PIA News Service - Thursday, March 18, 2010

NYC seeks support of RDC Caraga for the amendment of RA8044
By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY (March 18) – The National Youth Commission (NYC) pushes for Resolution No. 1 series of 2009, a resolution seeking the support of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Caraga for the amendment of Republic Act 8044, during the 1st Quarter Meeting of RDC-Social Development Committee (SDC), recently at the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga Conference Room here. 

On behalf of Department of Health Caraga Regional Dir. Leonita Gorgolon, RDC-SDC Chairperson, Dir. Florencio Sunico of the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga presided the meeting with representatives from various government line agencies, and a representative from the private sector. 

During the meeting, Ms. Salma Jayne Tamano of NYC said that Republic Act 8044 is an act creating the NYC, establishing a national comprehensive and coordinated program on youth development, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes (June 1995).

Tamano also bared that during its 1-day Consultative Forum on R. A. 8044 held October 5, 2009 at the Conference Room of the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga Regional Office, this city, participants composed of the youth leaders, representatives of the regional line agencies that have youth programs (mostly members of the Regional Advisory Council Caraga), and representatives of the local government units in Caraga raised several gaps, issues and problems.

“Some of the issues raised are: Definition of youth age group of 15-30 years old should be changed since 15-17 are still children and cannot sign legal documents such as contracts yet; age qualification of commissioners do not fall under the youth age group; no regional offices of NYC; lack of coordination and full implementation of program,” said Tamano.

Also, Tamano stressed that proposed amendments are: the definition of youth shall be changed from the age bracket 15-30 years old to 18-35 years old since the age group 15-17 is categorized as children; the commissioners shall fall under the definition of the specified youth age group; and the LGUs’ participation in youth development shall be strengthened through the creation of Local Youth Development Councils nationwide.

After discussion/deliberation made by the body, said amendments by the NYC represented by Tamano were all approved by the Committee and will be endorsed to the RDC for the final approval. (PIA-Caraga) 

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PACAP exhibitor adjudged best booth in Calagan Festival Trade Fair
by Fryan E. Abkilan

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SURIGAO CITY (March 18) - The display booth of the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) assisted-local producer “Karaga Pasalubong” bested other exhibitors throughout the region in the Best Booth contest in the weeklong Calagan Festival Trade Fair recently held at the provincial gym this city.

Organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Caraga Region, the said event forms part of the celebration of the 15th Anniversary of Caraga Region, which highlighted the showcase of "WOW Caraga: Calagan Festival," from February 22-27, 2010.

Surigao Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) Project Coordinator Joseph Nacario, said that the display booth of Karaga Pasalubong caught the attention of the crowd because of its creative arrangement of various displays, solely done by the exhibitor themselves with the technical assistance from SEDF, an implementing partner NGO of PACAP.

Karaga Pasalubong displayed various native crafts like Tikug mat, agsam-nito baskets/native wares, abaca wares/crafts and a number of food products like dried pijanga (native fish in Lake Mainit), dried squid, nipa vinegar, Gigaquit rhum, VCO-based liniment.

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Nacario said that the PACAP booth generated total gross sales of Php 17,000 from the 6-day activity, aside from being awarded as “Best Seller” for the Producer-Seller Category, with Php 10,000 cash prize.

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Other participating booths include the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, cities of Butuan, Bayugan, Bislig, Tandag, Cabadbaran, Surigao and some line agencies like DENR, DTI, DA, DAR, CHED, NEDA, DBM, DepEd, TESDA and DOT. 

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Nacario attributed the success to PACAP for their microfinance support, “PACAP was able to help put-up this scheme through their Business Development Services (BDS) program, of course with the collaboration from SEDF.”

“With this kind of activity we were able to help our local farmers, fisher folks and those run by women’s groups, agrarian reform communities and cooperatives in showcasing their products thus opening up market opportunities,” Nacario said. 

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PACAP Provincial Project Officer Monina Hernandez also said that, “many of the ongoing livelihood projects in all three FOCAS Clusters are generating income, thus contributing to the poverty alleviation goal of the province.”

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“The provision of start-up capital for fishing, livestock, mariculture, crop production, non-farm types of livelihood, and even processing of raw materials such as vinegar and coconut oil, have not only productively increased the capacity of local communities to manage financial/material resources. PACAP’s engagement with the local communities has created an environment for people to leverage and innovate,” Hernandez added.

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For so many years now, PACAP has always been supportive to small-medium enterprise to promote development of this sector as key to achieving jobs creation and competitive enterprise. It is a program of the Aus¬tralian Agency for International Development (AusAlD), a 24-year old funding program which has granted PhP 74,767,315 total grant funds to at least 21 community devel¬opment projects in the province since 2005, through the Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS). The three major geographical clusters where PACAP projects are located are the ff: Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA), Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS), and Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA).

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Today, PACAP has assisted 71 people’s organizations (farmers/fisherfolks and women) and partnered with 11 NGOs and 1 government special body, the LMDA. PACAP project reach includes, 17 towns in Surigao del Norte, 4 towns in Agusan del Norte in Lake Mainit side, 64 Barangays (SDN & ADN), and 1 city, the city of Surigao. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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ULAT SA BAYAN reports DOTC accomplishments
By Michael A. Imbo

BUTUAN CITY (March 18) – The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) recently reported its accomplishments in a press conference dubbed as “Ulat sa Bayan” attended by the local tri-media of this city in one of the local convention centers here.

DOTC is represented by its Regional Management Council (RMC) which is composed of the heads of offices of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The accomplishment reports presented by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Air Transportation Office (ATO).

The forum highlighted the agency’s accomplishments as much as the collective milestones of the line agencies under the department.

Meanwhile, DOTC Usec. Guiling Mamondiong seized the brief opportunity to broadcast flagship projects implemented in Caraga region. He also denounces the Public Assistance Program conducted by the DOTC.

PPA Manager Oscar Beluan states the activity conducted in the beautification and development of infrastructure in Nasipit Pier.

Also, DOTC-Caraga Regional Director Atty. Alim D. Pangandaman presented the agency’s implementation of “Oplan Kalakbay”, and the establishment of help desk and customer assistance.

It was learned that the said priority projects in Caraga are based on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the past decade through the rationalized Mindanao Super Region concept.

“Ulat sa Bayan aim to increase the success of every agency of DOTC, in line with the target projects and implementations done by the transportation and communications department,” USEC Mamondiong said. (PIA-Caraga)
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Cebuano News: ULAT ng BAYAN sa DOTC gipasigarbo ang natapos nga mga proyekto
By Michael A. Imbo

BUTUAN CITY (March 18) – Malampusong giduso sa Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) ang pag-report sa mga natumang proyekto sulod sa rehiyon sa Caraga pinaagi sa “Ulat sa Bayan” nga gipahimutang dili pa lang dugay didto sa Dotties Place Convention Center, ni’ng dakbayan.

Gipangunahan ni DOTC Undersecretary Guiling Mamondiong, gipasigarbo sa maong buhatan ngadto sa publiko ang mga natapos ug nagpadayong progreso ilalom sa mga proyekto niini.

Sa gitukod nga Regional Management Council (RMC) sa Caraga, gisaysay sa maong opisyal ang naghiusang pagpaningkamot aron mahatod ang mga serbisyong publiko apil na ang mga reklamo batok sa mga ahensya ilawom sa maong departamento.

Samtang, gi-presenta sa nagkalain-laing ahensiya sa DOTC ang mga natapos nga programa ug proyekto lakip na ang mga plano niini. Lakip sa mi-presenta mao ang representante sa Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) ug Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Si Usec. Mammondiong ang midugang nga pinaagi sa impormasyon ug balanse nga pagbalita, ang katawhan ug ang publiko masayod sa mga natuman nga programa sa gobyerno.

Samtang si PPA Manager Oscar Beluan ang mihatag usab sa iyang presentasyon ug kwentada sa kalamboan sa Pantalan sa Nasipit ug Surigao City.

Sa maong panagtifum, gipasabot usab ni Director Pangandaman ang gilusad nga public assistance pinaagi sa Oplan Kalakbay ug pagsaka sa kalidad sa serbisyo sa ahensya sa transportasyon.

