Quezon City News November 2016

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

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

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

QC-ULC Sign Agreement for MRT-7

(Quezon City Government Official Site)

Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista and Mr. Ramon Ang, as chairman of Universal LRT Corporation (BVI) Limited, signed a memorandum of agreement that clarified the obligation of the parties with regard to the MRT 7 project.

The agreements are, as follows:

1. ULC shall implement this project pursuant to and in accordance with the Concession Agreement and consistent with the relevant local laws and policies of the Quezon City Government.
2. Prior to undertaking any implementation activity, ULC committed to securing the requisite approvals, permits and consents of the QC-LGU.
3. ULC shall faithfully comply with its tax obligations to the QC-LGU as and when they became due, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, and shall not take any direct or indirect action in contravention of such commitment.

The MRT Line 7 Project is a major mass transportation initiative that aims to alleviate the traffic in Metro Manila, particularly that of going to and coming from Northern Luzon passing through the Quezon City, Caloocan and San Jose Del Monte. This project is expected to bring about significant, positive economic, social, environmental commercial developments in QC, considering that 11 out of the 14 stations are strategically located in Quezon City.

MRT-7 contractors have been undertaking soil testing and finalizing the design of the rail line. Coordination is being actively undertaken with the Quezon City Government to ease traffic impact during construction, provide an orderly system for securing all necessary permits, and see to the preservation of as many trees as possible that will be affected during construction. The LGU also wants to make sure that there will be minimal adverse impact on businesses along intersections bypassed by the rail line.

Witnessing the signing were Quezon City Administrator Aldrin Cuña, Acting Treasurer Ruby Rosa Guevarra, Chief of Staff Jesus Marzan, all of the QC-LGU, and Ms. Cynthia de Castro, a representative of Universal LRT Corporation.

DENR bares new hotlines for environmental concerns

(DENR/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA)--The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has announced its new hotlines that the public can reach for their environmental concerns.

The hotlines incorporate the agency’s abbreviated name, DENR, for easier recall.

Those using landlines can dial #DENR or #3367, from anywhere within the Philippines.

Meanwhile, mobile phone users can lodge inquiries through 0917-868-DENR or 0917-885-DENR.

The public can also email the agency at aksyonkalikasan@denr.gov.ph and web@denr.gov.ph.

The hotlines and email provide direct access to the DENR Action Center, which was created as part of a quick-response mechanism to environmental issues and concerns raised by stakeholders.

QC addresses mother and child care

(Manila bulletin)

To achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on the health and well-being of citizens, the local government of Quezon City partnered with several health institutions to further care for the mother and child—from conception to post-birth childcare.

Mayor Herbert Bautista told attendees of the 4th Maternal and Neonatal Health Summit that the city government will ensure UN development goals of boosting public health, improving maternal health, and reducing neonatal mortality through a localized and sustainable Maternal Newborn Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) approach and by implementing a functional Service Delivery Network (SDN). The summit was organized by the Quezon City Health Department together with United Laboratories Inc. (Unilab).

Bautista underscored the priority programs of his government to address maternal and neonatal health, particularly the Seal of Excellence, which seeks to enforce the strict compliance of private lying-ins to the Department of Health’s (DOH’s) standards and to enhance public-private partnership in resource mobilization, monitoring and evaluation.

“Reforms in the local health systems will considerably lower the risks of dying secondary to pregnancy and childbirth. We need to standardize regulation and accreditation of birthing facilities and enhance further the referral network, reporting, and transport systems to improve service delivery,” Quezon City Health Officer III Verdades Linga said.

The Seal of Excellence is the quality label awarded to private lying-in clinics in Quezon City that have met all essential maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition (MNCHN) indicators using the DOH-approved MNCHN tools – like DOH’s License to Operate (LTO), PhilHealth Accreditation, Sanitary Permit and membership in the City’s Safe Delivery Network (SDN). Recipients of the Seal of Excellence for 2016 already reached 23 clinics and lying-ins.

On the other hand, DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Francia Laxamana highlighted the efforts of the department in taking steps to further improve the health and well-being of Filipinos, especially the poorest of the poor. She said the DOH is looking into improving health-emergency management within clinics and lying-ins.

This was echoed by Unilab.

“Sharing of values and resources are two components that make our public-private partnership with Quezon City work. We are optimistic that our initiative in setting the standards for health services delivery will prove that strict compliance to public health services delivery can be done,” said Claire Papa, Head for External Affairs and Social Partnerships of Unilab.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City HIV Testing Department is implementing the same-day result testing so patients would be able to act on their diagnosis right away. Since 1984, the city diagnosed over 3,496 HIV and AIDS patients. For January to June of 2016 alone, Quezon City detected 427 HIV-positive patients, but 56.64 percent of their patients are from neighboring cities.

Dr. Alejandrino Perez presented updates on PhilHealth’s pregnancy packages, emphasizing the need for affordable and accessible financing products to lessen maternal deaths in the country.

Focusing on the general health of the child is the Batang 1000 Program, the joint project between the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) and UNILAB which aims to reduce the prevalence of stunting in children across the city.

DA to launch night fruit market in Quezon City

(BusinessMirror)

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will allow vendors to sell fruits in the “Christmas night fruit market” in its Quezon City compound starting December 1.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said the night market will help boost the income of legitimate fruit farmers who have to contend with lower fruit prices.

“[The night market] was the department’s innovative response to fruit farmers’ complaint that middlemen and traders are squeezing them dry by selling at very low prices due purportedly to oversupply,” Piñol said in a statement.

Citing lacatan banana producers, Piñol said that from a high of P27 per kilogram, buyers are now offering only P15 per kg. “Since banana farmers depend on their engagements with traders and middlemen to sell their products, they are literally helpless now.”

He said bananas from Mindanao are sold for as high as P75 per kg in Baler, Aurora, which negates claims made by traders that there is an oversupply of fruits.

Piñol added that farmers from Mindanao could only fetch P15 per kg for their produce, significantly lower than the P50 per kg they used to get.

“This is plain and simple price manipulation. Personally, I am offended by this brazen exploitation of our farmers who produce highly perishable products,” he said.

Piñol said he has directed DA officials to ask the permission of the Quezon City government so that farmers could use the frontage of the department’s compound in Elliptical Circle.

Piñol said other offices under the DA could also offer their areas for the night fruit market.

“Only real fruit farmers would be allowed in the night fruit market to send a clear message to the traders and middlemen dealing with agriculture products that the DA will do everything it could to protect the interests of small farmers,” he added.

Filipino consumers usually increase their purchase and consumption of fruits during the holidays. To bring luck in the New Year, households buy and serve 12 round-shaped fruits during the Media Noche.

