Quezon City News November 2015

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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.

Barreto is Batang Pinoy’s outstanding athlete

(Tempo)

CEBU CITY – Miguel Barreto of Quezon City emerged as the most outstanding athlete in the Games after scooping six gold medals Sunday in the 2015 POC-PSC Batang Pinoy National Finals.

Barreto, a 12-year-old swimmer from Angelicum College, punctuated his golden feat with a win in the boys’ 12-under 100-meter butterfly in one minute and 7.99 seconds.

“He’s got the potential to swim for the national team,’’ said national coach Archimedes Lim.

Barreto also won the 400m freestyle, 400m individual medley, 50m fly, 200m fly and the 4x50m medley relay with older brother Rafael Barreto.

Fishing out five golds in the pool, Rafael Barreto is the country’s top bet in freestyle events in the 39th Southeast Asia Age Group Swimming Championship scheduled Dec. 4-6 in Danang, Vietnam.

Lim said Barreto will join 28 other Filipino tankers supported by the Philippine Swimming Inc. and PSC in the meet where the Philippines got four silver medals last year in Singapore.

Joining Barreto in Danang are potential medalists Raissa Gavino, Xiandi Chua, Andrea Miguel Pogiongko and Miguel Karlo Barlisan.

Also snaring five golds was Raven Faith Alcoseba of Cebu province while Aubrey Bermejo of Iligan City sparkled with three golds in the girls’ 12-under 400m, 200m and 100m free.

Alcoseba, a 13-year-old from Talisay City Science High School, won the 400m free, 400m IM, 200m backstroke, 100m back and the 200m IM where she broke the Palarong Pambansa record in the elementary level early this year in Tagum City.

Meantime, after defeating two-time champion Yuan Chiongbian in triathlon, 15-year-old Brent Valelo nosed out Chiongbian in the three-kilometer run, 12km bike and 2km run duathlon event held in Danao City.

Una Janus Sibayan of Muntinlupa City toppled Catherine Angeli Yu of Cebu City in girls’ duathlon with a time of 45 minutes and 46 seconds, six seconds faster than Yu. Lauren Justine Plaza of Biñan, Laguna checked in third (46:34).

QC launches komiks to increase birth registration

By Cory Martinez

TO increase the birth registration in Quezon City, the city government will be launching a komiks informational material that will highlight the importance of birth registration as child’s first right.

Mayor Herbert Bautista will lead the launching of the info komiks, titled “Operation: Birthright,” on Dec. 15 at the QC Hall grounds.

The launching is an offshoot of the cooperation between the QC Civil Registry Department and the Rotary Club of Cubao Business Center.

The cooperation aims to provide free birth registration to indigent city residents and to increase the rate of birth registration in QC through the komiks project, “Operation: Birthright, a right to a name, an identity and nationality.

Birth registration is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 7 of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child and guaranteed in the Philippine Constitution as well as in national laws.

In the Philippines, despite the issuance of Proclamation No. 326, declaring as a national state policy the free registration of births, deaths, marriages and foundlings, the registration of undocumented individuals has remain an insurmountable task.

Rotary Club president Nunelon Marquez said providing free birth registration has been the signature impact project of the club.

Inspired by its success, the project was also adopted by Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte with the Office of the Vice Mayor bringing the project to public schools and other densely populated barangays in the city.

National Reading Month culminates with 'Araw ng Pagbasa' for children at QMMC

By Lily O. Ramos [(PNA), SCS/LOR]

MANILA (PNA) — Learn to read to be well- rounded and truly informed.

This was the gist of the message of Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro at the culminating event for the Reading Month of November with the theme “Nasa Pagbasa ang Pag-asa” at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) in Quezon City on Friday.

Luistro cited some great Filipinos like the late President Elpidio Quirino, the first Philippine president who was formerly a barrio school teacher, and the late former Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. who was an achiever even during his youth.

The Education chief said that Quirino ruled the country with wisdom because of his experience, education and love for the future.

“He was a voracious reader and gleaned so much knowledge from books, newspapers and everything he could get hold of. Even as he reigned, he kept increasing his stock knowledge in governance for the betterment of a country that was still struggling from the ravages of war in the '40s," Luistro said.

“In the case of Aquino, his love for reading simply never stopped as long as he lived. He was a prolific writer as well, having started his media career in his late teens as a war correspondent in Korea. His character was well-built on deep wealth of information and discipline to accomplish what he wanted to do although he had to die for us to regain our freedom in the turbulent '80s,” he added.

The death in August 1983 of the former Tarlac senator, father of incumbent President Benigno S. Aquino III, quickened the downfall of the leadership of then President Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the country three years later.

Luistro advised parents to love books, make reading a real habit and knowledge companion.

“If your children see that you read, they will likely follow your example. So while waiting for your kids in school, use your free time browsing newspapers, magazines, leaflets, flyers that have value for your brain and knowledge development,” he said.

After his speech, Luistro launched the ”Libro Ko, Handog Ko” with QMMC Director Angeles De Leon accepting the books on behalf of Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Janette Garin.

He later pushed the KaREADthon or "Kariton Klasrum" filled with books to the Pediatric Ward in the company of Director De Leon, Quezon City Third Dist. Rep. Jorge Banal Jr., DepEd Undersecretary Mario Deriquito and Ronald McDonald of the famed McDonald's fast food restaurant.

Some of the books distributed contained stories culled from the Bible, local hard-covered magazines with text and pictures and media images of Pong Pagong; Lauan, the seed that wanted to fight; Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang; The Good Neighbor, among others.

The synchronized reading for Mystery Readers had Luistro approaching and rumpling fatherly the heads of kids at the scenic program area before heading on to read "Stories of Hope" to the very young hospital patients while Banal did his at the site of the reading corner.

Ronald McDonald gave the children the chance to have selfies and hug the very popular mascot together with their parents.

They were also treated to McDonald meals to complete their bright morning despite being in the hospital.

DAP hosts Ist International Conference on Productivity & Innovation

By Ben Cal [(PNA), SCS/RBC/EDS]

MANILA, Nov. 26 (PNA) -- The Ist International Conference on Productivity and Innovation opened here on Thursday, attended by some 200 productivity practitioners from both public and private sectors from Asian countries.

The two-day confab hosted by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) coincided with the launching of the Philippines as the Asian Productivity Organization’s Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity at Novetel Manila at the Araneta Center in suburban Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

The conference theme is “Achieving Excellence: Unlocking the Potentials for Limitless Possibilities.”

Dr. Cayetano W. Paderanga Jr., DAP chairman of the board, welcomed the delegates while Tony D. Kalaw Jr., DAP president, talked about the importance of the productivity movement initiated by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) to push the economic progress of a country.

The APO, which was established on May 11, 1961 as a regional intergovernmental organization, is non-political, non-profit, and non-discriminatory institution.

The launching ceremony coincided with the signing by former Ambassador Mari Amano, APO secretary general, of the certificate of recognition designating the Philippines as the Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity, with DAP as the implementing agency.

Amano presented the certificate to Kalaw.

The Philippines is the third country in Asia accorded the distinction as a Center of Excellence from among 20-country organizations in Asia and the Pacific.

These countries would share their knowledge and expertise through collaboration and assistance.

The two other countries accorded the same honor were Singapore on business excellence in 2009 and China on productivity in 2013.

The 2015 conference is aimed at promoting a culture of excellence among public and private sector organizations with focus on productivity and innovation.

In a related development, Kalaw said that DAP will provide a venue for public and private sector organizations to “understand, share, contribute, inspire and develop a culture of excellence” in both public and private sectors to support the “Daang Matuwid” (Right Path) of the Aquino administration.

Kalaw also said that it is “high time for organizations, especially in the public sector, to rise above the challenge” in Philippine public service and people from government need to be encouraged, motivated and recognized.

The conference ends on Friday.