Subling gikondena sa maong opisyal ang padayon nga operasyon sa mga kulorom nga sakyanan, ug gipahimangno-an nga dili pasakyan sa publiko aron dili kini magtinguha sa ilang operasyon. 

Nasayran nga ang mga prayoridad nga proyektong natuman sa rehiyon sa Caraga ang nahilatid sa State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo nga nakabase sa konsepto sa Mindanao Super Region. (PIA-Caraga)
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Public warned on series of fire in Butuan City

BUTUAN CITY (March 18) - The city government of Butuan, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (Aneco) on Thursday called on the public to refrain from leaving embers at their dirty kitchens. 

They also reminded them to be sure that electrical units are unplugged during brownouts to avoid electrical glitz that might cause of fire. 

Butuan City is currently suffering from four to eight hours rotating brownouts a day. 

The government authorities also warned the public to carefully use candles and other improvised lamps during brownouts that might also cause fire. 

All government agencies also asked for heightened information campaign against burning dry leaves and household wastes. 

Fire authorities and local government unit officials also even warned smokers from throwing cigarette butts just anywhere saying this might lead to fire. 

Absence of rains for quite some time now has dried up leaves and grasses, a little flicker of flame can lead to a disastrous fire, fire authorities also said. 

City Mayor Democrito Plaza was already alarmed on a series of big fire at various residential areas in the city since the very first day observation of fire prevention month, where at least five fires and four lives were already lost. 

Added to the cause of fire was damage to properties that already reached more than P30 million. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, two big fires gutted at least 630 houses at Barangays Ong Yui and Obrero, both of this city. Three persons died in these two big fires- one of them an old woman and two children, ranging 5- and 7-year olds. 

Earlier, a big fire also gutted several houses at Barangay New Society village here where a one-year and two month old baby girl was also killed. 

Plaza urged massive community awareness regarding fire prevention. 

He also called on boarding house operators to strictly comply the requirements of the bureau of fire, especially regarding installation of fire exits and availability of fire extinguishers. 

“Fire prevention is everybody’s concern to avert further lose of lives,” said Plaza. (muc/PIA-Caraga)

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GSIS extends free personal accident insurance to 8,000 

BUTUAN CITY (March 18) - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has already extended free personal accident insurance to 8,000 persons. 

In a press statement, the GSIS, by virtue of Republic Act 656 as amended by Presidential Decree 245, is allowed to engage in all kinds of insurance and reinsurance business. 

In addition, the state-run pension fund is also empowered to insure all properties, assets, and interests of the government against any insurable risk. 

The GSIS is giving agency authorized officers (AAO’s) a free personal accident insurance in recognition of their crucial role in the pension fund's processing of the loan applications of members. 

The system started giving AAO’s free personal accident insurance cards at the beginning of the year. 

Among those who are entitled to this free program are principal AAOs and their alternates. They will remain entitled to such as long they remain legitimate AAOs of their respective agencies and registered with the GSIS. The card is renewable every year. 

AAO’s are the ones that certify the loan applications of employees of their respective agencies through the electronic certification system required by the GSIS. They also submit an agency remittance advice (ARA) to the pension fund, containing the updated data of the member including salary adjustments, change of status, and change of position, among others, in electronic remittance format. 

All forms of accidents that result in death or dismemberment are covered by the free personal accident insurance, including dog bites and accidental gunshots, among others. 

The policy covers an indemnity of P500,000 for accidental death and dismemberment. For medical reimbursement, the claim is P50,000; for bereavement assistance, the claim is P10,000; and for unprovoked murder or assault, the claim is P50,000. 

Under this program, AAO’s are covered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Under its usual personal accident insurance program dubbed as "My Shield", the GSIS covers an individual aged three to 80 years old for a basement-low premium of just P0.40. For just 40 centavos, an individual can already get P1,000 worth of personal accident coverage. My Shield offers a minimum coverage of P50,000 to a maximum protection of P5 million, the GSIS press statement said. (muc/PIA-Caraga)
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Barangay Tinigbasan receives P50T

As part of its continuing effort to deliver the basic services to its constituents, the barangay council of Tinigbasan, Tubay, Agusan del Norte will soon receive the amount of P50,000.00 from the Participative Initiative in Governance (PING) Program of Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante for the completion of its street fencing (with baluster).

“Maayo kini nga proyekto sa Barangay Tinigbasan aron mapanindot ang palibot sa ilang lugar,” said Vice Governor Enrico R. Corvera, the author of Sanggunian Resolution No. 379-2009.

Said project was included in the Annual Investment Plan CY 2009. (MSMonoy)
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Cebuano News: Probinsya migahin og tabang gikan sa Calamity Fund

AGUSAN DE NORTE – Lima ka lungsod ni’ng probinsya ang niagi og baha/landslide niadtong typhoon “Urduja”.

Kini nga mga lungsod mao ang Jabonga, Buenavista, Tubay, Santiago ug Kitcharao.

Gitagaan og katungod si Provincial Governor Erlpe John M. Amante pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 414 para paggamit og gamay nga pundo nga kini pagakuhaon didto sa Calamity Fund sa kantidad nga Six Hundred Thousand Pesos (P600,000.00) aron pagtabang sa mga biktima sa flood/landslide. (JOMellejor)
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Provincial gov’t to adopt e-payroll
By Brian F. Caballos and Jay Vincent V. Demain

After a successful implementation of the multi-million peso computerization program for the improvement of the processingof all documents to better serve the general public, the provincial government will now also adopt the ATM payroll credit system to improve the payment of salaries to its workforce.

By virtue of a resolution recently approved by the Sanguniang Panlalawigan, Governor Erlpe John M. Amante is set to enter into an agreement with the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), Butuan, for the implementation of the ATM payroll credit system using the Landbank E-Card.

“The E-Card shall not be used for ATM transactions but also serves as personnel identification card with the access to selected personnel records,” Governor Amante said.

The E-card will be highlighted by the employee’s member’s picture, signature, local government unit (LGU) name, logo and the ATM magnetic stripe containing the Landbank ATM account data.

For the convience of officials and employees, an ATM machine shall also be installed as an off-site unit within the premises of the provincial Capitol compound, specifically at the gate beside the guard house along the main street which shall be accessible to the general public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A provincial employee was quoted saying, “ this improvement in our system is a welcome development since employees will no longer queue at the provincial cashier during payday but will just go to the ATM machines anywhere at their convenient time”.

The memorandum of agreement provides that the Landbank shall produce the E-Card which shall be free of charge. Replacement of lost card, however, will be charged P150.00 pesos to the employee.

This system is expected to be implemented within this quarter after the Sanguniang Panlalawigan approved said reolution authorizing the governor to sign the MOA authored by Board Member James T. Reserva.
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1 pharmacy 1 pharmacist rule, ipatuman sa Cabadbaran

Pinaagi sa City Ordinance No. 2009-19, gimando sa syudad sa Cabadbaran ang pagpatuman sa One Pharmacy One Pharmacist Rule sa tanang botica sa maong syudad, gawas sa Botika ng Barangay.

Sugod karon, gikinahanglan ang kada parmasya o botika, pribado man o pampubliko, adunay kaugalingong registered pharmacist nga magdumala gikan sa pagpangabli hangtod sa pagpanirado niini para dali ra matubag ang mga pangutana sa kustomer mahitungod sa tambal nga giresita sa doktor, kun insakto ba kini nga ipa-inom sa pasyente o kun pila ba ka kutsara sa tambal ang angay nga ipatumar sa bata sigon sa iyang pangidaron ug uban pa.