QC green lights waste-to-energy project

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

QUEZON CITY (PIA)--The Quezon City government will proceed with the development of an integrated waste-to-energy facility as one bold step to address the city’s garbage problem.

The go-signal came after the 38-member City Council gave Mayor Herbert Bautista the authority to forge a joint venture agreement with the private sector for the development of the city’s own waste-to-energy plant.

With the impending closure of the landfill facility in Payatas in three years, Bautista said the project is vital in the city’s effort to avert a possible crisis in waste management.

Quezon City generates about 2,000 to 3,000 tons of garbage daily.

As provided under a resolution approved by the City Council, the city government shall ensure that the project configuration of the proposed WTE facility is compliant with the required laws and regulations including but not limited to: the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000; Clean Air Act; Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Act; Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and guidelines governing the establishment and operation of waste-to-energy technologies for municipal solid wastes.

To date, the Mayor has already convened the city’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) Selection Committee which has been tasked to oversee the pre-selection and selection of private sector proponents for PPP projects with solid waste management as one of the areas identified by the committee and as one of the projects that will be pursued by the city through PPP.

The Mayor said the city government is expecting to generate 30 to 35 megawatts of power from the city’s new energy source.

Savings that can be derived from the sale of power or electricity will be used by the city government to fund the construction of additional school buildings, health centers, hospitals and multi-purpose halls, the Mayor added.

Bautista also expects a reduction in the electrical consumption of city government-owned facilities and properties with the development of the city’s new energy source.

The city government spent P1 billion annually for solid waste management which includes hauling services, post-closure care and maintenance of the Payatas controlled disposal facility, special operations and toxic/hazardous waste collection, treatment and disposal.

UP launches online TV network

(RJB/MAPA/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA) --- The University of the Philippines (UP) launched yesterday its online broadcast network, UP Television (TVUP), at the UP Executive House in Diliman, Quezon City.

According to its management team headed by Executive Director Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso, TVUP will showcase high-quality programming in line with the University's vision in pushing academic freedom, excellence, and national development. With its three-fold mission of teaching, research, and public service, it strives to improve the quality of higher education in the country by generating new knowledge and academic text, inventions, genuine skills, scientific innovations, creative works, and most especially, sharing this reservoir of information, data, ideas, concepts, and constructs for the benefit of the public.

UP President Alfredo E. Pascual highlighted in his message that the University takes advantage in utilizing technology through TVUP. The internet television shall offer a larger platform for Filipino scholars, scientists, artist, and other thought leaders to reach a wider audience. It is organized as an open educational resource (OER) digital repository easily accessed by Filipinos here and abroad.

"We live in a time when our people are engaged in heated debates... the Filipinos can now use the power of technology to participate, be involved and take the leadership role in this discussion. In so doing, we help make fellow leaders out of each other and out of others." President Pascual said during his message at the launching.

The TVUP production team is composed of employees of the University. There are ten programs that have been officially listed by UP, namely: Financial Sense, a financial literacy program; Kalusugan ay Karapatan, which will tackle health and wellness topics, Batas at Bayan, which will explore Philippine law through fictional stories; Kasaysayan at Kapangyarihan, which will demystify Philippine history; The Platform, a program which will discuss national issues and concerns; Philippine Art and Culture, which will explore and analyze art in the Philippines; Science Innovators, which will highlight innovations by UP scientists; Documentaries: The Story of the Filipino, which will feature documentaries by students and filmmakers of the UP Film Institute; Maikling Pelikula, which will showcase outstanding and award-winning short films by UP; and Musikahan, which will present acts by UP trained groups such as the UP Madrigal Singers, UP Singing Ambassadors, and the UP Concert Chorus.

The management team stated that the fund for the online network is limited for three years only thus it is open to content producers who want to have a program in TVUP. Aside from this, TVUP is planning to partner with cable channels for the airing of some TVUP programs.

TVUP programs can now be accessed by visiting www.tvup.ph.

Agency affiliated with DSWD conducts sticker campaign for children's safety

(PNA), CVL/LSJ/EDS

MANILA, Nov. 24 (PNA) -- The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), an agency attached to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), on Thursday conducted another round of its “POST A STICKER ON CHILD SAFETY” campaign at Robinsons Novaliches, Quezon City.

The CWC campaign, held in cooperation with the mall's management and transport groups plying the routes in the vicinity of the mall, promotes the children’s right to enjoy a safe environment.

The event was attended by CWC deputy executive director Marijoy Segui, Robinsons Novaliches regional manager Catherine Alejandro, Land Transportation Office director Giovannie Gonzales, NYC executive director Nielex Tupas and some 100 participants from local and national transport groups.

The activity, conducted for the second year in the same venue, is in line with the observance of National Children’s Month during November every year, pursuant to Republic Act 10661, or the “National Children’s Month Act”.

“The POST A STICKER ON CHILD SAFETY campaign reminds drivers of jeepneys, buses, FX/UV express, tricycles and motor vehicles to be extra cautious when driving with children on board as passengers,” said Segui.

Data from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Traffic Accident Recording and Analysis System show that some 1,513 people died in road accidents in 2013.

The World Health Organization (WHO) however put the Philippine estimate at a much higher figure of 10,379 fatalities.

Of the road traffic deaths in the Philippines, 53 percent are motorcycle riders, 19 percent are pedestrians, 14 percent are four-wheeled vehicle drivers, 11 percent are four-wheeled vehicle passengers, 2 percent are cyclists, and 1 percent for others.

While the Philippines has laws regulating speed limit, mandating the use of motorcycle helmets and seatbelts and prohibiting drunk driving, these laws have not been sufficiently implemented.

The message indicated in the stickers to be distributed and disseminated to motorists, states, “BATAS TRAPIKO’Y SUNDIN; KALIGTASAN NG MGA BATA ISIPIN!” (Follow traffic rules, think about the safety of children).

Through the message in the stickers, the CWC wants to educate and remind drivers to make a difference in ensuring the safety and protection of children riders.

Through the awareness campaign, the council wants other malls to develop the same advocacy in the coming years so that more people would work towards creating a nurturing and safe environment for children, who are the hope of the nation.

Ensuring their safety is a way of helping them achieve their full potentials to become important economic contributors instead of suffering from disabilities and abuses due to negligence of their safety.

MRT-7 railway project to bring significant economic dev't in QC

(PNA), JMC/AMD/EDS

MANILA, Nov. 23 (PNA) -- The construction of Manila Metro Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) railway is expected to bring significant economic developments in Quezon City, Mayor Herbert Bautista said.

"This project is expected to bring about significant, positive economic, social, environmental commercial developments in QC, considering that 11 out of the 14 stations are strategically located in Quezon City," he said.

