNA) -- Quezon City mayor Herbert M. Bautista visited Leyte Tuesday to personally lead the city humanitarian mission in its three adopted towns, Palompon, Santa Fe and Tolosa.

Mayor Bautista brought the assistance for relief and rehabilitation to the local governments of the three typhoon-ravaged municipalities that it earlier adopted to help in their recovery period.

The QC council had authorized Mayor Bautista, on behalf of the city government, to provide P50 million as assistance to victims of calamities.

“Our team this December will focus on relief, but will also begin works in rehabilitation and construction. This will be a continuing effort in helping the three towns and their people get back on their feet,” Bautista said.

He added that he will join his advance contingent before meeting with local officials of Palompon, Santa Fe and Tolosa.

Earlier, the QC government had sent a 100-man team to bring to the three towns relief goods and medical supplies in 10 winged vans and engineering equipment on four dump trucks.

The 100-man team was organized by city disaster risk reduction management council action officer Elmo San Diego and city engineer Joselito Cabungcal, upon orders of mayor Bautista, to undertake relief and rehabilitation operations in the said three municipalities.

Aside from the 100-man team, a Rapid Assessment Team was also sent to determine accurately the priority needs of the three towns.

Prior to the mayor’s decision to visit the three towns, he also made an appeal to QC barangays to sponsor a barangay in these towns.

“We have to help them recover and rebuild,” he told barangay leaders.

According to Bautista, he is also planning to visit Bohol and Zamboanga City before going back to QC.

QC, Mandaluyong to welcome e-jeeps

By Kristine Felisse Mangunay

A transport group has unveiled its plans to replace the traditional jeepneys in Quezon City and Mandaluyong with vehicles that run on lithium batteries.

At the Fernandina forum in San Juan City last week, Obet Martin of the Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide Inc., or Pasang Masda, said the “dropping” of their members’ old units and their replacement with around 2,000 electronic jeeps or e-jeeps was an attempt at vehicular modernization.

“I hope some of the operators don’t get mad at me but I’m for (the phaseout of public vehicles 13 years and older). We are at a stage of modernization,” he said when asked what he thought of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) controversial policy.

Earlier this year, the Court of Appeals upheld the LTFRB’s plan to phase out taxi units 13 years and older.

Martin said the initial 40 e-jeeps purchased through contributions from the group’s operators from an American-based company would be deployed to Metro Manila, specifically in Quezon City and later in Mandaluyong and other nearby places, starting in January.

Additional units

He said the remaining 1,000-plus units would be assembled sometime in February when the American company has put up its own plant in Calamba, Laguna.

“They’re planning to [set up shop here] to help [provide jobs],” he said, without naming the supplier.

According to Martin, the e-jeeps—which don’t make a sound—can carry 20 passengers and were therefore “bigger” than the ones in Makati. However, they do not have air conditioning.

“But we’re checking if we can ask the supplier to install aircon units in them later on,” he said.

He said that to prevent the batteries in the e-jeeps from running low, they would be made to carry passengers from charging center to charging center.

On a full battery, an e-jeep can run for around 100 kilometers.

According to Martin, there were already existing charging centers in Centris and SM North in Quezon City. “We will coordinate with other local government units for them to follow suit,” he said.

As for the fare, the group would still conduct a study on how much commuters would be charged.

He was optimistic, however, that the fare would not be as high. “The fare might even be lower,” he said.

QC council commends street children’s artist

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

MANILA, Dec 15 (PNA)--The Quezon City Council revealed over the weekend that it has passed a resolution commending Filipino artist Joey Velasco for his contribution through his inspiring works of art and his assistance to street children.

According to QC Mayor Herbert M. Bautista, Joey Velasco’s giving of hope to the hopeless, particularly the street children, through religious paintings is highly commendable.

Joey Velasco, a painter and sculptor, is recognized as one of the great social artists the country has ever produced.

He was a visual artist who made pieces of religious and patriotic art; and for his works, he is also known today as a “heartist of hope.”