“Gipasa ni namo nga ordinansa kay adunay mga tambal nga dako gayod og tabang sa atong mga igsoon nga adunay mga balatian pero aduna usa’y mga tambal ( dangerous drugs/ chemeicals) nga ginadili ng mapalit sa publiko mao na nga mas mayo g’yod nga adunay i-hire nga pharmacist ang kada parmasya sa syudad sa Cabadbaran aron malikayan ang kadaot nga mapadangat ngadto sa atong mga kaigsoonan, “ matod pa ni SP Harris Glenn D. Puyot, ang nangamahan sa maong ordinansa. Gi-aprubahan kini sa Sanguniang Panlalawigan sa pag-paningkamot ni Bokal Aquino W. Gambe. (MS Monoy)
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2010 provincial budget up by 13 %
By Jay Vincent V. Demain

The provincial government’s budget is up by 13 % this year or Five Hundred Five Million One Hundred Seventy-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Three (P505,178,833.00) pesos as evidenced by the recently approved Provincial Ordinance No. 263-2009, known as the Annual Appropriation Ordinance of the province of Agusan del Norte for Fiscal year 2010. 
 
The budget will be used to fund the province’s operation, maintenance an other support services anchoring mainly on its share of the Internal Revenue Allotment from the National government as source of income.

For 2010, the province IRA is figured at P453,808.133.00 pesos with an increase of 15% compared to last year. This represents 90% of the total inc0me.

Other sources of income are: hospital fees which represents 5% of the revenue, local taxes which is 2% and 3% for operating & miscellaneous revenue.

For expenditures, 36% shall be funded for economic services; 27% for health, nutrition & population; 25% for social security and welfare, while 5% is reserve for calamity.

Also, allocated budget for the operation and maintenance of the Provincial Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office (PEEDMO) has increased by8.03% or P12, 288,711.00 pesos.

In this messages, Governor Erlpe John M. Amante said that this budget was prepared after through deliberation with concerned offices and departments to make it an effective tool to equitably allocate the limited resources to different service categories. It is primarily aimed for a higher and sustainable economic growth through reduction of income disparities, enrichment of social and cultural values, self sufficiency in food through the agricultural programs, social justice, ecological and environmental enhancement and protection, security through protective services support, coupled with a more vigorous thrust in infrastructure development through national assistance.

“These budgets manifest our determination to lay a strong foundation for a greater and progressive Agusan del Norte,” Governor Amante said.

PIA News Service - Wednesday, March 17, 2010-B

DOH-Caraga conducts newborn screening sales confab
By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY – To address issues and concerns on the Newborn Screening (NBS) program implementation in Caraga region, the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga recently conducted sales conference among potential partners in newborn screening program implementation held in one of the local convention centers here.

Stating the benefits and importance of newborn screening and its historical background, newborn screening nurse – Nanette Fat of DOH-Caraga, discussed the nature of the program. She also said that that newborn screening is a simple procedure to find out if your baby has a congenital metabolic disorder that may lead to mental retardation or even death if left untreated. 

“Most babies with metabolic disorders look ‘normal’ at birth. By doing newborn screening, metabolic disorders may be detected even before clinical signs and symptoms are present. And as a result of this, treatment can be given to prevent consequences of untreated conditions,” Fat said.

Fat further said that newborn screening is ideally done on the 48th-72nd hour of life. However, it may also be done 24 hours from birth. Some disorders are not detected if the test is done earlier than 24 hours.

When asked how newborn screening is done, Fat explained that ‘Newborn screening is a simple procedure. Using the heel prick method, a few drops of blood are taken from the baby’s heel and blotted on a special absorbent filter card. The blood is dried for 4 hours and sent to the Newborn Screening Center (NSC).’

Meanwhile, Newborn Screening Regional Coordinator Dr. Glynna Andoy of DOH-Caraga bared that the blood sample for newborn screening may be collected by a trained physician, nurse, midwife or medical technologist.

Dr. Andoy also stressed that Newborn Screening is available in participating newborn screening facilities like hospitals, lying-ins, rural health unit and health centers.

As to when the newborn screening results are available, Dr. Andoy said that the results are available 7-14 working days from the time newborn screening samples are received at the newborn screening centers while positive NBS results are relayed from the NSC to the Newborn Screening Facility (NSF) immediately. 

“Parents should claim the NBS results from the physician or health practitioner,” Dr. Andoy added. 

Dr. Andoy also pointed out that babies with positive results should be referred at once to a specialist for confirmatory testing and further management. Consult http://www.nsrc.nih.org.ph for the list of specialists.

Other issues and concerns were also raised and addressed thru an open forum right after the discussions of the speakers of the sales conference. (PIA-Caraga)


NYC intensifies commitment of RDC-RAC members
By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY – The Regional Advisory Council (RAC) of Caraga Region headed by the National Youth Commission (NYC) convened for a meeting, Friday (March 12) at the City Mayor’s Conference Room here.

NYC-Northeastern Mindanao Area Officer Eddie Cuaresma presided the meeting participated by representatives of various government line agencies.

RAC-Caraga Secretary Salma Jayne Tamano of NYC, said that presently, all regional line agencies that have youth programs are invited to be members of RAC and shall serve as the regional counterpart of the National Advisory Council (NAC).

 Also, Cuaresma bared that RAC was put in place for many valuable reasons, some of which is to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, it serve as a venue for sharing and disseminating info on each agency’s youth program.

“RAC members are expected to attend and actively participate in the RAC meetings; recommend innovations and strategies to NYC program implementation in the region; and assist the NYC in information dissemination and advocacy campaigns on various youth issues in the region,” Cuaresma added.

Cuaresma also stressed that RAC will serve as a mechanism for the NYC to reach the regional and provincial levels. It is a reality that NYC lacks regional infrastructure that would deliver services to the regional and provincial levels thus this hampers the realization of the agency’s objective to reach the youth sector in remote communities. (PIA-Caraga)


Caraga holds “Dialogue Mindanaw” on GRP-MILF peace process
By Michael A. Imbo 

BUTUAN CITY - Government of the Republic of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GRP-MILF) PEACE PROCESS initiated by the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) through the coordination of Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) conducted peace dialogue dubbed as “Dialogue Mindanaw”, held recently at Bishop’s Home, St. Peter’s Seminary, Barangay Ampayon, this city.

Among the highlights of the activity include: collecting ideas, gathered information and find solution on the conflict in GRP-MILF issues and Peace in Mindanao.

The activity is participated by the different sectors from Caraga region composed of religious groups, local government units, businessmen, professionals, farmers, indigenous peoples, women, youth societies, non-government organizations, fisherfolks, urban poor, academe, media, AFP, PNP and Muslims.

Dr. Ronald Adamat of the GRP panel presented the GRP-MILF Peace Talks last March 3, 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Adamat said “there are three major aspects of the Projected GRP-MILF peace agreement. These are: Security Aspect (Ceasefire); Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development Aspect; and the Ancestral Domain aspect.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Guimba Poingan, MILF speaker discussed the importance of solving the GRP-MILF conflict. According to him, the MILF is the largest armed group in Mindanao.

Dr. Poingan also said that the peace agreement between the GRP-MILF issues will make it easy on the part of the government to address other conflicts in Mindanao.

Negotiations are the prominent approach to resolve self-determination conflict as one of the best approaches, he said.

The MILF Speaker also said that there are six major issues arising from GRP-MILF negotiations, as follows: identity, homeland, resources, governance, security and relationship.

Also, Atty. Charina Sanz, representing the Regional Management Team gives orientation and determined the importance of every opinion and dialogue of Caraganons to share ideas in deliberation of peace process.

In the afternoon, part of the session required participants to form small group discussions with the presence of trained facilitators and documenters. 

Moreover, Rev. Fr. Carlito Clase of CCPD stressed that “instead of all out war we want all out dialogue.”

Dialogue Mindanaw is hosted by OPAPP in cooperation of CCPD lead Convener Most. Rev. Juan Dios M. Pueblos, Butuan Bishop. (PIA-Caraga)
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Cebuano News: GRP-MILF isyu gituki sa Dialogue Mindanaw
By Michael A. Imbo

BUTUAN CITY  – Gipahigayon ang usa ka “Dialogue Mindanaw” sa katuyuan nga makab-ot ang kalinaw sa tibuok isla sa Mindanaw tali sa kagubot sa panggamhanan sa Pilipinas batok sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front GRP-MILF aron matagaan kini sa tukmang kasulbaran pinaagi sa gihimong konsultasyon sa kumunidad dili pa lang dugay, didto sa Bishop’s Home, St. Peter’s Seminary Social Hall, Barangay Ampayon, ni’ng syudad.