Bautista and Ramon Ang, the chairman of Universal LRT (Light Rail Transit) Corporation, signed a memorandum of agreement with regard to the implementation of the MRT 7 project.

The agreement clarified the obligation of both parties in accordance to the necessary actions to be taken upon its implementation.

“Coordination is being actively undertaken with the Quezon City Government to ease traffic impact during construction, provide an orderly system for securing all necessary permits, and see to the preservation of as many trees as possible that will be affected during construction,” Bautista said.

He also wanted to make sure that there will be minimal adverse impact on businesses along intersections bypassed by the rail line.

He added that MRT-7 contractors now have been undertaking soil testing and finalizing the design of the rail line.

Once the MRT-7 project is finished, it is expected to ease traffic in Metro Manila, particularly to and coming from northern Luzon passing through Quezon City, Caloocan and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.

QC informal settlers get new homes

By JING VILLAMENTE

Some 45 informal settler families (ISFs) from Quezon City (Metro Manila) received the keys to their own homes from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) during turnover of the micro-medium rise building (MMRB) and livelihood center project in Barangay Mapulang Lupa in Pandi, Bulacan on Tuesday.

DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno said the 45 ISFs belong to the Pinagsamang Mamamayang Maralita sa Tabing-Ilog Association Corp., a people’s organization living in the 3-meter easement of San Juan River in Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City.

“This is a perfect Christmas gift for the 45 ISFs who will be spending Yuletide in their new homes,” Sueno said. The P30-million Pandi MMRB was funded under the People’s Plan Fund (PPF), one of the models for the implementation of the P50-billion ISF program of the DILG.

DENR holds bamboo symposium, exhibit

(DENR/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

DENR Secretary Gina Lopez keynotes the National Symposium & Exhibit on Bamboo & Climate Change held Monday, Nov 21 at the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 21 (PIA)--The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in partnership with the Climate Change Commission and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, hosted a symposium and exhibit showcasing bamboo as a strategic tool to mitigate the effects of climate change and a driving force for sustainable economic development.

With the theme, "Bamboo for Resilience," the day-long National Symposium and Exhibit on Bamboo and Climate Change was Monday, November 21, at the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City.

Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, in her keynote speech, discussed the DENR's plan to establish one million hectares of bamboo plantation in critical watershed areas and other sites covered by the Enhanced National Greening Program (ENGP) within the next six years.

The ENGP aims to rehabilitate an estimated 7.1 million hectares of unproductive, denuded and degraded forestlands from 2016 to 2028.

Lopez is a member of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council, which was created under Executive Order No. 879 signed in 2010 by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to promote the development of the country's bamboo sector.

The national symposium on bamboo brought together some 200 experts, policymakers and key stakeholders in the bamboo sector to discuss the role of bamboo in climate mitigation and how to increase its promotion as a suitable replacement for timber and other materials in construction and other works.

Other speakers include Senator Legarda, Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman of CCC, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, and Ilocos Sur Rep. Victorino Savellano.

Among the topics discussed are Bamboo Biology, Bamboo Utilization, Bamboo Enterprise, Bamboo Post-Harvest Technologies, and Policy and Advocacy Support for Bamboo.

Participants were able to witness the various uses of bamboo and learn about the opportunities in the bamboo value chain, particularly in the establishment of community-based enterprises in rural areas.

Bamboo is among the fastest-growing plants, growing at up to one meter a day. It is considered a high value for mitigating climate change given its fast biomass production and renewability.

The resource plant has been proven to sequester more carbon at 400 percent per unit area and gives off 35 percent more oxygen than other trees. The bamboo dies if left unattended for more than 10 years.

However, if bamboo stems are harvested properly and at the right time, the root system survives and continues to store carbon as the harvested stems are being replaced.

Of the 1,000 species of bamboo on the planet, 49 of them grow abundantly in the Philippines. This gives the country the potential to become the second largest bamboo producer in the world, next only to China whose current market share is around 50 percent.

In 2009, the Philippines ranked sixth as the biggest exporter of bamboo products worldwide, with a total export value reaching US$30 million.

The international market value of commercial bamboo reached US$20 billion in 2015, owing to the growing demand for eco-friendly alternative to wood to conserve the world's remaining forests.

Bamboo can reach maturity in five years and can be harvested once every two years for about 100 to 120 years. It belongs to the Poaceae (Gramineae) family of grass, just like sugarcane and corn.

LGBT gets help desks in PNP stations

(PNA), SCS/PR/SSC

MANILA, Nov. 20 (PNA) -- The House Committee on Public Order and Safety and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) have agreed to establish LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) help and protection desks in all Philippine National Police (PNP) stations in the country through a memorandum order or resolution to be issued by the Napolcom instead of a new law to be passed by Congress.

The agreement was reached during a recent hearing conducted by the panel chaired by Rep. Romeo V. Acop (2nd District, Antipolo) on House Bill No. 2952 authored by Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto (6th District, Batangas) which seeks to put up LGBT help and protection desks in all PNP stations nationwide to end acts of discrimination and violence against the LGBT sector.

The committee members and Napolcom officials agreed during the hearing that Santos-Recto and the Napolcom will coordinate with each other in drafting a resolution or memorandum order for the creation of the LGBT help and protection desks.

Deputy Speaker and Cebu 3rd District Rep. Gwendolyn F. Garcia said there may be no need for a bill to put up LGBT help desks in the PNP because a Napolcom resolution or memorandum order would suffice.

Garcia said the resolution or memorandum order is appropriate and necessary especially since Santos-Recto’s bill not only seeks the establishment of LGBT help desks but also enhances opportunity or equality in the Napolcom’s annual recruitment of women and also LGBT members as PNP personnel. The bill also seeks fairness and equality in the assignment and promotion of LGBTs in the PNP.

Santos-Recto said many LGBTs have become moving targets for discrimination and violence that affect their economic, social and physiological well-being. Yet in spite of this reality, there is an absence of government mechanism or intervention directed to monitor, let alone address, the incidents of discrimination, prejudice and even violence against the Filipino LGBT community.

“Because of this, many LGBT victims opt not to report the incident for fear of further harassment, prejudicial treatment, or more violent reprisal. The Philippines should not condone an environment where the LGBT community is treated with contempt and violence by their fellow citizens while authorities empowered to protect them look the other way or, too often, even join in the abuses," said Santos-Recto.

The bill seeks to correct this onerous predicament by establishing LGBT help and protection desks in all PNP stations nationwide. These dedicated desks shall act on all cases involving crimes against chastity, sexual harassment, and abuses committed against LGBTs in the Philippines.