QC conducts campaign to end violence against women

(QC PAISO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 26 (PIA)--All men must speak out against street harassment and sexual violence against women in our cities.

Thus said, Mayor Herbert Bautista to over 100 male advocates who attended “Building Image through Safe Cities and Safe Communities,” kick off activity of Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere (MOVE) an 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, held every year from November 25 to December 12.

In the event, Bautista asserted that men can be agents of change. “Men are key in eliminating all forms of gender-based violence particularly street harassment and sexual violence in our city streets,” he said.

Quezon City government has partnered with UN Women to implement the Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Initiative.

QC is the first city in Metro Manila to join over 24 cities around the world in the programme to stop street harassment and sexual violence against women in public spaces with the support of the Spanish Cooperation for International Development (AECID).

The city stands one with the United Nations Women (UN Women) and the rest of the nation during the 18-day Campaign, highlighting the issue of street harassment and all forms of sexual violence that women experience as they move about in the city – using public transport, lining up in terminals, going to markets/malls, and even just walking home in their own neighborhoods.

Bautista said whether due to shame or fear, women traditionally ignore and keep silent about catcalls, stalking, repeated harassment for their numbers, male public exposure, rubbing or groping (panghihipo) inside the MRT/ jeepneys, even bearing indecent language being yelled at them by men as they walk by.

During the 18-day campaign, UN Women also launches the 4Rs to Stop Street Harassment: Realize, Respond, Report and Reform. (1) Women should realize their rights. (2) People should respond to the harassers and talk back, if they are harassed or witness a sexual harassment. (3) Report the experiences on social media and to friends and support groups, do not stay silent.

People can also report to the police and barangay hall because sexual harassment in against the Quezon City GAD Code. (4) We all need to change the culture that tolerates sexual harassment and violence in our city streets.

UN agency pledges USD 55-M in new poverty-reduction projects in PHL

By Filane Mikee Z. Cervantes [(PNA), FPV/FMC]

MANILA, Nov. 25 (PNA) -- The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) of the United Nations has pledged USD 55 million for two projects aimed at alleviating poverty in Philippine rural areas starting in 2016.

Benoit Thierry, IFAD country program manager, announced this development during the 9th Knowledge and Learning Market and Policy Engagement (KLM-PE) held on Nov. 25 to 26, at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management in Quezon City.

“On behalf of President of IFAD, we are very proud of this renewed commitment in Philippines, and participate to government efforts for poverty alleviation in agriculture and fishery sector,” said Thierry.

The funding will support the Convergence of Value-Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (CONVERGE) project and Fisheries, Coastal Resources and Livelihood (FishCORAL) project.

For the CONVERGE project, IFAD will allot USD 25 million for the next six years starting in 2016.

The project, which aims to reduce poverty incidence in 10 of the country’s poorest provinces, will benefit over 300,000 agrarian reform farmer-beneficiaries (ARBs) in 11 Agrarian Reform Communities in 10 provinces in Regions 9, 11, and CARAGA.

Thierry noted that the objective of CONVERGE will enable ARBs and other smallholder farmers to become highly productive and competitive entrepreneurs.

In partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform, CONVERGE shall provide financing for farm inputs, tools, packaging, and capacity building, thus increasing the quantity and improving the quality of commodity production.

Furthermore, the project will also link smallholder farmers with the market.

“By linking farmers to the market, CONVERGE shall effectively transform smallholder farmers into active contributors to the achievement of broad-based rural economic growth,” Thierry said.

As for the FishCORAL project, IFAD has committed USD 30 million for financing income-generating projects, rehabilitation of coastal resources such as coral reefs, mangroves and sea grasses, and provision of support infrastructure such as guard houses and fish sanctuaries.

The FishCORAL project aims to protect the country’s vital coastal resources by providing livelihood and coastal resource management capabilities to over 700,000 inhabitants of 11 bays and gulfs in the Philippines.

In partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture, the project covers 14 provinces in Regions 5, 8, 13, and ARMM.

This year’s edition of the Knowledge and Learning Market and Policy Engagement focused on discussions and activities that highlight the importance of small farm holders in poverty reduction strategies.

Manila Water issues advisory on water meter theft, tampering

(MANILA WATER/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, 24 November (PIA) – Manila Water recently issued an advisory warning its customers of meter theft and tampering.

In the advisory, Manila Water Spokesperson, OIC for Corporate Strategic Affairs Group and Corporate Communications Head Jeric Sevilla advised its customers to protect their water meters and to immediately report incidences of meter theft to the local authorities or the nearest Manila Water office.

The east zone water concessionaire reported some 139 cases of stolen meters from January to October this year.

Sevilla also encouraged its customers to put a lock or metal cage to safeguard their water meters. The same warning also applies to owners of junk shops who buy stolen meters, an act that is illegal and punishable under the Anti-Fencing Law.

Manila Water also cautioned residential owners, business establishments and offices against meter-tampering adding that only representatives of the company are allowed to conduct repairs or replacement in case their water meters are no longer working or in need of repair.

“The water meters that we installed have a warranty of five to seven years. We also encourage households and owners of commercial and business establishments to report malfunctioning or defective meters for immediate replacement,” Sevilla added.

Manila Water provides water and used water services to the eastern portion of Metro Manila that includes 6.3 million customers in Pasig, Makati, San Juan, Taguig, Pateros, Marikina, Mandaluyong, and parts of Quezon City and Manila as well as several towns of Rizal province.

QC gets recognition at 7th annual NICP ICT summit

(People's Tonight)

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista has announced that the city government received recognition for its participation as panelist in the 7th Annual NICP ICT Summit, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), where Quezon City’s eTaxmaps project is finalist in the 4th eGov Awards in G2C category.

As panelist, Quezon City shared its experience during the forum, entitled “E-Payment System in Government”, as the first local government unit (LGU) in the country that pioneered the implementation of the mobile/electronic system in the payment of real property taxes and the issuance of electronic receipts.

Quezon City’s enhanced Tax Mapping Systems project (eTaxmaps), a finalist in the eGov Awards, aims to integrate and synchronize updating of parcel tax maps vis-à-vis the land tax records. Through this project, city officials and property owners would get a better graphical overview of the overall tax situation of the city through the use of geospatial technology and imageries.

Specifically, it would enhance the capability for discovery, appraisal and assessment of undeclared, misclassified and unaccounted properties which would help create a more reliable income projection for the city.

Bautista said the project is also expected to increase operational efficiency for the City Assessor’s Office and enable the QC government to improve its tax base, harnessing effectively the revenue potential in real property taxation. It was implemented through collaborative and cooperative strategies.

The project is focused on easing the complexities in PIN (Property Index number) assignment and property location, comparing the existing tax map with the QCRPATS (Quezon City Real Property Assessment and Taxation System) database. Procedures were enhanced to address inconsistencies in tax declaration, e.g. misdeclared or undeclared lots and improvements.

With the implementation of the project, Bautistsa said a better system for data cleansing and synchronized updating of tax declaration records was formulated and operationalized. This went hand in hand with the development of system tools/utilities such as the Real Property Viewer Dashboard that allows users to view the location of parcels and their corresponding attributes

The project produced a more accurate projection of the city’s real property tax income. The project generated for the city P148,829,766.90 worth of tax due out of data cleansing and revaluation for land; P250,297,754.35 for reassessments and reclassification of improvements and P5,922,965 for machinery.

The ICT summit is an annual event of the NICT that aims to encourage the effective and efficient utilization of information and communications technology (ICT) in the delivery of services and performance of the duties and responsibilities among local government units (LGUs). The activity also helps to collate and document best practices of LGUs in integrating ICT in their processes to serve as example and benchmarks to other LGUs. It also helps to improve the business ecosystem of the LGUs and motivate the private and business sector to actively participate and/or invest in the growth of the LGUs as well as to promote transparency in governance.