Gihimo ang programa pinangunahan sa Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) inabagan kini sa Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) nga gipangunahan ni Most. Rev. Juan Dios Pueblos, Arsobispo ni’ng dakbayan.

Sa bahin sa gobyerno si Dr. Ronald Adamat ang nahimong tigpama-ba alang sa pagpasabot sa mga isyu lambigit sa prosesong kalinaw tali sa GRP-MILF.

Gibutyag niini ang tulo ka aspeto sa GRP-MILF agreement, una ang seguridad, tawhanong katungod, kauswagan ug ang kalabot sa yutang kabilin (ancestral domain).

Sumala ni Adamat nga dunay negosasyon nga gihimo didto sa Kuala Lumpur ang duha ka paksyon sa gobyerno ug MILF lambigit sa hisgutanang peace process.

Si Dr. Guimba Poingan ang mibarog kabahin sa MILF, gisulti niini nga angayan tutokan ang lalom nga kasulbaran tali sa GRP-MILF nga sa taas nga panahon nahimo nga ugat sa kagubot sa Mindanaw.

Dugang ni Dr. Poingan nga katuyuan sa grupo sa MILF ang sinserong negosasyon sa GRP-MILF ug matagad ang identipikasyon, yutang kabilin, bahandi, pagdumala sa gobyerno, seguridad ug relasyon.

Samtang si Atty. Charina Sanz, representante sa Regional Management Team ang mihatag sa kinatibuk-ang pagpadayag alang sa pagtampo ug mga ideya ug opinyon sa tagsa-tagsa aron magamit sa proseso sa pagkab-ot sa kalinaw.

Gisalmotan ang Dialogue Mindanaw sa nagkalain-laing sektor, gikan sa relihiyosong grupo, lokal nga kagamhanan, negosyante, propesyunal, mag-uuma, mangingisda, lumad, kristiyano ug muslim, apil sab ang kasundalohan, kapulisan, media, academe, grupo sa kabayen-an ug kabataan.

Sa katapusang bahin si Rev. Fr. Carlito Clase ang mitak-op sa programa ug iyang gisabwag nga ang Dialogue Mindanaw, dili pakig-debate kini pagtampo sa opinyon nga makatabang sa kasulbaran alang sa pagkab-ot sa Kalinaw sa Mindanaw. Gilauman nga magpadayon ang paglawig sa “Mindanaw Kalinaw!”. (PIA-Caraga)

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PIACAT Surigao del Sur strengthens implementation of RA 9208 & 9262

TANDAG, SURIGAO DEL SUR – The Provincial Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Person (PIACAT) of this province spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) convened recently to discuss on updates of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003 and Republic Act 9262 – Anti-Violence Against Women and Children of 2004. 

The conference aimed to strengthen the roles and responsibilities of each members of the council for the implementation of RA 9208 and RA 9262 for local level, held at the Provincial Capitol Conference Room participated by the PIACAT members from different line agencies and non-government organizations.

DSWD-Caraga Project officer Mr. Jbionne Pagalan discussed what RA 9208 is. According to him, it has given highest priority to the enactment of measures and development of programs that will promote human dignity; protect the people from violence and exploitation; eliminate trafficking in persons; and mitigate pressures for involuntary migration and servitude of persons. It will also ensure their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.

“RA 9262 on the other hand, will value the dignity of women and children; guarantee full respect for human rights; recognizes the need to protect the family and its members particularly women and children from violence and threats to their personal safety and security,” Mr. Pagalan added. 

Also, DSWD-Caraga revealed that there 17 victims were intercepted and rescued from Anti-Trafficking in Person as of June 2009. According to Mr. Pagalan, among the 17 victims, six are from Surigao City, five in Surigao del Norte, three in Agusan del Sur, two in Agusan del Norte and one in Dinagat Islands. 

Mr. Pagalan further said that trafficking in person cases mostly involved the minors, aged 13-17 years old, involving to sexual exploitation, force labor and organ donor.

Meanwhile, reorganization of PIACAT Members was suggested to add more members from line agencies and non-government organizations that could contribute for strengthening of implementation of the program. Proposed schedule for the orientation and roadshow campaign was also agreed by the members to be scheduled on April. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
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German gov’t mounts peace-building, anti-poverty projects in Caraga region

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German and Filipino development workers are cooperating with Region 13 local government units and civil society members in preparation for implementing a long-term, integrated program of poverty reduction through peace-building in the Caraga region. 

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The program supported by the German government aims at addressing the structural causes of the region’s conflicts. Most of the conflicts have to do with inequitable access to land and overlapping claims of land tenure, resulting in poor economic development and the exploitative depletion of the region’s resources.

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“Resource-based conflicts tend to result in unequal economic growth, severe poverty, environmental degradation, weak institutions, and the marginalization of entire population groups, particularly the indigenous peoples and women,” according to Holger Zahn, program manager of German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).

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The Caraga activities will be undertaken in the spirit of development cooperation between the Philippines and Germany. Among the organizations commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) to implement the program are GTZ, German Development Service (DED), Center for International Migration and Development (CIM), ZfD, forumZfD and Germany’s development banking institution KfW. Key players on the Philippine side are the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Mindanao Economic Development Council and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process. 
“We count very much on the Philippine government’s support for a successful and pragmatic implementation of our two countries’ development efforts,” said Zahn. 

Already completed is one of the program’s core elements - a participatory conflict analysis involving interviews with a wide representation of Caraga stakeholders, many of whom are also in the middle of conflict situations. These stakeholders from uplands, agricultural as well as coastal areas were able to shed light on the roots and dimensions of various conflicts by sharing their personal or in-depth knowledge.  

According to Zahn, the main advantage of a participatory approach over an externally driven analysis is its potential to achieve genuine dialogue and motivate the stakeholders themselves into taking ownership for conflict transformation. Furthermore it helps ensure the legitimacy of processes, decisions and peace-building measures to be undertaken, he added.

“The conduct of a participatory conflict analysis is an important part of the overall intervention. By its characteristics and inclusive nature, a participatory analysis promotes empowerment and increases the likelihood for sustainability,” he explained.  

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The conflict analysis gathered people’s perceptions and impressions towards a better understanding of the Caraga situation. It was not just about uncovering the background of Caraga’s prevalent social and political disputes but hearing out proposed solutions, as well. Lessons from previous peace-building initiatives were also surveyed.  

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The participatory conflict analysis lays the groundwork for a broader development mission in the region. Beginning 2011, the two governments will implement the integrated peace building and poverty reduction program entitled “Conflict Sensitive Resource and Asset Management” or COSERAM.

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“During the interim phase prior to COSERAM, we will draw up and test appropriate conflict transformation strategies and plan specific activities to support the people of Caraga in dealing with resource based conflicts effectively,” Zahn said. These activities are likely to include technical assistance in agro-forestry, coastal management, agriculture and the municipal management of resources such as water, which aim at directly benefitting the local population. (Oscar Gomez, German Technical Cooperation/ PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, March 17, 2010-A

Feature News: Less Pinoys anemic – nutrition survey

Good news! According to the recently concluded Seventh National Nutrition Survey (7th NNS) by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2008, anemia prevalence has decreased in the past five years.  

Anemia is having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood resulting in the decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. 

The decrease in the prevalence of anemia was evident among the at-risk critical groups of the population that include children, pregnant and lactating women. 

Children 6 months to one year old had prevalence of 5 in every 10 children in 2008 which is much lower than the 6 out 10 children in the previous survey in 2003. 

Children aged 1-5 years old who previously had a prevalence of 4 in every 10 children were anemic, dropped to only 2 in every 10 children last year. 

Prevalence in older children, 6-12 years old, decreased slightly from 3 out of 10 in 2003 to 2 out of 10 children in the 2008 survey. 

Pregnant and lactating women only had a slight decrease in their prevalence, from 43.9% in 2003 to 42.5% in 2008 for the pregnant women which is 4 in every 10 mothers and an increase from 3 in every 10 in 2003 to 4 in every 10 women in last year’s survey for the lactating women.

