Quezon City News October 2015

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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.

(News Feature) Novaliches has the most number of cemeteries in Metro Manila

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

MANILA, Oct. 31 (PNA)--At this time of the year, practically all the roads leading to Novaliches, divided between Quezon City and Caloocan City, became clogged with vehicles of thousands of people visiting the graves of their departed loved ones.

This is because of the presence of at least 11 memorial parks and public cemeteries in this former town, which was reduced to a barrio (now called barangay) over a century ago in 1901, to be specific.

There are five big memorial parks and six cemeteries in Novaliches at present.

Three of the memorial parks are located in the Quezon City portion of Novaliches and the two others in Caloocan section.

Of the six cemeteries--five public and one private--three are in Novaliches, QC, and the two others in Caloocan territory in Novaliches.

The lone private cemetery in Novaliches is the Jesuits Cemetery at the Compound of the Sacred Heart Novitiate and Seminary along Quirino Highway in Brgy. Pasong Putik.

The three memorial parks in the QC areas of Novaliches are the Holy Cross Memorial Park along Quirino Highway in Brgy. San Bartolome, the Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park along Tandang Sora Avenue, in Brgy. Pasong Tamo, and the Eternal Gardens also along Quirino Highway in Brgy. Baesa.

Those in the Novaliches Caloocan area are the Forest Memorial Park in Brgy. Bagumbong and the Serenity Memorial Park in Brgy. Deparo.

On the other hand, the public cemeteries in Novaliches, QC are the Novaliches Catholic Cemetery along General Luis Street in Brgy. Novaliches Poblacion; the Bagbag Cemetery along Quirino Highway in Brgy. Bagbag and the Baesa/ Sangandaan Cemetery, also along Quirino Highway.

The two public cemeteries in the Caloocan portions are the Bagbaguin Cemetery in Brgy Bagbaguin and the Tala Cemetery in Barangay Bagong Silang, considered as the biggest barangays in the country in terms of population

There is no exact figure of people buried in these memorial parks and cemeteries in Novaliches, but it is safe to say that they exceed the million mark.

One thing sure to say is that the presence of these burial grounds in the area is creating grave traffic problems in Novaliches every time All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are observed on Nov. 1 and 2.

Needless to say, most of the people visiting their dead relatives in the five memorial parks on Nov. 1 are car owners who drive their vehicles bumper-to-bumper along the roads leading to Novaliches, particularly along Quirino Highway from Balintawak, Tandang Sora Avenue, C-5 Mindanao Avenue, General Luis St., and Commonwealth Avenue.

DPWH conducts concrete reblocking along portion of Edsa and C-5 Friday night till Nov. 2

(PNA), RMA/FGP/RSM

MANILA, Oct. 30 (PNA) -- Concrete reblocking at some portions of EDSA and C-5 Road will be conducted starting at 10 PM, October 30, 2015 until 5 AM, November 2.

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said the reblocking on EDSA include some southbound lanes between Estrella Street and Senator Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia) in Makati City and first lane from sidewalk (Service Road) between Sct. Borromeo and Timog Avenue; and the northbound lane between Aurora Boulevard and K-10 Street, specifically the first lane from sidewalk.

On C-5 Road, the affected area would be the northbound innermost lane between SM Warehouse to FR Cement going to Lanuza Street.

With this, Singson directed the DPWH National Capital Region Office, including Quezon City Second and Metro Manila Second District Engineering Offices, to closely monitor activities of the contractor undertaking the concrete reblocking.

He said that post-activity cleanup through proper disposal of construction debris had to be undertaken immediately to minimize traffic disruption.

Meanwhile, DPWH Lakbay Alalay personnel were deployed on strategic locations of national highway to assist travelers and respond to any road emergency situation.

This is in anticipation of people flocking private and public cemeteries in Metro Manila and the provinces to pay their respects to their dearly departed over the weekend.

QC to send humanitarian mission to Lando-affected areas

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

MANILA, Oct. 29 (PNA)--The Quezon City government, announced Thursday that it will be sending a 200-man humanitarian mission to three provinces devastated by typhoon ‘Lando’.

The mission, based on the directives of QC mayor Herbert M. Bautista, covers the city government-adopted provinces of Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya and Bulacan.

The QC mission, organized by the city disaster risk reduction and management council, will be sent off to Baler, Aurora; Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya and San Miguel, Bulacan, to attend to the immediate needs of the affected families, including provision for medicines, ready-to-eat food, generator sets and construction tools and materials.

According to DRRMC action officer Elmo San Diego, the city’s humanitarian mission will also be providing technical assistance for the restoration of some government buildings or structures damaged by the typhoon, such as health centers, schools and barangay halls.

San Diego said the city government planned to provide Php 50 million worth of assistance to each of city’s adopted LGU.

A resolution shall be adopted by the QC council to facilitate the grant of the assistance, which will be sourced from the city’s local disaster risk reduction management fund.

The city’s humanitarian mission will be divided into three teams to cover the affected areas.

The city government also plans to adopt a municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija ravaged by ‘Lando.’

Prior to the send off of the city’s humanitarian mission, the DRRMC will be sending a rapid assessment team to the areas adopted by QC to determine their priority needs.

Constituting the city’s assessment team are representatives from the engineering department, health department, social services development department, environmental protection and waste management department and the city’s disaster risk reduction management office, headed by Mike Marasigan.

It may be recalled that the city also provided aid to the local governments of Tolosa, Palompon and Sta. Fe, in Leyte, after the devastation caused by typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in 2013.

Jesuit organization launches Task Force Noah – Typhoon Lando Disaster Response

(SLB)

QUEZON CITY, Oct 28 -- Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) launched Task Force Noah – Typhoon Lando Disaster Response last week to assist affected residents of different barangays, especially the indigenous peoples’ communities, farmers and fisher folk communities in Casiguran, Aurora through relief operations and planned rehabilitation efforts.

SLB is a socio-political apostolate of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines,

Typhoon Lando (international name Koppu) made its landfall in Casiguran in the early hours of Sunday, October 18.

Earlier report indicated that “nearly 100% of houses and infrastructure were damaged in Casiguran” after Lando’s onslaught.

According to the report dated 21 October 2015 by Casiguran’s Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), there were 893 totally damaged and 4 506 partially houses in the area.

According to the same report, 5 972 families equivalent to approx. 29 860 individuals are in immediate need of relief and other support such as future rehabilitation in infrastructure and livelihood.

A report by a team deployed by SLB on 22 October 2015, with help from volunteers from Ateneo de Manila University, validated previous assessment by other groups and the media on the situation of Casiguran. The said team also delivered 900 relief packs from various donors in coordination with an AFP unit and local parish partner.

To further the support, SLB is currently accepting monetary donations for relief and rehabilitation intended for Casiguran, Aurora as part of Task Force Noah. Potential donors have various ways to donate:

a. Deposit donations to the SLB BPI account:

Account number: 3081-1111-61 (Peso Account) / 3084-0420-12 (Dollar Saving Account) Account name: Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Branch: Loyola-Katipunan Swift code: BOPIPHMM OR transfer fund through the BPI mobile app by inputting the SLB account number: 3081-1111-61

b. Donate via GCASH following these steps:

1. Register (one time only) Type REG4-digit PIN/Mother’s Maiden Name/ First Name/Last Name/Address and send to 2882

2. Donate Type DONATE AMOUNT MPIN SLB and send to 2882 Ex. DONATE 100 1982 SLB

c. Personally bring the donation to SLB at the following address: Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City 1108 Philippines

For proper acknowledgement, kindly fax deposit slip to telefax line 426-5968 or e-mail to communications@slb.ph. The office can be reached through the same contact details or visit www.slb.ph.

In the previous year, the organization conducted development project entitled “Kasiguruhan sa Casiguran” to provide for the educational, welfare, and advocacy needs of the indigenous people in Casiguran, which latter expanded to cater to the needs of local fisher folk.

SLB has been in the forefront of disaster response since 1991 after the Pinatubo eruption. It has ongoing rehabilitation projects all over the Philippines, including Leyte and Samar and Culion, Palawan, following Yolanda in 2013.

The organization is accredited by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC).

Support National Children’s Month in Nov., LGUs told

By Jerome R. Paunan

MANILA, Oct. 27 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is enjoining all local chief executives (LCEs) across the country to support and spearhead the National Children’s Month (NCM) Celebration in their respective jurisdictions this November.

This year’s theme, (End child abuse now, community and government unite.) “Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magkaisa, Pang-aabuso sa Bata, Wakasan Na,” highlights the protection of children against all forms of abuse and discrimination, and encourages stakeholders to promote as well as advocate protection of children in the family, school, community, and other settings.

In a directive to LCEs, DILG Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento is instructing all LCEs to conduct relevant undertakings within the month of November to support the celebration such as:

Participation in the NCM major activities
Displaying of tarpaulins or streamers
Posting of activities in the LGU’s website
Conduct of a fora on Child Protection
Media publicity
Parade/motorcade

Contest of talents for children

“Ang pakikiisa ng ating mga pamahalaang lokal ay mahalaga sa ating kampanya sa pagtataguyod ng “child-sensitive” at “child-friendly” LGUs,” said Sarmiento. (The cooperation of all our local government units is vital in our campaign to establish child-sensitive and child-friendly LGUs.)

In line with the celebration, the DILG joined the NCM kick-off event spearheaded by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) in partnership with SM Cares entitled “Zumbata on Child Protection” held recently at the SM North EDSA Skydome, Quezon City.

The event also featured the launching of the Children’s Write to Rights advocacy containing the “One Million Lapis Campaign” and the announcement of the country’s participation to set a Guinness World Record for the longest line of pencils.