Bean Queen Lyss McDonald-Bärtl to conduct exclusive classes at CCA Manila

(The Standard Lifestyle)

Australian social entrepreneur and responsible and sustainable chocolate farming advocateAlyssa Jade “Lyss” McDonald-Bärtl will be fying in to Manila to conduct special lectures at the Philippines’ top culinary school, the Center for Culinary Arts (CCA), Manila.

The founder of BLYSS Chocolate, which sells single bean virgin chocolate that food critics and chocolatiers define as the “purest chocolate in the world,” Lyss comes armed with the advocacy of responsible agriculture or agro-ecology that she learned from her family. BLYSS Chocolate harvests pure arriba nacionale cacao from 450 farmer families in Ecuador.

Chocolate and cacao bean lovers have the opportunity to become chocolate experts and start their own chocolate business through the special lectures on cacao beans mastery with McDonald-Bärtl, with CCA’s top patissier-masters, Chefs Christine Paredes and Anne Atanacio, accompanying her in preparing dishes and desserts using locally-sourced cacao and chocolate.

On November 30 and December 1, Lyss will be conducting “How to Put up a Profitable Chocolate Business” where she will lecture on the possibilities of a chocolate-based enterprise coming from her very own experiences with BLYSS Chocolate (which she started and which currently produces the highly valued single bean virgin chocolate), with Wicked’s top patissier Chef Christine Paredes conducting the demo.

On December 1 and 2, Lyss will be at the helm on the topic of “Use of Local Cacao” where she will discuss the exploration and use of locally grown cacao beans in the preparation of innovative dishes and desserts, and earning top profits in the process. Lyss will partner with CCA’s desserts expert and seasoned instructor Anne Atanacio who will conduct the accompanying demo.

Classes will be conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the CCA, Manila campus at 287 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. The fee for the two-day class is P10,000. For inquiries, call (02) 218-5266 or email talktoccamanila@gmail.com.

PA joins military in celebrating 80th founding anniversary of Signal Corps

(PNA), RMA/PFN

MANILA, Nov. 21 (PNA) -- The Philippine Army (PA) on Saturday expressed its appreciation to the AFP Signal Corps which will be celebrating its 80th founding anniversary on Nov. 25.

PA spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said various activities were lined up to celebrate this major milestone.

This will be highlighted by the recognition and awarding of outstanding AFP Signal officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employee at the Tejeros Hall, AFP Officers' Club House, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City this coming Nov. 25.

The PA, together with other Major Services, will also showcase their system solutions for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (C4ISTAR) during the activity.

A Sunrise and Wreath Laying Ceremony was held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Libingan ng mga Bayani here on Saturday to honor the departed members of the AFP Signal Corps with Major Gen. Crisologo M. Nayve, the Deputy of Staff for Communication Electronic and Information System (CEIS) as the guest of honor and speaker.

The Army Signal Regiment is in the forefront of providing communications-electronics systems services and facilities in the PA.

It provides communications electronic support to Headquarters Philippine Army, Philippine Army Major Units, and task force or special units organized by the Command during times of emergencies and disasters.

It also provides repairs and maintenance of communications electronics equipment. To further improve and upgrade its capabilities, it conducts special studies, research, tests and evaluation of communications electronics.


Quezon City, Tagaytay, Baguio top list for preferred property sites

By Richmond S. Mercurio (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City, Tagaytay and Baguio have topped the list of the most sought-after locations in the country for raw land, a new report by global online property portal Lamudi showed.

“If you own either a residential lot or a raw land and plans to sell it, then your property better be in Quezon City, Tagaytay, or Baguio to get as much inquiries as possible,” Lamudi Philippines said.

Lamudi said many of those searching for available land for sale in these areas are either real estate companies looking for potential new areas to develop or private buyers looking for available lots to build their own vacation homes.

Tagaytay and Baguio, in particular, are both tourist hotspots popular during the summer and Christmas seasons, Lamudi said.

Following the three cities in terms of popularity are Davao and Antipolo, cities with high population and popular among buyers looking to buy land on which to build their homes.

Lamudi said 95 percent of all land for sale in Antipolo listed in its website are residential lots, while it stands at 67 percent for Davao.

“Clearly there are cities preferred by people researching about land for sale online, and we hope these findings will give real estate developers insight into how to properly plan their next projects,” Lamudi said.

Lamudi said the report also revealed Filipinos are not too keen into buying residential land within the National Capital Region, either due to lack of supply, unaffordability, or both.

SC orders probe of fake notary publics in Quezon City

(PNA), JBP/PTR

MANILA, Nov. 19 (PNA) -- The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the Executive Judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to act on the alleged existence of fake notary publics and illegal practice of law by non-lawyers in the city.

In an en banc resolution promulgated by Clerk of Court Atty. Felipa B. Anama, the SC reiterated its order requiring Executive Judge Fernando T. Sagun to look into reports of bogus notary publics, particularly the Padolina Law Office.

It can be recalled that the SC in its resolution in April 2014 ordered then Executive Judge Ma. Luisa Padilla to investigate the said law firm, which allegedly continued to notarize documents despite the death of Atty. Jose S. Padolina.

"Although a copy of the resolution was received in the office of [Padilla], the Court has not received any report on what action has been taken thereon," the SC said.

Thus, the SC required Sagun to look into the matter and "to explain why no report had been submitted."

In its Sept. 22, 2015 resolution, the SC also told the executive judge "to submit the required report within thirty (30) days from notice of the Court's resolution."

The order came after Pedro Suarez of Quezon City sent two letters to the SC in 2011 relative to the alleged existence of fake notary publics in the city.

Bautista leads mayors in fight vs pollution

(People's Journal)

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista has taken the initiative for more than 54 Philippine mayors to commit to a zero-carbon emission.

The mayors come from 17 cities of the National Capital Region and 37 mayors from other cities across the country who signified their commitment to the Compact of Mayors, a global coalition of city leaders dedicated to reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, make their communities more resilient to climate change and regularly report their progress publicly.

Quezon City’s commitment to the Compact builds on years of efforts to combat climate change through its membership in the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

The city hosted the national launch of the Compact of Mayors last November 12 at the Sequoia Hotel in Quezon City.

“The Compact of Mayors reinforces our city’s commitment to its people, its businesses and the environment,” Bautista said in his statement of commitment to the Compact.

“Through the Compact, we pledge to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, create climate targets, track progress and enhance Quezon City’s climate resilience. With consistent, public reporting of our city’s climate data, we will show how our actions can effect real change,” Bautista added.

As one of the key initiatives launched at the UN Climate Summit in September 2014 by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and his Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, Michael Bloomberg, the Compact of Mayors is the world’s largest collective effort by cities to tackle climate change, proactively prepare for its impact and regularly track and report progress.

The Compact of Cities was activated through the initiative of the global city networks – C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, ICLEI, and UCLG – and with support from UN-Habitat, the UN’s lead agency on urban issues.

Bautista said: “We will continue to support initiatives to make Quezon City a place where people want to live, where businesses want to invest and where jobs will grow. Along with other cities in the Compact of Mayors, we are showing that actions at the local level can have a global impact. By improving our city, we will be helping create a better world for today’s urban citizens and generations to come.”

Quezon City pioneered the implementation of sustainable environmental and climate change measures in the country. Some of its environment and disaster preparedness initiatives include making proper use of the city’s land resources through the Comprehensive Land Use Plan ordinance and promoting sustainable and eco-friendly structures through the Green Building ordinance, among others.

In terms of disaster-risk reduction, the city government has also set up an urban program that reconciles city development with disaster risk mitigation.

QC is country’s richest city

By REINA TOLENTINO

Quezon City is the Philippines’ richest city, having assets totaling P47.687 billion, according to the 2014 Annual Financial Report for Local Government by the Commission on Audit (COA).