Though there is a downward trend, we must continuously fight anemia, because the problem of anemia continues to persist among various age groups. One good approach is proper nutrition. Eating a variety of food, balanced diet and eating the right amounts will go a long way in fighting and preventing anemia. 

We must also include foods which are good sources of iron. Animal sources are pork and beef liver, as well as fish and shellfish. 

Good plant sources are red mongo, kintsay tsina, kasubha, dried banana flowers, malunggay and saluyot. 

Having a proper diet is the first step in assuring the prevention of anemia in the country.
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For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/Fax Nos.: 837-2071 local 2296 or 2287; 837-3164; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com; Website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (Victor J. Alfonso, Jr., FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service)


Feature News: ABC of proper nutrition for good health

It has always been emphasized that proper nutrition is important in promoting adequate intake of essential nutrients to achieve good health. Good nutrition is said to be the basis of our existence.

There are benefits of having good nutrition. First, it allows the body to metabolize the nutrients to function properly.

When one takes sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates have been ingested, the body will be able to utilize the nutrients to build, repair and maintain the body tissues and other components.

Secondly, proper nutrition provides increased energy and prevents fatigue. The feeling of fatigue is said to be due to the excess of sugar in the diet.

Thirdly, through a proper, well-balanced and nutritious diet, one can maintain proper weight.

Obesity, which is due to excessive intake of food, leads to what we call “lifestyle diseases” such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. These diseases are examples of preventable diseases yet are leading causes of death in the world.

The increasing trend of lifestyle diseases are alarming and have called the attention of health and nutrition experts. Advocacy has been geared towards the reduction and prevention of these illnesses through proper nutrition.

Maintaining good nutrition is as easy as an ABC, plus DVM.

A for adequacy, B for balance, C for calorie control, D for nutrient density, M for moderation, and V for variety.

These are the six basic principles in diet planning. These principles can help one maintain proper nutrition but should be coupled with an active lifestyle to achieve good health, free from diseases.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact, Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, FNRI-DOST, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City. Direct lines and fax: (02) 837-2934 and 837-3164, Trunklines: 837-2071 local 2296 and 2284, 837-8113 local 318 and 319; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com. FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (Rhea C. Benavides-De Leon, FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service)
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Lathalain: Pagkaing niluto sa mantika kailangan din kumain araw-araw

Ang Gabay sa Wastong Nutrisyon o Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos na binalangkas sa pamumuno ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute ng Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) ay binubuo ng sampung pangunahing rekomendasyon na naglalayong itaguyod ang mabuting kalusugan at wastong nutrisyon ng mga Pilipino.

Ang pang-anim na gabay ay nagsasaad na “Kumain araw-araw ng mga pagkaing niluto sa mantika o edible oil”.

Ang pagsama ng mga pagkain na niluto sa mantika ay makapagbibigay ng karagdagang enerhiya bilang solusyon sa kakulangan sa enerhiya na idinudulot ng pagkain ng karaniwang Pilipino. Ang mantika ay kailangan din para sa mas maayos na paggamit ng katawan ng mga bitamina A, D, E at K.

Ang impormasyong ito ay hatid sa inyo ng FNRI-DOST, ang pangunahing ahensiya ng gobyerno sa pananaliksik sa pagkain at nutrisyon. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon at kaalaman sa pagkain at nutrisyon, sumulat o tumawag kay Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Direktor, FNRI-DOST sa kanyang email address: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph o mar_v_c@yahoo.com o sa telepono bilang 837-2934/837-3164. Maaari ding bisitahin ang FNRI website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (Marilou R. Galang, FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service)
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Lathalain: Kumain ng iba’t-ibang pagkain araw-araw

Ang Gabay sa Wastong Nutrisyon para sa Pilipino o Nutritional Guidelines for Filpinos na binalangkas sa pamumuno ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute ng Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) ay binubuo ng sampung pangunahing rekomendasyon na naglalayong itaguyod ang mabuting nutrisyon ng mga Pilipino.

Ang unang gabay ay nagsasaad na “Kumain ng iba’t-ibang uri ng pagkain araw-araw”. Layunin ng mensaheng itong ipabatid na:

• walang iisang pagkain ang makapagbibigay ng lahat ng sustansiyang
kailangan ng katawan.

• ang pagpili ng iba’t-ibang uri ng pagkain mula sa tatlong grupo ng pagkain ang unang hakbang upang makamit ang balanseng pagkain. Ang mga grupong ito ay (1) mga pagkaing nagbibigay lakas sa katawan, (2) mga pagkaing tagapag-buo ng katawan, at (3) mga pagkaing tagapagsaayos ng katawan.

Ang impormasyong ito ay hatid sa inyo ng FNRI-DOST, ang pangunahing ahensiya ng gobyerno sa pananaliksik sa pagkain at nutrisyon. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon at kaalaman sa pagkain at nutrisyon, sumulat o tumawag kay Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Direktor, FNRI-DOST sa kanyang email address: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph o mar_v_c@yahoo.com o sa telepono bilang 837-2934/837-3164. Maaari ding bisitahin ang FNRI website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (Marilou R. Galang, FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service)
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Lathalain: Malusog na pamumuhay para sa mahabang buhay
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Ang kalusugan ay ating kayamanan. Kasabihan nga ng mga pamilyang Pilipino-kahit walang pera basta malusog ang katawan at walang maysakit ay masaya na.

Wastong pagkain, pag-ehersisyo nang palagian, di paninigarilyo at pag-iwas sa pag-inom ng alak ang mga pangunahing sangkap sa malusog na pamumuhay. 

Narito ang ilang tips upang maisagawa ang maayos na pamumuhay o ang tinatawag na healthy lifestyle:

• Iwasan ang mga pagkaing mataas sa kaloriya, taba, sodium o asin;
• Mag-ehersisyo nang palagain o madalas. Gawin ang pag-eehersisyo nang tatlo o apat na beses sa isang linggo nang 20 hanggang 30 minuto o lagpas pa; 
• Huwag manigarilyo. Ang pinakamagandang panuntunan ay huwag magsimulang manigarilyo sapagkat kapag ito ay nakasanayan, ang paninigarilyo ay mahirap nang itigil; at
• Iwasan ang pag-inom ng maraming alak. Kung iinom man, ito’y dapat nasa katamtaman o moderate lamang na dami. Ang ibig sabihin ng moderate alcohol consumption ay isang bote sa isang araw para sa kababaihan at di lalagpas sa dalawang bote sa isang araw para sa kalalakihan. Ang isang bote ng alcoholic beverage ay katumbas ng isang bote ng beer (12 ounces) o kalahating baso ng alak o wine o isang jigger (1 ounce) ng whiskey o 1 ½ ounce ng gin.

Ang impormasyong ito ay hatid sa inyo ng FNRI-DOST, ang pangunahing ahensiya ng gobyerno sa pananaliksik sa pagkain at nutrisyon. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon at kaalaman sa pagkain at nutrisyon, sumulat o tumawag kay Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Direktor, FNRI-DOST sa kanyang email address: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph o mar_v_c@yahoo.com o sa telepono bilang 837-2934/837-3164. Maaari ding bisitahin ang FNRI website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso, FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service)
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Lathalain: Kamote, mainam na pampababa ng cholesterol

Mahilig ba kayong kumain ng kamote? Nangangamba ba kayong kumain ng kamote dahil ito’y nakakautot?

Alam ba ninyo na bukod sa sustansyang taglay ng kamote ay mainam din ito na pampababa ng kolesterol?

Sa ginawang pag-aaral ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute ng Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) sa anim na lamang-ugat tulad ng kamote, kamoteng-kahoy, gabi, ube at tugi, ang kamote at kamoteng kahoy ay may mahalagang epekto sa total blood cholesterol levels.

Ang kamote ay isa sa malimit itanim dito sa Pilipinas dahil ito ay tinuturing na isa rin sa mga pagkain o staple food gaya ng kanin at tinapay.

Ang kamote ay mayaman sa carbohydrates at carotene (katumbas ng bitamina A) depende sa kulay nito. 

Ang dilaw na kamote ay mayaman sa carotene kumpara sa puti at lila na uri. Samantala ang puting uri ng kamote ay mas mayaman sa kalsyum kaysa dilaw na uri. 

