Quezon City News June 2014

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

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

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

LTFRB offers free delivery of trucks' provisional permit

By Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is now offering free pick up and delivery of application for provisional authority (PA) to all truck-for-hire operators.

The free service is in line with the 30-day ‘No Apprehension Policy’ issued by LTFRB and Land Transportation Office (LTO) last Friday, to allow trucks-for-hire enough time to comply with the Board’s franchising regulations before they can again ply on national roads.

The free pickup and delivery service is being done by the LTFRB in cooperation with the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP).

“Sa pakikipagpulong po namin with CTAP, napagkasunduan namin na tulungan ang mga truck operators upang mapadali ang kanilang pag-aaply ng prangkisa or permiso ng sa gayon hindi sila hulihin ng ating mga enforcers na nagpapatupad ng Joint Administration Order on colorum trucks and other vehicles,” LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said.

To avail of the free delivery of their application, the truck operators need to download the application for Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) for trucks-for hire and other list of requirements from www.ltfrb.gov.ph.

After downloading the application and completing all legal documents, the company must issue check payment, manager’s check or postal money order payable to the board.

To file a CPC for the first two units will cost them P510 and succeeding unit will be charged P70. They also need to pay legal research fee of P10 and P250 for PA fees per application.

Once they have the applications and all the fees prepared, truck operators can call LTFRB’s hotline number 459-2129 and provide their name, address and contact number and the Board will arrange for pick up of all the documents free of charge.

The Board will review and evaluate the application as soon they receive them, including all the supporting documents.

If all the documents are in order and meet the Board’s requirements, a PA will be issued and delivered to the truck operator’s designated address free of charge.

The Board’s central office in Quezon City will accept all the application for Metro Manila truck operators, while provincial truck operators can submit their application at the regional offices of LTFRB.

“Sa loob ng isang buwang palugit, kami ay umaasa na bibigyan tuon ng mga truck operators ang kanilang obligasyon na mag-apply ng tamang permiso upang di na sila maabala pa kapag natapos na ‘No Apprehension Policy’ at sila’y mahuli ng ating mga enforcers,” Ginez added.

The one-month moratorium for trucks-for-hire started on June 28 and will end on July 29.

Under the ‘No Apprehension Policy’, trucks-for-hire with green plates will not be apprehended by LTFRB and LTO enforcers for a period of one month.

Within the moratorium period, these truck operators must apply for their franchise and provisional authority (PA) to legally operate and travel roads leading to the port.

Under the JAO, which took effect on June 19, colorum bus operators will be fined P1 million; truck and van operators, P200,000; sedan operators, P120,000; jeepney owners, P50,000; and motorcycle operators, P6,000.

5 QC barangays chosen as pilot sites for UNICEF program for children, women and informal settlers

(PNA), SCS/LSJ

MANILA, June 29 (PNA) -- The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has chosen five barangays in Quezon City as pilot sites for its program to address concerns on children, women and informal settlers, the Quezon City government said over the weekend.

According to QC Administrator Aldrin C. Cuna, the UNICEF, in partnership with the city government and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-QC, has sponsored a seminar-workshop for the officials and residents of the five barangays.

Cuña and DILG City Director Jovian Ingeniero led other city officials in welcoming the delegates from the United Nations led by Rommel Martinez and Anastacia Posadscaya Vanderbeck.

The QC barangays that will benefit from the UNICEF program are Bagong Pag-Asa in District 1, Batasan Hills in District 2, Pansol and Old Balara in District 3, and Pasong Putik in District 5, Novaliches.

These barangays have been identified based on a UNICEF-led survey conducted by researchers from the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).

QC completes waterways clean-up, drainage declogging -- city engineer

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

MANILA, June 28 (PNA)--More than 20 waterways in Quezon City have been completed under its “Operation: Linis Daluyan ng Tubig,”.

“The clean-up drive encompasses different river tributaries in the city, such as creeks and esteros,” said city engineer Joselito Cabungcal.

Cabungcal added that his department has already completed the clean-up of Culiat and Mangga/Katipunan creeks, in District I; Ma. Martha, Usaffe, Artillery, Airforce, Odonel and Constabulary creeks, in District II; and Buaya and Supa creeks, in District III;

He also that the same was done in Waling-waling, Quince, 8th Street and 5th Street creeks, in District IV; Ilang-Ilang creek, in District V and the Cenacle, Cassanova, Areas 2 and 3 (Luzon Avenue), Upper Banlat, Taurus and Kimco creeks, in District VI.

The clean-up operation by the QC engineering department began May 17 to minimize flooding during heavy outpour of rains.

“Aside from the clean-up operation, we have also undertaken a massive drainage declogging program along major city streets,” Cabungcal said.

He added that more than 30 streets have been covered by the city’s de-clogging program.

To date, all de-clogging projects have already been completed, Engr. Cabungcal said.

Aside from the city’s waterways clean-up and drainage de-clogging program, the city government under the directives of Mayor Herbert M. Bautista had also ordered the mobilization of the city’s 142 barangays for a clean-up drive to address health concerns in various communities, especially dengue and other illnesses prevalent during the rainy season.

The city’s barangay-based dengue control strategy intervention package includes IEC (information and education campaign), clearing of clogged canals and drainages and sweeping of garbage along interior roads and streets.

The city’s barangay operations center, headed by Jorge Felipe, has been tasked to oversee the clean up drive in the barangays.

Other rainy day preparations in the city’s barangays include trimming of trees to ensure that they will not block the road or damage people’s lives and properties once the branches accidentally fall during heavy rainfalls.

QC to host half km-high tower

By Rio N. Araja

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista has given Mitsubishi Electric Corp. the go-signal to start putting up its 612-meter tower in a seven-hectare lot on the former site of the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation along Quezon Avenue.

At a media briefing, Dr. Victor Endriga, senior consultant, said the 200-floor facility will be called Philippine Diamond Tower to join Dubai’s 828-meter Burj Khalifa and Japan’s 634-meter Tokyo Skytree.

He said Megaworld Corp., Century Properties Group, SM Properties and Ayala Land Inc., wanted to buy the lot.

“The mayor gave us the go-signal to collaborate with Mitsubishi (for) groundbreaking on Oct. 12, the city’s 75th founding anniversary,” he told the Manila Standard.

Targeted for delivery in 2016, the tower will house an international convention center, a five-star hotel, a shopping mall, restaurants, a disaster-risk management center, a garden park and a telecommunications hub.

“A memorandum of agreement will be signed among the city government, the National Housing Authority and Mitsubishi while preparing for the terms of reference for the property development,” Endriga said.

Three media giants--GMA Network Inc. (Channels 7 and 11), ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. (Channels 2 and 23) and Associated Broadcasting Corp. (Channel 5)--are willing to collaborate, he adds.

According to Endriga, the P15-billion project is covered by a loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Official Development Assistance at 0.9 percent interest per annum payable in 40 years with a 10-year payment moratorium.

In July 2012, the Quezon City government took over the Manila Seedling compound belonging to NHA for failure of the foundation to pay P57.208 million in real estate taxes from 2001 to 2011.