Velasco is known for his pieces of art about the street children of today.

In 2005 he presented his most notable piece: the “Hapag ng Pag-asa,” a recasting of the famous “Last Supper,” where he pictured Christ together with 12 street children in Metro Manila.

He received numerous awards like the Catholic Mass Media awards for Hapag ng Pag-asa (2006) and for Kambas ng Lipunan (2007).

In December 2007, together with Gawad Kalinga, the children featured in Velasco’s “Hapag ng Pag-Asa” painting were transferred into their new community at Romeo Cabrera GK Village.

In the year of his death, wife Queenie Velasco and several of Joey Velasco’s friends established the Joey Velasco Foundation (JVF).

The foundation aimed to support the Hapag kids and their families as well the other residents of the Hapag village.

Its organizers wishes to continue what Joey Velasco had started and to provide more services for the street children.

JVF’s efforts for continuing what the late painter’s contribution to street children is also being lauded by the chief of the QC government.

QC SPES program employs 394 youths for this Christmas season

(PNA), SCS/LSJ

MANILA, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- The Quezon City government announced over the weekend that in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), it has started its special program that employs 394 students and out-of-school youths for this Christmas season.

According to Mayor Herbert M. Bautista, the special program for the employment of students and out-of-school youths (SPES) is a project of the city government through the Public Employment Services Office (PESO).

The mayor said he has ordered the release of P1,082,142.86 as the city’s counterpart fund to augment the total program funding of P3,609,309.86.

The national government, through the DOLE which will serve as the project manager for QC SPES, will shoulder the remaining budget allocation for the program.

“It aims not only to supplement the financial needs of the city’s unemployed youth and students but to somehow develop their intellectual capabilities -- harnessing their potentials which are most advantageous for the city’s development,” said Bautista.

The program provides that the student and youth beneficiaries should be 15 to 25 years old, coming from a low-income-earning families, and have an average passing grade during the last school term attended.

In addition, they have to undergo preliminary interview and screening at the PESO.

Each youth beneficiary will receive a minimum daily wage of P466 and a P5.50 payment of GSIS premium per beneficiary.

The 20-day SPES project started on Dec. 5. It is a yearly activity of the QC government that helps enrolled students to earn for their needed monetary requirements in school and for out-of-school youth who intend to enroll in any secondary, tertiary, technical or vocational education.

Workers to amplify advocacy through social media

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

SOCIAL media, such as Facebook and Twitter, is useful in communicating to friends and loved ones.

This time, an initiative will make it of use for non-unionized contractual workers to make it a venue for their campaign for better working conditions.

Through Facebook and Twitter, workers will be able to air their pleas for better working condition.

Workers and labor advocates on Thursday launched the Contractuals for Change Media Collective to train Filipino workers who recently ended their contract to maximize social-media tools for labor advocacy.

Led by the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research Inc. (Eiler), a labor non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Quezon City, the project will showcase workers’ stories of hardships and exploitation through the social-media platforms.

Eiler Executive Director Anna Leah Escresa-Colina said the social media is a powerful tool. It is now accessed by more than 30 million Filipinos.

“We expect discussions of their plight online to snowball into some sort of campaign for policy reforms,” Colina said.

“Making their voices heard at least online is necessary, as they are unable to form and join unions due to the temporary nature of their work. Social media is here to stay, and that’s why we are maximizing [it’s use] to adapt to the insecurity of their work tenure,” Colina added.

The contractual workers’ collective will regularly update their web site with stories and insightful data on the Philippine labor landscape, which will be then circulated to its social-networking sites.

The collective will also air a quarterly online discussion of key labor issues through Google Hangout and YouTube.

Citizen journalism trainings for workers will be held in the National Capital Region, Cebu and Davao, which are areas of high concentration of workers.

The project is supported by the international NGO World Association for Christian Communication and Italy-based Otto per Mille.

CHR and PUP sign MOU setting up human rights education centers

(PNA), LAM/PR/JSD

MANILA, Dec. 12 (PNA) -- Marking the 164th celebration of international human rights week, the Commission on Human Rights and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting up the Human Rights Action Center and Rule of Law (HRAC and Rol) in PUP’s 22 campuses and branches. HRAC and Rol is CHR’s flagship education program that aims to mainstream human rights in the academic community, among others.

Martial Law Files Project (MLFP) Manager Myrna Jimenez, spearheading the signing at the CHR head office in Quezon City, stressed this is a “milestone” as this marks the start of human rights education mainstreaming in schools and universities.

Signing the MOU are CHR Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales, PUP president Emanuel De Guzman, PhD, CHR Commissioner Jose Manuel Mamauag; Mrs. Ruth G. Prudente, wife of former PUP president Nemesio Prudente; PUP Human Rights and Gender Studies Director Hilda Felipe San Gabriel, MLFP Manager Myrna Jimenez, PUP Professor Antonio Umali and Engineer Estelita Del Rosario, sister of Charlie Del Rosario, a desaparecido during martial law.

While the Claims Board, mandated by law to attest to the veracity of human rights violations claims has yet to be formed, close to 10,000 human rights victims will receive P 50,000 this coming 27 January 2014, the second monetary benefits to the martial law victims after the USD 1,000 awarded in 2011.

Zenaida Mique, Claimants 1081 official, explained that this monetary benefit was derived from the USD 10 million settlement over the 1899 painting by French artist Claude Monet that Imelda Marcos previously owned. The painting is only one out of the 200 paintings that the Marcoses owned. In 2010, the New York District Attorney indicted Vilma Bautista, a former assistant to Imelda Marcos, for the illegal sale of said Monet painting.

The distribution will be given personally for about eight weeks. Martial law survivors will receive a letter designating the date and place where they can get the money.

QC, USAID launch First Mobile Money Tax Payment System

(PNA), FPV/MARY ROSE ILAO-OJT/UTB

MANILA, Dec. 11 (PNA) -- The Quezon City government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched Wednesday the Scaling Innovations in Mobile Money (SIMM) project as an alternative payment system for various transactions with the city.

USAID Philippine Mission Director Gloria Steele said USAID chose Quezon City as a partner for implementation of the full program because of the city’s high population density, its banking institutions and telecommunication companies and being host to an active local business community.

The project will begin in the first quarter of 2014 allowing residents to pay their taxes at the convenience of their homes, offices and wherever they may be.

The innovation expects a lot of positive effects such as improvement of transparency, reduction of potential leakage of government funds as well as a 24- hour tax and fee payment operation possible.

Under the memorandum of understanding, USAID shall provide the city government with technical assistance regarding the development of the system and human resource capacity training programs to support the objectives of the partnership.


QC’s revenue collection in Nov. the highest recorded at Php 13.72-B

(PNA), FPV/LSJ

MANILA, Dec. 10 (PNA) -- The Quezon City government has achieved the highest recorded revenue collection of Php 13.72 billion as of November 30, and the highest number of registered businesses at 63,499 for the same period in the city’s history.

QC mayor Herbert M. Bautista, in his 4th state of city address (SOCA) delivered at the Albert Session Hall, QC, Monday said innovations undertaken by his administration in terms of governance and the ease of doing business now in QC has contributed to the 30-point improvement in the ranking of the Philippines in the World Bank/ International Finance Corporation (IFC’s) 2014 Global Doing Business Survey.

“QC ranks from 138 in the previous year to 108 of 189 countries in the current year. Also, for the said survey, QC had been chosen as the benchmark city for the Philippines because of the largeness of its population and the number of its registered businesses which is the highest in the country,” Bautista pointed out.

He added that in easing up the doing of business in QC, they have formulated the plans on reduction process of business registration, and streamlining by more than 50% the process of construction permits by more than 50%, even as it enforced additional requirements in the enforcement of the Green Building Ordinance.