Mas mataas din ang taglay na iron at bitamina C ang puting kamote kaysa dilaw na uri. 

Ang lilang kamote ay may pinakamataas na taglay na bitamina kaysa sa dilaw at puti na uri.  
Nakasaad sa Gabay para sa Wastong Nutrisyon ng mga Pilipino na kumain na mas maraming gulay, prutas at lamang-ugat. 

Laging tandaan na ang kamote ay di lamang masustansya ngunit mura din ito At normal lamang ang umutot!

Ang impormasyong ito ay hatid sa inyo ng FNRI-DOST, ang pangunahing ahensiya ng gobyerno sa pananaliksik sa pagkain at nutrisyon. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon at kaalaman sa pagkain at nutrisyon, sumulat o tumawag kay Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Direktor, FNRI-DOST sa kanyang email address: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph o mar_v_c@yahoo.com o sa telepono bilang 837-2934/837-3164. Maaari ding bisitahin ang FNRI website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso, FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service)
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Lathalain: Cholesterol, tumataas habang nagkakaedad - FNRI

Sa huling survey na ginawa ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute ng Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), lumabas na habang nagkakaedad o tumatanda ang isang tao ay tumataas din ang lebel ng cholesterol sa dugo. Ito ay karaniwang napansin sa mga may edad na 40 hanggang 49 na taon. 

Anu-anong mga pagkain ba ang nagtataglay ng cholesterol? 

Kasama ba and mga ito sa karaniwang kinakain natin sa araw-araw? 

Ano ang dapat gawin upang malimitahan ang pagkain ng mga pagkaing mayaman sa cholesterol?

Ang mataas na lebel ng cholesterol ay karaniwang makikita sa mga pagkain mula sa hayop kagaya ng lamang-loob tulad ng atay, bato at utak at pati na mga shellfishes tulad ng alimango, hipon, clams, lobsters at oysters. 

Ang mga pagkain mula sa halaman gaya ng prutas at gulay ay hindi nagtataglay ng cholesterol.  

Huwag mangamba na isama sa pang-araw-araw na pagkain ang mantika bagkus alamin kung anong uri ng mga ito ang nakasasama o nakabubuti sa inyong katawan. 

Narito ang mga uri upang magkaroon ng ideya kung alin ang dapat isama o hindi sa inyong pang-araw-araw na pagkain:
 
• Saturated fats – ito ay matatagpuan sa karne, manok, balat ng manok, butter, lard, cream o krema, gatas at ang mga produkto nito, niyog, langis ng niyog at palm kernel oil. Limitahan ang pagkunsumo ng mga nabanggit na pagkain sapagkat ang mga ito ay mataas ang cholesterol, maliban sa langis ng niyog at palm kernel oil. Ang saturated fats ay nakapagpapataas ng low density lipoprotein (LDL) o “bad” cholesterol, isa sa mga risk factors sa pagkakaroon ng sakit sa puso. 

Dahil kahit ang langis ng niyog ay kasama sa mga tinatawag na saturated fats, ito ay binubuo ng tinatawag na medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) o medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).
 
Ang MCT ay kakaiba kaysa sa long chain fatty acids (LCFA) sapagkat ang nauna ay walang masamang epekto sa cholesterol at tumutulong pa ito upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng sakit sa puso.  

• Polyunsaturated fats – kasama dito ang corn, soybean, sunflower at safflower oils. Ang mga langis na ito ay tumutulong upang mapababa ang total at low density lipoprotein (LDL) o “bad” cholesterol at pataasin ang high density lipoprotein (HDL) o “good” cholesterol levels. Ang polyunsaturated fats kapag idinaaan sa proseso ng hydrogenation ay nagiging trans fats katulad ng makikita sa margarina. Ang trans fats ay katulad din ng saturated fats na nakapagpapataas ng low density lipoprotein o “bad” cholesterol, nagpapababa din ng high density cholesterol o “good” cholesterol at iba pang harmful effects nito sa kalusugan. 

• Monosaturated fats –kasama dito ang rapeseed at olive oil. Ang langis na ito ay tumutulong upang mapababa ang total at LDL cholesterol. Pinapanatili nito ang HDL cholesterol levels.

Tandaan, para sa malusog na puso,
(1) Kumain ng katamtamang dami ng saturated fats and oils.
(2) Ang cholesterol ay matatagpuan lamang sa animal foods; ang
  vegetable oils ay hindi nagtataglay ng cholesterol. 

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa pagkain at nutrisyon, makipag-ugnayan kay Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Direktor, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Deaprtment of Science and Technology, Bicutan, Taguig City, Tel. No. 837-29-34 or 837-20-71 loc. 2287, FNRI-DOST, email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph; o mar_v_c@yahoo.com, FNRI website:http//www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso, FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service)
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Feature News: Breastfeeding still best for babies even during emergencies

Calamities are pressing people’s physical and economic resources. The recent calamities that struck the country have displaced thousands of families and the aftermath is much worse as illnesses began to spread.

Infants and young children are the most vulnerable. Having weak immunity, they are the ones who easily get sick when staying in crowded evacuation centers. 

Undoubtedly, breastfeeding is the best for babies. Breastmilk is the perfect food for newborns and infants because it provides all the nutrients that are needed for healthy development.

Today, as families are in emergency situation and where basic infrastructure has been compromised, breastmilk provides a safe food for babies. Breastmilk contains antibodies that help protect them from common childhood illnesses like diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition. 

Moreover, breastmilk is readily safe, available and affordable. This helps to ensure that infants get adequate sustenance at the time when they need it, even in emergency situations. 

Feeding infants and young children with milk formulas may pose dangers to their nutrition and health status. First, safe water needed for the preparation of milk formula and for cleaning and sterilizing materials such as bottles and nipples may not be available in the area. Water in evacuation centers maybe contaminated to cause diarrhea, cholera and other water-borne diseases. 

In the recent news, many people have already been reported to have these diseases and it is still rising in numbers.

Water should be put to a rolling boil for at least 3 minutes if it is to be used to prepare milk formulas. Bottles and nipples should be boiled longer to make them sterile. 

This poses the problem of not only safe water but also fuel source, which may also be scarce in evacuation centers.

Storage equipment, like a refrigerator, is most of the time not available and the hot environment in evacuation areas make milk formulas easily spoil. 

In a situation where economic activities of a household are disrupted, income and savings, if there are any, are exhausted, and thus, milk formulas become inaccessible. 

Mothers who are under stress may have stopped lactating for a day or so, but this can be overcome with good support. 

It is a myth to think that because mothers are under stressful situations, they would not be able to breastfeed. They only need support for re-lactation. 

The other myth is that because mothers are undernourished or are sick, they cannot breastfeed or the milk is of poor quality. This is not true because even very malnourished mothers can produce good milk. 

Under these conditions, breastmilk may be in lower amount but it is still the best source of nourishment for the baby. Mothers, if undernourished as in such case, should be given the nutritional support that she needs.

Indeed, breastfeeding is a life saving intervention. It is best for babies in normal and emergency situations.

For more information on cassava and its products or on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Bicutan, Taguig City; Trunkline: 837-2071 local 2296 or 2287; Telephone/Fax No.: 837-3164; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com; Website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (Charina A. Javier, FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, March 17, 2010

GSIS adds power, benefits to eCard with UMID compliance

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) further empowers the eCard, the all-in-one utility card of its members and pensioners, by making it 100-percent compliant with the Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) System.

The GSIS will soon introduce the UMID-compliant eCard, replacing the eCard Plus. Replacement of the card, according to the pension fund, will be free.

And because it is UMID-compliant, the new eCard will already bear a Common Reference Number or CRN. The CRN is the primary identifier of an individual transacting business or availing of services from any government agency.

With the CRN, the UMID-compliant eCard will serve as a valid identification card not only for the GSIS but also for the Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and other government agencies. 
The UMID system is an offshoot of Executive Order No. 420 which requires all government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations to streamline and harmonize their identification systems through the use of a unified multi-purpose ID.

With the use of a single identification system, government agencies, such as the GSIS will be able to get rid of redundant databases. 