Other activities during the month-long celebration include the following: Press Conference on November 6; Launch of the Story Book on Children on November 12; Showcase of Talents on Child Protection at SM Skydome with the performance of Asia’s Got Talent grand winner El Gamma Penumbra; and National Summit on Children (culminating event) on November 20, 2015.

Republic Act 10661, otherwise known as “National Children’s Month Act,” which was enacted into a law last May 2015, has declared November of every year as National Children’s Month.

The declaration commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989 and seeks to inculcate its significance in the Filipino consciousness. Previously, the NCM is celebrated October of every year.

New scheme on EDSA-Quezon Ave. corner expected to ease traffic flow

By Bianca Rose Dabu / KBK (GMA News)

The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has implemented a new traffic scheme along the corner of Quezon Avenue and EDSA in Quezon City to address the complaints and suggestions of motorists regarding heavy traffic along EDSA, a major thoroughfare.

Aside from the traffic regulation in the designated flyover and underpass, the barricades along Quezon Avenue were also removed and a new traffic light was installed to assist motorists, especially the ones using the U-turn slot.

“Doon sa road intersection sa Quezon Avenue, pwede nang dumiretso ang mga sasakyan mula Quzon Boulevard at kakaliwa sa EDSA. Both directions 'yun. Gayundin sa mga sasakyan sa EDSA, puwedeng dumiretso at kumaliwa sa Quezon Boulevard,” PNP-HPG director Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao said in an interview on 'News To Go' on Monday.

“Sa ilalim ng Quezon Avenue flyover, mayroong U-turn slot. Kung northbound ka, puwede ka nang mag-U-turn agad before ng intersection, at ganoon din para sa mga southbound,” he added.

Loading and unloading areas for provincial buses along the area were also removed, Gunnacao said. The PNP-HPG hopes that the installment of the new traffic light will help ease the traffic along EDSA-Quezon Avenue.

More adjustments will be made in the following weeks, including changes on the Service Road.

“'Yung mga nasa service road ay papaderetsuhin na natin. Tatanggalin na ang mga barikada sa rightmost lanes para doon makaderetso ang mga nasa Service Road papunta sa kabila ng EDSA,” Gunnacao said.

Unclear road lanes

According to the PNP-HPG director, among the major traffic problems in Metro Manila are the unclear road lanes, the unruly motorists, and the overwhelming volume of vehicles.

“Unang-una, wala tayong malinaw na linya na sinusunod ng mga motorista. Kung minsan, sa isang linya, naggigitgitan ang dalawang sasakyan kasi walang malinaw na linya. Pangalawa, hindi sanay ang drivers natin na sumunod sa traffic rules kaya 'yan talaga ang tinuturo natin ngayon. At siyempre, 'yung volume talaga ng sasakyan lalo na sa area ng Cubao,” Gunnacao said.

One of the areas with the heaviest traffic almost every day is EDSA-Kamuning to Cubao, where terminals of provincial buses and bus stops are situated.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now working with the PNP-HPG to improve the road situation, first and foremost by painting road lanes for better traffic regulation along the main thoroughfare.

“Bago mag-cross ng Ortigas Avenue extension at pabalik, mayroon nang nakalagay na Lanes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Pati sa Cubao, meron na para magkaroon na ng lane designation ang private vehicles at buses,” Gunnacao said.

"Nose in, nose out" rule

The 'Nose in, nose out' rule is also implemented for the major bus terminal along EDSA.

“Ang paglabas ng buses sa kanilang terminals ay kino-control natin. Hindi basta-bastang nakakalabas at hindi dapat sila sa EDSA nagmamaniobra ng mga sasakyan nila. Ini-implement namin 'yung sinasabi ng LTO na 'Nose in, nose out” kung saan pagdating sa terminal, ipapasok ang ulo, at kapag lalabas ay aatras na lamang at hindi na ima-maneuver pa at babaliktarin ang sasakyan,” Gunnacao said.

Another problem that may be solved by proper road lanes regulation is the congestion on bus lanes, which are sometimes occupied by private vehicles. Because of this, buses may cause congestion on both private lanes and bus lanes.

“Mas mabilis na sana ang biyahe sa bus lanes kaya lang may private vehicles na dumaraan doon dahil nakikita nila na wala namang buses na nandoon, kaya lumilipat sila. Pagdating tuloy ng buses at puno na sa bus lane, lumilipat naman sila sa private lanes kasi nahaharangan na ng private vehicles 'yung daanan nila,” Gunnacao said.

The cooperation from both public and private motorists are needed to solve problems such as the lane regulation, he added.

While social media posts help in the apprehension of violators along the roads, Gunnacao said his team is currently more focused on responding to problems on the field to avoid misinterpretation of details.

“'Yung mga nasa Facebook ay hindi na masyadong pinapansin dahil ang concentration namin ay 'yung mga nasa field mismo. Minsan kasi, iba ang nasa Facebook at iba rin ang pagkakapaliwanag,” he said.

DENR names ‘most eco-friendly school’ finalists; to announce winners on Nov. 23

(DENR/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA)--The Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) named the finalists for the 2015 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools.

A total of 46 public and private schools – 16 elementary schools, 16 high schools and 14 colleges – have entered the national finals of the contest.

The competition is organized by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR, in cooperation with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and private sector partners and aims to recognize educational institutions with the best sustainable and eco-friendly programs and activities.

DENR Assistant Secretary and concurrent EMB Director Juan Miguel Cuna said the finalists will compete in the elementary, high school and college categories at the national level after prevailing in the regional eliminations.

Cuna said winners will be announced on November 23 at Fisher Mall on Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, as part of the celebration of November as National Environmental Awareness Month pursuant to Republic Act No. 9510 or the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act.

He said that they were amazed by the school’s creativity and commitment in implementing eco-friendly practices.

“We need to start teaching our kids as early as we can to take responsibility in safeguarding our environment. Schools are dynamic focal points of learning and powerful vehicles of change. Parents and teachers can work together to spread the wonders of living an environmentally-smart lifestyle,” Cuna said

The said nationwide search is the Philippine initiative in support to the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan (2014-2018) and ASEAN Environment Year 2015 with the theme: “Empowering the Youth for a Green ASEAN Community

Smart Communications Inc. joins the activity for the fourth leg as part of its corporate social responsibility and community service program Kabalikat. Other private partners include Nestle Philippines Inc. and One Meralco Foundation Inc.

Land Bank of the Philippines joins the activity for the first time this year.

Winners will get P50,000 for the first prize; P40,000, second prize; and P30,000, third prize. Each will receive a plaque of recognition.

For the elementary school level, the regional champions are: Jacinto Zamora Elementary School, Pandacan, Manila; Kayan Elementary School, Tadian, Mountain Province; Bonuan Boquig Elementary School, Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Divisoria Elementary School, Santiago City; Sampaloc Elementary School, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija; Maduya Elementary School, Cavite; Sta. Isabel Elementary School in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro;

Caranan North Elementary School, Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Ara-al Elementary School, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental; Inghoy Elementary School, Alegria, Cebu; Hilongos South Central School, Leyte; Ayala Central School, Zamboanga City; Linabo Central School, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; Col. Rasalio Saludares Elementary School, Tagum City, Davao del Norte; Malalag Central Elementary School, Maitum, Sarangani and Puerto Princesa Elementary School of Basilisa, Dinagat Islands.

For the high school level, the regional champions are: Malabon National High School, Malabon City; Baguio City National High School, Baguio City; San Nicolas National High School, Ilocos Norte; Bintawan National High School, Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya; San Rafael National Trade School, Bulacan; Pedro Guevara Memorial National High School, Sta. Cruz, Laguna; Oriental Mindoro National High School (formerly known as Jose J. Leido, Jr. Memorial National High School), Calapan City;

Naga National High School, Tiwi, Albay; Tubungan National High School, Iloilo Province; Lila National High School, Bohol; Sumoroy Agro Industial School, Palapag, Northern Samar; Manukan National High School, Zamboanga Del Norte; Ozamiz City School of Arts and Trades, Misamis Occidental; Tagum City Comprehensive National High School, Davao del Norte; Tampakan National High School, South Cotabato and Matin-ao National High School, Mainit, Surigao del Norte.

For the college level, the schools that made it to the national level are: La Consolacion College Novaliches, Caloocan City; Saint Louis University, Baguio City; Saint Louis College, San Fernando City, La Union; University of La Salette, Santiago City; Angeles University Foundation, Pampanga; Batangas State University, Batangas City; Western Philippines University, Aborlan, Palawan; Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Pili, Camarines Sur; La Consolacion College of Bacolod City; Foundation University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; Saint Paul University of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; Naval State University, Biliran; Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City; and Southern Baptist College, M’lang, North Cotabato.

Prizes shall also be awarded for the special category entitled “Nestle Water Leadership Award”. This award is aimed at recognizing and promoting water management solutions and practices of schools. A prize of PhP20,000 will be given to each of the winners at the national level for college, high school and elementary school categories. A prize of PhP10,000 and certificate of recognition will be awarded to each of the regional winners of all categories.

Jesus Reyes, vice president for corporate affairs of Nestle Philippines, said: “Education is a powerful tool to inspire positive behavior and attitude towards the environment and water stewardship. When students learn about the environment and water stewardship – they will not only see this in their textbooks but feel it in their surrounding as well, thanks to the many school policies and initiatives in place.”

“Nestle is very much looking forward to this multi-sectoral partnership which we believe will encourage the nation, through our schools, to take care of our precious natural resources,” Reyes added.