To complement this help desk, the PNP shall be tasked to ensure the gender neutrality of its human resource processes, from the recruitment and selection to the promotion and deployment of police officers, according to Santos-Recto.

“Ultimately, this bill seeks to create a police organization that is able and eager to respond to any criminal or emergency incident, regardless of the gender orientation of the people involved. Pahalagahan ng estado ang dignidad ng bawat tao na igalang ang kanilang karapatan kahit na anuman pa man po ang kanilang sekswal orientation o paniniwala. Establishing a help desk for the LGBT sector in all police stations nationwide will somehow ensure protection and promotion of their welfare,” Santos-Recto told the committee.

Napolcom deputy director general Tomas Apolinario said there is an existing law pertaining to Santos-Recto’s concern. He said the pivotal question is what will be the yardstick to be adopted in coming up with a nomenclature for LGBTs. “Do we need scientific evidence that a person is a genuine member of an LGBT group because this will be a source of confusion later on. So ano ho ang magiging sukatan for purposes of classification,” said Apolinario.

Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City) said the rationale of the bill is to focus on the rights of the LGBT community. "The approval of the measure would be a resounding signal to the PNP and the lawmakers’ constituents that unfair treatment of the LGBT community should not exist,” said Castelo.

Acop asked the Napolcom if the PNP has a human rights desk and if there is a law which created it. Apolinario said they have women and children’s help desks created through a resolution, and they also have a human rights office and designated human rights officers.

During the hearing, the committee also discussed the following bills: House Bill 2993 or the amendment of the “DILG Act of 1990 authored” by Rep. Francisco Matugas (1st District, Surigao del Norte); HBs 2426, 1306 and 1115 or the proposed “PNP Modernization Act” by Deputy Speaker and Batangas Second District Rep. Raneo Abu, Reps. Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd District, Pangasinan) and Gary C. Alejano (Party-list, Magdalo), respectively; and HB No.1506 or “An Act Amending The Educational Requirement For Police Applicants Amending For the Purpose Section 14 and 15 of R.A. 8551” by Alejano.

QC Hall employees to receive Christmas bonus before Nov. 30

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

QUEZON CITY (PIA)--Mayor Herbert Bautista has issued the guidelines for the early release of the traditional Christmas bonus for city government employees, including consultants and personnel covered by service contracts.

In a memorandum circular, the Mayor directed the budget and accounting departments to release all available funds necessary for the release of the benefits not later than November 30.

Under the guidelines, all elective and appointive regular plantilla employees of the QC government under permanent/temporary/co-terminus status who have rendered a total of four months of service inclusive of leave of absence with pay from January 1 to October 31, 2016, shall be entitled to the payment of the year-end bonus and cash gift. The year-end bonus is equivalent to an employee’s basic month pay and P5,000 cash gift.

Consultants and employees under job contracts, including members of the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) who have rendered four months of continuous service for the period January 4 to November 15 and are still connected with the QC Government as of November 15, are entitled to a cash gift ranging from P3,000 to P10,000.

Contractual employees who have rendered less than four months of continuous service for the period January 4, 2016 to November 20, 2016 shall be entitled to a pro-rata cash benefit.

For special projects personnel including senior citizen volunteers, community health workers, Muslim asatidz (teachers) and pre-school teachers, the cash gift shall be P2,000.

QC Hall employees are also entitled to receive additional incentives in December on top of the traditional Christmas bonuses.

For permanent employees, they stand to receive good governance and productivity enhancement incentive pay. The incentive is equivalent to an employee’s basic monthly salary while the productivity incentive benefit is equivalent to P5,000.

Consultants and employees covered by contract of services, the additional incentive shall amount to 50 percent of the basic monthly rate of the employee.

Special projects personnel, including senior citizen volunteers, community health workers, Muslim Asatidz, pre-school teachers and riverways clearing operations group volunteers from the QC Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD), are entitled to a flat rate incentive of P2,500.

Payment of the incentives shall be made not later than December 15 for regular employees and, not later than December 20, for employees under job contracts.

QC's "Deaf in Toque" highlights culinary skills of PWD's

(QC PAISORJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 18 (PIA)—As highlight of the observance of the “2016 Deaf Week,” the Quezon City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PWDAO) a culinary skills competition participated by students from different high schools in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The activity, called “Deaf in Toque” showcased the culinary skills of differently abled students from Quirino High School, Tandang Sora High School, Bagbag High School, San Juan PDAO, Manila PDAO, Lagro High School, Commonwealth High Schhol, Old Balara Elementary School, Bagong Pagasa High School, Valenzuela VDFI, Pasay Pilippine Institute for the Deaf, and St. Nino Parish.

Three winners were chosen based on the taste or flavor of the food they cooked (70%),plating and creativity of their output (15%, and cleanliness in the preparation of food (15%). They received trophies and cash incentives.

The grand winner will have the chance to represent the country in the cooking competition in upcoming Abilympics, an international competition that features the skills of persons with disabilities.

The event was sponsored by the Office of the City Mayor, Office of the Vice Mayor, Social Services Development Department (SSDD), and Persons with Disability Affairs Office.

The event was also sponsored by Lea & Perrins as part of their commitment in recognizing the contribution of PWDs in society.

In 2011, Mayor Herbert M. Bautista signed Executive Order No. 10 which established the Quezon City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (QC-PDAO) to provide authority to effectively address the issues and concerns of Persons with Disabilities.

The executive order was issued to implement QC Ordinance no. SP-2085, S-2011 (Ordinance organizing and establishing QC-PDAO) in accordance with Section 40(B)(1) of RA-7277 otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Persons with Disability."

In 2014, Bautista also signed an ordinance that would make mandatory for all public establishments in Quezon City prioritize the needs persons with disabilities.

DSWD service desk for poor Filipinos to be established in the Senate

(PNA), SCS/ANP

MANILA, Nov. 17 (PNA) -- Senators agreed on Thursday to establish a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) protective services desk in the Senate where poor families can seek monetary assistance.

This was among the ideas raised by Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, during the fourth day of plenary deliberations on the proposed 2017 national budget of PHP3.35 trillion.

“All of those (poor Filipinos) coming to our respective offices will be sent to the DSWD protective services desk which Senator (Panfilo) Lacson is assigned to do as chair of accounts,” Legarda said.

She further explained that the proposed public assistance center will be the “satellite office” of the DSWD and “no allocation from the senators’ personal expenses.”

“…It will be DSWD satellite office for needs, burial, education, transportation, food (of the poor),” she added.

The senator said the office will be air-conditioned and will have its own computers, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and administrative staff of the Senate.

She said that the House of Representatives has a similar office being located near the office of the DSWD in Batasan Hills, Quezon City.