The UMID system will also enhance the integrity of state-issued ID cards, facilitate the public’s transactions with the government, and cut costs from producing different IDs.

Since the birth of the eCard in 2004, it has already evolved into the most technologically advanced card in the country today.

The eCard Plus, whose earliest functions was just an identification and an ATM card, is now a transaction card, a hospitalization card, an education benefit card, and a discount card.

Active members can apply for different loan products (Policy Loan, Cash Advance, ConsoLoan), while pensioners can renew their active status (ARAS) and apply for a pension loan using the GSIS eCard through the G-W@PS kiosk.

GSIS members and pensioners can also withdraw proceeds of pension, claims, or loans using any ATM worldwide.
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By also presenting their eCard at any GSIS partner hospital, members and pensioners can get up to 50 percent in discount with the help of the GSIS Hospitalization Support Program (GHSP). 

Recently, the GSIS has also tied up with Pfizer to give eCard holders up to 55 percent discount on selected Pfizer-manufactured drugs if they present their eCard along with their prescription in over 1,800 participating drugstores and pharmacies nationwide.

In addition, the eCard is also now an education benefit card. By simply presenting the eCard, qualified relatives of GSIS members and pensioners, who are going to enroll as incoming freshmen in any STI campus nationwide can already benefit from a twenty percent (20%) scholarship grant on tuition and laboratory fees.  

With compliance to the UMID system, the GSIS adds more power to its pioneer project. All the above features, according to the GSIS, will be retained by the UMID-compliant eCard.

Apart from the GSIS, other government agencies moving into UMID are the SSS, Philhealth, and the HDMF. (GSIS)
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GSIS gives free Personal Accident Insurance to AAOs

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is giving agency authorized officers (AAOs) a free Personal Accident Insurance in recognition of the AAOs’ crucial role in the pension fund’s processing of the loan applications of members.

The System started giving AAOs free Personal Accident Insurance cards at the beginning of the year. 

Among those who are entitled to this free program are principal AAOs and their alternates. They will remain entitled to such as long they remain legitimate AAOs of their respective agencies and registered with the GSIS. The card is renewable every year.

AAOs are the ones that certify the loan applications of employees of their respective agencies through the electronic certification system required by the GSIS. They also submit an agency remittance advice (ARA) to the pension fund, containing the updated data of the member including salary adjustments, change of status, and change of position, among others, in electronic remittance format. The GSIS updates the member’s GSIS records accordingly based on the ARA.
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To date, of the total 16,300 registered AAOs in the country, around 8,000 of them have already availed of the free Personal Accident Insurance card.

All forms of accidents that result in death or dismemberment are covered by the free Personal Accident Insurance, including dog bites and accidental gunshots, among others.  

The policy covers an indemnity of P500,000 for accidental death and dismemberment. For medical reimbursement, the claim is P50,000; for bereavement assistance, the claim is P10,000; and for unprovoked murder or assault, the claim is P50,000.

Under this program, AAOs are covered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever the accident occurred. 

To file for claims, the AAO must file a notice of loss within 14 days to the nearest GSIS servicing office. For those who have not yet availed of their free Personal Accident Insurance card, the GSIS advises them to contact their respective GSIS Membership coordinator or send an email to ragustin@gsis.gov.ph or call 02-4793561 for further inquiries or assistance.  

Under its usual personal accident insurance program dubbed as My Shield, the GSIS covers an individual aged three to 80 years old for a basement-low premium of just P0.40. For just 40 centavos, an individual can already get P1,000 worth of personal accident coverage . My Shield offers a minimum coverage of P50,000 to a maximum protection of P5 million.

The GSIS, by virtue of Republic Act 656 as amended by Presidential Decree 245, is allowed to engage in all kinds of insurance and reinsurance business. In addition, the state-run pension fund is empowered to insure all properties, assets, and interests of the government against any insurable risk. (GSIS)


GSIS disposes of P30-million Davao property

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) recently added P30 million into its coffers with the sale of La Marbella, a four-storey hotel in Davao City. The property was sold to booming real estate developer Woodridge Properties, Inc. (WPI).  

The hotel, an acquired asset of the GSIS, was turned over to the GSIS in August 2008 due to the failure of Metro Davao Agri-Hotel Corp. to settle an outstanding loan amounting P58.48 million. 
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Since the turn-over, the GSIS has been incurring an annual carrying cost of P450,000 to secure the property.  

“The GSIS continues to dispose of non-performing assets (NPAs) to improve the cash position of the pension fund. This ultimately benefits our members and pensioners. We have been successful in unloading many big ticket accounts and with this, such assets are put to use and we are able to boost economic growth,” GSIS President and General Manager Winston F. Garcia said.

WPI will re-open the hotel this year after undertaking several expansion plans, which includes increasing its capacity. The four-storey hotel has a land area of 410 square meters (sqm) and a floor area of 1,640 sqm. It currently has 38 rooms with amenities.

“WPI is currently diversifying thus our entry to the hotel and resort business. We saw the opportunity in La Marbella because its location is very strategic. It is located in J.P. Rizal which is downtown of Davao City,” WPI President and Chief Executive Officer Ernesto T. Matugas said.

Founded in July 1997, WPI has developed more than 230,000 sqm of land and built more than 1,000 house and lot units for the middle income market. At present, it has P4 billion in new and upcoming projects and has a land bank of over 300,000 sqm.

WPI’s main business is into middle-income residential development with several projects in Las Pinas and Cavite. With its diversification, the company is also developing a hotel in Las Pinas and is planning to operate the Puerto Azul Beach and Country Club, also an acquired asset of the GSIS.

“We have expressed our interest in operating Puerto Azul under the brand Best Western, which is an international hotel chain. We also continue to eye for other GSIS properties which we feel will highly contribute to the growth of our business,” Matugas added.

The sale of La Marbella was concluded last week with Matugas, GSIS Senior Vice President for Asset Management Group Cecil L. Feleo, and other GSIS and WPI officials present during the turnover. (GSIS)


GSIS to informal settlers: Let’s strike a deal

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is encouraging families who for the longest time have been illegally occupying GSIS-owned houses to enter into a purchase agreement with the pension fund to avoid being evicted.
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The GSIS offers these properties at a guaranteed interest rate of 6 percent per annum, the lowest there is in the market, to make housing more affordable for the informal settlers.  

“For as low as P3,500 a month for every P500,000 loan, these families can secure themselves of a good future,” Atty. Joseph Philip T. Andres, GSIS VP for Business Development and Accounts Recovery Office said.

According to Atty. Andres, most of the families who are occupying the said properties are not the original awardees who had entered into a Deed of Conditional Sale (DCS) with the GSIS.

“A significant number of these illegal occupants are victims of a syndicate. There is one group reportedly operating in San Francisco Homes in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan who offer houses long abandoned by the original awardees. The group reportedly offers the foreclosed houses for a very low price but their titles are fake,” Atty. Andres said. 

“These families end up paying for a property that could never be theirs because the titles are still with the GSIS. The best thing for them to do is to directly deal with the GSIS,” he added. 

The GSIS is offering these houses through its asset disposition program called Garantisadong Mababang Amortization na House En Lot Para Sa’yo or GMA HeLPS.

“The program goes for the original awardees also who have long been in default of their payments and whose DCS have already been cancelled by the GSIS,” Atty. Andres said. 

GMA HeLPS is open to GSIS members and non-members. Interested buyers can log on to the GSIS website www.gsis.gov.ph to see the complete list of houses available under the GMA HeLPS program.

If in case the property being occupied by an interested buyer is not found in the GSIS website, Atty. Andres advises the buyer to coordinate with his office immediately for the processing and completion of the required documentation.

Launched in May 2007, GMA HeLPS offers a guaranteed 6 percent interest rate, fixed throughout the period of the term. The program also offers a repayment term of up to 30 years, giving home buyers more flexibility.  

The program also has easy and multiple payment options, allowing home buyers to squeeze in a few luxuries into their budget. Options include over-the-counter payments, post-dated checks, and salary deductions for members. A three-month grace period is also given before payment of the first monthly amortization.
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Unlike banks which have imposed stricter requirements on home buyers in the light of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, GSIS has also waived the application fee for interested parties and demands minimal documentary requirements.