It is followed by Makati City with assets of P42.869 billion, and Manila, P22.521 billion.

Quezon city is the largest of the 16 cities in Metro Manila both in population and land area.

It covers almost one-fourth of Metro Manila with 16,112.8 ha. and its population of more than 2.9 million is the biggest in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Along with the three cities mentioned above, the following are the 10 wealthiest cities in the country in terms of assets: Pasig City with assets of P22.302 billion, Cebu City, P16.729 billion, Caloocan City, P11.871 billion, Taguig City, P11.661 billion, Zamboanga City, P11.205 billion, Pasay City, P11.004 billion, and Olongapo City, P7.091 billion.

Except for Cebu City and Zamboanga City, these cities are in Luzon.

The country has 144 cities.

Based on the same report, Cebu is the wealthiest of the 80 provinces with assets of P29.695 billion.

It is followed by Rizal Province, P8.059 billion, Negros Occidental, P7.529 billion, Cavite, P6.324 billion, Batangas, P6.238 billion, Laguna, P6.223 billion, Bulacan, P5.625 billion, Bohol, P5.432 billion, Pangasinan, P5.138 billion, and Nueva Ecija, P5.091 billion.

As to municipalities, Cainta in Rizal Province is the richest, having P2.826 billion in assets.

It is followed by Sto. Tomas (Batangas), P1.97 billion, Mariveles (Bataan), P1.956 billion, Sual (Pangasinan), P1.746 billion, Binangonan (Rizal), P1.265 billion, Taytay (Rizal), P1.159 billion, Limay (Bataan), P1.124 billion, Tanay (Rizal), P1.072 billion, Polomolok (South Cotabato), P1.051 billion, and Silang (Cavite), P930.38 million.

(Feature) Small projects for children can mean a lot with the help of the community and society, says CWC chief

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

MANILA (PNA) -- The “Dikit-A-Sticker for Child Safety Campaign” of the Council for the Welfare of the Children (CWC) launched in partnership with the Robinsons Mall Novaliches in Quezon City may look just a “small project” at a quick glance but it can mean a lot in promoting the welfare and protection of children by making room for the creation of more child-friendly advocacies in the communities and society.

“At a glance, the act of posting the safety campaign sticker on transport vehicles may be perceived as something to be a small one in terms of advocacies that can be created for children… But this will surely reach far and result into deeper commitments on the protection of the welfare of the children in our country,” said CWC Executive Director Patricia Luna.

She said that through the project, they are expecting that awareness can be spread further on the need to promote and protect the welfare of the vulnerable children at all times through the drivers of public vehicles who understand the essence of ensuring protection of children as they ride in the vehicles that they drive toward destinations like homes, schools, malls and other places wherein there is a need to guarantee that they arrive safely.

“Through the project, officials and members of transport groups who have expressed support to the advocacy can influence their other members and many other people to exercise caution whenever there are children boarding their vehicles and also along the roads where children are waiting for ride,” the CWC official said.

She added that the drivers of public vehicles transporting commuters everyday can serve as “fitting models” of the community on how to be actively involved in the activities that aim to promote the rights of the children.

“We have heard that there are incidents that some children are allowed to ask alms as they ride in the back portion of jeepneys or take the risk of back-riding in tricycles which can result to accidents… We hope that with the awareness campaign through the stickers, the drivers will be reminded of what they can do to prevent accidents that may hurt children,” she explained.

She also said that through the campaign, she is hoping that they can penetrate deeply into the hearts and minds of the concerned sectors such as the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) and other private organizations/individuals to also do their share or be a part of the campaign on ensuring the protection of the children.

The CWC director noted that since the Christmas season is fast approaching, incidents wherein some children will knock in the hearts of the people and ask for alms in public vehicles by doing some sort of “caroling” and begging for some money or anything, thus risking their safety, such acts should not be tolerated.

Luna said that the drivers can do their part by asking the attention of BCPC officials and other concerned community organizations to ensure that there are “watchful” eyes that will divert the attention of such children from going up and down from moving vehicles in the aim to get “Christmas gifts.”

She said that barangays and community organizations can cooperate together by conducting activities within their areas that can provide some sort of “gift-giving” wherein said children can be gathered together and in the process receive the “gifts” they wish to get as they put their lives at risk in going up and down from moving public vehicles.

Another way is by conducting activities wherein parents of the said children are reminded on ensuring that their children are not roaming in the streets and asking for alms because that can result to “painful consequences.”

It is also important that parents are given the capacity to get livelihood opportunities so that they have something to provide for their children during the Christmas season.

Luna said that the barangay councils can also initiate and sponsor projects and ordinances that can help prevent children from staying and begging on the streets.

It maybe recalled that Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon J. Soliman has encouraged kindhearted and generous people to refrain from “alms-giving” inside public transportation because in that manner, the children will keep on going up and down from the vehicles and put their lives at risk.

Secretary Soliman said it is better if private citizens who really want to give in the spirit of Christmas will instead channel the assistance to the non-governmental organization (NGOs) or other organizations in a community who will conduct “Christmas parties” for the said children so that they will not continue to be asking for alms on the streets

CWC is an attached agency of the DSWD created through Presidential Decree No. 603 known as the “Child and Youth Welfare Code.”

The agency is mandated to coordinate the implementation and enforcement of all laws, formulate, monitor, and evaluate polices, programs and measures for the welfare of children.

In line with this objective, a yearly celebration of “National Children”s Month” was observed in the country since 1993 every month of October together with different concerned agencies and the National Youth Commission (NYC).

The celebration was changed to November this year by virtue of Republic Act No. 10661 so that the commemoration is in line with the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on Nov. 20, 1989.

This year's NCM celebration theme is "Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magkaisa, Pag-aabuso sa Bata, Wakasan Na!"

The celebration kicked-off last Oct. 10 through “Zumbata on Child Protection” activity at SM Skydome in North EDSA, headed by Secretary Soliman in cooperation with SM Cares.

The kicked-off also marked the launch of “One Million Lapis Campaign” and declaration to stop child abuse and discrimination among children.

Other activities followed such as workshops, launching of a story book on children, Dikit a sticker campaign, and many others.

The culminating activity will be the “Araw ng Kabataan” to be held on Nov. 21, 2015 at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, wherein President Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to be the principal guest.

55 QCPD cops complete motorcycle training course

By Francis T. Wakefield

A total of 55 policemen from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) completed the one-week refresher Motorized Tactical Response Training facilitated by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG).

Chief Supt. Edgardo G. Tinio, QCPD director, led Wednesday the graduation ceremonies at Camp Karingal, Quezon City.

Tinio said the police motorcyclists belonged to the QCPD’s two-wheel motorized tactical response units at the headquarters and in the 12 police stations in the city which provide rapid response to crimes in progress or other calls for police assistance in spite of heavy road traffic which delay or preempt four-wheel vehicles

In his message at the closing ceremony, Tinio said that the refresher training was part of the QCPD’s implementation of the PNP’s Back to Basics (B2B) Program to upgrade skills learned in basic training some two years ago when the units were formed.

He added that aside from refreshing and enhancing skills, this training will further boost QCPD’s capabilities in anti-criminality tactics, especially in contending with motorcycle-riding criminals.

Chief Inspector Hilberth Balanay, who was among the instructors, delivered the instructors’ remarks.

He commended the participants for their discipline during the training and thanked them for their diligence and dedication. He also expressed his confidence that the participants are now even more skilled in addressing street crimes.

Quezon City passes mental health care ordinance

(BM, GMA News)

The local government of Quezon City has passed an ordinance that aims to uphold residents' right to mental health care and to encourage mental health awareness among the public.

The Community Based Mental Health Program of 2015 was approved on the third and final reading during the 77th regular session of the Quezon City Council on October 19.