10 QCPU graduates pass PRC exam for electronic engineers

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

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 16 (PIA) -- The Quezon City Polytechnic University (QCPU) added another feather in its cap when 10 of its graduates passed the recent licensure examination for electronic engineers administered by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).

QCPU president Salvador Enriquez Jr. said the university’s percentage ranking of 58.82 during the examination was even higher than the national passing percentage.

The 10 new licensed engineers from QCPU are: Ronnel Belizar, Kevin Jan Chiu, Mark Edwin Cleofe, Aljohn Edwin Ebacuado, Mark Espino, Jhon Roy Hallig, Ivan Maravilla, Kim Patawaran, Alvin Pelgone and Ramir San Buenaventura, Jr.

Meanwhile, two other QCPU examinees have been considered under conditional status.

The university is set to honor the new engineers for their academic performance with cash incentives and plaques of appreciation.

Aside from the board examination, QCPU graduates also scored a 100 percent passing rate for the Electronics and Communication Technician Examination.

The QCPU, established on March 1, 1994 by virtue of a city ordinance, is the only tertiary educational institution owned and managed by the city government. The university has a main campus in Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches and two satellite campuses, which are located in Barangays Sto. Cristo and Batasan Hills.

To date, the city government has already taken steps to strengthen the stature of the QC Polytechnic as a state university by offering degree courses and modernizing school facilities.

Robinsons Supermarket donates school chairs to QC Schools

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

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 15 (PIA)--Robinsons Supermarket yesterday donated 11,000 pieces of school chairs to Quezon City government for distribution to public schools.

Mayor Herbert Bautista, together with Ms. Frederika Rentoy, Head of the City’s Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD), and Dr. Elizabeth Quesada, School Division Superintendent accepted the school chairs from Ms. Aja Totanes, marketing manager of Robinsons Supermarket.

The donated school chairs was made out of plastic wastes and was produced for the initial project of Robinsons Supermarket funded by the Green Fund Project

The Green Fund Project is a creation of the Quezon City Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance (SP-2140) which regulates the use of plastic bags and establishes an environmental fee for its use.

Under the said ordinance, if consumers don’t bring their own bags to hold their purchase, shopping malls, supermarkets and other business establishments can charge them with P2.00 for the Plastic Recovery System Fee.

The fees collected will constitute the Green Fund which is dedicated for environmental projects in QC.

QC wins eGov Digital Finance Award

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

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 14 (PIA)--The Quezon City government won the eGov Digital Finance Award during the 8th ICT National Summit held from November 10 to 11, 2016 in Palo and Tacloban, Leyte.

The City government was awarded for its electronic services system that covers several aspects of paying local taxes, from assessment, payment to the generation of electronic official receipt.

The innovation implemented by the QC government makes payment of real property and business tax more convenient for the taxpayers since they can pay anytime anywhere.

QC-LGU offers two options for paying electronically: one way is to use mobile money and GCash (for payments up to Php 100,000); another is to go online, using the taxpayer’s Landbank or BancNet ATM or debit cards.

The end-to-end electronic payment system is the first for a Philippine local government. QC was also a finalist in both the G2C (Government to Customer) and G2B (Government to Business) categories.

Mr. Fredie Abella of the Communications Coordination Center, Joem Salazar of the Information Technology Development Office and Anna Marie Jamilaren of the Business Permits and Licensing Office received the award in behalf of the Quezon City government.

The award was part of the summit’s 5th eGov Awards for LGU, which is an annual search for the best practices in local government units in utilizing information and communications technology (ICT) to effectively and efficiently deliver its public services directly to its constituents and to its business stakeholders.

The Digital Finance Award was conferred for the very first time during this summit, with organizers encouraging more local government units to develop efinance systems such as that of the QC-LGU.

The award will be included together with Data Driven Governance (D2G) and Government to Government categories next year.

The summit is an annual recognition event supported by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

First ever National PWD Summit to emphasize calls for reforms of sector

(Social Marketing, DSWD)

“It is important that we do not just give them services which help them get by daily. Our goal is to capacitate them build better lives for themselves and become productive citizens of society.”

In a bid to provide a more responsive and comprehensive service, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is hosting the first ever Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Summit today, November 11, at Hotel Rembrandt, Quezon City.

The DSWD-activity is in coordination with the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), the National Council for Disability Affairs (NCDA), and various groups under the disability sector coming from all over the country.

Among those who will attend the event are Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority Ernesto Pernia, Executive Director Carmen Reyes-Zubiaga of the NCDA; and officials of the DSWD.

The input and results of the discussions will be collated and synthesized, and eventually submitted as part of the DSWD’s body of recommendations for the Philippine Development Plan for 2018-2022. Ceremonial Turnover of Persons with Disabilities Agenda will be led by DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo and Cabinet Sec. Evasco.

The summit will be participated in by more than 350 PWDs nationwide who will work together to develop an agenda of programs and services to be proposed to the government.

Sec. Taguiwalo said that the sector of PWDs is one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors in the country.

“The Department has programs and services which are available to them, but PWDs must also be given the opportunity to voice out what they think can help them best.”

“Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s agenda of change gives priority to efforts to protect and uphold the welfare of the poor. We want to ensure that in the creation of the government’s development program, the calls and demands of the most vulnerable sectors of Philippine society are not neglected. Theirs are the demands that the government should listen to; the reforms they want should be given emphasis and given importance and full consideration,” she said.

As the lead agency in social protection, DSWD implements various community and center-based programs and services which are available to PWDs.

In 2015 alone, DSWD has served more than 21,500 PWDs through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, scholarship grants, auxiliary social services, cash for work, supplementary feeding, core programs, and center -based interventions.

Of the total served last year, 11,269 PWDs were served through community- based social protection services which amounted to P16,737,085. These included emergency assistance, PhilHealth sponsorship, disaster relief assistance, auxiliary social services, scholarship, and the provision of assistive devices, among others.

Around 57 children with disabilities were served through the regular Supplementary Feeding (SF) program which amounted to P150,000.

Some 7,829 PWDs benefited from the Department’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) program.

Moreover, 645 PWDs were provided capital assistance while 101 PWDs benefited from the employment facilitation scheme under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

The Department also manages the Elsie Gaches Village, a residential- based facility that provides care and rehabilitation to abandoned and neglected children with special needs such as those with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, visual and hearing impairment, mental retardation, autism and other related illnesses.

In addition to the center and community -based services, the Department also provides capacity building activities to Local Government Units, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), People’s Organizations and other stakeholders. Through capacitating these stakeholders, the DSWD aims to replicate its mandate and increase the number of institutions that are able to respond to the special concerns of the PWDs.

For 2016, the services and programs are continuously available to the PWD sectors.

