Zamboanga del Sur News June 2012

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Zamboanga del Sur Province

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.
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Provincial Capitol Building of Zamboanga del Sur

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.

Red Cross to conduct 'mass blood donation' on July 1

PAGADIAN CITY- The Philippine Red Cross will kick off Blood Donor’s Month celebrations with a Mass Blood Donation on July 1.

This year’s theme, “Every Donor is a Hero” focuses on the idea that every one of us can become a hero simply by donating blood.

Hildaliza F. Munoz, PRC chapter administrator, said by choosing to donate blood voluntarily, blood donors commit a “heroic” act, a gesture of human solidarity with the power to save lives.

A motorcade around the city will be held on the same day at 8:30 a.m. from Plaza Luz to the City Commercial Center (C3) where a brief program and the mass blood donation will be held.

This will be participated in by the barangays in the city, government and non-government organizations, and other sectors of society.

Munoz urged the public and all eligible donors to take part in the mass blood donation drive by donating a pint of their blood and help save lives.

She aired the appeal to preempt shortage of blood supply to cater to the needs of patients and to immediately respond in times of pressing needs of the community.

DENR 9, LGUs inks MOA on PRS92 "Adopt-a-Mojon" project

PAGADIAN CITY– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IX in partnership with the local government units (LGUs) signed a memorandum of agreement on the Philippine Reference System (PRS 92) “Adopt-a-Mojon’ Project on Friday, June 22, 2012 at the Anastacia Pensionne House, this city.

PRS92 is a homogenous national network of geodetic control points (GCPs), marked by survey monuments or mojons, that have been established using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. GPS is an all-weather, high precision, global satellite positioning system that revolutionized navigation and surveying operations.

By virtue of Executive Order 45, PRS92 became the standard reference system for all surveying and mapping activities in the Philippines. The order also mandated that all surveys and maps shall be referred to the new network and all old surveys shall be integrated into it.

DENR 9 Regional Executive Director Arleigh Adorable said, "with the implementation of the unified PRS92 we will be able to establish control points in the whole country for all surveyors and everybody else who may use it as the only reference point. This is the reason why these mojons are very important to all of us."

Director Adorable further said "with the implementation of PRS92, we will be able to perhaps know the exact political boundaries of a certain province, city, municipality or barangay. These monuments are very vital in the preparation of a comprehensive land use plan, no matter how big is your municipality. Setting aside areas for agriculture development , commercial or residential sites and other related purposes, these mojons will be made available as reference point in every municipality and that will be cascaded down to the barangays."

DENR will also establish control points down to the barangay level. With the GPS, we can also determined where in the barangay are hazard prone areas, so this is a very important piece of stone that we have to take care and protect, Adorable challenged the chief executives, he added.

Adorable also urged the municipal mayors to help and assist DENR in protecting and guarding these mojons, as stipulated in the rationale of the agreement. He also asked the chief executives to pass an ordinance to adopt these mojons and even perhaps put some penalties for those who will tamper or destroy the mojons. And come up with a campaign to disseminate the information to the barangay officials the importance of these mojons, and that they have to protect it.

Adorable expressed optimism the agreement will signal the start of the lasting partnership between the DENR and LGUs. "All of us will be benefited from this project including other government agencies who engage in survey activities."

The MOA signing was entered into between the DENR 9 represented by RED Arleigh Adorable, Mayor Allan Damas of Kumalarang, Canuto Enerio of Lakewood and Ace William Cerilles of Dumalinao all of Zamboanga del Sur, Payao Mayor Joeper Mendoza and Richard Tiu, Sr. of Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay.

After the MOA signing a certificate of appreciation were also given to the five municipal mayors for their invaluable support to the program.

1,752 job vacancies available on Pagadian's charter day celebration

PAGADIAN CITY- A total of 1,752 job vacancies from 18 local employers and three overseas employment agencies were opened for takers during a job fair in Pagadian recently.

It drew a large number of job hunters to the venue hoping that they would land a job immediately either locally or for abroad. It was the city government of Pagadian, in coordination with different agencies and in line with its 43rd charter day celebration, thaat sponsored the job fair at the City Commercial Center.