According to a copy sent by the legislative division of the Quezon City Council to GMA News Online, the ordinance's objectives are the following:

• to promote a shift from a hospital-based system to a strengthened community-based mental heath care delivery system;
• to reorient and modernize existing health facilities;
• to integrate mental health care into the general health care delivery system;
• to prevent, treat, and control mental illness at all levels and rehabilitate persons with mental disability;
• to provide access to comprehensive health care and treatment to ensure a well-balanced community-based mental health program and hospital care and treatment;
• to establish a multi-sectoral joint network for the identification and prevention of mental illness or disability and the management of mental health problems among vulnerable groups in the population, including include those affected by overseas employment, children, adolescents, elderly, and those who are in need of special protection like survivors of extreme life experiences and violence;
• to promote the mental heath of the people through a multi-disciplinary approach that covers health, education, labor and employment, justice, and social welfare;
• to develop coping mechanisms and strategies vital to recovery; and
• to assist patients to have a productive, quality, and livable lives.

By strengthening a community-based mental health care system, the local government of Quezon City believes that it will be more accessible to its residents.

With this shift, the ordinance also pushes for capacity-building, reorientation, and training of local health workers, teachers, and different sectors of the community through the help of professionals and experts.

The ordinance was introduced by Councilors Anthony Peter Crisologo, Eufemio Lagumbay, Jessica Castelo Daza, and Allan Benedict Reyes.

The amount of P7,498,850 from the Quezon City Health Department's budget is expected to be allotted to the implementation of the ordinance.

Admission and consent

"A patient with mental illness or disability shall have the right to treatment in the least restrictive environment suited to the patient's mental health needs," the ordinance stated.

It added that consent to care, treatment, or rehabilitation should be obtained freely without threats and improper inducements. It should also be relayed in a language understood by the patient.

However, if the patient at that time lacks the capacity to give or withhold consent, his next of kin or legal representative shall give consent.

Likewise, every patient admitted voluntarily will have the right to be discharged from a facility if recommended by an attending psychiatrist.

But the patient will be retained further if there is a serious tendency to harm himself and others; depending on the severity of the illness; and if appropriate treatment can only be done by admission to a mental health facility.

Mental Health Committee

The mental health city ordinance also establishes the creation of the Quezon City Mental Health Committee under the City Health Department. It is meant to provide for a consistent, rational, and unified response to mental health problems, concerns, and efforts through the City Mental Health Care Delivery System.

It will be headed by the City Mayor with the Vice Mayor as the Vice Chairperson, and will have committees on health, barangay affairs, women, and children.

Other cities that have passed mental heath-related ordinances are Bacolod and General Santos City.

Quest to fight sanitation-related diseases through clean toilets getting more supporters

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

MANILA, Nov. 13 (PNA) -- As part of the celebration of World Toilet Day 2015, the quest for the prevention of sanitation-related diseases through the promotion of clean toilets was highlighted in a hospital in Quezon City on Friday.

In an awareness advocacy held at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), the hospital housekeeping staff as well as patients, their relatives and friends witnessed the ongoing steps being taken by different concerned and dedicated organizations in the efforts to achieve clean toilets as “shields” against the spread of diseases arising from poor hygiene and sanitation.

With the support of Unilever Philippines, in cooperation with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Maxicare, Philippine Public Health Association (PPHA), the hospital has been included in the advocacy to attain the goal of ensuring the success of 1 Million Clean Toilets Movement in the country.

“The program is very relevant and helpful because the simple act of proper toilet hygiene can help prevent the spread of disease,” according to Dr. Alfonso Nuñez III, EAMC Deputy Quality Management representative.

He said that since the EAMC manages significant number of infectious and highly contagious diseases ranging from simple coughs and colds, diarrhea to moderate types of infection like deep-skin infection, even to complex diseases such as typhoid and hepatitis, it is very important that people coming in and getting out of the facility are educated on the importance of clean toilets and hygiene practices.

Dr. Nuñez explained that such initiative can create more positive effects since the patients can also help spread such “awareness” in their very own home and community.

He said that the awareness drive is also a factor that may help the people realize that a loss of income or livelihood, and sometimes lives, proper nutrition and other consequences of getting sick are really preventable through maintaining clean toilets.

He also said that through the movement, a large number of disease cases in the hospitals can be prevented as he cited that the initiative can help in cutting the expenditures of the Department of Health (DOH) which puts a lot of budget and other resources toward curing of and prevention of infectious diseases.

“About 80 percent of the patients (of EAMC) belong to the poorest sector who have no access to clean toilets,” the doctor added.

According to Liza Vengco, Unilever Sustainable Business and Communications Manager, they are looking forward to educating a million Filipino people every year to be aware of the importance of clean toilets and ways to keep them clean and germ-free so that preventable diseases can be stopped from spreading.

Unilever's advocacy started since 2013, through the launching of the 1 Million Clean Toilets Movement by educating the public on using Domex, a leading germ-kill expert in cleaning unsanitary toilet bowls.

The launching of the program was initially made in a school in Manila in 2013, followed up in a community in Baseco, also in Manila in 2014, to intensify the campaign.

All of these efforts are in line with Unilever Philippines’ long-term commitment to the global Unilever Sustainable Living Plan to improve the health and well-being of two billion people worldwide by 2020.

The advocacy is also aiming to help schoolchildren from being absent in school and away from diseases that can result to dropping out and loss of productivity.

With the awareness campaign included in the advocacy, Unilever and its partners do a series of steps in helping the public understand the essence of clean toilets, giving demonstration on ways of cleaning and what brand or product can really help in attaining the goal.

They also educate the public through leaflets and presentations on the causes of sicknesses that can result from practice of open defecation and unsanitized toilets.

QC hosts gathering of LCEs committed to combat Climate Change

(QC PAISO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA)--The Quezon City government will be hosting a national launch of an initiative aimed gathering commitment in support of zero-carbon environment.

Mayor Herbert Bautista will take the lead in the hosting of the city will be hosting of the Compact of Mayors on November 12, 2015 at Sequoia Hotel in Quezon City.

“The Compact of Mayors reinforces our city’s commitment to its people, its businesses and the environment,” Bautista said.

“Through the Compact, we will pledge to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, create climate targets, track progress and enhance Quezon City’s climate resilience. With consistent, public reporting of our city’s climate data, we will show how our actions can affect real change,” Bautista added.

Local chief executives from the 17 cities of the National Capital Region and 37 mayors from other cities across the country are expected to participate and signify their commitment to the Compact of Mayors, a global coalition of city leaders dedicated to reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, make their communities more resilient to climate change and regularly report their progress publicly.

Quezon City pioneered the implementation of sustainable environmental and climate change measures in the country.

Some of its environment and disaster preparedness initiatives include making proper use of the city’s land resources through the Comprehensive Land Use Plan ordinance and promoting sustainable and eco-friendly structures through the Green Building ordinance, among others.

In terms of disaster-risk reduction, the city government has also set up an urban program that reconciles city development with disaster risk mitigation.

Quezon City’s commitment to the Compact builds on years of efforts to combat climate change through its membership in the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

“We will continue to support initiatives to make Quezon City a place where people want to live, where businesses want to invest and where jobs will grow,” Bautista said

Along with other cities in the Compact of Mayors, we are showing that actions at the local level can have a global impact. By improving our city, we will be helping create a better world for today’s urban citizens and generations to come,” Bautista added.

Compact of Mayors is the world’s largest collective effort by cities to tackle climate change and proactively prepare for its impact and regularly track and report progress.

It is one of the key initiatives launched at the UN Climate Summit in September 2014 by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and his Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, Michael Bloomberg.

55 QC cops finish Motorized Tactical Response Training

(PNA), RMA/CLTC

MANILA, Nov. 11 (PNA) -- Fifty-five members of Quezon City Police District (QCPD) completed a one week refresher Motorized Tactical Response Training course facilitated by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), QCPD Director Chief Supt. Edgardo Tinio said on Wednesday.