As of September 2016, some 1,353 were served through DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Unit.

The Department has also allocated a total of P11,801,000 in various regional offices, as well as in the Central Office, intended for various intervention to PWDs. However, as of end of September 2016, the amount of P8,142,389.79 remains unexpended and unobligated.

Sec. Taguiwalo said, “It is important that we identify the gaps in the provision of social protection services from the perspective of the PWDs themselves. As part of our genuine ‘malasakit at tunay na serbisyo (compassion and genuine public service),’ we, in government, must come up with a comprehensive program which will answer to the overall need in development of this vulnerable sector. Stop gap measures or crisis assistance must just be part of the response.”

She added, “It is important that we do not just give them services which help them get by daily. Our goal is to capacitate them build better lives for themselves and become productive citizens of society.”

NFA intensifies palay, corn buying to stabilize farmgate prices

(NFA/rco)

National Food Authority (NFA) Office-In-Charge Tomas R. Escarez clarified that the agency continues to buy corn, aside from palay, from local farmers to assure local producers of a ready market at reasonable prices.

Escarez issued this statement in reaction to a news report that the farm gate prices of palay and corn were at their “lowest since September.”

Actual on-field price monitoring by NFA personnel show that the price of palay was still above the government support price of P17.00 per kilogram, at an average of P18.35/kg while corn prices averaged at P11.94/kg for the white variety and P11.06 for the yellow variety. NFA buys yellow corn at P12.30/kg and white corn at P13.00/kg.

For both palay and corn, the NFA also provides drying, delivery and cooperative incentives amounting to P0.70/kg.

“Because the country produces corn mainly for feed processors, the NFA has devised a scheme that will directly link the corn producers with buyers through our Enhanced Electronic Trading System,” Escarez said. This way, the stocks go directly from the farms to processors eliminating another layer or a middleman between them.

In a news report, Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. President Roger V. Navarro called on the NFA to stabilize the farm gate prices of palay and corn saying the corn farming sector is currently “suffering from a crisis.” Escarez said that aside from the EETS, the NFA has also been buying corn.

“Reports saying that the average palay farm-gate price of palay is at P17.11/kg means the farmers are still enjoying a good price for their harvest,” Escarez explained. The P17.00/kg government support price had been pegged to ensure that farmers get reasonable returns on their investment, he added.

Since the start of the harvest season this month, the NFA had already procured a total of 1,616,658 bags of palay and 12,409 bags of corn.

DSWD asks the public to tweet information to help street kids

(DSWD)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 11 -- In line with the celebration of the National Children’s Month this November, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo calls for public attention to tweet / send information to reach out to street children.

This is to safeguard them from violence, exploitation and all forms of physical, verbal or sexual abuse.

“The present state of children seen roaming on the streets is one of the main concerns of the welfare agency. We are alarmed on the increasing number of children who stay most of the time on the streets to help their families to earn a living. Most of them no longer attend school and deprived of their rights to a safe environment, education, and their most basic needs for food, health services, and safe shelter. They do not enjoy a normal childhood because of extreme poverty that can be traced in most cases to the failure of the state to provide adequate social support,” Taguiwalo said.

At present, the DSWD manages a team dedicated to respond to the needs of children and families at risk on the streets, including Sama-Bajau groups, through the @savestreetkids Twitter account. This is where the public can tweet their information.

Through this account, concerned citizens can report children at risk by stating the exact location and situation of the street child or children.

The reports received in this account and other social media platforms have prompted the DSWD, local government units (LGUs), other concerned agencies, and National Government Organizations (NGOs) to immediately reach out to them and remove them from harm’s way.

Currently, the Department has a Comprehensive Program for Street Children and Street Families that provides a package of services, interventions and opportunities for children and families at-risk on the streets to live productively in a safe environment.

Under the comprehensive program, 5,398 street children have been given educational assistance, while some 15,557 street children have attended activity sessions in several DSWD activity centers in Metro Manila from 2011 to 2016.

In the 2015 report by a local NGO that focuses on the plight of street children, street children comprise about 1-3 percent of the children and youth population of the major cities in the country. Estimates have it that there are 30,000 children on the streets of Metro Manila and the National Capital Region.

On a national scale, estimates of children living off the streets are pegged at 250,000 street children. Children as young as seven years old roam the streets to beg money from passersby or to sell candies, cigarettes and newspapers. The NGO said that about 75 percent of these same children have homes to return to, and they go home after earning money to augment their family’s small budgets.

Quezon City partners with Manulife for school rehabilitation project

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

QUEZON CITY, No. 10 (PIA)--Quezon City has partnered with Manulife Data Services Inc. for the rehabilitation of selected public schools of the city.

Mayor Herbert Bautista, on Monday, Nov 07, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ms. Lourdes Rosario Mantaring of Manulife Data Services, Inc. for the initial rehabilitation efforts for Santa Lucia High School in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Manulife Data Services will be funding the rehabilitation of classrooms of the Mathay Hall of the Santa Lucia High School as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The Mathay Hall is a 4-story building which Manulife Data Services has committed to rehabilitate and provide engineering works.

Under the MOU, Manulife will cover all electrical works, restoration of all restrooms, provide watersystems (including a water pump and overhead tank), woodworks, paintworks and will also donate chairs to decongest the classrooms.

The Quezon City local government, on the other hand, will donate equipment for the animation room of the Mathay Hall.

Through the partnership with Korea-Philippines Information Technology Training Center, the Quezon City local government will be donating 22 sets of Animation Light Boxes and 10 sets of WACOM digital tablets.

In addition, QC will also donate 20 sets of Computer Units (Pentium 4) to the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program of Santa Lucia High School.

The Quezon City local government is determined to pursue this model of progressive partnerships with the private sector in order to further improve its social services to the citizens of QC and hope that this initiative will be replicated in other public learning institutions.

QC holds public consultation on fair market value adjustment

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

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 9 (PIA)-- The Quezon City Council has scheduled public consultations on the proposed ordinance adjusting the schedule of fair market values of real properties in the city.

The City Council Committees on Ways and Means and on Laws, Rules and Internal Government, have invited residents, including officers and members of homeowners, commercial and business associations in the city to participate in the public consultations, scheduled from November 8 to 17.

Venues for the consultation include Bahay-Toro and the N.S. Amoranto covered courts, for District I on November 8; the barangay halls of Batasan and Holy Spirit, for District II on November 9; Barangay Loyola Heights hall and Camp Aguinaldo High School, for District III on November 10; Barangay Mariana hall and the Carlos Albert Session Hall at QC Hall, for District IV on November 15; the SB Plaza in Novaliches Proper and the North Fairview covered court, for District V on November 16 and the TS-SB Park and the Balumbato Teacher’s Bliss, for District VI on November 17.