“It is the Quezon City government’s wish that the Philippines will have a reliable durable facility for disaster risk communications. We also want the country to be better prepared for the shift from analog to digital technology, using Japan’s standard,” Bautista told the Manila Standard in a text message.

DA, DAR lead 2014 Intl Year of Family Farming RP campaign launch

(PNA), LGI/PR/UTB

MANILA, June 26 (PNA) -- Department Secretaries Proceso J. Alcala of Agriculture (DA) and Virgilio de los Reyes of Agrarian Reform (DAR), in coordination with other government agencies and civil society groups, led Thursday the nationwide campaign launch of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) at the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall, Quezon City.

IYFF, a global event was initially launched by the World Rural Forum (WRF) in 2008. Then after, the Philippine government, through the Department of Agriculture, proposed to the United Nations (UN) to declare 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming which was approved during the 37th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2011 and was subsequently launched internationally in November last year in New York.

The 2014 IYFF focuses the spotlight on smallholder farming and turn the world’s attention on family farming’s role in providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihood, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development in rural areas.

It aims to reposition family farming at the center of agricultural, environmental and social policies in the national agenda by identifying gaps and opportunities to promote a shift towards a more equal and balanced development.

It will promote broad discussion and cooperation at the national, regional, and global levels to increase awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by smallholders and help identify efficient ways to support family farmers.

Alcala said the Philippine IYFF celebration underscores the theme “Ang Family Farming ay Buhay,” to recognize the efforts of smallholder farming and fishing families, indigenous farming families, and cooperatives in helping the government solve poverty and hunger in the country.

The DA continues to include in its thrust of giving assistance to various rural-based organizations nationwide including smallholder farming and fishing communities through capability enhancement, livelihood assistance, and organizational and institutional development.

Alcala also said that the agri department conducts its annual search of the country’s Outstanding Farm Family through Gawad Saka since the 70’s to highlight their contributions in agricultural development.

For this year, the farm family winner will be awarded a Presidential trophy and plaque and a cash of P200,000 in October 2014.

To help the government campaign for the IYFF goals, DA and DAR invited civil society groups such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA), Philippine and Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resource in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA and AsiaDHRRA), Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC) and Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA).

Family farming, as defined by FAO includes all family-based agricultural activities such as forestry, fisheries, pastoral and aquaculture production managed and operated by a family and predominantly reliant on family labor.

IYFF past activities

Launched IYFF on November 22, 2013 in New York with the participation of UN officials, representatives of member-states, government ministers and civil society leaders. The Philippine Mission in New York through DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes delivered a Philippine opening statement.

IYFF Special Ambassadors were designated for the regions of Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and Latin America.

The 37th Session of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Governing Council (19-20 February 2014, Rome). A Farmers’ Forum carrying the theme of family farming preceded the meeting with Agriculture Officers based in Rome PE representing the Philippines.

Global Forum and Expo on Family Farming (March 4-6, 2014, Budapest, Hungary).

The Philippine delegation was headed by the DAR Secretary with the Budapest PE Ambassador and officers and the Rome PE Agriculture Officer as members.

Ms. Esther Penunia, Asian Farmers’ Association Secretary-General was appointed as IYFF Special Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific.

The 32nd FAO Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) (10-14 March 2014, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia). The Philippine delegation was composed of the NFA Administrator and DA Asst. Secretary for Regulations. Family farming was one of the focus of conference discussions.

2014 IYFF activities

Global Dialogue on Family Farming in Rome (sometime in October or November 2014), which will consolidate the regional dialogues and related inputs gathered during IYFF activities.

The World Food Day (WFD) celebration on October 16, 2014, which will carry the theme of family farming and the slogan “Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth.”

Knowledge and Learning Market and Policy Engagement: IYFF PH 2014 sponsored by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in November 2014.

It aims to increase awareness on the value, income potential and benefits of family farming.

It also seeks government support and facilitate private sector investments to further develop family farming.

Closing Ceremony. The Philippines will host a global closing ceremony for IYFF in November 2014 which will be attended by the UN member-countries.

QC restaurants required to serve half rice

By Janvic Mateo (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City council approved on third and final reading a measure that will require restaurants and fast food chains in the city to offer half cup servings of rice.

“Empirical evidence show that the availability of half cup or half order of rice serving would minimize wastage especially within the food service industry,” read the ordinance introduced by fifth district councilor Allan Butch Francisco.

The measure, still to be signed by Mayor Herbert Bautista, would require all restaurants to include in their menu a half cup serving of rice– or around 80 grams– priced at exactly half of the cost of one cup serving.

It would cover “all business institutions and companies responsible for any meal prepared outside the home.” These include restaurants, fastfood chains, school and hospital eateries, food courts and catering businesses with the city.

Failure to comply with the measure on the first offense would merit a written reprimand. Second offense violators will be penalized with a P1,000 fine, while third offense will be fined with P2,000 and one month suspension of license or permit to operate.

According to the ordinance, a report by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) showed that the country wastes P23 million worth of rice daily accounting to P8 billion a year. He said the amount is sufficient to feed 4.3 million people.

It also cited data from the Department of Science and Technology's Food and Nutrition Institute saying “each Filipino wastes an average of three tablespoons or nine grams of rice daily, which is equivalent to 3.3 kilograms per year.”

“The hundred tons of rice wasted each year, not just in the Philippines but in the whole world, need to be taken seriously, our social conscience will tell us that the rice we waste can just be the very rice we need to feed the hungry and the undernourished,” read the ordinance.

“Quezon City is very sincere in its efforts to explore viable means that would facilitate the attainment of (the campaign to reduce rice wastage),” it added.

The office of the mayor, with the recommendation of the city health officer, will be tasked to issue the appropriate rules and regulations to ensure the proper implementation of the ordinance.

DepEd, DENR, European Union campaign for lead, mercury-safe schools

By Jade Miguel and Jinessa De Domingo [(PNA), LAM/JDM AND JDD-OJT]

MANILA, June 24 (PNA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday led a Metro Manila-wide campaign pushing for the safety of students, faculty and parents from lead and mercury exposures in schools.

During the launch of the agency's campaign, "Lead and Mercury-Safe Schools for Bright and Healthy Kids", Dr. Irma Makalinao, Special Assistant to the Chancellor in UP Manila, said that lead and mercury compounds which may be present in paints being used in schools are toxic to the brain even to unborn babies.

"Now we know that it is true that if you have lead and mercury in your body, which are poisons, they're not only toxic to the brain, they're also toxic to the developing fetus. We need to to make sure that we are protecting the mothers of these schoolchildren and our faculty members and staff of this school who may be pregnant," Makalinao said.

A study in 2012 found out that lead and mercury exposure correlates to the poor performance of schoolchildren who are likely to acquire Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which contributes to the short attention span of those exposed to the toxic chemicals.

Makalinao further noted that awareness and safety from lead and mercury should begin with the child and the need to protect the mothers as well. She said that lead and mercury exposures are poisonous to everyone's brain, kidney and liver.