“For this, the World Bank report cited the QC government as a model for other Philippine LGUs in the application for construction permits,” he added.

During his SOCA, the mayor said the city is proactive and has implemented preventive approaches to disaster risk mitigation.

He cited that under the city’s disaster risk management programs, they had worked for establishment of a central command center building with high-tech facilities and the acquisition of the QC Risk Atlas to help in pinpointing danger zones and assess vulnerability, among others.

He, however, reminded everyone in QC that disaster risk mitigation remains the responsibility of all.

Meanwhile, he added that Php 50 million will be provided as assistance to the victims of super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in Eastern Visayas and other areas under a resolution passed by the Quezon City council.

“Our team this December will focus on relief but will also begin works in rehabilitation and construction,” he added.

“This will be a continuing effort in helping the local authorities and people of the three QC-adopted towns in Leyte (Palompon, Santa Fe and Tolosa) so they can get back on their feet,” he added.

He pointed out that QC’s blessing should be transformed into generosity towards the thousands of victims in other towns and cities that are suffering now.

“While nothing can be adequate response to their bereavement, we can at least help alleviate their distress and hasten their recovery.”

DOLE celebrates 80th founding anniversary

(PNA), CTB/JFE/UTB

MANILA, Dec. 9 (PNA) -– Labor and Employment employees gathered on Monday to celebrate the department’s 80th founding anniversary.

President Benigno Aquino III, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and the department’s bureau chiefs also graced the event which was held at the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) in Quezon City.

During the celebration, Aquino lauded the department’s accomplishments under the leadership of Baldoz, citing the new labor law compliance, conciliation and mediation efforts, as well as its aid to the Yolanda victims.

The president also announced that as an incentive for the DOLE’s achievements, he has granted employees, a P10,000 across-the-board bonus.

Other highlights of the event include the recognition of the television program, “Be Careful with My Heart”, for its support to the department’s advocacy of promoting the “Kasambahay” Law and the performance of several DOLE attached agencies chorale, as a tribute to the survivors of the typhoon Yolanda.

The anniversary celebration was originally planned and funded to be held at the Philippine International Convention Center, but the DOLE decided to make use of the event’s budget for the ongoing cash for work program in Yolanda-hit areas.

Baldoz said that with the change of venue, they were able to save as much as P1.5 million, which will add up to the DOLE’s emergency employment program in the Visayas.

With this savings, the donations from International Labor Organization and the private sector, and the department’s initial P50 million fund for the program, Baldoz said they might be able to give temporary employment to 25,000 displaced workers, instead of the initial 12,000.

DOLE's anniversary is actually on December 8, which falls on Sunday, so it was formally marked on Monday, December 9.

The Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) was founded on December 8, 1933 via the Act No. 4121 by the Philippine Legislature. It was renamed as Ministry of Labor and Employment in 1980 and was renamed as a Department after 1986 Revolution. It is one of the oldest government Departments.

The DOLE is mandated to formulate policies, implement programs and services, and serve as the policy-coordinating arm of the Executive Branch in the field of labor and employment. It is also tasked with the enforcement of the provisions of the Labor code.

QC tightens market operations policy

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

MANILA, Dec 8 (PNA) -- The Quezon City government announced over the weekend that a resolution was passed pushing for strict implementation of the application procedures for market slaughterhouse franchise and special permits in operating tiangge and flea market or talipapa.

The resolution passed by the QC council headed by vice mayor Joy Belmonte, calling for strict enforcement of the franchise and permit requirements of Ordinance SP-1786 S-2007 and Ordinance SP-944 S-2000 or Quezon City Market Code, as amended by Ordinance SP-1520 S-2005 was agreed upon.

In support to the strict enforcement of the requirements, the resolution invoked Section 458 of the Local Government Code of 1991 which says that the sangguniang panglungsod, as the legislative body of the city, shall enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city.

In line with the code, the approval by majority vote of members of the city council is needed to grant a franchise to any person, partnership, corporation or cooperative to operate any business establishment in the city.

Ordinance No. SP-944, S-2000 provides that no person, partnership, or corporation shall operate a private market, talipapa, flea market and/or vending area or slaughter houses within Quezon City without securing a franchise permit from the city council.

The said Ordinance also states that all the applications of privately owned markets and slaughter houses must be filed with the QC market development and administration department (MDAD).

Section 3 of Ordinance SP-1786 S-2007 also states that it shall be unlawful for an organizer or exhibitor to operate a tiangge without first securing a special permit from the city council 60 days before the opening of the tiangge, in addition to the regular business permit issued by the city government.

Mayor Herbert Bautista has earlier issued directives to city health and market authorities to coordinate with the QC Police District and other government agencies in the enforcement of city ordinances related to market and slaughterhouse operations.

The market development and administration department is allowed to deny some applications or order the closure of any business establishment, any market, slaughterhouse or tiangge that fails to comply with the permit requirement or has violated any provision of QC ordinances.

QC mayor to deliver 4th State-of-the-City Address on Monday

(PNA), SCS/LSJ

MANILA, Dec. 7 (PNA) -- Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista will deliver his 4th State-of-the-City Address (SOCA) on Monday, Dec. 9, to highlight the various socioeconomic gains achieved by his administration in the past year.

The SOCA, to be delivered before members of the 19th QC Council at the Albert Session Hall, will feature a report on the accomplishments and ongoing programs of the city government under the Bautista administration.

Prior to the mayor’s SOCA, a short address will be delivered by QC Council presiding officer Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte.

According to Aldrin C. Cuña, the mayor’s chief of staff, dignitaries from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will attend the SOCA, where the mayor is also expected to report on the implementation of the electronic mobile money payment and disbursement system of the city government.

The office of Vice Mayor Belmonte has been tasked to oversee the preparations for the mayor’s SOCA, including coordination with different city departments and offices.

Such preparations also include the setting up of giant television monitors in key areas at the City Hall compound to provide satellite feed broadcast of Bautista's speech.

In his 2012 State-of-the-City address, Mayor Bautista reiterated that the city government is vigorously pursuing efforts to develop the city’s global competitiveness while envisioning QC to emerge as the next 3G City or Global Growth Generator.

CHR to deliver its “Ulat sa Bayan” Dec. 10

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

MANILA, Dec 6 (PNA) -- The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Friday that it is set to deliver its ‘Ulat sa Bayan’ on Tuesday, December 10, from 9 am to 12:00 noon at the CHR Multi-Purpose Hall in Diliman, Quezon City.

According to CHR chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales, the Ulat sa Bayan will disclosed to the public its accomplishments, experiences in human rights works and its continuing plan for 2014 in view of recent events and national concerns.

Rosales revealed that the activity will be a venue for stakeholders to give their valued comments on human rights issues and other concerns facing the country.

She added that it will also serve as the centerpiece activity for the yearly celebration of the “National Human Rights Consciousness Week” (NHRCW).

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9201, NHRCW is being observed every December 4-10 of each year in the country as it enjoins the world to celebrate the International Human Rights Day and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For this year's celebration in the country, the CHR adopted the theme “Wakasan ang Kawalang Pananagutan, Tiyakin ang Tapat na Pamamahala”, in tune with the prevailing national sentiment against deep-seated corruption in the country.

“While the state made headway with the decisive ruling of the Supreme Court en banc declaring the unconstitutionality of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), much work remains to hold those who abused the system liable and curb impunity,” she cited.

She reiterated her call on the people to be steadfast in supporting government efforts and civil society endeavors in pressing accountability in all areas of the government and in constantly calling the attention of the state to the fact that accountability and good governance are indispensable elements to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights.

Aside from the Ulat sa Bayan, the CHR and other government offices such as the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Department of Education (DepEd) have agreed to hold a synchronized flag-raising ceremony on Monday, December 9 at a. m.

The synchronized flag-raising ceremony will be held to enjoin all government workers and the citizenry to be aware of their basic human rights.

Outstanding volunteers for 2013 to be awarded

(PNVSCA)

QUEZON CITY, Dec 5 -- With “volunteerism” becoming a buzzword for 2013 mainly due to the devastation brought about by Typhoon Yolanda, the government once again emphasizes the need to recognize community heroes and their efforts not only in emergency response but in nation-building as well.

The Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV) is a recognition program that culminates a year-long nationwide search for exceptional volunteer individuals and groups. The event is conducted by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) in cooperation with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Offices, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao - Regional Planning and Development Office (ARMM-RPDO), and the National Volunteer Month Steering Committee (NVM-SC). The awarding ceremony will be held on 13 December 2013 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

Aside from being role models in their chosen fields, the awardees also function as servant leaders who dedicate their lives to aid their fellow Filipinos who have less in life but need more attention and help.

At the forefront of this year’s awardees is Mrs. Margarita H. Coscolluela, the recipient of the Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award (VLAA). Fondly referred to as Sister Manggi, she formed the Sta. Maria Iloy Sang Dios Prison Ministry in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental in 1981. She is being recognized for 32 years of active involvement in the prison ministry, which conducts regular visits, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and teachings to 19 jails all over the province. Aside from evangelical services, she also conducts a welfare program which provides prisoners with medical, livelihood, personal, and paralegal assistance.

The national awardees for the Individual Category are Mr. Arvin O. Marabiles and Mr. Demetrio P. Anduyan, Jr. Mr. Marabiles from Davao City formed the Saint Francis Xavier Trabungco Mountaineering Club Search and Rescue Group (SFX TRABMOC), which is the only volunteer emergency response group in Northern Davao. He personally assists SFX TRABMOC in its emergency missions and has come so far as joining the search, rescue, and retrieval operations during the Compostela Valley landslide in December 2012.

Mr. Anduyan, who hails from Isabela, is currently serving as the Dean of the College of Industrial Technology and Education at the Isabela State University. He initiated and implemented Project TEACH (Teach Every Agta Child), which develops the functional literacy of Agta children in Brgy. Cabisera 10, Ilagan City, Isabela. He also formed the Project DEMI (Dynamic English and Mathematics Instruction), a barangay-based literacy program which aims to empower school-age children of Brgy. Namnama, Ilagan City to acquire functional skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Aside from individual awardees, the SOV also acknowledges volunteer groups and organizations, further divided into two categories: the Not-for-Profit and the Corporate categories.

One of the group awardees for the Not-for-Profit Category is the Volunteer Service Provider (VSP), which is composed of students from the San Pedro College in Davao City. In 2010, VSP started FLUSH (For the Love of Ultimate Hygiene and Sanitiation) by constructing two ceramic toilet bowl units for the Matigsalog Tribe of Marilog District, Davao City. The group also initiated and implemented DOMES (Developing Ocean’s Man-made Eco-friendly Shelters), in which they constructed six concrete domes that were then deployed in previously destroyed seabed at Purok Pigasaan, Samal Island, Davao del Norte.

The Kabalikat Civicom – 475 Marinduque Chapter, another Not-for-Profit Category awardee, is one of the more than 700 chapters of the Kabalikat Civic Communicators Association, Inc., the Philippines’ largest and most active civic communication group. The organization’s Marinduque chapter has a 24/7 Disaster Monitoring and Civic Rescue Team that can be deployed anywhere in the entire province. The group also disseminates early warnings to localities and makes available radios with portable antennas and solar powered communication systems which can be used in times of calamities.

The recipient of the Corporate Category award is the PLDT Employee Volunteers, a group of PLDT employees who took it upon themselves to volunteer outside regular working hours. One of the group’s most notable volunteer contributions is the TELEpuno, a 5-year tree planting program established in 2008 that has so far planted over 80,000 seedlings to restore the ecology of the Infanta-Real Quezon watershed reserve.