The Carlos Albert Session Hall will be the venue for the public consultation on November 11 and November 12 with representatives from different business groups as participants and guests.

The proposed ordinance providing adjustment in the schedule of fair market values for land, buildings and other structures located in Quezon City has been described by Mayor Herbert Bautista as a requirement of law.

“Much as we do not like to burden our taxpayers, our Commission on Audit (COA) resident auditor has already highlighted this need,” the Mayor said.

As provided under the Local Government Code, a general revision of real property assessments should be conducted every three years.

“We are not exempted from the law, therefore, we have no obligation but to comply,” said the Mayor.

The last time Quezon City adjusted its schedule of fair market values was in 1995, the Mayor said.

According to the Mayor, the proposed adjustment is scheduled to take effect in 2017 for lots and 2018 for the improvements.

Journalists train on disaster, emergency reporting

By MART D. SAMBALUD (davaotoday.com)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Journalists across the country attended a two-day training here called “Learning Event on Disaster and Emergencies” organized by The Peace and Conflict Journalism Network and Oxfam.

Ledrolen R. Manriquez, Pecojon’s project coordinator, emphasized the role of media during disasters, saying that “journalists have important role in saving the lives of the people and at the same time, in building more resilient communities.”

More than 30 journalists working in online, broadcast and print media organizations joined the training which started on Oct. 26 to Oct. 27, held at Dolce Latte Cafe in Quezon City.

CNN Correspondent David Santos shared his experience on the field when Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) flattened Tacloban in November 2013 while Chiara Zambrano of ABS-CBN gave insights on covering war as she narrated her experience covering Zamboanga Siege and skirmishes in Sulu.

Covering conflict and emergency issues became more relevant to journalists when Carol Arguillas, editor-in-chief of Mindanews, gave a presentation about the conflict in Mindanao. She also gave a historical timeline and in-depth presentation about the Moro insurgency, the government’s peace negotiations with MNLF, MILF, CPP-NPA, among others.

On the topic Security and Safety Protocols for Journalists in Disasters and Hostile Environment, Red Batario of the International National Safety Institute said that journalists should abide at all times one of the principles of journalism and that is to maintain “independence.”

Batario pointed out that journalists covering sensitive issues should maintain their independence to avoid “conflict of interest.”

Batario also said that journalists should strive hard to get “accurate” facts. “They must report based on facts and verifiable information,” he said, noting that accuracy is the cardinal principle of journalism.

Voltaire Tupaz, head of Rappler’s citizen journalism arm MovePH, told the participants the importance of social media as a tool to ensure communication during disasters. Using technology such as various social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, among others, could be used to crowdsourced data.

One example of such technology is Project Agos which is a “collaborative platform that combines top-down government action with bottom up civic engagement to help communities mitigate risks and deal with climate change and natural hazards.”

November is National Children’s Month

(DSWD/CWC/RJB/LFB/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 07, (PIA0 - - Children’s Month which had been celebrated for several years during October is now celebrated during the month of November of every year.

The change is stipulated under Republic Act No. 10661 signed by President Benigno Aquino on May 29, 2015.

Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Executive Director Patricia Luna said that the law mainly changed the month of the celebration from October to November to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by the United Nations General Assembly on Nov. 20, 1989 and the Philippines’ signing of the CRC. The law seeks to instill the significance of adoption of the CRC by the UN in the Filipino consciousness.

This years’ celebration carries the theme “Isulong: Kalidad na Edukasyon Para sa Lahat ng Bata!” which highlights children’s rights to education and encourage stakeholders to advocate inclusive and equitable life-long learning opportunities for all children.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo earlier announced that DSWD and the CWC as well as the National Youth Commission (NYC) will take the lead in celebrating the rights of children.

The 2016 National Children’s Month celebration major activities start with the PRESS CONFERENCE @ Balitaan sa Rembrandt on 04 February 2016 (Friday).

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region (NCR) had an earlier kick off ceremony with the awarding of the Exemplary Pantawid Children Beneficiaries last October 28, 2016. All 17 LGUs in the region were represented and four were chosen as the most exemplary. Winners came from Valenzuela City, Caloocan City, Pateros and Makati City.

The second major activity is the NCM kick – off: “One Million Lapis” Campaign project culmination and the Guinness Book of World Record for the Longest Line of Pencils attempt to be done by 2,500 children ages 14-17 years old on November 5, 2016 at SM by the Bay, SM MOA, Pasay City.

The Pencil Campaign Project promote the child’s right to (write as basic right) education especially for children whose situations have impeded their chances to go to school. It aims to gather Lapis/Pencils for the benefit of under privileged elementary students from various schools of 4th – 6th class municipalities who lack the opportunity to pursue schooling (necessary materials for writing).

The project is a partnership between the National Government led by CWC and the private sector led by Amalgamated Specialties Corporation (AMSPEC) and SM Cares. Other major sponsors included Land Bank of the Philippines, National Bookstore, Soroptimist International and Enchanted Kingdom.

Other NCM Activities included: World Day Against Child Labor on 8 November 2016; Child Safety Sticker Campaign on 17 November 2016 with DOTR – LTO and LTFRB, Robinsons Mall, AMSPEC Corporation, Safe Kids Philippines, Transport Group and the launchcing activity will be the Launching of Whistle Campaign against Drug Abuse on 28 November 2016 with PNP and Rotary International @ Malacaňan, respectively.

“We are committed to uphold this Convention, and to pursue all appropriate measures to ensure the protection of children and the implementation of the rights stated in the Convention. We must all work together to address the issues of low wages, landlessness, widespread lack of productive and sustainable means of livelihood, and lack of job security which affect majority of Filipinos so they themselves can become empowered to help their own families and their most vulnerable members – the children,” Taguiwalo concluded.

DENR-NCR trains personnel on LAWIN Forest and Biodiversity Protection System

(DENR-NCR/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA)--The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) recently started training its personnel on the uses and functions of LAWIN Forest and Biodiversity Protection System (LFBPS).

The four-day training held at Timberland Sports and Nature Club in San Mateo, Rizal included a practicum at the La Mesa Watershed Area in Quezon City, where participants get to test LAWIN on ground.

LAWIN is a mobile application developed by DENR in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

It was developed to help improve the response mechanisms of DENR and other stakeholders in addressing observed threats to the environment using smart phones. It operates on web-based, open-source software called “Cyber-Tracker” for data collection and the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) for data analysis, mapping and report generation.

DENR-NCR Regional Director Lourdes C. Wagan said the application is a welcome technological advancement, especially in the field of monitoring and reporting on the status of the environment.