Tinio said that the refresher training, which included Confidence Riding, Motorcycle Crash, Bridge Crossing, Ride and Shoot, Static Motorcycle Shooting, Team Shooting Tactics, First Aid, Gun Shot Wound and Road Side Emergency, Motorcycle Patrolling, Escorting, Pursuit and Interdiction and Live Fire Tactical Simulated Firing, was part of the QCPD’s implementation of the PNP’s Back to Basics (B2B) Program to upgrade skills learned in basic training some two years ago when the units were formed.

He noted the 55 police motorcyclists are from the QCPD’s two-wheel motorized tactical response units at headquarters and in all the 12 police stations in the city will provide rapid response to crimes in progress or other calls for police assistance in spite of heavy road traffic which delay or preempt four-wheel vehicles.

He added that aside from refreshing and enhancing skills, the training would further boost QCPD’s capabilities in anti-criminality tactics, especially in contending with motorcycle-riding criminals.

For his part, Chief Insp. Hilberth Balanay, who was among the instructors, commended the participants for their discipline during the training and thanked them for their diligence and dedication.

He also expressed his confidence that the participants are now even more skilled in addressing street crimes.

Tinio also congratulated the participants and urged them to do their best in the QCPD’s no non-sense anti-criminality program under ‘Oplan Lambat Sibat’ as ordered by SILG Mel Senen Sarmiento, PNP Chief, PDG Ricardo Marquez and NCRPO Regional Director PDir Joel Pagdilao.

14 things to see at QCX, Quezon City's new interactive social history museum

By Vernise L. Tantuco (Rappler.com)

QCX, an interactive 'social history museum' opens at Quezon Memorial Circle

MANILA, Philippines – If you're looking for new museums to explore, you're in luck – the Quezon City Experience (QCX for short) at Quezon Memorial Circle just opened on November 9.

At the opening, QC mayor Herbert Bautista called QCX a "social history museum." True enough, QCX is a big, spacious museum that allows visitors to learn more about the history and culture of the sprawling city. The mayor, together with Camarines Sur Third District Representative and vice-presidential candidate Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo, cut the ribbon at museum's opening.

If you're planning a visit, you might want to allot an afternoon to explore it. QCX has 16 interactive galleries, and you'll be stopping at each one – not just to read up on the info that's offered on tablets and computers, but to take advantage of all the photo opportunities they offer.

Aside from the museum, the complex also has a business center with restaurants and shops, a 100-seat theater, a 60-seat lecture room, conference rooms, and rooftop gardens for events and outdoor exhibits.

QCX is open everyday from 9 am to 5 pm, except Mondays. Entrance is free for the whole month of November, but these are the admission fees and discounts effective on December 1:

• Students with ID – P80
• Quezon City resident – P100 (must present valid ID with address)
• Non-Quezon City resident – P150
• Group of 50 – 20% discount
• Group of 50 students – 30% discount
• Senior citizens/Persons with disability/Solo parent – 20% discount
• Family of 5 members – 20% discount
• Free admission for children 6 years and below

Here are some of the galleries we saw at the opening:

Pylon

The first gallery you'll see when you enter is the Pylon Gallery, with illustrations of QC on its walls. You'll also be greeted with replicas of the sculptures that can be found on top of the Quezon Memorial Shrine.

Quezon on a Hill

Former president Manuel L Quezon supposedly stood on a hill when he first looked over the landscape of Quezon City. QCX lets visitors learn about the city's history from its very own man-made hill.

Malacanang

There's also a replica of Manuel L Quezon's office at Malacanang, where visitors can sit at the president's chair and look out his office windows.

War Gallery

The War Gallery at QCX tells the story of the city's involvement in the war and the urban legends that haunt the city. QCX even has an installment of the city's most famous legend, the "white lady" that appears under the trees along Balete Drive.

Monuments

The red scaffolding was a nice touch in the bright, white Monuments gallery. From the University of the Philippines' Oblation statue to Quezon Memorial Shrine, you'll love looking at the details on the tiny replicas you'll find in this room.

Housing

There's a gallery dedicated to Quezon's housing projects too. You can walk through – or sit at – a typical Filipino home's sala (living room) and dining room, complete with old records and the family's achievements on display. There are even garden gnomes outside!

Jeepney

There's an entire gallery at QCX dedicated to the Philippines' iconic mode of public transport – the jeepney. Aside from the giant red jeep replica, visitors can also sit at a bench that looks like a jeep and watch the educational videos on screen.

Education

QC is home to 81 colleges and 9 universities – including UP, Ateneo de Manila University, and Miriam College – so it's no surprise that QCX has a gallery dedicated to education. Here, you can sit in a classroom, lounge on the field, or grab the headphones available and listen to Freddie Aguilar's "Estudyante Blues" or Parokya ni Edgar's "First Day Funk."

Street Scene

From a typical Filipino home to a typical barangay (community). QCX's Street Scene comes complete with sorbetes (ice cream) carts, sari-sari stores (convenience stores), barber shops, and clothes hanging from second story windows.

Business

QCX celebrates some of the small businesses that started out in the city and have since turned into big brands.

Entertainment

From the dressing room table, to the studio, to the big screen, the Entertainment gallery tells visitors about the movie outfits and TV networks that have been established in the city.

Issues

QCX doesn't turn a blind eye to the city's problems. The Issues gallery informs the public about the the problems that local govenment units have to address, with the help of beautiful art installations.

Barangay

Here you'll find triva on the 142 barangays in QC, plus illustrations of the toponym of each barangay.

Outdoor Sculptures

There's art to see outside the museum too. The photo below is one of the sculptures you can find outside, titled "Kiss" by Gerry Leonardo.

Will you be visiting QCX soon? Tell us in the comments.

Bautista defends mall voting

By Ferdinand G. Patinio

MANILA, Nov. 9 (PNA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it is following the law as far as the plan to allow voting in malls.

In a press briefing, Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said that the plan to conduct mall voting has legal basis.

“Article 9 of the 1987 Constitution states that Comelec is empowered to determine polling precincts, the location of polling precincts,” he said at the dry run of the mall voting activity held at the Eastwood Mall in Libis, Quezon City on Monday.

Bautista added, “Our Law Department has come out already with a legal opinion on mall voting... We are not just trying to implement a statutory directory. We are actually trying to enforce a constitutional provision.”

Earlier, the poll body has created technical working group (TWG) to study assess the legal and operational issues as regards to the plan mall voting in the May 2016 polls.

Section 42 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) provides that appropriate private buildings may be designated as polling places “in case there is no public school or other public building that can be used as polling places”.

Bautista noted that they were looking on ways to improve the accessibility of polling precincts for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens, in accordance with provisions of Republic Act No. 10366, which authorizes the Comelec to establish accessible polling places for PWDs and senior citizens.

“Lahat ng botante ay dapat nating tulungan. Alam natin na may mga ibang botante na because of their conditions, mas nangangailangan ng tulong. In which case, itong aming mall voting project ang primary consideration diyan ay ang ating vulnerable sector. We want this election to be as inclusive as possible. And we want every voter to have an opportunity to exercise his or her right of suffrage,” the poll body chief said.

Meanwhile, Megaworld First Vice President Kevin Tan expressed support on the activity of the Comelec, particularly the mall voting project.

“With our world-class malls and facilities, we are more than ready to provide utmost convenience and ensure the safety of voters looking to exercise their right to vote,” he said.

Apart from Eastwood Mall, Megaworld Corp. also offered to host voting centers in its townships such as McKinley Hill and Uptown Bonifacio in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Under the plan, the Comelec is looking to transfer 1 to 4 precincts with 800 to 900 registered voters in malls adjacent to a school in a city or municipality.

QC officials warn about Christmas lights, decors

By Chito A. Chavez

With the approaching Yuletide season, Quezon City (QC) authorities have warned the public against sprucing up their homes with defective Christmas decorations and purchasing toys containing harmful chemicals as gifts.