This was made possible by the city government in coordination with Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, and the Pagadian Association of Recruitment Agencies.

Virginia L. Bonbon, DOLE assistant regional director, turned over the Special Program for the Employment of Students checks amounting to P63,360 for 44 grantees in the municipality of Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur, and P20,160 for 14 grantees in the town of Pitogo.

She also turned-over the Skills Registry (SRS) equipment to Joseph Isaias M. Quipot VI, engineer, of Pagadian City’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager and National PESO executive vice president.

The SRS is an electronic system that captures and updates data such as workers skills, qualifications, as well as the roster of establishments and vacancies in the cities, towns, and barangays. It is a repository of a "live" register of skills that reflect the relevant labor market information in the region. It intends to address the problem of job-skills mismatch.

4 killed in Zambo del Sur ambush

Four people were killed and another was wounded in an ambush in Dinas, Zamboanga Del Sur on Friday afternoon.

Dinas Municipal Police Station Chief Police Inspector Homer Dumalag identified the fatalities as Meraljun Doong, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU); Danilo Zamora; Eliodoro Galleros; and Andy Mengok.

Rodel Doong was wounded during the attack.

The Army reported that heavily armed unidentified men ambushed the victims around 4:45 p.m. at Purok 4, Barangay Guinicolalay.

Authorities said the attack may have stemmed from a land dispute.

Government troops are now hunting down the suspects.

The Dinas Municipal Police Station is also on red alert following the attack.

Prevention is better than cure (even for kidneys), says nephrologist

PAGADIAN CITY- “Prevention is better than cure,” said nephrologist Dr. Emerson Mondarte, during the weekly PIA Media Forum held last June 19 at Roxan Hotel in celebration of the National Kidney Month with the theme “Ikaw at Ako Panalo sa Malusog na Bato.”

The nephrologist said our kidneys have multiple functions. Primarily, kidneys serve as the filtering machine in a human body. Anything we eat, there is always a corresponding waste product, even medications and herbal medicines.

“The kidneys will filter all these wastes,” he explained.

Aside from filtering of waste products, it also removes excess water from the human body. As a living organism, we also produce water in small amount in our metabolism, and it is also part of the kidney function to excrete the excess water, Dr. Mondarte added.

Kidneys produces erythropoietin, a hormone that signals the bone marrow to produce or stimulate red and white blood cells. Bone marrow is the factory of red and white blood cells, Mondarte said. “Therefore, if the kidney is in trouble or not functioning well, it will not produce sufficient erythropoietin hormones needed by the body, which will result to low hemoglobin,” he further explained.

Kidney malfunction is one of the top five leading causes of morbidity and mortality, Dr. Mondarte said.

When asked what are the causes of kidney failure or malfunction, he first said, "if a person is a diabetic." He advised those who are diabetic to have their blood sugar controlled, because if not, in five to 10 years’ time it will lead to a kidney problem.

Second is hypertensive neproschlorosis or high blood pressure. He said, since kidneys have tiny veins it will cause inflammation, “mamaga ang kidney (it will swell) and it will cause scars in the kidney.”

To stay away from kidney problems and to keep them healthy, refrain from eating foods with high protein content such as red meat and other salty foods, Dr. Mondarte emphasized.

“Love your kidneys, eat well, stay physically fit, exercise, check your blood pressure and blood sugar regularly because prevention is better than cure,” Mondarte concluded.

Irrigators’ associations receive farm machineries from DA

PAGADIAN CITY- Seventeen farm tractors and six rice threshers were turned over to the beneficiaries from different irrigators’ association (IAs) in Zamboanga del Sur, during a simple ceremony held at the Department of Agriculture (DA) RFU IX, in Lenienza, this city recently.

Twenty-three IAs availed of the on-farm and post harvest mechanization program of the DA after the approval of their proposals with compliance of the 85 to 15 percent payment scheme for the farm machineries.

“Instead of giving the machines to the farmers for free, we made the 85 percent-15 percent payment scheme, in which they have to pay for the 15 percent as their counterpart so that they will feel ownership and take more care of the machineries,” explained Winifreda P. Jose, DA Regional Rice Action officer.

The irrigators associations were very thankful of the program. “We really can’t afford to buy tractor for our association because it is too expensive. This program of DA really helps a lot because we only have to give minimal counterpart,” according to Jose S. Momongan, association president.

Genara T. Lantaca, PAGSUDOM IA president, added that with the machine they availed they can now help with the program of the government to speed up food production, because they can now increase their farm yield with the help of the tractor. Moreover, they will adopt a policy for the maintenance of the machines so as to maximize its use so that it would last for a long period of time.

The National Irrigation Authority as represented by Engr. Salvio Retes assured that they will help in the monitoring of the use of the machines and will continue to work hand in hand with the DA to reach the goal for rice sufficiency in the country.

For 2012, the DA is accepting proposals from interested irrigators associations, cooperatives, and organizations who want to avail of the 2012 program subject to the guidelines prepared by the department.

Construction industry in Region 9 adopts voluntary code of good practices

PAGADIAN CITY- The construction industry in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) has adopted a voluntary code of good practices recently to ensure voluntary compliance of the industry with all general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards.

The code also aims to promote harmonious labor-management relations, and enhance industry productivity and competitiveness.

The voluntary code of good practices which is the second in the region after that of the fishing and canning industry, was signed last year, and adopted by the Zamboanga City Construction Industry Council (ZCCITC) during the 1st DOLE 9 Intermediaries Council Summit held at the Zamboanga Ecozone with DOLE Acting Secretary Lourdes M. Trasmonte acting as witness.

Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) consists of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, and the chartered city of Zamboanga.

It is the 38th voluntary code of good practices adopted by various industries throughout the country since Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz crafted and implemented the reform in 2010. It was aimed at minimizing government intervention in the affairs of private sector businesses and at fostering harmonious labor-management relations.

Trasmonte expressed delight over the adoption by the ZCCITC of its own voluntary code of good practices, saying that this augurs well for the future of the regional construction industry and will benefit workers, management, and the people of the region.

"You have now a code that will provide you guiding principles in pursuit of harmonious relations at the workplace and of voluntary compliance with labor laws and occupational safety and health standards that will benefit not only your industry but the people of the region as a whole," Trasmonte said.

One of the objectives of the code is to promote social partnership by establishing a bipartite agreement among workers and management through labor-management cooperation, which will look into issues and concerns of the industry.

One outstanding feature of the voluntary code is its adoption of a monitoring and evaluation tool that spells out the priority activities the construction industry will carry out as it implements the code.

These priority activities, which are also the main features of the voluntary code, are in the areas of occupational safety and health; labor standards; labor-management cooperation; and education and training services.

"After we signed the code, we will sit down and firm up the specific activities on these areas," said Region 9 officer-in-charge regional director Sisinio Cano.

The members of the board of the ZCCITC, led by Ian Lahi, chairman and director of the DOLE Zamboanga City Field Office, signed the code together with all its members.

Atty. Rhett Julius Plagata, executive labor arbiter of the National Labor Relations Commission; Marjuca Jumrani, regional director of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board; Lorenzo Macapili, OIC regional director of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; Joel Ijirani, board secretary of the Regional Wages and Tripartite Productivity Board; and Sisinio Cano, DOLE OIC regional director, signed the code on behalf of the government.

CDRRMC orders barangay chairmen to reactivate disaster monitoring system

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur- The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) has ordered all Punong Barangays through a memorandum to reactivate the disaster monitoring system in their respective areas, to avoid damage of properties and loss of lives during disaster incidents.

Mayor Samuel S. Co, chairman of the CDRRMC, convened the council members at the Executive Function Hall and discussed contingency measures saying that the Philippines is facing the second typhoon of the year “Butchoy,” with international name Guchol, which hit the country on Thursday evening.

“The presence of Butchoy has warned of floods and landslides in some parts of Mindanao. Further, it forecast that ‘Mindanao and Western Visayas will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rains over Davao provinces, Southern Mindanao and Zamboanga provinces which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” the memo said quoting the PAG-ASA report.

Co has directed all Punong Barangays to reactivate their respective Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC) in preparation for any disastrous events which may cause damage to lives and properties.

City local government operations officer Paulina Gadiano said copies of the memo were immediately dispatched to the 54 barangays in the city.

Gadiano said earlier, a memo was issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional office through its regional director Paisal Abutazil ordering the provincial and city directors and local chief executives to reactivate the disaster risk reduction and management council.

Gadiano said in support to the local chief executive’s memo, she directly called the Punong Barangays to be always alert and inform her office in case any incident will occur especially in preparation for typhoon ‘Butchoy.’

The BDRRMCs in coastal barangays, Gadiano said Punong Barangays met to formulate a disaster action plan in case ‘Butchoy’ hits the region.

The BDRRMC, Gadiano said, are ready to fulfill their their responsibilities especially during the occurrence of disaster. “In fact, the BDRRMCs were trained in our Barangay Newly Elected Officials (BNEO) training last year including on how to respond during disaster and the usage of the five percent calamity fund.

Zambo Sur P60-M Projects Ok’d

PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has approved here recently the release of close to P60 million worth of various Agrarian Reform Community Projects (ARCPs) in the six towns of Zamboanga del Sur.

ARCP national project coordinator Homer Tobias led the signing of pertinent documents for the issuance of available of funds, which he said, were personally followed up at the DAR central office by Governor Antonio H. Cerilles.

Provincial agrarian reform officer Raymundo Bernardo said the signing rites, held at the Farmer’s Haven of the provincial government complex, were followed by Tobias’ orientation on the ARCPs before local government unit (LGU) officials of recipient municipalities, local DAR field officers, and other stakeholders.

Bernardo identified the six beneficiary municipalities and their respective signatory local executives as Josefina under Mayor Fe Pitogo, Midsalip under Mayor LeonidaAngcap, Molave under Mayor Ireneo Glepa, Tabina under Mayor Greg Dayondon, Tambulig under Mayor Caridad Balaod, and Tukuran under Mayor Francis Villamero.

He noted that of the P58,017,790.92 total cost of the ARCPs, the concerned local government officials shouldered an aggregate total equity fund of P34,526,450.81 while the national ARCPs shared P23,491,340.11.

Tobias stressed that based on his experience, it would take about 16 months to process and approve agrarian reform community projects usually due to the absence of signatories and failure to comply with needed documents, such as memorandum of agreement, letter of intent, feasibility study, program of work, and detailed engineering report.

“But here in Zamboanga del Sur, with the actual presence of concerned LGU executives and municipal DAR officers,” Tobias said, “it would take easier and faster for the Regional Sub-Approved Committee and National Sub-Approved Committee to process the six towns’ respective projects”

Bernardo identified some of the proposed local ARC projects as farm-to-market roads, barangay multi-purpose centers, rural health stations, and elementary and secondary school buildings.

DOTC to rehabilitate 8 provincial airports

The government is set to rehabilitate and improve 8 airports in the provinces.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) identified the airports as San Vicente, Palawan; Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur; Butuan City in Agusan del Norte; Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte; Sanga-Sanga in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; Cotabato City in North Cotabato; and Maasin in Southern Leyte.

The total cost of the airports' rehabilitation is estimated at P327.4 million.

"The government is committed to improve the airports in these areas where trade and tourism have been in an upswing for the past year. And the government will not stop in implementing these programmed infrastructure projects, through a transparent public bidding, to improve the lives and welfare of the people in the rural areas," Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas said.

The projects are expected to boost the local economy.

"These projects will have a multiplier effect as more commercial establishments, factories and industrial plants are expected to be built in these areas, hence the creation of more jobs for rural folks. It will also result in more consumer spending where these projects are located," he added.

The DOTC is allocating P63.9 million for the Sanga-Sanga airport, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi for the construction of a terminal building and drainage system and expansion of its apron.

The P62.7-million San Vicente Airport development project in Palawan involves constructing a passenger terminal, fire station, water tank and runway extension.

The P58.1-million Cotabato airport project involves widening its taxiway and runway to support the program making North Cotobato as a strategic link to the arterial road system. The road system will connect Davao City - SOCCSKSARGEN - Cotabato Corridor.

In Dipolog, the P55.2 million will be allocated for the completion of the passenger terminal building.

The P45.5 million Butuan City airport project will include expanding the apron and parking area, and construction of a drainage system and a concrete fence.

The Pagadian Airport project, which costs P42 million, involves a runway extension, taxiway widening, improvement of the passenger terminal and expansion of parking area.

The airport in Maasin, Leyte will also be improved to allow it to handle commercial flights.

PA conducts activities and exhibits for Independence day celebration

PAGADIAN CITY- To make the 114th Independence Day celebration more meaningful, the 1st Infantry (TABAK) division based in Camp Major Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan on Tuesday conducted a day of lined-up activities at the covered court, Plaza Luz here.

G7 chief Col. Cornelio Arboleda in a chance interview said that except from the division’s participation in the commemoration program at Rizal monument and flag ceremony at Tabak headquarters, they have conducted also a static display of military armaments, armored vehicles, and so forth.

"We also conducted squad drills, installed booths for recruitment, disaster relief and rescue operation, photo exhibit, display radio communication facilities and a concert dubbed Musikalayaan,” he said.

Arboleda said the 1st Infantry (TABAK) division, through the active leadership of BGen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, has lined up these activities to send the message to the public that the AFP is “working for peace and people, and one with the people” since they (people) are the ultimate beneficiaries of peace.

Arboleda said during the event, the public were allowed to touch and carry the guns, get inside the armored personnel carrier vehicles, view the photo exhibit, and watch a video presentation and a free concert, for them to know the Philippine Army’s lead role in ensuring peace and security.

Jane Saldua of Barangay Balangasan with her four-year old daughter was very happy to touch and carry the guns placed in the tables.

“Nalipay ko kaayo tungod kay sa tibuok nako nga kinabuhi karon pa gyud ko una makakita ug makagunit niniing mga klase sa mga pusil. Bug-at kaayo pero nindot ang akong gibati (I was very happy because in my entire life it is my first time to see and carry these different kinds of guns. It’s too heavy but I felt good),” Saldua proudly said.

“Nindot unta nga sa matag-kasaulugan sa adlaw sa kaugalingnan himoon kini sa AFP nga regular nga kalihokan aron ang uban nga wala pa makakita malingaw usab sama sa akong nahimong kasinatian karon (It would be nice if in very Independence day celebration the AFP will make these activities regular so that those who failed to see will enjoy like what I have experienced now).

Pagadian to join the entire nation in the celebration of 114th Independence Day

PAGADIAN CITY- Mayor Samuel Co will lead the celebration of the 114th Independence Day at the Rizal Monument tomorrow. The theme of the event is “Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan” and be participated in by city government officials and employees .

City administrator Rufino Amor said 1st Infantry Tabak division commander BGen. Rainier Ricardo Cruz III will join Co in the early morning flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the monument, after which, a brief program will follow.

Amor said Cruz will deliver the Independence Day message.

The independence day celebration, Amor said had been passed down by tradition since time immemorial. “We used to celebrate it every year,” he added.

The city administrator said Pagadian city will join the rest of the country in marking the 114th Independence Day celebration in a solemn and simple rites, citing President Benigno Aquino’s call for a proactive celebration.

Expected to attend the event are the war veterans, police and military officials, representatives from the national government agencies, academe, civic organizations and other concerned agencies.

ZamboSur’s most wanted person killed in a firefight

PAGADIAN CITY- Zamboanga del Sur’s most wanted person killed in a firefight between police authorities and armed men in Barangay Benuatan, Dinas last June 4.

This was officially announced by PNP provincial director Sr. Supt. William Mananzan at a press conference on Wednesday at the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) conference room with Supt. George Galano, assistant provincial director for administration, Inspector Simplicio Pasaol, police community relations office chief, Sr. Insp. Homer Dumalag, chief of police of Dinas municipal police station and Insp. Harry Velez, deputy chief of police.

The suspect known as “Totong Angeles,” is a resident of Benuatan.

Mananzan said the suspect gained notoriety by being head of a lawless group operating not only in Pagadian but also in the municipality of Dinas has pending warrants of arrest at the Regional Trial Court Branch 29 of Pagadian City for the crime of murder issued by presiding judge Edilberto Absin and robbery at the RTC Branch 20 issued by presiding judge Romeo Descallar, respectively.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Mananzan said had put up P100,000 reward for anyone who could give information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.

Mananzan said the PNP led by Inspector Velez while conducting foot patrol at barangay Benauatan, they were informed on the presence of armed men at the house of Bantilan. “The police quickly moved on the scene and were able to neutralize the group led by the accused himself,” he added.

Velez said when the troops cornered the accused outside his residence, the accused pointed his caliber .45 at him and attempted to pull a trigger and presumably shoot him dead.

Velez said the suspect exchanged fire with some members of the troops. “He sustained multiple gun shot wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene,” he added.

Sr. Inspector Dumalag said the armed group, who are the followers of Bantilan were demoralized over the death of their leader and immediately fled in unknown direction.

“The local chief executive, businessmen, and residents here were certainly very happy that the armed group who were involved in organizing extortion and criminal activities were no longer operating in the area,” Dumalag reported.

“We want Dinas to be a safe municipality and we want also that people would continue what they do every day, Dumalag said who is barely four months of assignment in the area as chief of police.

“We’re not going to tolerate this in our municipalty and we’ll make an arrest to those who plan to disturb the peace and order ,” he insisted.

Recovered at the crime scene were the following: one caliber .45 pistol and one improvised hand grenade.

Bayog holds Youth Congress 2012

BAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur- The local government unit of Bayog held a Youth Congress on June 4-5, 2012, at the municipal gymnasium with the theme “Be the Change” to engage with and empower the youth through a discussion about their roles in their respective communities. The congress was attended by 268 youth participants of the municipality.

In his message during the opening program, Mayor Leonardo Babasa, Jr., said, “You can make visible changes in some of our social problems that affects our youth today, that is why you are one of our major concern.”

Through the congress, the youths were able to make plans and proposals for the next calendar year, which, according to Mayor Babasa, will be integrated in the municipal budget for 2013.

Resource persons were Governor Antonio Cerilles, who talked on the role of the youth for a change; SB Member Celso Matias, who discussed the house rules and parliamentary procedures; and representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PEDEA-9), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources, and the Provincial Health Office, with topics on social problems facing the youth of today such as illegal drugs, environmental protection and greening program, teenage pregnancy, health and malnutrition.

Other activities conducted were the mass induction of the 4H Club Officer during the solidarity night and the signing of wall commitment by the municipal officials and the youth participants and tree planting at the Gulian Agro-Tourism Park and Plenary Session.

Motions approved in the plenary session were the P150,000 budget for tree planting activities next year, P300,000 for Indigenous People’s (IPs) scholarship, P100,000 for malnutrition campaign and feeding program, P100,000 for sports activities, and P50,000 for illegal drugs campaign.

Bryan Pal Abal, one of the participants, said, “I am very glad that I became part of this congress. This is the first time that the municipality has such. We earned more knowledge of becoming a part of change in our communities and will look forward that there will be another congress next year.”

The congress was made possible through the efforts of the local government of Bayog, in coordination with the Sangguniang Kabataan, 4H Club, provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur, PEDEA, JCI, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and National Commission on Indigenous People.

DENR 9 spearheads in river clean-up in observance of World Environment Day

PAGADIAN CITY- Heavy rains did not dampen the spirit of the people who trooped to the River Clean-Up activity spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IX at Balangasan River, Pagadian City in observance of World Environment Day on June 5, 2012.

Barangay officials and residents joined DENR-IX personnel and representatives from other government agencies, local government units of the province and city, ROTC cadets, PNP and Philippine Army in expressing their concern for the environment by cleaning up Balangasan River, a major river system running through the urban center of the city.