For the elementary school level, the regional water leadership champions are: Jacinto Zamora Elementary School, Pandacan, Manila; Bulo West Elementary School, Tabuk City, Kalinga; Bonuan Boquig Elementary School, Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Divisoria Elementary School, Santiago City; Sampaloc Elementary School, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija; San Isidro Elementary School, Batangas City; Sta. Isabel Elementary School in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; Caranan North Elementary School, Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Pagbatangan Elementary School, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; San Nicolas Elementary School, Cebu City; Hilongos South Central School, Leyte; Tandubuay Elementary School, San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur; San Vicente Elementary School, Panabo City, Davao del Norte; Cotabato City Central Pilot School, Cotabato City and Puerto Princesa Elementary School Unit, Dinagat Islands.

For the high school level, the regional water leadership champions are: Malabon National High School, Malabon City; Baguio City National High School, Baguio City; Pallas Integrated School, Vintar, Ilocos Norte; Divisoria High School, Santiago City; San Rafael National Trade School, Bulacan; Cavite National Science High School, Maragondon, Cavite; Oriental Mindoro National High School, Calapan City; Tiwi Agro-Industrial School, Albay; Tubungan National High School, Iloilo Province; Rafael Lentejas Memorial School of Fisheries, Calbayog City, Samar; Tambulig National High School, Zamboanga del Sur; Ozamiz City School of Arts and Trades, Misamis Occidental; Bukidnon National High School, Malaybalay City; Tagum City Comprehensive National High School, Davao del Sur; Bambad National High School, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat and Barobo National High School, Surigao Del Sur.

For the college level, the schools that made it as regional water leadership champions are: La Consolacion College Novaliches, Caloocan City; University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City; Saint Louis College, San Fernando City, La Union; University of La Salette, Santiago City; Angeles University Foundation, Pampanga; Batangas State University, Batangas City; Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology, Calapan City; Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Camarines Sur; La Consolacion College of Bacolod City; Saint Paul University of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; Naval State University, Biliran; Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City.

Another special award entitled “Meralco Energy Leadership Award” will recognize schools that promote practices and initiatives in electrical safety, energy efficiency and conservation. A prize of P20,000 will be given to each of the winners at the national level for college, high school and elementary school categories. A prize of PhP10,000 and certificate of recognition will be awarded to each of the regional winners of all categories.

According to Jeffrey Tarayao, president of One Meralco Foundation, “one of the things we can do as a foundation is help public and private schools better understand energy's role in our lives as it's something we should take care of.”

For the elementary school level, the regional energy leadership champions are: Jacinto Zamora Elementary School, Pandacan, Manila; Pedro Bunot Central School, Calanasan, Apayao; Bonuan Boquig Elementary School, Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Divisoria Elementary School, Santiago City; Limay Elementary School, Bataan; San Isidro Elementary School, Batangas City; Sta. Isabel Elementary School in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; Caranan North Elementary School, Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Pagbatangan Elementary School, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; Hilongos South Central School, Leyte; Ayala Central School SPED Center, Zamboanga City; Linabo Central School, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; Nuevo Iloco Elementary School, Mawab, Compostela Valley; Cotabato City Pilot Elementary School, Cotabato City and Puerto Princesa Elementary School of Dinagat Islands.

For the high school level, the regional energy leadership champions are: Malabon National High School, Malabon City; Apayao National Industrial and Agricultural High School, Calanasan, Apayao; Santiago City National High School, Santiago City; San Ricardo National High School, Talavera, Nueva Ecija; Cagbalete National High School, Quezon Province; Oriental Mindoro National High School, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; Tiwi Agro Industrial School, Albay; Tubungan National High School, Iloilo Province; Bagalnga Integrated School, Compostela, Cebu Province; Dr. Geronimo B. Zaldivar Memorial School of Fisheries, Albuera, Leyte; Tambulig National High School, Zamboanga del Sur; Bukidnon National High School, Malaybalay City; Tagum City Comprehensive National High School, Davao del Norte; Malalag Cogon National High School, Malungon, Sarangani and Matin-ao National High School, Surigao Del Norte.

For the college level, the schools that made it as regional energy leadership champions: La Consolacion College Novaliches, Caloocan City; Saint Louis University, Baguio City; University of La Salette, Santiago City; Angeles University Foundation, Pampanga; Lyceum of the Philippines University of Batangas City; Western Philippines University, Aborlan, Palawan; Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Pili, Camarines Sur; La Consolacion College of Bacolod City; Foundation University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; Naval State University, Biliran; Universidad de Zamboanga, Zamboanga City; Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City and Southern Baptist College, M’lang, North Cotabato.

DSWD and partners boost campaign vs. homeless street-dwelling families

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

MANILA, Oct. 25 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its partners intensified on Saturday their campaign to provide assistance to homeless street families so that they can have a “decent and sustainable source of income" as a step in curbing the long-pressing problems of families at risks on the streets in Metro Manila.

Through a partnership with the Ermita-Malate Business Owners Association (EMBOA), the DSWD provided “Kabuhayan Folded Carts,” also called as KFC, to the initial beneficiaries of the program which is part of target of clearing Metro Manila streets of homeless families.

Capital assistance was also provided to the beneficiaries that are being assisted under the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) program.

DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman and EMBOA president Michelle Pe led the initial turnover of CFCs at Plaza Olivia Salamanca on T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila to 25 qualified recipients who met the criteria after proper assessment.

About 500 Kabuhayan Folded Carts as means of livelihood are scheduled to be turned over in the coming weeks and months before the end of the year as part of the rolling out of the partnership in the City of Manila so that the poor families at risk on the streets will be encouraged to become “small entrepreneurs with dignity.”

Secretary Soliman said similar KFC distribution will be done in Quezon City very soon as sort of “pilot projects” which will be given more focus for the year 2016 once proven as “successful” or effective.

All in all, the target to be given with livelihood assistance totals to 3,500 recipients.

With the turnover of the carts that will help them to generate income, the recipient families will be assured that they will no longer be “running away” whenever there are operations to clear Metro Manila streets of "homeless dwellers and children."

Soliman said the carts were funded by DSWD while the partner EMBOA agreed to help the recipients in terms of giving them training, tips and advice to make their “small business” more attractive to customers and in maintaining cleanliness and safety in areas where they sell their goods.

She explained that the beneficiaries of the project are required to follow certain conditions, including:

The children should not be engaged in street vending; project beneficiaries shall not be allowed to sleep in the area after vending during the allowed vending hours; cleanliness of the area shall be maintained at all times by deploying park attendants/street sweepers under the cash- for-work (CFW) program; and no alteration of the original design of KFC.

According to EMBOA president Michelle Pe, they will help in providing marketing strategies, safe food handling and sanitation.

“In that way, customers of the big establishments will also become potential customers of them and therefore, we can be actually complementing each other,” she said.

The EMBOA members said they have partnered with DSWD as they see the importance to engage themselves in helping the government and the people of Manila to ensure that the right to have “smooth and better lives” will also be enjoyed by their fellow poor citizens such as the homeless street families (HSF), especially those that just need “door of opportunities.”

As partners of DSWD on the effort to fix the HSF and street children problems, Pe said they are also requesting barangay and police authorities for the implementation of “curfew hours” among the children, along with more street lighting so that "the places where they conduct their business" will be safe and more attractive to visitors and customers.

EMBOA, which is celebrating its third founding anniversary this year, is also one of the active partners of DSWD in the "Oplan Balik Bahay Sagip Buhay (OBBSB)" launched earlier to intensify the efforts in curbing the HSF problems so that families will be placed in a safe home instead of sleeping in carts where they face different kinds of risks like abuses, crime, drug addiction, lack of security and many others.

Different government agencies and private partners as well as civil society organizations are also involved in the OBBSB initiative.

One way of addressing the HSF problems is through inclusion of some of them in the MCCT program that was started in 2013.

As beneficiaries of MCCT, the DSWD pays their apartment rents from six to 12 months while providing training for them in livelihood together with capital assistance so that they can be empowered to stand on their own afterward and be the ones that can pay for the rent of a “decent apartment.”

The MCCT beneficiaries also receive cash grants upon compliance with the requirements of sending their children to school, regular consultation with health centers and attending family development sessions.

Quezon City holds first K+12 school fair

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

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 23 (PIA)--The Quezon City Government, together with the city’s public and private high schools, recently held the first ever school fair that provides information on K+12 program for the city’s senior high school students.

The school fair for District 5 was held on October 9 and 10, at SM City in Novaliches while Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4 held their school fair at the Liwasang Aurora in Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC). Public schools in District 6 held their fairs in their respective school campuses.

Some 48 public high schools and eight (8) private high schools participated in the QMC fair, where thousands of parents and students also came to learn about the different K+12 tracks offered by different schools.

Dr. Cecille Carandang, Assistant QC Schools Division Superintendent, said the fair aims to provide parents and students with information about the K+12 tracks offered by QC schools and which school offers a particular track and strand. She said the fair would also enable a student to pick which track is suited to his skill and career goal, in case the student pursues a college course as well as basic orientation on SHS program, and information of tuition and miscellaneous fees, among others.

The fair is also part of private school participation in the city’s effort to implement the K+12 program.

Quezon City had earlier expressed readiness to carry out the implementation of the K+12 program next year, allocating PhP 478 million for its senior high school (SHS) program, with PhP 330 million set aside for school construction and PhP 40 million for land acquisition.

The city government has also allocated funds for the procurement of IT equipment and software as well as scientific and technical equipment for the various tracks and the training of teachers.Six properties - located in Barangay Kaligayahan, Nagkakaisang Nayon, Gulod, Pasong Tamo, and Tandang Sora - have already been identified by the City Task Force on Land Acquisition as proposed sites for senior high schools in the city.

A report by the Division of City Schools showed that Quezon City needs 811 additional classrooms to accommodate the 36,732 expected enrollees for Grade 11 next year.

However, only 45,660 or 62 percent of the 73,592 total senior high school enrollees will be accommodated by the city schools while 29 percent or may be absorbed by non-DepEd schools.

The remaining 9 percent or 6, 895 will be accommodated by partner schools like the city-owned QC Polytechnic University, and other private or non-DepEd schools.

The Department of Education will be implementing the voucher system to enable Grade 10 students from both public and private junior high schools to enroll in private high school, college or university that offers the Senior High School program. Under the voucher program, DepEd will pay a certain amount to subsidize the student’s tuition fee.

Under the Senior High School program, students can choose from the following tracks:

The Academic track has four strands: accountancy, business and management (ABM),humanities and social sciences (HUMSS), science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and general academic strand (GAS)

The Technical/Vocational/Livelihood track has four strands: home economics, information and communications technology (ICT), industrial arts, and agri-fishery arts

Sports track – career in sports, health, recreation and fitness management

Arts and Design has 5 strands: music, theater, visual arts, media arts and dance.

QC, Phivolcs conduct disaster risk reduction skills training

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

QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The Quezon City Government has joined the Quezon City Science Community Foundation, Inc. (QCSCFI) and PHILVOCS in a workshop recently conducted for nine selected barangays of the city dubbed "Workshop on Integrating Hazard Maps into the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan", which aims to increase community preparedness, enhance communication system and identify evacuation centers in the communities.

Officials from nine barangays of Quezon City traversed by the West Valley Fault, participated in the workshop, together with representatives from the QC Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (QC DRRMO) led by Gen. Elmo San Diego and other offices such as the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD) and the QC-ITDO lead by Paul Imjada.

The nine selected barangays include Bagong Silangan, Bagumbayan, Batasan Hills, Blue Ridge B, Libis, Matandang Balara, Pansol, Ugong Norte and White Plains.

In his welcome message, Dr. Renato Solidum Jr., Philippine institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) chief and QCSFI director, said that barangay leaders must understand the hazards and risks posed by the West Valley Fault as he urged them to remain vigilant.

"Be responsible and be prepared with your disaster preparedness plans," Solidum told barangay officials of the city.

Gen. Elmo San Diego, on the other hand, said that Quezon City has been conducting regular drills and exercises on disaster risk reduction as he expressed the full support in the efforts of the PHILVOCS and the QCSCFI to assist barangays in community-based disaster mitigation program.

He added that the city government is planning to commission the use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) to help in locating the fault and identifying risk areas.

Mayor Bautista has made disaster preparedness on top of his list of governance initiatives to lessen the impact of any calamities.

Earlier this year, he directed the City Building Official to conduct rapid building assessment (RBA) to determine the resiliency and vulnerability of building structures in the city as he urged government buildings in the city to retrofit.

Quezon City has a Risk Atlas, a 120-page compendium of physical, socioeconomic, built environment, hazards, vulnerability and risk information, indicating the vulnerabilities of different barangays in the city.

The City Government has a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (QC DRRMP) for 2014-2020, a collaboration of the local government and the Earthquake and Megacities Initiative (EMI). The DRRMP, a policy and program documentation, aligns the city's projects and activities according to four themes: preparedness, response, prevention and mitigation and rehabilitation.

As part of its preparedness strategy, Quezon City conducted the "Walk the Fault" project, a global best practice that identifies and marks the actual course of the earthquake fault line.

In 2011, the QC government team, in cooperation with PHILVOCS, tagged, marked and installed permanent markers on identified fault lines, complemented by rows of Cupang trees and tarpaulin warning signs. The markers signified that the areas bordering the fault line are "no build zones" that were converted into linear parks.

In 2012, the city's DRRMC, PHILVOCS, and and Geoscience Australia completed a trenching activity across the faultline at Barangay Bagong Silangan, enabling geologists to study evidences of ground displacement, which showed at least two or three earthquake events have already taken place in the past.

QC’s honors 11 individuals, 5 institutions during 13th Gawad Parangal Awards

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

QUEZON CITY (PIA)--Eleven individuals and five (5) institutions received this year’s Gawad Parangal Awards as Quezon City continues with its tradition of honoring outstanding individuals and institutions that have made achievements that inspire and exert a positive impact on society.

Now on its 13th year, the prestigious award, which is now officially called the Quezon City Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal, pursues the tradition of accomplishment and excellence first exemplified by Manuel L. Quezon when he envisioned and created the city.

The following are the Gawad Parangal awardees: 2015Most Outstanding Individuals Raul C. Pangalangan (legal); Alberto M. Galarpe (public service); Amuerfina Aguinaldo Melencio-Herrera (Justice); Kara Patria David (Journalism); Basilio Esteban Villaruz (Arts);Ma. Lourdes C. Mangahas (Journalism); Secretary Mario G. Montejo (public service); Jaime Miguel G. Belmonte (business); Brillante Manguerra Mendoza (film)Rodolfo B. Modelo (education);Leonor Magtolis Briones (economic and finance); Most Outstanding Organizations/ InstitutionsTechnological Institute of the Philippines; Philippine Orthopedic Center;Project Noah (National Operational Assessment of Hazards);Go Negosyo; and Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko

During the awarding ceremonies, Mayor Herbert M. Bautista called on all the citizens of the city, including city officials, to unite as he urged “Team QC” to continue to work for the accomplishment of the city’s various development programs.

The event held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on October 19, 2015 was attended by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr, representatives of QC Districts, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, members of the City Council, barangay chairs and officials, city department heads, other city officials and guests.

The award recognizes exemplary, responsible partners in building the city and the country whose standards of service and performance are largely unsurpassed.

The awardees have varied interests and passions and cover multiple areas – from governance; social work and community development; media, entertainment and cinema; arts, culture and literature; medicine, science and technology; to business, humanitarian works, education, sports and the judiciary. Their contributions are just as diverse.

The Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal is the QC Government’s way of extending its gratitude to the exceptional individuals and institutions so their good examples may flourish.

Japan gives Phivolcs real-time earthquake, tsunami monitoring systems

(JICC/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

MANILA, Oct. 20 (PIA) – The government of Japan recently turned over to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Office (PHIVOLCS) a real-time earthquake and tsunami monitoring systems and a tsunami simulation database.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa led the turnover to PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum, together with Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Assistant Secretary Raymund E. Liboro, and other officials.

The monitoring systems are part of the Japan-funded Project for Improvement of Equipment for Disaster Risk Management which was signed three years ago providing ¥100 billion or approximately Php518 million for the installation of said high tech systems.

Over the years, Japan has supported the Philippines’ disaster mitigation efforts by sharing its experiences and lessons learned from the past natural disasters.

This project reaffirms the continued commitment of Japan to extend cooperation in minimizing threats of disasters. It is expected to further foster the strategic partnership between the two countries and serve as a model for other disaster-prone areas of the Philippines.

PHL hosts the 36th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing

By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata [(PNA), SCS/MCCA]

MANILA, Oct. 19 (PNA) -- The 36th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS), one of the biggest scientific gatherings which the country is hosting for five days, formally started on Monday at the Crowne Plaza Galleria in Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

The Asian Association on Remote Sensing Society (AARS), an international organization of remote sensing institutions and groups in Asia, is the one in charge of choosing the country that will host the event.

ACRS was first organized in Bangkok, Thailand in 1981, and the Philippines first hosted it in 1998.

”The number of young scientists in the Philippines is really high; and the conference here is very organized,” Dr. Kohei Cho, AARS general secretary, told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) in an interview. He cited that the society proposed to organize the conference in the Philippines again.

”It is high time to organize it here again. Also, the communication with the local organizers was very good,” he added.

This year’s local organizers include the Philippine Geosciences and Remote Sensing Society (PhilGRSS) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

With ACRS 2015’s theme, “Fostering Resilient Growth in Asia,” researchers, scientists, policy-makers and practitioners both here and abroad gather for the event.

Local organizers estimated around 1,000 participants representing 40 countries.

“We’d like to know from other countries what are the latest in remote sensing. We’d like to update our knowledge about it,” said Dr. Enrico Paringit, ACRS local organizing committee chair.

In a press conference held last week, he described remote sensing as getting data and information about the earth surface using devices.

Paringit said that remote sensing has been proven to be capable of monitoring El Niño, for instance.

“Among the technologies in remote sensing include satellites with high resolution camera, and sensors mapping flooding areas,” he pointed out.

Furthermore, he stated that there are researches pointing the possibility of mapping and identifying where there are bountiful fishes.

Value of remote sensing

Cho told PNA that remote sensing is really essential in one country.

”It’s a necessary technology for monitoring weather, disasters, as well as environmental issues,” he explained.

He noted that environment, for instance, has no boundaries. Thus, every continent and every country worldwide needs remote sensing.

Moreover, a country needs remote sensing to have a good cooperation with the international framework, according to Cho.

Confident of the success

”I’m quite sure of the event’s success,” Cho said.

When asked about his expectations, meanwhile, he said he’s hoping that the DOST will allot more budget for remote sensing.

He emphasized that many students and scientists are currently attending the event for the first time. “They are expecting a lot. It’s a good starting point for students to be interested in remote sensing,” Cho noted.

From Oct. 19-23, attendees can participate in various sessions, which include three plenary sessions, six sub-plenary sessions, and 75 technical parallel sessions where renowned specialists will serve as speakers. There will also be 16 special sessions organized by different organizations.

Among the keynote and plenary speakers include DOST Secretary Mario Montejo; Tom Veldkamp, dean, ITC Faculty of Geo-Information and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Netherlands; Shizuo Yamamoto, vice president of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; Alfredo Majar Lagmay, executive director, Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazard (NOAH) Philippines; and Josefino Comiso, senior research scientist, NASSA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA.

Participants can also expect technical paper presentations and poster sessions. Exhibition and Exhibit Night are scheduled.

Cho said that organizing a conference for 1,000 participants is very difficult. They (organizers) tried to reduce the total cost, and were able to make the registration fee USD 150.

Both Cho and Paringit noted that this is much lower compared to other international conferences that normally have USD 500 as registration fee.

In a previous press conference, Paringit cited he sees 2015 as a fitting time to conduct the ACRS in the country since "we have the ‘Visit the Philippines 2015’ campaign."

He remarked that the country could showcase its festivities, culture and cuisine.

At 7 p.m. Monday, participants were invited to a banquet at the Metrotent Convention Center in Ortigas. Presentations from the different countries were scheduled in this banquet.

The organizers, meanwhile, revealed that the next ACRS will be held in Sri Lanka.

(Health) PHL marks National ADHD Awareness Week

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

MANILA, Oct. 18 (PNA) -- The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) and the Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Society of the Philippines will formally open the National ADHD Awareness Week celebration at the Atrium Center of SM City-Fairview in Novaliches, Quezon City on Monday (Oct. 19).

The observance is in line with Presidential Proclamation No. 472 declaring the third week of October of every year as National ADHD Awareness Week.

Prior to the opening activity, an ecumenical mass will be held in the morning.

Invited speakers will talk about the situation of ADHD in the country.

The theme of the celebration is "ADHD: A Hidden Disability -- Alamin, Unawain, Tanggapin at Mahalin."

Health experts say ADHD is a common but serious behavioral condition. It is believed to be affecting six million Filipinos.

Around the world, it affects about 10 percent of school-age children who manifest the condition through inattentiveness, hyperactivity or both.

Since the children tend to be inattentive, they are being misunderstood.

Presentation of citations and recognitions to notable achievers with ADHD will be one of the highlights of the opening program.

Also as part of the week-long celebration, there will be a two-day Scientific Congress from Oct. 20 to 21, which will be led by city health officers, social workers, teachers, parents, counselors and caregivers so that the public may develop full understanding of ADHD condition.

The venue for the Oct. 20 (first part of the Scientific Congress) will be the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Conference Room on East Avenue, Quezon City.

The second part of the congress will be held at the inner lobby of Quezon City Hall on Oct. 21.

On Oct. 22, there will also be drug-abuse prevention seminar so that the parents of children with ADHD will be aware about the medical effects of the drugs for the treatment and rehabilitation and how can they prevent the child/adult to resort to drug abuse.

The event will be capped by a program with mini-concert and fashion show in Mandaluyong City.

According to Dr. Cornelio G. Banaag Jr., a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist, it is important that parents and other people close to children with ADHD will understand the situation and provide the early positive intervention so that the full potentials of such children during adulthood can be fully developed instead of letting them suffer social stigma.

Dr. Banaag said that if a child will not be treated properly, it can result to more complex complications, including depression and suicide, as a wrong approach and treatment can lead to feeling of “low self-esteem” on the part of a person with ADHD.

“Proper management and support can lead them to productive lives and contribute their skills and talents to the Philippine society,” said Banaag.

NCDA Executive Director Carmen R. Zubiaga said most people with ADHD are successful in the field of entertainment industry, research and in various areas where their full potentials can best be harnessed.

“They possess above-average intelligence and are capable of excelling in their own field of interests,” said Zubiaga.

A regional conference will likewise be held at the Binan Elementary School in Binan City, Laguna on Oct. 23 to allow teachers, parents and guidance counselors to reach out and teach children with ADHD.

Those interested to attend may contact Josephine Esteban at 09053906451 and Snooky Abaya at 09178890279.

NHA employees get P10K bonus

By Jocelyn Montemayor

PRESIDENT Aquino yesterday approved a P10,000 milestone anniversary bonus for employees of the National Housing Authority (NHA) following their completion in the last five years of close to half-a-million houses.

The NHA is one of the agencies previously supervised by Vice President Jejomar Binay, who resigned from the Cabinet early this year to run for president in 2016.

The President, during the 40th anniversary celebration of NHA held at the Crossroad Center in Quezon City, said the agency is authorized to grant a P3,000 milestone bonus after it has reached its 40th year of operation, and Malacañang is authorized to match or increase the amount.

Aquino said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. recommended raising the bonus to P10,000.

He said NHA employees deserve it, given their hard work which led to the completion of 1,351,768 houses from 1975 to 2015, of which 484,063 were constructed under his term.

He said 142,374 houses are being constructed, which he expects to be completed by 2016.

He said another accomplishment of the NHA is the completion of 57,760 of the targeted 81,702 permanent houses for police, military and other uniformed personnel.

PNP receives medical equipment from World Medical Relief, Inc.

(PNP/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 15 (PIA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently received medical equipment from the World Medical Relief, Inc. (WMRI).

PNP chief Ricardo C. Marquez received the medical equipment from WMRI’s first “Ambassador of Health” Dr. David Lee Zarate in a ceremony held at PNP’s National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“We are very grateful to WMRI for their continuing support to the PNP especially on our medical and health needs. The donation is indeed a great help to PNPGH in providing the best health care for our personnel and their dependents,” Marquez said.

The medical and diagnostic equipment, worth Php 57 million, aims to provide additional assistance to PNP General Hospital (PNPGH) and improve the quality of health services to active policemen and their dependents.

WMRI donated three container vans with medical supplies and equipment to enhance and cope up in the advancement of technology of the health service offered by the PNPGH.

The PNP added that 10 blood chemistry analyzers will arrive in November this year.

Meanwhile, the medical equipment were already distributed to the different wards and sections of PNPGH which are essentials to the needs of the patients while some of it were delivered to Regional Health Service 11.

The World Medical Relief is a non-government organization based in the United States. It is the fourth largest NGO in the world established in 1953 providing humanitarian work to more than 100 countries, including the Philippines.

QC Hall to host new mega job fair on October 23

(PNA), FPV/LSJ

MANILA, Oct. 15 (PNA)--The Quezon City government will be sponsoring a mega job fair on October 23 (Friday) at City Hall as part of the city’s continuing celebration of its diamond jubilee year.

The job fair will be held in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment – QC Field office (DOLE-NCR-QCFO), QC – Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (QC –TIPC) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

QC mayor Herbert Bautista said that the job fair will be participated in by 60 local firms and 10 overseas employment agencies.

Bautista urged city residents to take advantage of the program, which he said, forms part of the city government’s continuing commitment to provide employment opportunities to its residents, particularly those belonging to the underprivileged sector.

Most of the local placement opportunities are for service crew, sales personnel, cashier, office staff, call center agents, and production workers.

For overseas deployment, the demand is high for domestic helpers, factory workers and skilled.

Meanwhile, QC public employment services office (PESO) chief Carlo Magno Abella has reminded interested applicants to bring with them their biodata/resume, school records/credentials, SSS/NBI/barangay clearance during the job fair, which will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the QC Hall covered walk.

Since January this year, the city government, through PESO, has already conducted a total of four mega job fairs and 14 barangay level job fairs.

From January to September, about 11,000 to 12,000 jobs were provided to applicants.

DSWD extends celebration of National Children’s Month from October to November this year

(PNA), SCS/LSJ

MANILA, Oct. 14 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday that this year's celebration of National Children’s Month will be quite longer with the “transition period” in its annual observance.

According to DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman, the usual month-long celebration, which started with a kick-off activity at the SM City North EDSA Skydome in Quezon City last Oct. 10, will be culminating on Nov. 20 to mark the change of the nationwide celebration starting this year.

She explained that the transfer of the celebration from October to November is by virtue of Republic Act No. 10661, otherwise known as the National Children’s Month Act, to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on Nov. 20, 1989.

“The shifting of the celebration into the month of November seeks to instill the significance in the Filipino consciousness,” Soliman said.

She added that the longer celebration of the NCM for this year is also an opportunity to boost at the same time the call to stop all forms of abuses against children.

This year’s theme is “Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magkaisa, Pang-aabuso sa Bata Wakasan na!”

Several activities that will promote children’s rights and protection from abuses will be rolled down in the different barangay levels as the DSWD encourages participation of communities and local government units (LGUs) to actively do their share in ensuring the protection of children from abuses in any manner and circumstances.

The DSWD chief said that household beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will also be included in the awareness campaign on the protection of children from abuses as they will be engaged in instilling good values to the children through promotion of positive discipline.

NCDA leads advocacy meeting for the welfare of PWDs

By Leilani S. Junio

MANILA, Oct. 13 (PNA) -- The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) conducted a sub-committee advocacy meeting on Tuesday with representatives from different organizations of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and government agencies at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City.

The NCDA is the national government agency that is responsible for formulating policies and coordinating the activities of all agencies concerning disability issues and concerns, whether these agencies are public or private.

The NCDA is also tasked to lead the program development for persons with disabilities and the dissemination of the services to the said sector.

Among the important points discussed in the meeting were advocacy and efforts in "Making the Right Real" for PWDs based on the Communications Plan of the Incheon Strategy and other matters concerning them.

Also discussed was the gathering of accurate and other necessary data on the total number of PWDs in the country.

According to the representative of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the meeting, the number of PWDs was not included in the survey of population conducted nationwide recently.

The PSA said the gathering of data in terms of total number of PWDs can be made possibly by the year 2020, once the NCDA has officially made an actual definition of PWDs recognized by both the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH).

It was suggested that since the two agencies have different ways of identifying who are PWDs, they should first come out with a uniform definition so that it will be also be clear for the PSA to identify the PWDs in the coming population survey.

Another suggestion was that there should be a representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that will urge local government units (LGUs) to provide the list of their constituents with disabilities.

According to Rizaldo R. Sanchez, NCDA Information, Education and Communications chief, the DOH should be the one to conduct the registration of PWDs because it is the agency that has the capacity to monitor the number of such group of people in the country.

Sanchez noted that since the number of PWDs may change from time to time because of factors causing disabilities such as health of the people (example, people who get stroke, paralyzed or hit by accidents), the DOH can gather the results based in the hospital reports.

Other focus of the meeting included discussion on the provision of Republic Act No. 10366 or an Act authorizing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to establish precincts or polling places accessible to PWDs and Senior Citizens.

Among those present in the meeting were representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Council for the Welfare of the Children (CWC), Commission on Elections, and different PWD groups such as New Vois Association of the Philippines, Autism Society of the Philippines, Alyansa ng may Kapansanang Pinoy and others.

The advocacy meeting is held every quarter of the year in order to promote the rights of PWDs in the country and other developments that can improve their welfare and status in society.

The advocacy committee is being chaired by the Philippine Information Agency, an attached agency of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) headed by Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. (PNA) SCS/LSJ

DA, FAO present winners of World Food Day 2015 mosaic poster making contest

(PNA), RMA/CMR

MANILA, Oct. 12 (PNA) -- Five grade six pupils were formally presented Monday by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as the national winners of the World Food Day 2015 on-the-spot mosaic poster making contest in ceremonies held as part of the week-long World Food Day celebrations at the DA grounds in Quezon City.

They were Reynolo B. Gannapao, 11 years old of Patucannay Elementary School, Bangued, Abra, Cordillera Administrative Region; Kristine Shayne S. Obillo , 12, of Maburac Elementary School, Villasis, Pangasinan, Region 1; Patrick Lance M. Santos, 11, of Bayombong Central School-SPED Center, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Region 2; Kaiza Marie H. Otero, 12, of Sto. Domingo Elementary School, Arevalo District, Iloilo City, Region 6; and Oscarjay G. Cuer, 12, of Lugan Central Elementary School, T’Boli, South Cotabato, Region 12.

They will all be receiving Php 25,000 cash prize each and a trophy from Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Jose Luis Fernandez, FAO representative in the Philippines, in fitting ceremonies on Oct. 16, 2015 at the Liwasang Aurora, Quezon City Memorial Circle.

They interpreted on a mosaic poster this year’s WFD theme, “Social protection and agriculture: breaking the cycle of rural poverty.”

As part of their prize, the five national winners, along with their respective coaches, will be treated to a three-day all-expense paid educational tour of scenic places and agricultural farms in Metro Manila and Rizal Province from Oct. 12-14, 2015.

Likewise, Dr. Davinio P. Catbagan, Assistant Secretary for Livestock and the chairman of the WFD 2015 national steering committee, will be guesting live at different TV stations featuring the five national winners on Oct. 13 and 15.

The WFD 2015 mosaic poster making contest was conducted in partnership with the Department of Education and the DA-Regional Field Offices.

It commenced in September 2015 and attracted millions of grades four to six pupils nationwide, starting from the school up to the district, division and regional levels.

The regional winners, totaling 17, received a cash prize of Php 3,000 from the FAO, which also shouldered the Php 15,000 cash prizes for each of the five national winners. The 12 non-winners were given Php 1,500 each from FAO.

Meanwhile, the 17 regional winners came over to DA at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Convention Hall to compete for the national contest.

The final 17 were given Php 3,000 each and an additional Php 10,000 to each for the five national winners courtesy of Alcala.

The five-man board of judges of the WFD 2015 mosaic poster making contest were: Dr. Cynthia B. Loza, Professor of the College of Fine Arts and Design, University of Sto. Tomas; Mr. Orville Tiamson, a painter, musician and transmedia artist; Mr. Gian Carlo Luague, a painter and Creative Arts Specialist of the DA; Ms. Sarah Lacson, FAO assistant representative for administration in the Philippines; and DA Assistant Secretary Davinio Catbagan.

Environmental watchdog promotes composting and organic farming at food fair

(PNA), SCS/PR/PJN

MANILA, Oct. 11 (PNA) -- The EcoWaste Coalition, a non-profit watchdog group for a toxic-free environment, urged the public to go for organic products and to compost biodegradable discards towards an ecologically sustainable food system and zero waste community.

As part of the Green Action Week, a global campaign spearheaded by Consumers International and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, the EcoWaste Coalition co-organized with Barangay Philam in Quezon City an “Organic Food and Farming Fair” that lured citizens to “go organic” and also to exchange information and knowledge on ecological living.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Dr. Romeo Quijano, president of Pesticide Action Network-Philippines, said that “patronizing organic foods will support our farmers’ efforts to curb extensive dependence on hazardous pesticides and synthetic fertilizers and restore ecosystem-based agriculture that is good for consumer health and is also climate and environment-friendly.”

Quijano, a toxicologist, added that the propagation of agroecology will protect farmers and farm workers from occupational and accidental exposures to hazardous substances used in the agricultural sector, many of which can cause serious injuries.

Christina Vergara, Zero Waste Campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition, described “composting as probably the cheapest and smartest strategy that consumers as citizens can adopt to address our nation’s mounting waste generation and the resultant disposal problem, as well as deal with our soil’s diminishing fertility and the rising toxic load on our natural ecosystems.”

Composting, Vergara explained, is nature’s way of recycling biodegradable discards such as kitchen and food waste, garden and farm waste, and other organics, which constitute over half of the generated wastes nationwide.

“With composting, we can improve the fertility of the soil, provide essential nutrients to plants, protect plants from pests and diseases, and cut use on toxic farm inputs,” she said.

Thony Dizon, coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect, expressed hope that more communities will promote composting and organic farming to achieve cleaner, greener and safer communities.

At the event, the shoppers and visitors also had the chance of learning about urban gardening, composting and ecological solid waste management, as well as Quezon City’s collection program for busted lamps and used batteries.

Aside from Barangay Philam residents, the event also drew participants from community groups Buklod Tao (San Mateo, Rizal), Piglas Kababaihan (Quezon City), Zone One Tondo Organization (Manila) and the Cavite Green Coalition.

The event was also graced by Environmental Management Bureau Director Juan Miguel Cuna, National Solid Waste Management Commission Executive Director Eli Ildefonso, Barangay Philam Chairman Simplicio Hermogenes, former Quezon City Councilor Elizabeth Delarmente, Philippine Association of Supermarkets President Carlos Cabochan and EcoWaste Coalition Treasurer Eloisa Tolentino.

Among the exhibitors of fresh and processed organic foods and other eco-products were the Balangay Cooperative, Buklod Tao, Dumagat Tribe, Taguig Waterlily Livelihood Program, Shoreline Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran, Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya, Villar Foundation and several organic farming practitioners.


Quezon City, Chiba-Japan strengthen ties, cooperation

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

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA)--Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Mayor Toshihito Kumagai, of Chiba City, Japan recently signed a Reaffirmation of Friendship to strengthen their ties as sister cities.

Mayor Kumagai, who led the 28-man delegation composed of city officials and representatives from Chiba, expressed his pleasure in visiting Quezon City.

“I am happy to come here in time for Quezon City’s celebration of its Diamond Jubilee year,” he said.

The 37-year old Chiba mayor also expressed hope that the visit would promote deeper exchange between the two cities as he welcomed future cooperation with Quezon City.

During the welcome banquet, Mayor Kumagai presented the current development projects and the future plans of Chiba city government. He also discussed the various attractions of Chiba as well as the local products and the culture and life in Chiba.

Toshiaki Deyama, chief of Chiba’s Sewerage Planning Division, presented Chiba’s flood mitigation initiatives and discussed the various measures implemented by the city government that included rainwater storage and catchment system.

Quezon City Mayor Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte for their part presented Kumagai with the key to the city, as well as other tokens that included the Diamond Jubilee coffee table book and the Jubilee commemorative medallion.

Bautista praised the enduring relationship between the two cities as he noted that Quezon City can benefit from Chiba’s knowledge and technology on monorail technologies as well as take lessons from its successful flood mitigation scheme.

The Chiba delegation later visited the Quezon Shrine and the Quezon Heritage House at the Quezon Memorial Circle and the Bistekville housing project at Barangay Kaligayahan. They also observed legislative proceedings of the QC Council at Albert Hall.

The relationship between the Quezon City and Chiba City dates back to 1972, when Mayors Norberto Amoranto and Kazushige Araki entered into a sister city agreement, aimed at promoting exchanges and active partnership.

CWC kicks off National Children’s Month celebration at SM Skydome

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

MANILA, Oct. 9 (PNA)--The Council for Welfare of the Children (CWC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with the National Youth Commission will start Saturday its month-long celebration of National Children’s Month.

The kick-off will highlight the mass dancing, dubbed as 'Zumbata on Child Protection,' by 1,000 children-participants from different schools.

The activity will be held at the Skydome, SM North Edsa, Quezon City.

The kick-off activity will also marked the movement of celebration of National Children’s Month (NCM) celebration from October to November.

In partnership with SM Cares, “Zumbata” will likewise be held in other SM main malls nationwide.

Aside from Zumbata, there will be launching of the Children’s Write to Rights advocacy containing the “One Million Lapis Campaign” and the announcement of the country's participation to set a Guinness World Record on longest line of pencils.

Originally, the nation celebrates NCM during October of every year through Presidential Proclamation 267 series of 1993.

However, Republic Act 10661, otherwise known as “National Children’s Month Act”, moved the celebration to November to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989 and seeks to instill its significance in the Filipino consciousness.

This year's theme, “Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magkaisa, Pang-aabuso sa Bata Wakasan na!”, highlights the protection of children against all forms of abuse and discrimination, and encourages stakeholders to promote as well as advocate protection of children at the family, school, community, and other settings.

Other activities during the month-long celebration are press conference on Nov. 6; launching of the Story Book on Children on Nov. 12; Showcase of Talents on Child Protection at SM Skydome with the performance of Asia’s Got Talent grand winner El Gamma Penumbra; and, National Summit on Children (culminating event) on Nov. 20, 2015.

QC at 75

By Jon Montesa

Quezon City has come a long way since it was founded in 1939. As the Diamond Jubilee climaxes this month, expect public activities that pull out all the stops.

First off is the Diamond Jubilee Mardi Gras on Oct. 10, 4 p.m. Organizers are bringing to life the country’s most colorful festivals – including the Ati-atihan, Dinagyang, Panagbenga, Masskara, and the Kadayawan – in a grand parade from Amoranto Stadium all the way to the Morato area. A parade of lights caps the evening at 7, featuring LED-illuminated floats on the streets.

At 7 p.m. the next day, residents and visitors will be treated to a free concert at the Quezon Memorial Circle. Among performers are Parokya ni Edgar and Rocksteddy, plus many surprise guests.

The celebration will also take over the Internet with 75 bloggers competing against each other for the “best blog post” award, which should highlight 75 things you must do in Quezon City. Social media personalities like Ramon Bautista will update their followers on the happenings in the city. City mayor Herbert Bautista hopes the celebration will be remembered not just by the people of Quezon City but also the world over.

Meanwhile, other events that form part of the celebration include the Quezon City International Pink Film Festival that runs till Oct. 11; Future Perfect: Cities at the Forefront of Change and Development also till Oct. 9; and the State of the City Address (SOCA), and the Manuel L. Quezon Gawad Parangal Night, which honors the most outstanding citizens and institutions of the city on Oct. 19.

DSWD’s Near Poor Forum wins Best Statistical Activity Award

(DSWD)

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 7 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) advocacy forum dubbed as, “People at the Edge: Defining the Near Poor of the Philippines” was awarded as Best Statistical Information Dissemination Activity at the 25th National Statistics Month (NSM) Awards, held last week at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City.

This is the first recognition received by the Department under the NSM awards.

The Department’s advocacy forum, which was conducted last October 7, 2014, featured a presentation by Dr. Vicente Paqueo, Asian Development Bank (ADB) consultant and author of the near poor study entitled​ “Analysis of the Near Poor Challenge and Strategy Development Ideas.”

He presented the results of his study to a panel of experts in the field of social statistics and economics, who included Dr. Mahar Mangahas of the Social Weather Stations, Dr. Ana Maria Tabunda of Pulse Asia​, and Mr. Romeo Recide of the Philippine Statistical Authority, to gather inputs, comments and support on the crafting of a near poor policy.

"The Department initiated this study on the near poor to enable us to come up with a policy that will allow us to identify them and provide the necessary assistance to keep them from becoming poor,” said DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman.

The study defines the near poor as non-poor families who have a high probability of becoming poor when faced with shocks and disasters.

The comments and suggestions by the participants and panelists were integrated into the draft joint resolution between the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster (HDPRC) and National Economic and Development Authority-Social Development Committee (NEDA-SDC),​ adopting the near poor definition of households within the 10% above the total poverty threshold. The resolution also specifies the DSWD’s Listahanan as the source of names and statistics on near poor.

NSM Awards is an activity incorporated in the annual NSM Celebration. It recognizes the efforts of government agencies, local government units, academic institution, media and the private sector in promoting and instilling appreciation for statistics through activities they conduct in support of the NSM.

DSWD, partners acquaint senior citizens on disaster preparedness

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

MANILA, Oct. 6 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) together with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and COSE (Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc.) conducted a seminar on Disaster Preparedness for Senior Citizens on Tuesday.

The seminar was held at the Bulwagang Amoranto of the Quezon City Hall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

During the morning session, Darius Vallejos, civil defense officer of OCD tackled salient points of Republic Act 10121 or Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act among the elders who attended the seminar.

In the afternoon session, Jefferson Balistoy, coordinator of aging and disability task force of COSE, discussed the mainstreaming of older persons in disaster preparedness.

Balistoy told the elders who attended the forum that it is important for them to have close coordination and attending disaster prepared meeting on their areas so that they will be aware on what to do, plan and do in case a disaster happens and succeeding events afterwards.

He also cited that involvement of elders, who knows a lot about the community for a long time and the possible risks that will happen in case of disaster, will be included in the committee on disaster preparedness.

He also emphasized the importance of identifying the vulnerable sectors like senior citizens, children and persons with disability (PWDs) and their whereabouts so that rescuing them can be managed and well-planned.

He added that these sectors should have someone younger than them who will help them evacuate when necessary.

He also shared that it is important for elders to listen to radios and to the announcement or advice of their community leaders.

“It will also be a good practice if someone will be watching over in case there is a possible rise of the water level especially in low lying areas or those residing near bodies of water,” he added.

He also said that it is equally important also that elders will know the exact code of warning that will prompt them to seek ways for evacuation.

He also added that it is important that they know alternative routes in case there will be impassable roads due to fallen trees and debris.

He also added that it is important that elders prepare their emergency bags containing their medicine, oatmeal, biscuit, water, clothes and some important documents in case there is a need to evacuate.

When in evacuation centers, he reminded that elders to be cautious in drinking water for them to avoid having health problems.

He also shared that in case of returning home after disaster, elders should check first the safety of their houses to avoid deadly bites from stray animals such as snakes.

Jorge Banal, president of the Quezon City Federation of the Senior Citizens of the Philippines (FSCAP), said that it is important that senior citizens are also given “voice” in the disaster preparedness in minimizing the damage and hazards.

In her keynote message, Ester Geraldoy, division chief of DSWD Disaster Preparedness, said that the activity is important since the country lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire and therefore prone to occurrence of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

She cited that since it is possible that the country will be facing the new normal phenomenon, the risks on vulnerable sectors are prevented and minimized.

“However, this challenge of coping with the ‘new normal’ phenomenon is not DSWD’s alone. We, in government and the private sector must all work towards increasing our people’s resiliency to cope with the challenges brought about by climate change,” Geraldoy added.

The seminar is a part of the week-long activity for the senior citizens in the country in line with this year's celebration of Elderly Filipino Week from October 1 to 7.

DENR touts success of Adopt-an-Estero program

(PNA), FFC/BNB/PR/EBP

MANILA, Oct. 5 (PNA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urging more organizations and companies to join the government’s “Adopt-an-Estero” program, which has proven to be effective in improving the local environment and promoting public health and safety.

During a recent forum held at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City, the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) touted the success of the program and the number of dying water bodies it has revived with the help of its private partners.

Since the program was launched in 2010, a total of 569 companies and groups have become DENR partners and 346 water bodies have been adopted and cleared of solid wastes nationwide.

In Metro Manila, 33 rivers and creeks were cleaned up and being maintained by 40 program partners.

EMB Assistant Director Eva Ocfemia said the program was instrumental in improving the condition of waterways, noting that fewer incidence of flooding or quicker subsidence of flood waters in areas covered by the program.

Ocfemia said that getting rid of the floating debris has allowed rivers and creeks to flow more freely.

A brainchild of Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, the Adopt-an-Estero program is a collaborative undertaking among the communities, private entities, local government units and the DENR. It was a direct response to the continuing mandamus by the Supreme Court for agencies led by the DENR to clean up Manila Bay, particularly through esteros and waterways that empty into it.

Under the program, partners from the private sector and organizations “adopt” a waterway to improve its water quality through regular cleanup activities such as dredging, collection of floating debris, planting of appropriate species, and installation of trash traps. They also conduct information and education campaigns in surrounding communities and mobilize the citizenry in cleaning the waterways.

The program likewise seeks to institutionalize good sanitation and solid waste management practices among the estero communities through education and actual participation. It also aims to reduce water-borne diseases particularly among children and vulnerable groups.

Ocfemia said the program encourages citizens to be responsible and more conscious of their environment.

“The program is not just a step forward in our goal of achieving cleaner water. In the course of the cleanup activities, the community also increases awareness on water issues, complementing the efforts of the DENR in educating our people on environmental citizenship,” Ocfemia told forum participants, consisting of 150 representatives of partners from the private sector and local governments in Metro Manila.

In the same forum, General Manager Corazon Jimenez of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported the results of the five “Estero Blitz” activities the agency has done since 2011.

Jimenez said the MMDA was able to collect more than 23 million cubic meters of debris after cleaning up 96 out of the 279 rivers, creeks and esteros in Metro Manila.

She also announced a scheme by the MMDA entitled “Barangay Power 2015” in which the agency would award P2 million pesos each to the barangay with the cleanest river or creek and most compliant to Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

The MMDA will also award the community that adopted the best measures to remain dengue-free and has been able to convert its waste into a successful livelihood project.

Meanwhile, the EMB reported that of the 346 water bodies adopted nationwide, 75 have registered an improvement in dissolved oxygen levels, while 78 have improved biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Dissolved oxygen levels that are too high or too low can affect water quality and harm aquatic life.