She said that “applications that help people at the frontlines respond better, efficiently and accurately, should receive government support”. “LAWIN”, she adds, has successfully “integrated a science-based monitoring tool with user-friendly technology to help us track the status of our protected areas and critical habitats”.

She is hopeful that the ever-increasing appeal of mobile technology to people will encourage them to use LAWIN and help the authorities in monitoring and reporting on the status of our environment.

DILG chief confers meritorious award on QC firemen

(PNA), RMA/AMD/RSM

MANILA (PNA) -- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno recognized the Quezon City District fireman for risking life during a fire incident in Quezon City condominium last October 31, 2016.

The DILG secretary, together with BFP OIC Chief Supt. Bobby V. Baruelo, awarded the meritorious Medalya ng Kabayanihan and gave promotion of a next higher rank to SFO1 Florencio Azonsa during their personal visit on Thursday.

Sueno said that he lauded the fireman’s heroic act for saving six people, including a baby trapped inside the burning building.

The fireman is still confined at the Chinese General Hospital where he was rushed after experiencing difficulty in breathing and found out that he also suffered a heart attack because he lent his breathing apparatus to rescue the family.

“Bakit niya pa i-offer yong breathing apparatus niya sa anim na yon? Talagang he risked his own life. Kabayanihan talaga yon,” Sueno stressed.

“That is why we are awarding him the Medalya ng Kabayanihan, a meritorious award and one rank higher,” he added.

Azonsa, meanwhile, shared to Sueno the incident where he was able to give his breathing apparatus to a four-month old baby Jastine Benetiz after noticing that she was gasping for breath.

He also noticed the five relatives screaming for help namely, Lucila Laboc, 80; Evangeline Hagonilyo, 23; Michael Mendoza, 40; Josefina Sanzano, 58; and Michelle Marcol, 26, where he also shared his breathing apparatus while guiding them in the elevator.

All six occupants were very thankful after they rescued safely.

The DILG secretary also awarded the Medalya ng Kadakilaan to four members of the Special Reaction Unit of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) who were part of of those who put out the fire namely, SFO1 Ernesto B. Belecarpio III, SFO1 Carmelo E. Eugenio, FO3 Bill l. Astudillo, and FO2 Christopher N. Gaor.

Phivolcs boosts tsunami awareness

By Jerome Paunan (PHIVOLCS/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)

MANILA, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology–Department of Science and Technology (PHIVOLCS) joins the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) in the observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day today, Nov. 05, with the theme “effective education and evacuation drills”.

In line with the observance, the agency will conduct lectures about tsunami and exhibit tour at PHIVOLCS Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, UP Campus. The activities aim to promote geologic hazard awareness and preparedness among the students.

Nov. 5 was chosen in honor of a true story from Japan: “Inamura-no-hi”, which means the “burning of the rice sheaves”. During an 1854 earthquake, a farmer saw the tide receding, a sign of a looming tsunami and he set fire to his harvested rice to warn villagers, who fled to high ground.

Recently, the agency commemorated the 40th anniversary of the 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake and Tsunami last August 17, 2016. The magnitude-8.1 earthquake hit the island of Mindanao on August 17, 1976 at 12:11 AM (PST) that caused damage and collapse of houses and buildings. The off-shore earthquake produced a massive tsunami killing about 6000 people making it one of the most disastrous tsunami to hit the Philippines. Tsunami waves as high as nine (9) meters struck the town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat and it inundated almost all nearby coastal towns.

Likewise, PHIVOLCS encourages schools and the local government units to conduct activities such as Information, Education and Communication Campaigns, and Tsunami Drills that will increase the people’s awareness and preparedness.

QC LGU to manage medical waste disposal

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

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- Mayor Herbert Bautista announced that the city government will soon manage the collection and disposal of waste materials generated by QC-based medical clinics to minimize the risks to public health and the environment.

“What the city government will be doing is to make sure that these waste materials are properly disposed in the most environment-friendly manner,” said the Mayor.

“Kaysa naman nakatambak kung saan-saan ang mga ito, ang lungsod na lang ang kokolekta,” the Mayor said

However, the Mayor reminded clinic owners that the city government will be imposing certain fees for the collection and disposal of medical wastes.

According to the Revised Health Care Waste Management Manual of the Department of Health (DOH), exposure to hazardous health care wastes may cause disease or injury.

Cities highest-earning LGUs in 2015

(Rappler.com)

Quezon City and Makati were the top earners overall, while Bulacan and Negros Occidental reported the highest revenues among provinces, according to COA's 2015 Annual Financial Report on Local Government Units

MANILA, Philippines – Cities made up the list of 10 highest-earning local government units in 2015, the recently-released Annual Financial Report on LGUs by the Commission on Audit (COA) showeed.

Quezon City was the biggest earner with total reported revenues of P16.365 billion, followed by Makati City with P15.506 billion, and Manila with P12.595 billion.

Only Cebu and Davao were the cities outside Metro Manila that made it to the top 10.

The rest of the highest-earning LGUs were:

• Pasig City – P8.381 billion
• Cebu City – P7.216 billion
• Davao City – P6.171 billion
• Taguig – P6.104 billion
• Caloocan City – P4.355 billion
• Muntinlupa City – P4.154 billion
• Parañaque City – P4.05 billion

The 2015 Annual Financial Report on LGUs, released by COA last week, covered 78 provinces (out of 81), 141 cities (out of 145), and 1,428 municipalities (out of 1,489) in the country.

Bulacan tops provinces

Bulacan reported the biggest earnings among province sin 2015 at P3.802 billion – still lower than the 10th highest-earning city (Parañaque). Negros Occidental was second, with P3.582 billion in earnings, followed by Rizal with P3.318 billion, and Cebu with P3.251 billion

The other top-earning provinces were:

• Pangasinan – P3.1 billion
• Cavite – P3.081 billion
• Laguna – P3.031 billion
• Quezon – P3.026 billion
• Batangas – P2.864 billion
• Nueva Ecija – P2.603 billion
Cainta, Rizal, breaks P1-B mark

Of the 10 municipalities with the biggest revenues last year, only Cainta in Rizal broke the P1-billion mark, reporting a total of P1.165 billion.

Three other Rizal municipalities in Rizal were on the list, as well as 3 in Cavite:

• General Trias (Cavite) – P957.1 million
• Taytay (Rizal) – P700.48 million
• Rosario (Cavite) – P656.18 million
• Mariveles (Bataan) – P617.17 million
• Rodriguez (Rizal) – P593.13 million
• Daan Bantayan (Cebu) – P570.52 million
• Sto. Tomas (Batangas) – P569.88 million
• Binangonan (Rizal) – P552.32 million
• Silang (Cavite) – P541.67 million
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