Makalinao said DepEd must ensure that paints are free from toxic chemicals and also school supplies and equipment where lead and mercury may be present.

Mr. Rodolfo Modelo, principal of Commonwealth Elementary School, said that they have started to ban lead paints being used in their school since last year. They are also disseminating information about the possible harm that lead and mercury may cause to the children, parents and faculty. Because of this, the school's management has instructed parents to bring lead-free paints during their Brigada Eskwela.

"Our teachers understand the effects of lead and mercury through the information they get from the Internet. And also during our meeting with the pupils, we share these pieces of information so they would become aware," Modelo said.

Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City was the regional champion in the elementary school category of the DENR's National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools in 2011 and 2013. It also won the championship in the same category for the Meralco Leadership Awards. The school has been coordinating with government agencies on their endeavor to promote a healthy school environment for the sake of faculty, parents and schoolchildren.

QC public school soon to be renamed ‘Fernando Poe Jr Elementary School’

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines—A public school in Quezon City may soon be named after the late movie icon and 2004 presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.

This after district 2 councilor Precious Hipolito-Castelo proposed an ordinance renaming the Payatas B Elementary School Annex to “Fernando Poe Jr Elementary School.”

Castelo, in the draft measure, pointed out that naming the school after Poe would perpetuate his memory as “the most influential Filipino actor of all time.”

Poe, more popularly known as “Da King” or “FPJ,” was formally declared and conferred an award as a national artist on July 27, 2012.

Castelo called Poe a Filipino icon from the film industry and lauded the late acting great for bringing honor and prestige to the country. She also cited Poe’s remarkable but low-key commitment to charitable works, “which won him respect and admiration.”

According to the councilor, “All the teaching staff, administrator, personnel, parents and pupils, as the whole community of Barangay (village) Payatas and other nearby villages, firmly believes that it is high time for the school to be a separate and distinct institution and shall be renamed Fernando Poe Jr Elementary School.”

Payatas B Elementary School Annex is located along Roberto Street in Barangay Payatas and has been in operation for 12 years, providing basic primary education to pupils mostly from depressed communities.

As of school year 2014-2015, enrollment in the school is at 1,266 with 14 classrooms and 29 teachers.

Apart from renaming the school, Castelo proposed that “Payatas B Elementary School” be a regular and independent public elementary school, completely separate from its mother school.

Laws to protect the elderly urged

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines—With the growing number of aging Filipinos, various sectors are calling for the passage of laws to protect the elderly against abuse, described by many as a “hidden disease.”

At the commemoration of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Quezon City last week, experts noted how senior citizens are constrained by shame to admit to being victims of abuse from members of their own families.

These come in the form of verbal abuse, negligence and the elderly member being forced to continue earning a living for a dependent family. This abuse continues to be overlooked, they lamented.

“A nation that does not care for the elderly will one day lose its soul,” said PIA Director General Jose Mari Oquinena in his welcome remarks.

“We should always, always take care of the people who have gone before us because they are part of our soul. They have given us what we have now as a country,” he said.

Oquinena said the wisdom of the elderly must be valued to produce better generations.

“If we cannot prevent abuses on those who are older than us, people who are more mature than us, a nation will not really find its soul or lose its soul and will not find its real path,” he said.

The Philippines has a population of people aged 60 and over of 7 million. This is projected to grow to 19.6 million by 2040, as a result of the lower fertility and lower mortality rates.

QC battles rising commodity prices thru farmer-to-consumer program

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

MANILA, June 21 (PNA) -- The Quezon City government, announced Saturday that in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, it is eyeing to bring basic and prime commodities directly to consumers to address fluctuating and unusual increases in their prices.

The City’s plan to implement a Farmer-to Consumer program was unveiled during an emergency meeting of the Local Price Coordinating Council (QCPCC) convened by Acting Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday in order to protect consumers from unscrupulous traders and price manipulators by providing them direct access to commodities such as garlic, onions, rice and other agricultural products.

“The scheme likewise eliminates the need for middlemen, thereby ensuring higher incomes for local producers,” said QC vice mayor Joy Belmonte.

Belmonte cited that to achieve that goal, the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry will work closely with the City’s Barangay Operations Center and Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD) to identify sites within the City in which the commodities can be directly delivered.

“These can be in City Hall, various barangays or through rolling stores,” she added.

She assured that she supports the clamor to protect consumers against sudden increases in the prices of commodities by providing them means of reporting grievances, keeping them informed of the suggested retail prices of goods as set by the DTI and prevalent prices of agricultural products as monitored by the DA, and ensure stability in the prices of basic goods.

She added that in line with that the City Treasurer’s Office together with the MDAD have agreed to conduct more raids against business establishments operating with defective and unregistered weighing scales.

Assistant Treasurer Arvin Gotladera has reported confiscating over 100 manipulated weighing scales in recent weeks.

Noel Soliven, QC’s Markets Administrator encouraged consumers to report irregularities in the pricing of commodities to the City through its hotline (988-4242 local 8351) or consumer welfare desks for appropriate action.

Quezon City has about 50 private and 8 public markets.

EU, DENR to promote "Lead and Mercury Safe Schools for Bright and Healthy Children"

(PNA), FPV/KMC-PR

MANILA, June 20 (PNA) -- The government of the Philippines and the European Union (EU) have joined hands to protect school children from chemicals known to have serious toxic effects on the brain.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Ramon J.P. Paje and EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux will visit the Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City on Tuesday to sign a Solidarity Statement and to enjoin stakeholders in pushing for “Lead and Mercury Safe Schools for Bright and Healthy Children.”

Lead and mercury are highly toxic chemicals known for causing lifelong and irreversible damage to a child’s brain and health even at low levels of exposure.

Childhood exposure to lead, in particular, has been blamed for reduced intelligence as measured by decreased IQ points, prompting health experts to recognize “lead caused mental retardation” as a disease.

Six hundred thousand (600,000) new cases of children with intellectual disabilities due to lead exposure occur worldwide every year according to the World Health Organization.

The Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City is a regional winner for the DENR’s Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools.

Secretary Paje and Ambassador Ledoux will be accompanied by senior officials from the Department of Education and the Department of Health, as well as 200 kids, parents, local government officials, doctors, and environmentalists.

Sec. Paje will lead the signing of a “Solidarity Statement” to signify stakeholders’ agreement to promote and uphold “Lead and Mercury Safe Schools,’ specifically “by using lead safe paints and safely reducing lead paint hazards to contain and minimize hazardous dust, and by switching to mercury-free alternatives towards a toxics-free, zero waste educational system.”

Quezon City solon calls on NDRRMC to enhance disaster management capability vs. big earthquakes

By Sammy F. Martin [(PNA), CTB/SFM]

MANILA, June 19 (PNA) -- Quezon City Rep. Winnie Castelo on Thursday called on the Aquino administration to recast and enhance its disaster management capability and preparations to include big earthquakes.