The river clean-up was conducted in Barangays Dumagoc, Sta. Lucia, Balangasan and Sto. Nino. These are the areas were Balangasan River traverses on its way to the sea.

The half-day activity also involved an information campaign on the residents, particularly those living along the river banks, to keep their surroundings clean and refrain from dumping their garbage in the river to minimize pollution and the spread of diseases.

The river clean-up is just a part of a series of activities lined up by DENR-IX in celebration of Philippine Environment Month from June 1-30, 2012 with the theme “Green Economy: Does It Include You?”

The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.

June is National No-Smoking Month

Tobacco kills 6-M every year worldwide

PAADIAN CITY- To raise public awareness on the ill effects of smoking and to encourage smokers to give up the habit, June has been declared National No-Smoking Month in the Philippines, pursuant to Proclamation No. 183.

As the world observed No Tobacco Day last May 31, the World Health organization is calling on national leaders to be extra vigilant against the increasingly aggressive attacks by the industry, which undermine policies that protect people from the harm of tobacco.

Tobacco kills almost six million people every year and is one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death around the world.

Furthermore, tobacco kills up to half of its users. By 2030, WHO estimates that tobacco will kill more than eight million people every year, with four of five of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries.

Studies reveal that tobacco is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardio-vascular disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. NCDs account for 63 percent of all deaths worldwide.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) records 240 Filipinos die every day from tobacco-related illnesses. Smoking prevalence in the country is among the highest in the world, one factor is that, cigarette prices here are among the cheapest in the world.

On the other hand, second hand smoke kills children. For non-smokers, exposure to second hand smoke is estimated to kill another 600,000 people annually. Almost half of all children regularly breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke and more than 40 percent of children have at least one smoking parent. In 2004, children accounted for nearly one third of deaths attributed to second hand smoke.

Studies further show, that most adult smokers started the habit before the age 20. To recruit new smokers, the tobacco industry’s relentless marketing machinery targets youth, especially young women.

Meanwhile, on its quest for KALUSUGAN PANGKALAHATAN (Universal Health Care), living a healthy lifestyle in an environment free tobacco smoke, the DOH initiated the Search for 100 percent Tobacco-Free Environment better known as the “DOH Red Orchid Award,” which aims to encourage provinces, municipalities, cities, workplaces and health facilities to adopt measures to protect people from the hazards of tobacco smoke and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Now on its third year, The DOH Red Orchid Awards 2012 proves to be the biggest and grandest search as it now provides a P500,000 project grant on tobacco control to local government units (LGU) winners for three consecutive years. This year five LGUs will vie for the Hall of Fame award, these are Calauag, Quezon; Davao City; Legaspi City; Maasin City; and Talisayan, Misamis Oriental.

While 25 municipalities, six cities, 28 government hospitals, 12 government offices, and 11 DOH centers for health development (CHDs or DOH regional offices) were proclaimed as Red Orchid awardees for the year.

Bayog celebrates day care workers' week

Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur- The local government unit of Bayog celebrated Day Care Workers Week on May 28 to June 1 at the LGU’s Government Center with the theme “Day Care Worker: Kaagapay sa Pagpapaunlad ng Bata Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan.”

The event was participated by 35 day care workers of the municipality and was facilitated by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), headed by Social Welfare and Development Officer Conchita Sucaldito together with Marilyn Un, day care worker.

Mayor Leonardo Babasa, Jr., in his message said, “it is important to develop the skills of the day care workers in handling little children since they are considered as parent’s partners in providing early education to children, as well as molding their characters.”

Activities conducted during the week-long celebration are poster making contest (May 28-29, 2012), week pack making (May 30-31) and checklist and Child Monitoring Sheet orientation (June 1).

Proclamation No. 404 series of 2003 declared June 7-11 and every year thereafter as National Day Care Workers Week, which aims to give recognition to the significant roles of day care workers especially in providing early education to children.

The local government unit of Bayog decided to celebrate the occasion earlier to give way and be prepared for the opening of classes for School Year 2012-2013.

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