Councilors Allan Benedict Reyes, Victor Ferrer Jr., Ranulfo Ludovica, Eufemio Lagumbay and Jesus Manuel Suntay cited the urgent need for city hall personnel to conduct massive information drives in the city’s 142 barangays on the dangers of purchasing sub-standard Christmas decors and hazardous chemical-laced gifts.

The group noted in a meeting yesterday that sub-standard lighting fixtures can either overheat or simply cause short circuit igniting fire in the households which may result to damage to properties, injuries and sometimes deaths.

Reyes suggested that the public ask for the services of a professional electricians before installing any electrical decorations in their residence to ensure their safety.

He also warned the public against plugging Christmas lights and decors into “octopus lines’’ or multiple links, saying that these are fire hazards since they tend to overheat.

“It may turn devastating to a loved one due to negligence if any untoward incident happens,’’ Reyes added.

He also reiterated his call not to leave the Christmas lights working overnight as a precautionary measure in preventing fires.

In cases of buying toys as gifts, Reyes asked the public not to be enticed or lured by overly discounted items as they may contain harmful toxic materials.

CWC assures continuous capacity building of BCPC to boost protection of children

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

MANILA (PNA) -- The Council for the Welfare of the Children (CWC) said on Friday that continuous capacity building activities are being provided to local government units (LGUs) to ensure that the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) will be fully functional in promoting the protection of children's rights.

CWC is an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that monitors and helps in the formulation of policies of different government agencies and sectors in the society concerning promotion and protection of the rights of the children.

In a press briefing for the celebration of National Children's Month (NCM) this November held at Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City, CWC Executive Director Patricia Luna said strengthening of BCPC is an essential factor to the success of the efforts in creating child-friendly environment and in the promotion of the best interest of children who are considered vulnerable sectors in society.

"We always emphasize that boosting BCPC is very important...There is a need to train and influence them to be active in protecting children's rights," said Luna.

She cited that children comprise 42 percent of the country's population.

"With that number representing almost half of the population are children and adolescents, it is very important to provide a budget in ensuring that their rights are promoted at all times," she pointed out.

She said ending all forms of abuses against children is being emphasized with the celebration of NCM for this year with the theme "Komunidad at Pamahalaan. Magkaisa, Pang-aabuso sa Bata Wakasan Na!"

In line with this theme, she said that joint efforts from all sectors down to the barangay council are essential to attain that goal because the barangay is the link of the government in the grassroot level and has the power to provide the solutions in ending abuses among children.

She pointed out that a barangay council has the power to enact ordinances such as imposing curfews for children and other projects that promote children's rights.

Luna said that since the barangay officials are the ones elected in the community by their constituents, these people should be more active and aware of how they can use their powers effectively in addressing and confronting problems on abuses among children, human trafficking, drug addiction, street children and other similar problems that hinder children from reaching their full potentials as adults in the future.

"With the ongoing capacity building, we educate them on how they can effectively promote the rights of the children as part of their mandate," she explained.

She said that while there are efforts taken by the DSWD and other government agencies, the cooperation of BCPC can help a lot.

She noted that barangay officials know their constituents since they are the first line of leaders in the community which the people can rely on, especially on problems confronting the children therein through their effective and active leadership.

She said that as part of the efforts in providing protective and enabling community among children where their rights are protected at all times, the CWC, together with DSWD, Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) launched in 2014 the Child Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) in 2014.

Through that audit system, LGUs are evaluated in terms of their best practices in promoting child-friendly initiatives through 12 criteria.

Among these criteria are reduction of child abuses, reduction of child labor, completion of elementary schooling, and implementation of safety measures in schools.

Compliant LGUs implementing best practices get rewards with seal of child-friendly local governance and cash prizes as incentives to encourage them to continue the advocacy.

Then CWC said that promotion and protection of children's rights is an advocacy that is being promoted all-year round and given more emphasis during the celebration of NCM.

Incidentally, the celebration of NCM for this year was amended wherein the celebration during month of October was changed to November.

To highlight that change, the celebration for this year has undergone a "transition period" wherein the activity kicked-off on Oct. 10, making the celebration taking place within two months period for this year.

The kick-off celebration was led by DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman at SM Skydome North EDSA in Quezon City wherein many groups of children expressed their ideas on how children rights can be best promoted and achieved.

A form of "zumba dance" dubbed as "Zumbata" was participated in by the children to emphasize their call to end all forms of child abuses.

Other activities lined up are the launching of a story book on children on Nov. 12, Dikit-a-Sticker on Child Safety on transportation vehicles (Nov. 13), showcase of talents on child protection (Nov. 14) and many others.

The culminating activity will be the conduct of "Araw ng Kabataan" at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila's Rizal Park on Nov. 21.

Quezon City to unveil first interactive museum in PH

(Rappler.com)

Here's a new museum to look forward to!

This is a press realease from the Quezon City Government.

MANILA, Phlippines – The Quezon City Government is offering a preview of QCX (QC Experience), an interactive museum that will showcase the city’s rich history and transformation as the country’s premier city.

QCX, the first interactive socio-cultural museum and green compliant building, will open its doors on Monday, November 9, 2015 at Quezon Memorial Circle at 4:30 PM.

The program will start with ribbon-cutting ceremonies to be led by the Mayor Herbert M. Bautista, Vice Mayor Josefina Belmonte and Congresswoman Leni G. Robredo as the guest of honor.

Unlike other museums, QCX enables visitors to relive and experience moments in the city’s history using technology. As an experiential museum, QCX also provides visitors a chance to interact with the displays and allow them to take selfies in each gallery or even shoot and watch themselves in videotape.

The five-pod museum complex has its own coffee shop, a small cafeteria and memorabilia store at the lobby, where visitors can spend time, dine or buy souvenir items. It also has a small theater with 80-90 seating capacity that can be rented out for group film screening and other events. Its lecture room, which has 60 seats, can also be rented, as venue for important meetings and other activities.

The QCX displays the City’s humble beginnings starting with Manuel L Quezon’s vision on a hill, the present-day Quezon City, and the vision towards its great, green and growing future.

Meanwhile, the city government is also set to launch the Great, Green, Growing Traveling Photo Exhibit, in collaboration with the Foundation for Communication Initiative (FOCI), at Fairview Terraces on November 10, 5:00 p.m.

The exhibit will feature the works of renowned travel photographers, Marc Go and Eric Beltran.

See photos from the Quezon City Local Government Facebook page [here].

The traveling exhibit will also be held at Gateway Mall (November 23-26), Fisher Mall (December 2-6) and Robinson’s Magnolia (December 9-12).

QC PESO Bags Best PESO in NCR, Hall of Fame Award

(PAISO QC/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA)--The Quezon City Public Employment Service office (QC PESO) was awarded the Hall of Fame Award during the 15th National PESO Congress held at the Philippine International Convention Center from October 26 to 28, 2015.

The QC PESO bested sixteen other cities in National Capital Region, winning the Regional Best PESO Award seven times and five times (5) National Best PESO Award for the Highly-Urbanized City Category.

The National Best PESO award is given early during the National PESO Congress initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment and the PESO Association of Managers of the Philippines (PESOMAP).

The award is given to different categories from municipal, provincial level up to highly urbanized cities with the following criteria: CORE functions of PESO from Referral and Replacement, Employment Guidance and Counseling and Labor Market Information.

Points were also given to PESO institutionalization, implementation of DOLE Programs, Membership to Organizations providing employment services and recipients of award from prestigious institutions.

This year’s PESO Congress, with the theme ‘’Pagdaloy ng Disenteng Trabaho at Maunlad na Negosyo, Kaagapay ang PESO’’, was attended by more than one thousand PESO managers from different cities, municipalities and provinces all over the country.