In a statement, Castelo made the proposal as he noted a recent warning from the Philippine Institute on Seismology and Volcanology (PhiVocs) that Metro Manila could be isolated because of collapsed bridges, roads, and buildings in the event a 7.2 magnitude tremor hits the Metropolis.

Government chief seismologist Renato Solidum said in a summit sponsored by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and SM Prime Holdings that a movement in the West Valley Fault could cause a major tremor damaging 100,000 residential buildings and tsunamis as high as 18 feet.

According to Solidum, Metro Manila could be separated into four isolated zones in case of a big earthquake, as collapsed buildings in Makati and Mandaluyong cities and the Pasig River might separate northern and southern parts of the metropolis, rendering 1.5 million homeless. Broken road networks would isolate the west and east sections of the metropolis.

Since the country is in the “ring of fire” in the Pacific Rim, Castelo said the entire country is gullible to devastating tremors that could kill thousands of people and destroy crops, infrastructures, and pieces of property worth billions of pesos.

“The current disaster preparation addresses the frequent floods that occur in Metro Manila and many parts of the country and the typhoons that visit our country. It pays to expand our disaster preparation and risk reduction management skills to include earthquakes,” Castelo said.

Castelo also urged the Aquino administration to implement a systematic Metro Manila-wide earthquake drills in schools, private and public offices, and barangays to prepare the people for devastating earthquakes and tsunamis, which could hit Metro Manila without warning.

Castelo said earthquakes have unpredictable nature unlike typhoons and floods, which could be predicted, adding that areas prone to floods could be identified and mapped out, but not earthquakes.

“When powerful earthquakes happen, its consequences could be terribly devastating to people’s lives, crops, and property,” Castelo said. “We should never allow ourselves caught with our pants down.”

According to the chair of the House committee on Metro Manila development, “We have to live with the norm that those disasters and calamities are normal occurrences in our country. We have to prepare our people for any eventuality.”

Castelo urged the President to mobilize the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and other allied state agencies to expand its disaster preparedness to include earthquakes as among the disasters the administration has to face.

He pointed out that the Aquino administration should adopt aggressive prevention as its official policy in dealing with disasters and calamities, but it should not lose sight of actual drills and training to prepare the people for disasters.

“This is an era of disasters and calamities – natural and man-made. We just have to brace ourselves,”

QC council gives mayor full control of barangays for calamity, emergency

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines—The Quezon City council approved a measure giving the mayor full control of all local barangays (villages) in times of calamity and emergency.

On Monday’s regular session, the Quezon City councilors on third and final reading authorized the mayor to exercise full supervision and control over the city’s 142 barangays in times of disaster and other forms of emergency to speed up rescue, relief and recovery operations.

The ordinance has to be signed into law by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and published in a newspaper of general circulation before it takes effect.

Mayor Herbert Bautista INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

In the measure, the councilors noted that the city mayor has limited authority over barangays, which enjoy autonomy to enable them to be self-reliant communities.

They said, “It has been observed that during the height of calamities or emergency, especially when there are several people or barangays affected, the city government is experiencing difficulty in mobilizing the needed people and in responding quickly and efficiently due to limited personnel, resources, equipment and facilities.”

The council resolved that to accelerate relief, clearing and recovery operations in the height of calamities, all barangays must be placed under the full control and supervision of the mayor as the city’s chief executive and head of the local disaster risk reduction and management council.

Under the ordinance, the mayor will be authorized to mobilize all barangay officials and personnel to beef up the city’s manpower; use barangay facilities, equipment, gadgets, and motor vehicles; and call on barangay public safety officers to maintain peace and order.

The mayor may also establish better coordination among barangays to ensure quick response and is empowered to perform other functions to speed up rescue, clearing, relief and recovery operations.

According to the measure, “The powers provided may be exercised by the city mayor only within a period of 3 months from the occurrence of the calamity,” and the city’s chief executive is tasked to report to the local council the extent of relief and rescue operations undertaken two weeks after the emergency has ceased.

The ordinance provides a penal clause where violators will face administrative sanctions, fines of up to P5,000 and even imprisonment for a year.

QCPD sets up mobile police desks in 12 areas for easy crime reporting

By Julie M. Aurelio (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines–The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has identified 12 key areas where “desks on wheels” or mobile police desks will be set up.

“This will simplify the process of crime reporting so that citizens can report crimes or file complaints on the site,” QCPD director Chief Supt. Richard Albano said during the project launching on Monday.

The police desks on wheels will be located at Nova Stop Terminal near Robinsons Mall on Quirino Highway, Barangay (village) Pasong Putik; in front of 7-11 at the corner of Mindanao and Tandang Sora Avenues in Barangay Tandang Sora; on Quirino Highway in Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches; Edsa Cloverleaf near MRT Station in Barangay Apolonio Samson;

SM City North Avenue on Edsa in Barangay Bagong Pagasa; University of Asia in front of Jollibee on E. Rodriguez Sr. Boulevard in Barangay Damayang Lagi; QC; Commonwealth Sandigan footbridge near Baptoda Terminal; in front of Cyber Pod Centris 3 on Edsa, Barangay Pinyahan;

LRT Anonas Station beside Metro Mall on Aurora Boulevard; in front of PSBA on Aurora Boulevard; Aurora Boulevard corner Edsa near Cubao Elementary School; and in front of Citibank near Mini Stop on C-5 Road in Barangay Bagumbayan.

National Capital Region Police Office Director Carmelo Valmoria reminded policemen tasked to man the mobile desks not to sleep on the job.

Each of QCPD’s 12 police stations will have its own mobile police desk equipped with chairs, tables, a logbook and the duty officers.

Albano said the policemen on duty would conduct and record the initial investigation of the complaint and refer it to a police station if the complaint is beyond their capacity to address.

The desk on wheels shall be manned on a 24-hour basis in three shifts from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with at least three policemen on each shift. Two will be on beat patrol while one will be the duty desk officer.

Tutors to boost QC public schools

By Rio N. Araja

TO improve the ability of primary and secondary students in Quezon City, District 4 Councilor Manuel Jesus Suntay backs tutoring in public schools.

Suntay, majority floor leader, called on his colleagues to adopt a program that would help school children to learn and retain critical skills, and prepare for new academic challenges.

Citing the tutoring project in the Kamuning Elementary School with 2,286 pupils in July 2012 under the Department of Education’s adopt-a-school program, the privately owned Tutoring Club Philippines was able to improve the scholastic standing of participants, he said.

“The tutoring company offered its free services to school children who lagged behind in academics under a 1:4 teacher-to-student ratio,” he told Manila Standard.

For school year 2012-2013, those who enroled in the mathematics program of Tutoring Club got 73 percent average for math in the government’s National Assessment Test (NAT) versus non-tutored counterparts who averaged 38 percent.

Kamuning Elementary School in District 4 standing in NAT standing improved to 83 from 86.

The Tutoring Club said the program produced students who were able to join and win in national math competitions including those held by the Mathematics Teacher Associations of the Philippines.

“Two Kamuning Elementary School students went on to the Quezon City Science High School,” the Club said in a statement.