BOD measures how much oxygen is used by aquatic microorganisms in aiding the decomposition of organic matter in the water. Too low BOD levels mean that other aquatic organisms may not have enough oxygen to survive.

Free LRT, MRT, and PNR rides for the elderly

(PNA), SCS/ANP

MANILA, Oct. 4 (PNA) -- Senior citizens who took the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 (LRT 1 and 2), Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3), and Philippine National Railways (PNR) were able to avail of free rides on Sunday (Oct. 4).

According to the Official Gazette, the free rides are given as the country celebrates the Elderly Filipino Week from Oct. 1 to 7.

Elderly Filipino Week is mandated through Presidential Proclamation No. 470 and is held annually on the first week of October.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) currently continues to advocate for the strict implementation of Republic Act No. 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, which provides more benefits and privileges to older persons.

They are entitled to a 20 percent discount on the purchase of certain goods and services, special five percent discount on prime commodities and basic necessities, and a five percent utility discount on electric and water consumption.

LRT Line 1 plies the stretch from Baclaran in Parañaque City to Roosevelt Ave., Quezon City, while Line 2 runs from Recto Ave. in Manila to Santolan in Pasig City.

On the other hand, MRT 3 runs from Taft Ave. in Pasay City to North Ave. in Quezon City.

(Feature) DSWD pushing for inclusion of all indigent senior citizens in social pension program by 2016

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

MANILA (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Thursday the dream for universal implementation in the country of social pension among indigent senior citizens aged 60 years and above maybe nearing fulfillment in 2016.

At present, only poor senior citizens 65 years old and above are entitled to receive the social pension amounting to PhP 500 a month from the DSWD.

The social pension was first implemented in 2011, initially benefiting indigent senior citizens 77 years old or more.

The age qualification was lowered to 76 years old in 2014 and further to 65 years old in February of this year.

It has been a long clamor to lower the age requirement to 60 years old and above so that the present senior citizens need not have to wait to get “very old” before they are entitled to that long desire to taste the fruits of Republic Act No. 9994 which provides lots of benefits for them such as monthly social pension.

Under the said law, it is mandated that indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to PhP 500 to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of senior citizens, subject to a review every two years by Congress, in consultation with the DSWD.

“By 2016, more than 1.1 million indigent senior who are 60 years old and above will be receiving social pension,” said DSWD OIC-Director IV of Protective Service Bureau Pacita Sabino during the kick-off activity of the 2015 Elderly Filipino Week.

The kick-off program was done at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

In her speech, Sabino said the lowering of the age requirement for the social pension is part of the budget proposal of DSWD in its support towards ensuring that the law will really benefit the indigents entitled to it.

It may be recalled that during the recent budget hearing of the DSWD at the House of Representatives, the agency asked the Congress for an allocation of PhP 7.51 billion for the social pension program in 2016 to accommodate more poor and abandoned elderly folk who are getting no veterans or social security benefits.

DSWD is an agency mandated to provide protective services to the senior citizens.

As part of such protective services it is extending to elders, DSWD manages four residential care services located in Quezon City in the National Capital Region; Tanay, Rizal; Davao City and Zamboanga City in Mindanao for abandoned, neglected and even abused senior citizens.

These residential sites provide care to the elders needing protection because just like children, senior citizens are vulnerable members of society needing social protection.

The homeless elderly men and women who are found in the streets or lost due to their old age are being brought to the centers for temporary care.

While in the center and receiving care, DSWD social workers try to establish contact or trace the families of the senior citizens based on the social study conducted on them.

The return of some of them to their families is sometimes facilitated, but those whose families cannot be located or completely abandoned them are taken care of in the facilities permanently.

Aside from receiving social pensions, the senior citizens are currently enjoying full coverage of the PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation), especially the indigent ones whose premiums or contributions are paid for by the government.

QC awards best performing barangays

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

QUEZON CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA)_The Quezon City government recognized its best performing barangays who excelled in overall performance, financial management, functional barangay-based institutions, as well as best practices and innovation.

The highest award, Gawad Dangal ng Lungsod, was conferred on four barangays: Damar, headed by Chairwoman Ester M. Gutierrez; Talayan, (Chairwoman Virginia Ongtauco); Horseshoe, (Chairman Francisco M. Aguilar); UP Campus, (Chairwoman Isabelita P. Gravides); and Novaliches Proper, (Chairwoman Asuncion M. Visaya).

Aside from the Seal of Barangay Good Performance, the awardees received Php 200,000 for their local development projects.

Recognized for best practices and innovation were barangays Philam (rainwater facility), Masambong (Botika ng Barangay), Commonwealth (community security), Bagumbayan, St. Ignatius, Blue Ridge B, Paligsahan, Greater Lagro, Bagbag and New Era. Eighteen barangays practiced good financial management, namely, Lourdes, Nayong Kaunlaran, NS Amoranto, Salvacion, Philam, Amihan, Blue Ridge A, St. Ignatius, Ugong Norte, Claro, Villa Maria Clara, Escopa II, Doña Aurora, UP Village, North Fairview, San Bartolome, Gulod and Paligsahan.

The evaluation criteria and performance review were done jointly by the city government and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

During the gala dinner on the 20th Quezon City Barangay Day celebrations held at the Crowne Plaza, Mayor Herber Bautista said the awards were based on the principles of accountability, effectiveness, transparency, and participation.

Bautista said the Seal and the training that goes with it, are part of the efforts of the city government to strengthen barangays and build up their capacity to be autonomous units, as well as for barangay officials to learn and imbibe the principles and measures by which city governments themselves are being rated.

The Quezon City Council earlier passed Ordinance No. SP-2273, ordinance institutionalizing measures of good governance for its 142 barangays by adopting the Barangay Seal of Good Housekeeping in 2014.

DOH, DSWD lead kick-off activities for the 2015 Elderly Filipino Week celebration

(PNA), SCS/LSJ/RSM

MANILA, Oct. 1 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), along with different partner agencies and representatives from local government units (LGUs) and civil society organizations (CSO), manifested their strong support for the country's senior citizens by joining them in a “Walk for Life” activity on Thursday.

The walk, which highlighted the kick-off activities for this year's observance of the Elderly Filipino Week from Oct. 1 to 7, was held from the Kalayaan Gate of the Quezon Memorial Circle and ended at the Commonwealth Gate in Quezon City.

Although slight rain poured during the start of the walk at about 5 a.m., it did not dampen the spirit of the elders who displayed adequate preparation for the event by bringing with them protective gears such as caps, umbrellas, raincoats and jackets to protect them as they walked.

Among those who joined the activity were DOH official spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee-Suy, DOH Director IV for Disease Prevention and Control Bureau Dr. Irma L. Asuncion, DSWD Protective Service Bureau OIC–Director IV Pacita Sabino, and Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines-National Capital Region (FSCAP-NCR) president Jorge Banal.

After the walk, the elderly women and men were given time to proceed to the different booths put up by government agencies at the Quezon Memorial Circle gymnasium.

At the PhilHealth booth, personnel of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. distributed fliers to them and answered queries of senior citizens regarding their membership and benefits such as case rates and other related information.

In the health check-up booth, the elderly participants were given access to various services manned by doctors and nurses from government hospitals and partners from private hospitals who have expertise in geriatric treatment.

In the photo booth section, senior citizens pushing for more benefits for the elders were given access to express their desire by holding some slogans calling for increase in social pension and other concerns.

To help promote good health among senior citizens, the DOH took the lead by enjoining them to participate in a morning exercise through some dance moves.

DSWD Director IV Pacita Sabino, in her speech, said the DSWD is an agency mandated to provide protective services to the senior citizens.

She explained that as part of such protective services for the elders, DSWD manages four residential care services located in Quezon City; Tanay, Rizal; Davao City, and Zamboanga City for abandoned, neglected senior citizens.

In addition, she mentioned that DSWD has started to implement the social pension program of giving PhP 500 social pension monthly to indigent senior citizens since 2011.

She said that for year 2015, the age qualification to receive the pension has been lowered to 65 years from the previous 76 years in 2014.

She added that they are pushing to make the coverage universal by 2016 wherein all 60-year-old indigents or poor senior citizens totaling to more than 1.1 million would be given access to the social pension.

It may be recalled that the DSWD is asking the Congress for a budget of PhP 7.51 billion in 2016 to accommodate more poor and abandoned elderly folk who are getting no veterans or social security benefits.

FSCAP president Jorge Banal said it is equally important to also study the provision of social pension among other categories of senior citizens who may be receiving pensions from other sources but such pensions are not enough to cover their needs and expenses.

On the other hand, DOH officials reminded the senior citizens to follow the ways to enjoy healthy lifestyle like doing some form of exercises, eating the right food advised by physicians, and staying away from vices to prevent lifestyle diseases.

“Since senior citizens are prone to illnesses and infections. They should always ensure that they follow the ways to live a healthy lifestyle so that they can still remain productive at their old age and enjoy the benefits of growing old while maintaining strength and good health status,” Dr. Lee-Suy said.

At present, there are some privileges and discounts that are being enjoyed by senior citizens like the 20 percent discount and valued-added tax (VAT) exemption to mandatory membership in the government’s healthcare system Philhealth.

Indigent senior citizens become automatic members of PhilHealth entitled to the benefits enjoyed by regular members.

Their premiums are being shouldered by the government in line with President Benigno S. Aquino III's goal of fulfilling its promise of providing universal health care for every Filipino, especially the poor which should not be left behind in economic growth.

The Elderly Filipino Week is a yearly celebration to give tribute to the senior citizens of the country.