Ilocos Norte, Quezon City to forge agreement to benefit producers, consumers

(PNA), FPV/LGA

LAOAG CITY, Nov 4 (PNA) --Ilocos Norte’s food and agricultural products will soon be out directly to Quezon City market consumers as the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) and the Quezon City government is set to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to benefit both their constituents.

Dubbed as ‘Producers 2 Consumers’ (P2C) program, a resolution sponsored by Vice Governor Angelo Marcos Barba and the Committee of the Whole passed a resolution Monday authorizing Governor Imee Marcos to tie up with the Quezon City government to provide better economic opportunities among micro, small and medium entrepreneurs and consumers.

As part of the agreement, the Ilocos Norte government shall help organize accredited farmers and local producers here to bring their products to Quezon City and then the latter will also facilitate the establishment of organized market stalls and exhibits at least twice a month, every Friday or nearest to payday.

The P2C program also aims to address fluctuating and unusual increases in prices of commodities.

Through the implementation of the P2C program, organizers said this would protect consumers from unscrupulous traders and price manipulators by providing them direct access to farm commodities.

The official launching of the program shall commence immediately after the signing of the MOA.

Philippine Heart Center power consumption set to be reduced by 30,000 kWh per month with new solar rooftops

By Juzel L. Danganan [(PNA), FPV/JLD]

MANILA, Nov 3 (PNA) – The Philippine Heart Center (PHC)is set to experience a cut down on its power consumption by around 30,000 kilowatthours (kWh) a month from the present 900,000 kWh with the installation of its new solar rooftop panels.

“The plant that has been installed in the Philippine Heart Center can generate 30,000 kWh per month, miniscule in terms of our total electrical consumption of 900,000 kilowatt hour but, it’s a step in the right direction,” PHC executive director Dr. Manuel Chua Chiaco Jr. said during the inauguration ceremony for the 100-kWh solar panel installation at the said hospital along East Avenue in Quezon City.

Philippine National Oil Company-Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC) led the installation for the project, which is part of the agency's agenda to encourage renewable use in government offices.

Carlos Jose Gatmaitan, president of PNOC-RC, told reporters the project cost was Php8 million, with the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract bid out.

He also said after paying for a period of seven years the amount of Php9.50/kWh, the ownership of the solar panels will be transferred to PHC.

The PHC and PNOC-RC signed a memorandum of agreement last May 12 for the installation.

Gatmaitan also stressed that another 200 hospitals under the Department of Health (DOH) might also install solar panel rooftops.

He added that PNOC-RC hopes to complete the installation of a solar rooftop project at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and a hydro power installation in Rizal.

QC eTaxmaps project, finalist in the 4th eGov Awards

(PIA)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 2 (PIA)--The Quezon City's eTaxmaps project emerged as finalist in the 4th eGov Awards in G2C category during the 7th Annual NICP ICT Summit.

The event was held on October 23 -24 at Legazpi City, Albay was sponsored by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP).

The Quezon City shared its experience during the forum entitled, "E-Payment System in Government", as the first local government unit (LGU) in the country that pioneered the implementation of the mobile/ electronic system in the payment of real property taxes and the issuance of electronic receipts.

Quezon City's enhanced Tax Mapping Systems project (eTAXMAPS), aims to integrate and synchronize updating of Parcel Tax Maps vis-à-vis the Land Tax records. Through this project, city officials and property owners would get a better graphical overview of the overall tax situation of the city through the use of geospatial technology and imageries.

Specifically, it would enhance the capability for discovery, appraisal and assessment of undeclared, misclassified and unaccounted properties which would help create a more reliable income projection for the city.

The project is also expected to increase operational efficiency for the City Assessor's Office and enable the QC Government to improve its tax base, harnessing effectively the revenue potential in real property taxation.

The project was implemented through collaborative and cooperative strategies.

The project is focused on easing the complexities in PIN (Property Index number) assignment and property location, comparing the existing tax map with the QCRPATS (Quezon City Real Property Assessment and Taxation System) database. Procedures were enhanced to address inconsistencies in tax declaration, e.g. misdeclared or undeclared lots and improvements.

With the implementation of the project, a better system for data cleansing and synchronized updating of tax declaration records was formulated and operationalized. This went hand in hand with the development of system tools/utilities such as the Real Property Viewer Dashboard that allows users to view the location of parcels and their corresponding attributes

The project produced a more accurate projection of the city's Real Property Tax income. The project generated for the city P148,829,766.90 worth of tax due out of data cleansing and revaluation for land; P250,297,754.35 for reassessments and reclassification of improvements and P5,922,965.00 for machinery.

The ICT summit is an annual event of the NICT that aims to encourage the effective and efficient utilization of information and communications technology (ICT) in the delivery of services and performance of the duties and responsibilities among local government units (LGUs).

The activity also helps to collate and document best practices of LGUs in integrating ICT in their processes to serve as example and benchmarks to other LGU's.

It also helps to improve the business ecosystem of the LGUs and motivate the private and business sector to actively participate and/or invest in the growth of the LGU's as well as to promote transparency in governance.

QC most sought-after home address in PH

By Catherine Talavera

Quezon City tops the list of most-searched areas in the country for both for-sale and for-rent properties, according to property listing website Lamudi Philippines.

In a report, Lamudi said Quezon City comprised 27 percent of the total searches made for for-sale properties, and 28 percent of searches for rental properties, in the third quarter of 2015.

Following Quezon City in the top searched areas for for-sale properties are: Makati, which accounted for seven percent of the total searches; Parañaque, Tagaytay and Las Piñas, which each comprised five percent of the total search results.

Meanwhile, Makati came close to Quezon City for the top searched city for rental properties, as it got 20 percent of the total searches made for for-rent properties.

Mandaluyong followed with eight percent; Davao, seven percent; and Pasig, six percent of the total searches.

A global online portal, Lamudi focuses on emerging markets, covering 32 countries across Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Latin America.

Lamudi Philippines lists around 7,000 properties to buy or rent in Quezon City, which has a thriving residential and commercial property market, according to Overseas Property Professional (OPP), a global business information and media group that provides data for businesses in the international property sector.

Lamudi Philippines Managing Director Jacqueline van den Ende said the findings are not surprising, as far as Makati, Mandaluyong, and Pasig are concerned, since these cities have high concentrations of condos available.

She noted that these cities are homes to Metro Manila’s major central business districts, which make them popular among employees looking for places to rent, where they will be close to their workplaces.

Meanwhile, Parañaque and Las Piñas have many subdivisions or gated communities, and are quite popular as residential suburbs, especially among starting families.

Tagaytay, in contrast, is a touristy area teeming with vacation homes, making it popular among affluent buyers.

Based on the same data, Lamudi observed that among 18-24-year-old Filipinos, there is almost an equal proportion of property hunters looking for for-rent and for-sale properties.

A little over 50 percent of the searches looked at for-rent properties, while 49.8 percent looked for for-sale properties.

For the 25-34 age segment, 57.3 percent searched for for-sale properties on the website, while 42.7 percent looked for for-rent properties.

The online property portal noted that searches made for for-sale properties were even higher in the older age groups.

For-sale searches accounted for 70.8 percent of the searches made by Filipinos aged 35-44 years old, 72.6 percent for 45-54 year olds, and 71.1 percent for 55- 64 year olds.

Van den Ende said the findings were consistent with observations made in Europe and the United States, where people have the tendency to buy properties instead of renting as they get older.

“This seems to be the case among Filipinos,” van den Ende said. “Younger people—those aged 18–24—probably prefer mobility and flexibility, which explains a higher search volume for for-rent properties in the Lamudi website. However, this does not mean that they are not planning to buy eventually. Almost half of searches in this age group are dedicated to for-sale properties, then this tendency significantly increases in the 25–34 and 35–44 age groups: stage when young people start to have stable jobs, consider getting married, and start families.”

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