Suntay said Councilors Allan Benedict Reyes of District 3 and Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla of District 2, and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte have also backed the continuity of the program.

Comelec official reminds QC voters to register or complete their biometrics registration early

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

MANILA, June 15 (PNA) -- The best time for new and old voters without biometrics data in Quezon City to register or complete their biometrics is now -- to avoid the usual last-minute rush as the deadline approaches.

This was emphasized by Russel Teodoro, QC Comelec Election Assistant of District III, in an interview with the Philippines News Agency over the weekend.

Teodoro said that new registrants or old voters who are not sure if they have biometrics should check with their respective barangay/s, where they are registered as voters, to find out if they need to complete their validation while there is still enough time to do so.

“They should be reminded that it pays to be early in the registration period since there are no long queues or hassles in the process which will eat much of their time,” he explained.

He pointed out that early registrants can finish the process in 15 to 20 minutes, unlike during the peak period of registration where the registrants spend long hours falling in line, resulting to certain inconveniences like getting hungry, angry, thirsty or being exposed to excessive heat of the sun or sometimes rainfall.

“When they register early and complete their biometrics, they are confident that they can vote in the 2016 elections because they are sure that their names will not be deleted from the list of voters,” Teodoro said.

The nationwide registration of voters started last May 6, 2014 and will end on Oct. 31, 2015.

In Quezon City, the registration or validation of voters is done from Sunday to Friday -- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Comelec personnel in the city have their rest day on Saturday.

“The registrants cannot argue that they have no time because we are entertaining them even on Sundays,” Teodoro said.

According to the Comelec official, the registration period is equivalent to 17 months and is long enough for the voters to take advantage to register.

The registration or validation process is required under Republic Act No. 10367, or the Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act.

Biometrics data refer to the recording of registrant’s picture, electronic fingerprints and signature by a computer during the registration period.

Any new registrant/s may apply for registration by filling up the application form and following the process.

Those who want to change their status (from single to married, for example), correct their names or transfer registration are also entertained in the validation process.

They just have to bring their valid Identification Cards and fill up the necessary forms.

The law states that voters without biometric records shall be deactivated from the voters' list and thus will not be allowed to vote in 2016.

From the total registered voters in Quezon City's six districts which stood at 1,118,166 as of the May 2013 elections, about 22.81 percent or 255,035 voters need to complete their biometrics so that they can be able to vote again in the coming national and local elections.

Of the number of voters with no biometrics, District II ranks highest with a total of 55,357, followed by District V with 52,500, and District VI, 44,779. All three districts are located in the Novaliches area.

District I has 37,908 voters without biometrics data, followed by District IV with 35,196, and District III, 29,295.

QC monitors cases of rainy season diseases

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

MANILA, June 14 (PNA)--The Quezon City Health Department announced over the weekend that it has stepped up efforts to prevent an increase in cases of water and food-borne diseases this rainy season, such as dengue/hemorrhagic fever, leptospirosis and diarrhea.

According to QCHD chief, Health Officer Dr. Antonietta Inumerable, she was directed by QC Mayor Herbert M. Bautista to ensure that ample supply of medicines shall be made available in order to avert the possible outbreak of diseases during the rainy season, particularly dengue that usually peak in the month of July and August.

Inumerable added that upon the directives of Mayor Bautista, she had mobilized city health workers to provide immediate medical assistance to patients afflicted with diseases, particularly those in depressed communities.

In line with this, a routinary surveillance of the diseases in public schools, food establishments and the communities will also be conducted by the city health workers as a way to raise the level of public awareness regarding the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of these ailments.

The QCHD also emphasized that cleanliness drive is being encouraged to be undertaken in the 142 barangays to prevent the spread of diseases.

EGS opens flagship site, its 8th in PH

By Amy R. Remo (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Expert Global Solutions (EGS), a global leader in the business process outsourcing sector, has set up a new office at the Eton Centris in Quezon City that will serve as the company’s flagship site in the country.

“Our move to Centris is a testament of our business growth and commitment to further invest in the development of EGS in the Philippines. We are excited about the growth potential for our current business and employees and look forward to welcoming new clients and talent to EGS,” EGS Philippines president and country head Bong Borja said in a statement.

The office at Eton Centris is the company’s eighth site in the Philippines.

The new headquarters occupies the entire South Tower of Cyberpod Centris Three, which has 21 floors. The new EGS site has close to 4,000 seats and is expected to be home to 6,000 employees at full capacity.

According to EGS, the newly opened office will accommodate the employees from a previous location in Quezon City. In all, EGS Philippines has about 14,000 employees.

EGS Philippines noted that aside from offering advanced technology and a conducive working environment, EGS Centris will promote work-life balance among its employees.

“We consider Centris a center of excellence for EGS’ operations. It offers a state-of-the-art work environment for our employees, which facilitates the delivery of best-in-class service to our clients and their customers,” said Ron Rittenmeyer, EGS chair, president and chief executive officer.

“EGS Centris is a reflection of our outlook toward growth and our investment in our people. We’re proud to offer our employees such an exceptional workplace in which to service our world-class customers,” added Jack Jones, EGS chief operating officer.

The EGS headquarters would have the ground floor and mezzanine housing food establishments and would serve as the company’s main recruitment area.

The sixth floor has a general purpose area for all employees, with a clinic, main pantry, additional learning space with five training rooms and a virtual training room.

Promoting a work-life balance, the site has its own recreation area, and gym with shower rooms.

The seventh to 21st floors are for EGS operations and support functions. Each production floor has a small breakout room/pantry, sleeping rooms as well as training and copy rooms. In addition, there are two office rooms and eight meeting rooms on each production floor.

EGS Philippines’ parent firm, Expert Global Solutions Inc., is the holding company for, among other companies, Apac Customer Services Inc. and NCO Financial Systems Inc.

As a global leader in the BPO industry, EGS has a global network of 40,000 employees in 100 contact centers in 13 countries.

With approximately $1.5 billion in revenue annually, EGS claims to be an award-winning market leader in both the customer relationship and account receivable management businesses, delivering customized solutions to clients.

150-year-old 'Katipunan' tree: A mute witness to the 116th PHL Freedom Day celebration in Novaliches

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

MANILA, June 12 (PNA) -- Like in previous years, a more than 150-year-old duhat (blackberry) tree dubbed as "Katipunan" tree once again served as a mute witness to the celebration of the 116th anniversary of the Philippine Independence in Novaliches, Quezon City on Thursday.

A flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony and a short program highlighted the celebration held near the foot of the historical tree located at the compound of the Metro Manila College (MMC), formerly the Novaliches Academy, in Barangay Kaligayahan, Novaliches.

This year's commemorative ceremonies were organized by the Knights of Columbus, through the St. Maximilian Ma. Kolbe Assembly and Novaliches District Assembly, in coordination with the MMC management.

The annual celebration is intended to pay tribute to the heroic sacrifices of Filipino heroes like Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan Founder and Father of the 1896 Philippine Revolution, and his men as well as Melchora Aquino, the revolutionary heroine better known as "Tandang Sora."

The ancient duhat tree was renamed "Katipunan" tree in 1980 by the then National Historical Institute (NHI),the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, and the Tree Preservation Foundation of the Philippines Inc.

For this year’s celebration, among the guests who hailed the significance of the tree to the Filipinos' fight for freedom from Spain were Quezon City District 5 Councilor Jose A. Visaya, Knights of Columbus officer Noel Vincent Pimentel, who represented QC District 5 Rep. Alfred Vargas, and local barangay, civic and religious leaders.

In his speech, Councilor Visaya underscored the importance of creating massive awareness among the young generation that there is a living and existing historical tree that witnessed the rich historical past of the Philippine Revolution and the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom from foreign domination more than a century ago.

A native of the Ilocos region, Visaya said he was amazed to know from the narration of 84-year-old Mrs. Natividad M. Villano, MMC’s former high school principal and now HR Personnel Supervisor, that the branches of the "Katipunan" tree had served as protective shade from the sun and rains during numerous meetings conducted by Bonifacio with his fellow Katipuneros prior to the launching of the Revolution on Aug. 23, 1896.

The location of the ancient tree used to be a hilly and forested section of the old town of Novaliches.

Villano, who is a descendant of Katipunan member Bernabe Serrano or "Kapitan Abeng" from Novaliches, said that old native residents of Novaliches, when they were still alive, used to narrate that they had seen the Grand Old Lady of the Katipunan, Tandang Sora, feeding and curing the sick Katipuneros under the branches of the duhat tree.

She explained that Tandang Sora’s house and birthplace in Gulod sa Banilad or Banlat (now in Barangay Tandang Sora, Novaliches) is just about five kilometers away from the site of the historical tree.

“That is why we can also say that our town (referring to Novaliches) was a home also of great and selfless heroes who will not mind dying if it is for the sake of freedom and the motherland,” the former high school principal said.

The tree is currently undergoing a rehabilitation stage to prolong its life by a team headed by Marcelina V. Pacho, Science Research Specialist II of Eco-Systems Research and Development Bureau in Laguna under the supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Councilor Visaya expressed support and assistance to the rehabilitation, preservation and treatment of the historical tree to prolong further its life.

Despite its age, the old tree continues to bring fruits every summer.

QC council asks Congress to set standards for incineration of waste

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines—After calling on Congress to repeal a ban on incineration of waste, the Quezon City Council is now urging the legislature to set standards for the burning of hospital and other solid waste.

In a resolution, confirmed on third and final reading at last Monday’s regular council session, the councilors noted that “The disposal of medical and infectious bio-wastes has become a problem for hospitals, medical clinics, and other generators of solid wastes.”

They said that the problem was adding to pollution and the spread of disease in the metropolis.

The resolution cited a Supreme Court ruling which states that the Clean Air Act of 1999 does not absolutely prohibit incinerators as a mode of waste disposal “rather only those burning processes which emit poisonous toxic fumes are banned.”

“Even with the interpretation of the Clean Air Act by the Supreme Court, incinerators are still not allowed to be used today because of the absence of standards to determine if the incinerators are emitting poisonous and toxic fumes,” the resolution noted.

The council said that the US Environmental Protection Agency issued in 2011 emission standards for commercial and industrial solid waste incinerators that could serve as a model in the formulation of similar guidelines here.

Last March the city council sought amendments to both the Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 to remove the ban on incineration.

Citing increased solid waste buildup due to problems with availability of disposal facilities, the council said that a sustainable and long-term solution would be the setting up of an “in-city, state-of-the-art WTE (waste-to-energy) facility,” similar to those extensively used in the US, Japan, South Korea and developed countries in Europe.

But, the council said, the WTE facility cannot be set up as Section 20 of the Clean Air Act specifically prohibits incineration and the Solid Waste Management Act makes it a policy for the state to “adopt a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program which shall ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adoption of the best environmental practice in ecological waste management excluding incineration.”

According to the council, “The Quezon City local government could not pursue the proposed WTE project because of the stated provisions… and the amendment of said laws is necessary since technological advancements have ensured that such facilities can conform with the emission standards stated in section 19 of the Philippine Clean Air Act.”

Free parking for QC residents pushed

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines–A draft measure pending before the Quezon City Council aims to enable car owners to park free of charge for the first three hours in malls, markets and other buildings located at the city.

Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes of the third district proposed to exempt the city’s residents from paying the initial parking fee rate.

Violators, on the other hand, face penalties ranging from fines starting at P500 up to P2,000 and a jail term of up to a month.

In the draft ordinance, all residents of the city will be allowed to park for free for the first three hours in Quezon City malls, markets, schools, hospitals and similar establishments which they patronize.

At present, pay parking lots in Quezon City impose a P40 fee for the first few hours.

To avail of the exemption, residents must first present a valid identification card indicating their address as well as the official receipt issued by the establishment for a purchase of at least P500.

The resident, under the draft measure, must also be of legal age and either be the driver or a passenger of the vehicle.

According to the measure, “professional fees are included in the application of this ordinance. However, accumulated receipts will not apply.”

A parking cashier or booth attendant who violates the ordinance faces a fine of P500 or a jail term ranging from one day to a month or both, depending on the discretion of the court.

Should the operator, manager or owner of the parking space violate the measure, he could be fined P2,000 or jailed to up to a month or be meted out both penalties. On the other hand, repeat offenders stand to have their business permit for the pay parking area revoked.

NYC opens application for government internship program

(PNA), LAM/JDM

MANILA, June 9 (PNA) -- The National Youth Commission (NYC), the government's policy-making body on youth affairs, on Monday started accepting applications for its Government Internship Program (GIP).

The NYC will accept the applications for the GIP from June 9 to June 13, 2014.

NYC said that applicants must be 18 to 25 years old and not previous beneficiaries of other programs of NYC or other GIP implementing government agencies.

According to their advisory, those interested may submit their applications personally at NYC head office located at the 4th Floor Bookman Building, 373 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City or through NYC's email addess: gip@nyc.gov.ph.

NYC's GIP is the commission's contribution to the national government's poverty alleviation program wherein they coordinate with other government agencies and private companies to hire out-of-school and unemployed youth as interns who will receive a monthly stipend equivalent to 75 percent of the minimum wage.

P400-M rehabilitation of 3 QC waterways starts

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) has begun the P400-million rehabilitation of three Quezon City waterways.

The rehabilitation of the San Francisco River, the Pasong Tamo Creek, and the Culiat Creek, which started on Wednesday last week, would lessen floods and transform the San Juan River tributaries into tourist attractions.

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said the PRRC has assured city officials in an executive meeting that the rehabilitation of the three tributaries has started and would “have the most impact on flood mitigation.”

The “facelift” of the waterways will include the collection of solid wastes, dredging work, bank improvement, linear park and community development, as well as the claims on the three-meter legal easements.

According to Belmonte, the PRRC has earmarked P220 million for the rehabilitation of the San Francisco River Project; P74 million for the Pasong Tamo Creek; and P124 million for the Culiat Creek.

Each of the project, she added, could be finished within a nine-month period but could face delays.

“As reported in the executive committee, their (PRRC) main problems are encroachments of informal settler families and private properties,” Belmonte said.

She pointed out that the right-of-way would have to be negotiated with private property owners and questions on the three-meter easement along the banks should also be addressed.

The vice-mayor said that the PRRC expected tourists to visit the rehabilitated waterways because of linear parks that would be constructed as part of the sites’ facelift.

SSS pensioners get five-percent increase effective June 2014

(SSS)

QUEZON CITY, June 7 -- In view of its sustained financial growth and as part of its commitment to provide more meaningful benefits, the Social Security System (SSS) has announced the five-percent across-the-board pension increase for 1.9 million SSS pensioners effective June 2014.

In a recent press statement, the SSS disclosed that all active pensioners for retirement, death and disability as of May 31, 2014 can expect higher benefits in their bank account or pension checks.

To provide time for necessary system adjustments, SSS Vice President for Benefits Administration Agnes San Jose said the new across-the-board pension increase can only be paid out starting August 2014, including the additional amounts for June and July.

The state-run agency provides pensions under the regular Social Security (SS) Program and the Employees' Compensation (EC) Program. EC pensions, which are granted on top of regular SS pensions for members with work-related contingencies, are excluded from the five-percent increase.

“The SSS will continue to pursue more reforms to improve its long-term financial health as well as enhance its benefit levels,” San Jose noted.

QC public school receives 200 new armchairs made from confiscated logs

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

MANILA, June 6 (PNA) -- Students of the New Era Elementary School in Barangay New Era, Quezon City are assured of additional seats as 200 armchairs produced from confiscated logs were turned over on Friday under the "PNOY Bayanihan Project."

The project aims to put confiscated logs in the provinces to good use by converting them into armchairs.

The ceremony was led by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva together with Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

School principal Mercedes Flores stated in an interview that the handover of the armchairs would help in addressing the upsurge in the number of enrollees for this school year.

According to her, the school has been experiencing an increasing number of transferees from nearby private schools and the New Era University.

"We need to think of ways on how to boost our facilities to cope with the surge of transferees in the school," Flores said.

Thus, the principal coordinated with TESDA for the provision of additional chairs in the classrooms.

"At first, we thought that TESDA will just be the one to respond with our concern. We are grateful that DepEd, PAGCOR and the DENR also contributed in ensuring that our students will be provided with a conducive learning environment," the principal said.

"The assistance given by these agencies will motivate students to excel in their studies," she added.

The school is expecting another 300 armchairs to be distributed within this school year.

The New Era Elementary School has a population of 3,593 students and has a 1:48 teacher-to-student ratio.

The PNOY Bayanihan Project, which was launched in 2012, is implemented by TESDA, the DepEd, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

DENR processed the logs into materials ready for manufacture while TESDA established sites in Metro Manila and CARAGA where the youth were provided training in carpentry skills to produce the chairs.

On the other hand, PAGCOR financed the purchase of equipment for the project.

DepEd takes charge of the distribution of the armchairs to school beneficiaries.

"We hope that this initiative will help in giving students in public schools the learning environment they deserve," TESDA head Villanueva said.

As of May this year, a total of 53,876 armchairs were already produced, of which 52,956 had been distributed to various schools in Metro Manila and CARAGA region in Mindanao.

In Metro Manila, various schools in Taguig City received 2,500 armchairs; Pasig City, 2,000; Paranaque City and Pasay City, 1,200 units each; and Quezon City, 500 units.

In CARAGA, Agusan del Sur got 13,212 units; Agusan del Norte, 13,315 units; Surigao del Sur, 10,564 units; and Surigao del Norte, 8,465 units.

DSWD lauds Taiwanese donations for typhoon 'Yolanda' survivors

(PNA), SCS/LSJ

MANILA, June 5 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Thursday it is very grateful to the Taiwanese government for giving prompt emergency relief assistance to disaster-affected areas in the country.

According to DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman, Ambassador Raymond L.S. Wang, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines, turned over to her on Tuesday at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City a USD 1,110,223.95 check donation from the government of Taiwan for the survivors of typhoon "Yolanda."

Soliman said that the Taiwanese government and people are among the long-time partners of the DSWD in providing aid to disaster victims in the country.

“Taiwanese government has already extended almost USD 1 billion for the survivors of major disasters, including the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol and typhoon Pablo in 2012,” she added.

The DSWD chief described the prompt emergency relief assistance of Taiwan to the Philippines as a sign that it is indeed a true neighbor and a solid evidence of Taiwan’s commitment and steadfast support to the country and its people.

To date, a total of USD 22,975,657.91 has been received by DSWD as foreign donations.

The local donations for "Yolanda" survivors, on the other hand, amounted to P91,101,252.57, the agency said.

PNP, Informatics offer educational assistance to police personnel

(PNP/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, 4 June (PIA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) through the educational benefit program offered by Informatics Institute is now accepting undergraduate courses and TESDA Diploma Programs.

According to PNP, Informatics is offering 500 slots with 50 percent discount on tuition fees and five slots full tuition fees scholarship to qualified PNP personnel including contractual employees extended to their dependents for a maximum of four years college education for each of the following Bachelor Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology; Bachelor of Science in Computer Science; Bachelor of Science in Information System; Bachelor of Business Administration Major in Marketing; and Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, the following are under the TESDA Diploma Programs: Computer Hardware Servicing; Computer Programming; Visual Graphics; and Animation.

Interested students may visit and inquire directly at the following Informatics branches: Eastwood, Manila, Northgate, Megamall Center, Makati Center, Cebu, Imus, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro and Consolacion Center.

For more information, please call Ms. Monica A. Bernabe, Assistant Vice President of Informatics at (02) 635-3608, 0942-3996533 or email malcantaea@informatics.com.ph.

SPED student sees 'beauty and goodness' even in darkness

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

MANILA, June 3 (PNA Feature) -- Though nine-year-old Special Education (SPED) pupil Joshua Garcia cannot see, he was one of the almost 10,000 regular students who trooped early during the first day of classes on Monday at the Commonwealth Elementary School in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City.

“I am very excited and happy because I will have the chance to be with my friends and my teachers again,” said Joshua, a visually impaired grade 3 pupil, in an interview with the Philippines News Agency.

He was then attending his SPED class wherein he uses an improvised Braille as a method to help him read. The improvised Braille was designed for him to fit his need to read the letters in bigger perspective.

According to Joshua, he always looks forward to attending school because he believes that education is the key for him to reach his dream to be a school principal someday.

“I come early to the school because I am very eager to get in touch with my teachers, classmates and school friends who are all nice to me,” he said with a smile while holding my hand as if we have known each other for a long time.

He told this writer that while he was born with visual disability -- his two eyes cannot see anything -- he is not regretting that condition because it is in his blindness that he sees the heart and feel the love of people around him.

“I may not be able to see in darkness, but I see the beauty and love of people around me and who care for me,” he said as some fellow students who were having their recess break approached and greeted him.

“I am happy when I come here to school because my classmates and school friends always approach me and they guide me as I walk along with my guardian,” he shared.

“Joshua is a good student. He knows how to follow instructions and actively participate whenever he is mainstreamed to his regular class in grade 3,” said Janice Armas, SPED Teacher I.

She described the boy to be very sweet and friendly and with very optimistic attitude.

“One thing you could notice about him is his happy nature. He never let his disability limits his world. Perhaps, it helps that in his growing up years, we always emphasize to him that he is well-loved,” shared Ernie Mahusay, his guardian who looks after his needs while he is in school and attending classes.

Mahusay said that Joshua has another brother and his parents both work overseas since three years ago in order to provide them a better future.

“Since grade 1, he studies here in CES. Way back before, when he was just six years old, he was among the students being educated under the program Resources for the Blind in Cubao,” Mahusay said.

“Having disability should not make us bitter. God has reasons why He gave us this kind of trial. It should not hinder our success but instead help us to believe that we can overcome the barriers and be successful,” the grade 3 boy said.

At present, there are around 30 SPED students at Commonwealth Elementary School. CES has long been providing SPED classes to students with some forms of disability and impairment.

“It is very challenging to handle and teach them,” SPED Teacher Armas said.

“It is very rewarding and joyful to know and see that some of them have succeeded in the fields of their interest,” said Evelyn Matienzo, another SPED teacher at CES.

According to Matienzo, many of their students pursued their college educations through scholarship and were able to graduate and successfully found employment in some companies, proving that disability cannot be a hindrance to success.

Special Education (SPED) or special needs education is the practice of educating students with special needs in a way that addresses their individual differences and needs.

Ideally, this process involves the individually-planned and systematically-monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials, accessible settings, and other interventions designed to help learners with special needs achieve a higher level of personal self-sufficiency and success in the school and the community.

Students with common special needs include those with learning disabilities, communication disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical disabilities, and developmental disabilities.

QC councilor files ordinance paying tribute to former Phivolcs director

By Jeannette I. Andrade (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

A measure to name a government building in Quezon City after the late head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Dr. Raymundo Punongbayan, is under review.

The proposed ordinance to name the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRMMO) which is under construction at the city hall compound after Punongbayan has been referred for further study to the city council’s committees on public affairs, mass media, information and people’s participation; and on laws, rules and internal government.

Authored by Councilor Donato Matias of the sixth district, the measure said that naming the DRMMO building after the late Phivolcs director would be a fitting tribute to his “extraordinary service and dedication to the Filipino people.”

Matias cited Punongbayan’s stint as Phivolcs director from 1983 to 2002 during which two major calamities—the July 16, 1990, Luzon earthquake and the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption— struck the country. The late director’s close monitoring of Mt. Pinatubo and his massive information drive to inform the public about its impending eruption saved thousands of lives.

Punongbayan was considered an authority in the fields of volcanology, seismology, geology and disaster-preparedness, and also served as a governor of the then Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

A member of the task force for the Development of [an] Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Prevention Master Plan for the Asia-Pacific Region, he was the national focal person of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ coast subcommittee on meteorology and geophysics.

He and eight Phivolcs and Air Force personnel died in a helicopter crash on April 28, 2005, in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. At that time, he and other PNRC officials were on a mission to assess the area for the government’s disaster preparedness operations program.

QC councilor eyes Aug. 23 as 'Araw ng Haring Bayan' or Sovereign People's Day (Feature)

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

MANILA, June 1 (PNA) -- A Quezon City councilor said over the weekend he will spearhead the filing of a City Council resolution urging Congress to enact a law declaring Aug. 23 of every year either as "Araw ng Haring Bayan" (Sovereign People’s Day) or the new Independence Day of the country.

According to Councilor Victor Ferrer of the city's first district, he will file the resolution in support of the QC-based but nationwide civic organization Pugad Lawin Philippines Inc. (PLPI) campaign to ask the legislature to declare the Aug. 23 Cry of Pugad Lawin Day as the Philippines’ new independence day.

Ferrer said the organizers of the campaign dubbed the initiative as “August 23 Advocacy” which aims to promote the event when some 1,000 Katipuneros led by Andres Bonifacio gathered at Pugad Lawin to launch Asia’s first revolution against Spanish colonialism 118 years ago.

“August 23, 1896 is known in Philippine history as the Cry of Pugad Lawin, which was described by historians as the day when some 1,000 Katipuneros led by Bonifacio gathered at Pugad Lawin and declared themselves and all the people of the islands as free and sovereign nation by tearing their cedula, a symbol of vassalage to Spain,” Ferrer explained.

He said there is a legal basis for Congress to favor the August 23 Advocacy because the Cry of Pugad Lawin in 1896 was an act of the people to assert their right to be free and be a sovereign nation.

“It reflects how the freedom-loving Filipinos led by Bonifacio exercised that right as they did exercise it through the Katipunan at Pugad Lawin on August 23, 1896, and this right is recognized by the 1987 Constitution,” he stressed.

He also pointed out that under Section 1, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, it is stated that “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.”

The councilor noted that a comparison of the Cry of Pugad Lawin and the June 12, 1898 Proclamation of Independence at Kawit, Cavite by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo would show that the latter included an American signatory and established a Philippine Republic “under the protection of the mighty and humane North American Union.”

Ferrer said that based also on historical records, Aguinaldo, after he was captured by the Americans in Palanan, Isabela in March 1901, gave up his June 12 Kawit Republic by taking the oath of allegiance to the United States, thus putting an end to his own republic.

“In contrast, Bonifacio, until his last breath on May 10, 1897, remained loyal to the Haring Bayan ng Katagalugan by refusing to join forces with Aguinaldo – for Aguinaldo and his followers were out to disband the Katipunan, the biggest obstacle to their counter-revolution or coup against the KKK supremo,” Ferrer added.

He is optimistic that the passage of the resolution will gain support from his fellow councilors and will be considered later by the members of the Congress.

Ferrer said he is also open to possibilities that the Congress would decide to retain June 12 as Independence Day if August 23 will be declared as a national non-working holiday to be called Araw ng Haring Bayan (Sovereign People’s Day).

PLPI national president Dominador Alcala, who is spearheading the campaign, said that upon being informed, Ferrer immediately pledged his full support to the August 23 Advocacy.

The historical Pugad Lawin shrine is at present located in Barangay Bahay Toro, near the Quezon City General Hospital.

"Haring Bayan" was a word coined by Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio in referring to the sovereign people and to the free nation that the Katipunan called the Haring Bayan ng Katagalugan.

The Katipunan founder considered the name Filipinas a colonial imposition so he came up with the name Haring Bayan ng Katagalugan.

Thus, to the Katipunan, all the native-born in the Philippines shall be called Tagalog, not only those in Central and Southern Luzon.

Pugad Lawin Philippines Inc. is sponsoring the annual celebration of the Cry of Pugad Lawin in Quezon City since 1978.

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