In addition, the program also offers a 10 percent discount for cash sales and the lowest fire insurance premium in the market for purchase of house and lot on installment.

House and lots under the program are located at established communities with amenities. These homes are in over 70 locations, including key cities in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Leyte, Western Samar, and South Cotabato.

The GSIS, under the leadership of its President and General Manager Winston F. Garcia, has been actively re-acquiring properties which payments have long been in default.

In tandem with this, the pension fund is also holding talks with illegal occupants to encourage them to acquire the property to avoid being sued and getting evicted. (GSIS)
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10,000 workers might loss jobs due to worsening Mindanao power crisis 

BUTUAN CITY (March 17) - About 10,000 workers might lose their jobs as major industries, particularly in farming, food, fishing, mining and wood, plan to temporarily trim-down their work force due to severe power problem and dry spell in Mindanao. 

The Misamis Oriental legislative body has even passed a resolution urging the agriculture department to integrate in its list of priorities the implementation of a program that would grant alternative livelihood for farmers adversely affected by the dry spell caused by El Nino weather disturbance. 

The resolution, authored by Misamis Oriental Vice Gov. Norris Babiera, seeks a program similar to the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment program( CLEEP )of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE). 

The long dry spell in Mindanao is not just affecting the island’s power generation but its fruit tree production as well. 

The Mindanao Fruit Council (MFC) has warned that a prolonged dry spell would kill many fruit trees in affected areas, leading to lay off of fruit tree growers and loss of income of farmers. 

MFC executive Larry Miculob said many trees were now "stressed" because of lack of water and if fruit farmers, both small and big producers, do not have sufficient irrigation system, a lot of fruit trees may die after April 15. 

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Sunday warned of "severe" job losses in Mindanao, which is now under a state of calamity due to crippling power shortage. 

TUCP secretary-general Ernesto Herrera said the DoLE should step in and find ways to mitigate the upcoming problem of the workers due to severe brownouts currently plaguing the southern island. 

“Major industries might carry out strategies that include fewer work shifts and the rotation of workers," said the former senator. 

Other power-intensive industries being hit hard by the brownouts are steel and cement manufacturing, canning, commercial fishing, food processing, retail trade and telecommunications. 

The power crisis in Mindanao has been aggravated by the prolonged dry spell due to the El Niño weather disturbance, which has reduced the region’s hydropower efficency since late January. 

Last week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared a state of calamity in the entire Mindanao to enable provincial, city, and municipal governments to acquire extra generators without going through the usual procurement process and other mitigating measures. 

Mrs. Arroyo placed the national government’s calamity fund at P10 billion, of which P55 billion were allocated for the power sector and P4.5 billion for agriculture. 

Meanwhile, the National grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said on its Monday’s advisory that the Mindanao grid would continue to experience generation deficiency of 632 megawatts (MW). 

The NGCP said a lower deficiency could be attributed to a decrease in peak demand. The limited power supply in the island is still caused by the inadequate available capacities from the grid's main power sources - National Power Corp.'s (Napocor) hydro power plants. Almost all of the company's power plants have water reservoirs that are drying up due to the El Niño phenomenon. 

The government is meeting the 33-member cooperatives of the Mindanao Electric Power Alliance (MEPA) to solve the worsening power crisis in the southern island. 

The recommendations from MEPA will be submitted to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today. 

Mindanao grid had been suffering from a minimum of five hours to a maximum of eight hours rotating brownouts since last month. 

NGCP will continue to monitor power grid conditions, the advisory said. 

As this developed, the Mindanao’s 33 electric cooperatives have started negotiations with power producer Aboitiz Power Corp. (Aboitiz Power) for the possibility of aligning some 150 MW of additional power supplies to the critical Mindanao power grid. 

The groups is also exploring the possibility of opening negotiations with Aboitiz Power for the utilization of the additional 50 MW from its diesel-fired power barge stationed in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte province. (muc/PIA-Caraga)
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5,000 hectares of banana plantation expansion set in Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte 

BUTUAN CITY (March 17) - Due to its market demand, three banana plantation growers are set to expand at least 5,000 hectares in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Norte for a wider production this year. 

Dole Philippines is already preparing a 1,000 to 3,000 hectares expansion of banana plantation this year in Tago town, Surigao del Sur. 

The Cabadbaran banana plantation in Cabadbaran City and Tubay banana plantation in Tubay town, both of Agusan del Norte province are also setting up another 1,000 hectares expansion, also this year. 

AMS Farms and AM Soriano in Cabadbaran and Tubay, respectively, and Dole Philippines are eyeing more expansion this year and next year to meet their domestic and foreign market demands. 

 “This is another 2,000 jobs for this year in these areas,” said Northeastern Mindanao Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Brielgo O. Pagaran. 

Pagaran also said the US$ 2-billion processing plant of Sumitomo Company is also set to operate this year with 300 new jobs also seen. 

In another development, farm equipments were distributed to municipalities thru the effort of Agusan del Sur Gov. Maria Valentina G. Plaza. 

Components of the equipment include rice drum seeders and knapsack sprayers to the different recipients as per rice cluster municipality like Bayugan with 30 units, Esperanza 15 units, Talacogon 20 units, Prosperidad 10 units, San Francisco, Trento and Bunawan with five units each, Sta. Josefa nine units and a unit for the Agusan del Sur Provincial Agriculture Office. 

The recipient farmer-beneficiaries acquire the actual demonstration and lecture on the direct-seeding technology, operation, care and maintenance of rice drum seeders. (muc/PIA-Caraga) 
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2 big fires kills 3, razes 630 houses in Butuan City

BUTUAN CITY (March 17) - In less than 12 hours, two big fires of still unknown origin killed two children and an old woman, and gutted 630 houses at residential areas in this region’s capital city. 
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The estimated initial damage of the two big fires was placed at P20 million. 

The first fire at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday razed 600 houses at Puroks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 of Barangay Ong Yui. The fire also gutted a Muslim community mosque. 

The first fatality was a 70-year old woman, identified only as certain “Melody. The victim died during the massive evacuation. 

The fire was placed under control at about 5 p.m. by responding fire trucks from various municipalities in Agusan del Norte province and this city, said Agusan Fire Marshal Pedro Balatero. 

The fire also injured some of the residents. 

The Butuan City Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the fire and the actual cost of the damage. 

In a separate incident, two children died in the 1:45 a.m. Wednesday fire that also gutted 30 houses at Purok 8, Barangay Obrero, this city. 

Authorities identified the fatalities as Dyan Sagado, five years old, and her elder brother Henry, seven, both of Purok 8, Barangay Obrero. 

The charred bodies of the two were found embracing each other by fire rescue team. 

Fire out was declared at 3 a.m. today. 

City Mayor Democrito Plaza already mobilized the city’s social welfare office to assist the fire victims now temporarily sheltered at Barangay Ong Yui covered court and a nearby school and Barangay Obrero Hall. 

The city chief executive ordered the distribution of foods, clothes, medicines and other immediate needs to the fire victims. 

“Everybody must take extra precautions due to severe dry spell, especially that we are observing the fire prevention month,” said Mayor Plaza. (muc/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Feature: Pinoy youths struggle mounting unemployment

SURIGAO CITY (March 16) – Filipino youths are almost twice to be unemployed than adults, an International Labor Organization (ILO) official said during a National Youth Conference/Workshop for Decent Work under Global Crisis organized by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) held recently in Tagaytay City.

ILO Employment and Migration Project Coordinator Roche Angon said that in the 2008 NSO Labor Force survey, Filipino young people aged 24 years old and below across the nation hit bloc nearly 50% unemployed.

 “In 2008, about 6.58 million youth are employed compared with 27.5 million adult workers. Consequently, 1.4 million youth are unemployed or 17.4% as compared to 4.6% or 1.33 million adult unemployed,” said Angon.

She also said that youth unemployment across the region has risen as inadequate training and the widespread use of short-term jobs make young workers one of the main victims of the economic meltdown.

Meantime, