Thirty-nine (39) schools in conflict-affected areas of Basilan and sixty-two (62) other schools in farflung Tawi-Tawi will get assistance from the Philippine Business Progress (PBSP) through its Brigada Eskwela initiatives.
At least 234 schools from the most-needy areas in the country have been identified by PBSP to benefit from the Brigada Eskwela assistance. Companies, partners and other donors are encouraged to support this initiative through PBSP.
As an expression of corporate social involvement PBSP have gathered and mobilized donations from its member companies and partners, for the repair and cleanup of public schools through the Department of Education’s annual Brigada Eskwela.
Brigada Eskwela is part of the bigger education program of PBSP. The largest corporate-led foundation in the country, PBSP aims to help reduce poverty by improving the quality of education in public schools, bringing children to school, and keeping them from dropping out.
To improve the quality of education and equip schools with Information Technology (IT) capabilities, PBSP members and donors spent P101 Million last year.
Of this amount, P 1.5 Million worth of donations were mobilized for Brigada Eskwela. The donations included paints and repair materials, books, school supplies, food provisions and first aid kits. PBSP pulls these donations together and ensures that they reach the intended beneficiaries.
This year, PBSP has received early donations of educational magazines from Diwa Learning Systems, storytelling books from The Bookmark, Inc., and assorted books from Goodwill Bookstore and Adarna House.
Other donations are notebooks from Sterling Paper Products, pencils and paper from Manila Bankers Life Insurance and Jopa Enterprises, Inc., and Vienna sausages from CDO Foodsphere, Inc.
PBSP members and partners are encouraged to join Brigada Eskwela by donating cleaning materials, books and school supplies, slippers or shoes and school bags, food for baon, among others. Employees are also encouraged to share their time as volunteers to scrub floors, fix damaged desks, and repaint walls.
More than 43,000 public schools nationwide are preparing to welcome millions of elementary and high school students for the start of the school year in June. This year’s Brigada Eskwela will be held from May 24 until 28. (Danny Escabarte, PBSP/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan Balangay Festival 2010
DILG retains crown in Balangay Boat Float Contest
BUTUAN CITY (20 May) – The Regional Office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) retained the title which they won last year during the celebration of the city’s charter day in August 2, after winning the Balangay Boat Float Contest held Wednesday, May 19, during the Grand Parade highlighting the city’s Fiesta Celebration, in honor of its Patron Saint – Saint Joseph the worker.
DILG received a cash prize of Php 50,000, the same amount they received last year. Second place went to the Department of Education (DepEd) – City Schools Division who received a cash prize of Php 40,000. Third place went to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), winning Php 30,000 cash prize.
The event was also participated by other local government and non-government offices, namely: Dept. of Science and Technology (DOST-13), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR), M. Llhuiller Kwarta Padala, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Dept. of Agriculture (DA), Dept. of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skill Development Authority – Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries.
All participating floats assembled along J. Rosales Ave., from DBP Area, heading towards the main streets of this city and ended with a short program in front of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT).
Criteria used by the judges composed of Architect Rey V. Seรฑeres, Mr. Wayne Tanigami and Mr. Matthew Berginc are as follows: 50% for design, concept, artwork and creativity, 25% for originality and uniqueness and 25% for the presentation of the theme.
Special awards were also given to Technical Education and Skill Development Authority- Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (TESDA-NMSF) for the most unique float, Dept. of Agriculture for the most thematic float and M. Llhuiller Kwarta Padala for the most colorful and attractive float, all received a cash prize of Php 5,000.
The 2010 Balangay Boat Float Grand Parade was made possible by the City Tourism Office, in cooperation with the City Government of Butuan.
Meanwhile, Soundy Manuel, representing the United Architects of the Philippines captured the hearts of the judges after she was adjudged as this year’s Mutya Hong Butuan from among the nine candidates. With her poise and wit, Soundy bested the other contestants and won the most coveted crown during the pageant’s night on Monday, May 17 held at Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Gym here.