Special citation will also be conferred to Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED) or the German Development Service. From 1990 up to 2011, DED has sent a total of 210 German volunteer development workers to the Philippines, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao. The DED established a Peace Building Program in 2003, which pushed for peaceful conflict resolution in Mindanao, and the Weltwaerts Program in 2008, which extends assistance in basic literacy, non-formal education, health, and environment concerns, among many others.

NVM Honorary Chair Mr. Efren G. Peñaflorida, who is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Dynamic Teen Company, SOV National Awardee for 2008, and CNN Hero of the Year for 2009, will present the awards along with Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning Arsenio M. Balisacan, NEDA Deputy Director-General and Chair of the SOV National Search Committee Margarita R. Songco, and PNVSCA Executive Director Joselito C. de Vera.

As the highlight of the annual NVM celebration every December, the Search for Outstanding Volunteers is both a recognition platform and advocacy medium of the government to promote and sustain volunteerism as a strategy for community development and nation-building. Since 2001, the SOV has recognized 109 individuals and volunteer organizations, thus bringing to the fore many years of outstanding practices and inspiring stories that changed the lives of many people and communities.


For more information on SOV, please contact Mr. Kenneth C. Siruelo at PNVSCA, NEDA sa QC, EDSA, Quezon City, Telephone: 3810559/9276847, Email: info@pnvsca.gov.ph or visit the website http://www.pnvsca.gov.ph.

Wastewater treatment a must in QC markets

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Quezon City council has enacted an ordinance that would require marketplaces, public and private, to install and operate sewage treatment plants as a prerequisite to the issuance or renewal of their permits to operate.

During Monday’s regular session, the city council passed on third and final reading the “Sewage Treatment Plant of Quezon City Markets Ordinance” which expounds on a provision of the 2009 Green Building Ordinance of 2009 pertaining to sewage treatment plants in the city’s markets.

The measure, introduced by 3rd District Councilor Gian Carlo Sotto, warned of the dangers posed by market wastes and pollution to the residents’ health.

Wet market wastes like fish scales, innards, bones, blood, meat scraps, grime and filthy water may find their way into creeks and rivers if discharged untreated, it said.

“There is an imminent danger to the health of our people and there is a need to mandate the installation of sewage treatment plant for markets whether private or public, to substantially reduce disease-causing microorganisms in the water discharged back into the environment,” the ordinance stressed.

Quezon City currently has 11 public markets, while the local privately owned markets include Cloverleaf and MC Markets in Balintawak, Barangay (village) Balingasa; Muñoz Market in Barangay Veterans Village; Visayas Wet and Dry Market and the Tandang Sora Bayan Palengke in Barangay Tandang Sora; Litex Wet and Dry Market in Barangay Commonwealth; New Arayat Market in Barangay San Martin de Porres; and ES & EM Market in Barangay Kaligayahan.

Having sewage treatment plants in these establishments would ensure that wastewater is filtered and made less harmful to people and the environment, in the manner required under the Clean Water Act of 2004, according to the ordinance.

Their operators are required to secure a permit from the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, Market Development and Administration Department, and the city building official to set up their respective sewage treatment plants.

Failure to comply would result in the denial of a business permit or the rejection of renewal applications.

QC sends construction materials, relief goods to 3 adopted Leyte towns

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Bringing construction materials and carpentry tools along with relief and medical services, Quezon City employees aim to bring hope to three typhoon-ravaged areas in Leyte province adopted recently by the city government.

The local government is also looking into the possibility of implementing an “adopt-a-barangay” scheme in which all of the city’s 142 barangays (villages) will be tapped to assist their counterparts in the towns of Sta. Fe, Tolosa and Palompon.

Upon the orders of Mayor Herbert Bautista, a 100-man contingent will bring aid to the three municipalities from Dec. 14 to 20.

The teams, led by Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council action officer Elmo San Diego, would be carrying construction materials, equipment, medicine and other recovery and rehabilitation assistance. These would be in addition to generator sets, chain saws, folding stretchers, as well as earthquake, landslide and rescue operations tools.

Every family in the towns of Sta. Fe, Tolosa, and Palompon will also be given carpentry tools and construction materials to enable them to rebuild their homes.

In a statement, Bautista assured the residents of the towns that the assistance to be provided by the city would not be on a short-term basis. “We intend to help and assist the three adopted municipalities in the long run because we know that rehabilitating and rebuilding their communities will not be an easy task.”

Meanwhile, Bautista said that all 142 barangay chairs may each sponsor a barangay in the towns of Palampon, Tolosa and Sta. Fe in Leyte to help them rebuild in the aftermath of the monster cyclone “Yolanda.”

He explained: “The gesture is one way of saying that Quezon City, from local executives down to the barangay level, is one and united in the effort of helping these typhoon-ravaged localities recover from the devastation.”

The mayor said that sponsorship may be determined by raffle as he assured Quezon City barangays that no big projects would be required under the scheme, “only that we take part in their rehabilitation.”

The Quezon City government has donated P50 million to 44 provinces devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda for the development of infrastructure, particularly school buildings, health centers, public markets and municipal halls.

Likewise, Bautista has instructed city budget officer Marian Orayani, city planning and development office chief Tomasito Cruz and city engineer Joselito Cabungcal to conduct a review of the budget and development plans for Tolosa, Palompon and Sta. Fe to see how Quezon City could help these areas further.

QC council eyes P160-M fuel deal with Petron

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City council is looking into authorizing Mayor Herbert Bautista to ink a P160-million deal with Petron Corporation for the one-year provision of fuel and other petroleum products, through the electronic fleet card, for the use of government-owned vehicles and equipment in local operations.

Likewise, the proposed council resolution, drafted by second district councilor Ramon Medalla, seeks to authorize Bautista to secure a P40 million letter of credit with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) as payment security for the memorandum of agreement with Petron.

The proposed resolution has been referred for further review to the council’s committees on appropriations; on energy, water and other natural resources; and on laws, rules and internal government.

In the draft measure, Medalla said that the procurement for a year’s supply of fuel, lubricants and maintenance services, through an electronic fleet card scheme, for the use of the Quezon City government’s motor vehicles and equipment would be sealed with the Petron Corporation for P160 million.

He pointed out, “The use of electronic fleet cards in the supply of fuel, lubricants and maintenance services would ensure efficiency, economy and effectiveness in the operations of the Quezon City government.”

Medalla said that with the deal awarded to Petron Corporation, a memorandum of agreement (MOA), providing the terms and conditions on the use of fleet cards and related services, has been drafted.

The MOA, he said, would include a provision where the Quezon City government is to make a payment security through an LBP letter of credit “to answer for any and all amounts due from the Quezon City government in favor of Petron Corporation.”

A letter of credit is issued by a financial institution or bank assuring payment to a seller of goods or services. It serves as a guarantee to the seller that goods or services will be paid, where the burden of non-payment by the buyer is transferred from the seller to the financial institution or bank.

Should the council resolution be approved, it would authorize Bautista to sign the MOA with Petron Corporation and to secure a P40-million letter of credit from the LBP “as payment security for the supply of gasoline and other related products and services” through the electronic fleet card scheme.

QC shortens processing of business permits

By Chito A. Chavez

The Quezon City government is shortening the processing of building permits to mall tenants. Isagani Versoza, chief of the city’s Building Official Department, said under the new system the entire processing, including locational and fire safety evaluation clearances, will now take only 12 days instead of 20.

The move was part of the city government’s effort to increase its competitiveness ranking in terms of ease of doing business by eliminating redundant documentary requirements. Versoza said repetitive requirements include authorization letters, owners’ identification cards, corporate secretary certificates and lease certificates.

The newly-amended executive order tasked the department of building official to oversee the implementation of the new process.

Copies of the amended executive order shall be furnished by the city to the Office of the President and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for information and guidance.

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