Completing the magic five of this year’s beauty and brains competition are as follows: Hidie Amor Ignilan of Butuan Banker’s Club – Mutya Hong Butuan – Tourism; Kristine Rosales, 1st Runner-up (Liga ng mga Punong Barangay); Rose Murphy, 2nd Runner-up (Butuan Chambers) and; Rhina Mae Carombana, 3rd Runner-up (Integrated Bar of the Philippines).
The 2010 Search for Mutya Hong Butuan is anchored on a theme featuring the famous festivals of the Philippines, as a way of giving tribute to Balikbayan Butuanons. (Freldemar C. Gamotin and Carol Ivy N. Mitchao,FSUU/PIA-Caraga)
BFAR warns public on areas positive of red tide
BUTUAN CITY (20 May) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) recently issued an advisory informing the public that Bislig Bay in Surigao del Sur is still positive with red tide toxin, thus shellfish from this area are not safe for human consumption.
Based on the Shellfish Bulletin No.11 Series of 2010 issued by BFAR, the latest laboratory results from their office and the Local Government Units (LGU) revealed that shellfish collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Murclelagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; and in the coastal waters of Bolinao and Anda in Pangasinan are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.
All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the above banned areas are NOT SAFE for human consumption.
However, BFAR said, fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
The list of signs and symptoms for Paralytic shellfish poisoning includes: mild symptoms, facial paresthesia (burning), facial numbness, facial tingling, arm tingling, arm numbness, leg tingling, leg numbness, headache, dizziness, nausea, muscular in coordination and floating sensation. If any of these symptoms are felt, BFAR advised to consult a local physician immediately.
The following areas continue to be FREE from toxic red tides: coastal waters of Cavite, Piรฑas, Paraรฑaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; coastal waters of Alaminos in Pangasinan; Mansiloc Bay in Zambales; coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and Honda Bay; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon, all in Luzon.
For Visayas, areas found to be free from these toxics are: Puerto Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Pontevedra, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; coastal waters of E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Palupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Bacolod City, Hiringan, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City and San Enrique in Negros Occidental; Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar, Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte; and Biliran waters in Biliran Province.
Meanwhile, Hinatuan and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; and the coastal waters of Kabasalan in Sibugay Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Moreover, coastal waters of Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan is now free from the toxic red tide. (Phil Jan C. Conde, Freldemar C. Gamotin and Carol Ivy N. Mitchao, FSUU/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: PGMA gipaniguro nga umentohan ang suholan sa mga empleyado sa gobyerno hangtod 2013
By Michael A. Imbo
BUTUAN CITY (May 20) – Si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gipaniguro ang pag-umento sa suholan sa mamumuo sa gobyernon hangtud sa tuig 2013, ilalom sa Salary Standardization Law III nga gipirmahan niadtong Hunyo sa miaging tuig.
Ang hugna sa pagpataas sweldo sa publiko nga sector nahisubay sa salary standardization progam nga gikinahanglan masugdan alang sa mga nagserbisyo sa publiko.
Ang SSL III gilauman nga mokabat sa 1.5 million government employees ang makabenipisyo niini.
Ang basic salary magsubay sa gipabarog nga framework rationalize nga madawat sa mga empleyado apil na ang mga allowances, benipisyo ug mga incentives gikan sa mga opisyal padulong sa mga empleyado.
Si Pres. Arroyo ang nipahibalo niini atol sa gihimong pakigpulong sa ika-16th nga Annibersaryo sa Commission on Higher Education (CHED) didto sa Commission headquarter sa kauluhang Manila.
Matud sa Presidente nga dako ang iyang suporta nga matuman ang gipanday nga balaod aron molambo ang pangabuhian sa mga mamumuo sa panggamhanan.
Dugang niini, iyang gistulti nga aron motaas a ng revenues “bitter but necessary economic and financial reforms” ang gikinahanglang ipatuman.
Ang expanded value added tax law (E-VAT) nga gipatong sa mga taxable items ang matud pa 12 porciento niini ang gikuhaan para sa pagpalambo sa edukasyon, social services, imprastraktura ug pagpasaka sa sweldo.
Kahinumduman nga niadtong Hulyo sa miaging tuig, gi-umentohan ang sweldo sa mga nagtrabaho sa gobyerno apil na mga magtutudlo sa SUCs (state universities and colleges).
Gibutyag nga mikabat sa 300 opisyales ug empleyado sa Commission on Higher Education ang nakabenipisyo sa programa apil na ang mga staff niini.
Gisulti ni Pres. Arroyo nga bisan sa paghuman sa iyang termino padayon nga makabenipisyo ang publiko sa maong programa. “Because of the Salary Standardization Law that we enacted during my administration, even when I am no longer President, you will continue to receive increases for the next three years”.
Gitug-an sa Presidente nga karong Hulyo ang sunod nga pagpatuman sa umento sa sweldo sa mga empleyado sa gobyerno. (PIA-Caraga)
Butuan City celebrates feast of St. Joseph the worker with pride and honor
By Michael A. Imbo
BUTUAN CITY (20 May) – With less than two weeks after the election fever, this city celebrated the feast of St. Joseph the worker highlighting Butuan’s culture and tradition as showcased in the activities conducted and spearheaded by the City Tourism Council.
As early as 8:00 o’clock in the morning, Butuan Bishop Juan Dios Pueblos officiated the concelebrated mass held at St. Joseph Cathedral on Wednesday (May 19) with around 3,000 parishioners and devotees attending the religious gathering.
In an earlier interview with City Tourism Chairman Leonides Theresa Plaza, she said the organizers carefully planned the preparations for this annual event to show to the visitors what Butuan can offer to the tourism industry of the country.
The Chairman further stressed that the City administration strongly supported the celebration even if incumbent Mayor Democrito Boy Daku Plaza II’s term will end on June 30, 2010.
One of the highlights of the celebration is the holding of the Mutya Hong Butuan 2010 held on Monday (May 17) at Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Gym, where Ms. Soundy Manuel of the United Architects of the Philippines unanimously won the hearts and votes of the judges.
Meanwhile, the Balangay Float Parade showcasing each private and public offices, departments, and organizations was conducted during the Grand Parade held on the feast day (May 19) to add color to the celebration.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government Unit (DILG)-Caraga Region, once again grabbed the 1st prize bringing home Php 50,000, besting the other 11 contenders. The department also won the same during last year’s charter day celebration of the city held on August 2.
With the success of this year’s celebration, Butuanons greatly appreciated the efforts of the City Government here to make the celebration meaningful and colorful. (PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Sugyot ni PGMA ngadto sa sunod nga administrasyon: JPEPA, ipadayon
By Michael A. Imbo
BUTUAN CITY (20 May) – Si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo misugyot nga kinahanglan mapadayon ang Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) sa sunod nga administrasyon.
Sa gipahigayon nga pakighinabi sa Presidente ngadto sa NHK-Japan Broadcasting Corp. didto sa Kalayaan Hall Malacaรฑang, gipasabot ni Pres. Arroyo nga ang kasabotan sa ekonomiya nga gitampo sa Japan usa ka “win-win agreement”.
Kung mahinumduman, ang Japan usa ka lig-on ang pakig-alyansa niini sa Pilipinas lakip na sa mga rehiyon (strong ally and partner for the Philippines and for the region).
Gi-asoy ni Pres. Arroyo nga matud pa “JPEPA certainly strengthens that partnership, especially during this time of global economic crisis,”
Ang JPEPA gipirmahan ni Pres. Arroyo ug ni Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi didto sa Helsinki, Finland, niadtong Septembre tuig 2006 ug gi-aprobahan kini sa senado.
Kabahin sa aspeto sa negosyo ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) nagpalambo sa proyekto sa Philippine exports ngadto sa Japan nga migahin og 20 percent.
Miabot sa P300 billion ang nakuhang pipeline investments nga nagikan sa automotive parts ug produktong panapton sa nasud. Gipalapad ang negosyo aron makuha ang kompiyansa sa ubang nasud.
Sa laing bahin, ang Presidente mapasalamaton nga nag-ingon “JPEPA brings the benefits of our strong cooperation to the people themselves in the form of opportunities for more job creation, business opportunities, and economic growth.”
Buot ni Arroyo nga palapdan ang language training program sa mga Hapones aron makat-on ang mga Filipino medical workers ug mga caregivers sa nasud nga makakuha ug dali nga trabaho sa Japan.
“I just hope that Japan will be able to maximize the cooperation on language training so that out caregivers and medical workers can take better advantage of opportunities, which will also be good for the older Japanese people,” dugang sa Presidente. (PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News : BFAR giila ang mga lugar nga positibo sa red tide
BUTUAN CITY (20 May) – Base sa impormasyon nga gipagawas sa Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) sa Department of Agriculture (DA), ang Bislig Bay sa Surigao del Sur positibo na usab sa red tide toxin niining mga panahona ug tungod niini gi-awhag sa maong buhatan ang mga katawhan nga dili usa mukaon ug mga kinhason gikan sa maong lugar.
Matud sa Shellfish Bulletin No.11 Series of 2010 nga gipagawas sa BFAR uban usab ang Local Government Units (LGU) nga ang resulta sa mga nakulikta nga mga shellfish sa mga lugar sa Dumanquillas Bay sa Zamboanga del Sur; Bislig Bay sa Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; Matarinao Bay sa Eastern Samar; Murclelagos Bay sa Zamboanga del Norte ug Misamis Occidental; ug coastal waters of Bolinao ug Anda sa Pangasinan nagpositibo guihapon sa paralytic shellfish poison nga milapas sa gibutyag nga limitasyon.
Matud pa, guinadiling kaunon ang mga kinhason ug alamang gikan sa mga dapit nga giila sa BFAR nga positibo sa red tide.
Hinuon, matud sa BFAR nga ang mga isda, nukos, pasayan, ug alimango mamahimong kaunon basta nakasiguro nga lab-as kini ug tarungon kini paghugas usa lutuon.
Mga sintomas sa Paralytic shellfish poisoning mao ang mosunod: mild symptoms, facial paresthesia (burning), pag-paminhud sa nawung (facial numbness), facial tingling, arm tingling, pag-paminhud sa bukton (arm numbness), leg tingling, pag-paminhud sa paa (leg numbness), sakit sa ulo (headache), pag-kalipong (dizziness), pag-suka (nausea), muscular in coordination and floating sensation.
Kung padayon nga nakahi-agom niining mga simtumas, gi-awhag sa BFAR nga magpakonsulta sa pinaka-duol nga duktor.
Samtang, giila usab sa maong buhatan ang mga lugar nga luwas sa toxic red tides, ug kini maon ang mosunod: coastal waters sa Cavite, Las Piรฑas, Paraรฑaque, Navotas, Bulacan ug Bataan sa Manila Bay; coastal waters sa Alaminos sa Pangasinan; Mansiloc Bay sa Zambales; coastal waters sa Milagros ug Mandaon sa Masbate; Inner Malampaya Sound sa Taytay ug Honda Bay; Juag Lagoon sa Matnog ug Sorsogon Bay sa Sorsogon, tanan sa Luzon.
Mga lugar nga luwas sa toxic red tides sa Visayas mao ang Puerto Bay sa Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; coastal waters sa Pilar, President Roxas, Pontevedra, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan ug Sapian sa Capiz; coastal waters sa E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Palupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Bacolod City, Hiringan, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City ug San Enrique sa Negros Occidental; Irong-irong, Maqueda ug Villareal Bays sa Samar, Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato ug Carigara Bays sa Leyte; ug Biliran waters sa Biliran Province.
Sa laing bahin, luwas usab ang mga lugar sa Mindanao partikular sa Hinatuan ug Lianga Bays sa Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay sa Mati, Davao Oriental; ug ang coastal waters sa Kabasalan sa Sibugay Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Dugang pa niini, ang coastal waters sa Wawa, Bani sa Pangasinan luwas na sa toxic red tide. (Eloisa Faith B. Plaza, Carol Ivy N. Mitchao and Phil Jan C. Conde, FSUU/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan Balangay Festival 2010
DILG nidaug na usab sa Balangay Boat Float contest
BUTUAN CITY (20 May) – Ang Rehiyonal nga buhatan sa Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) mao guihapon ang misakmit sa kadaugan sa gipahigayong Balangay Boat Float contest atol sa kasaulogan sa kapistahan ni’ng dakbayan niadtong Miyerkules, Mayo 19.
Nakadawat ang DILG ug premyo nga salaping cash nga mokabat ngadto sa Php 50,000, samtang ang Department of Education (DepEd) – City Schools Division ang maong nakakuha sa ika-duhang trono ug nakadawat usab ug Php 40,000. Samtang ang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ang nakakuha sa ika-tulo nga premyo ug nakadawat usab ug Php 30,000. Mahinumduman nga ang DILG mao usab ang migawas nga mananaug sa gihimong kumpetisyon niadtong Agosto 2 mi-aging tuig atol usab sa kasaulogan sa Charter Day sa dakbayan.
Ang maong aktibidades gilangkuban usab sa mga partisipante nga naggikan sa lokal government and non-government offices sama sa: Dept. of Science and Technology (DOST-13), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR), M. Llhuiller Kwarta Padala, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Dept. of Agriculture (DA), Dept. of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skill Development Authority – Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries.
Ang criteria nga gigamit sa mga huradong gilangkuban nila ni: Architect Rey V. Seรฑeres, G. Wayne Tanigami ug G. Matthew Berginc mao ang mosunod: 50% para sa design, concept, artwork ug creativity, 25% para sa originality ug uniqueness ug 25% usab sa presentasyon sa tema.
Nakadawat usab ug espesyal nga premyo ang Technical Education and Skill Development Authority- Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (TESDA-NMSF) para sa most unique float, Dept. of Agriculture para sa most thematic float ug M. Llhuiller Kwarta Padala para sa most colorful ug attractive float, kun diin ang tanan nakadawat ug premyo nga tag Php 5,000 matag special award.
Ang 2010 Balangay Boat Float Grand Parade gipangunahan sa City Tourism Office, kauban ang City Government sa Butuan.
Samtang, nakuha ni Soundy Manuel, nag-representa sa United Architects of the Philippines ang korona isip Mutya Hong Butuan 2010 atol sa pageant’s night niadtong Lunes, May 17 sa Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Gym. Nakuha ni Manuel ang boto sa mga hurado dihang gipabilib kini niya sa question and answer portion.
Ang mga nakasulod sa magic five karong tuiga mao sila Hidie Amor Ignilan sa Butuan Banker’s Club isip Mutya Hong Butuan–Tourism; Kristine Rosales, 1st Runner-up (Liga ng mga Punong Barangay); Rose Murphy, 2nd Runner-up (Butuan Chambers) ug; Rhina Mae Carombana, 3rd Runner-up (Integrated Bar of the Philippines).
Ang Mutya Hong Butuan 2010 gipangunahan sa tema nga nag-feature sa mga festivals sa Pilipinas aron hatagan og kalingawan ang mga Balikbayan nga mga Butuanons. (Eloisa Faith B. Plaza, Carol Ivy N. Mitchao and Phil Jan C. Conde, FSUU/PIA-Caraga)
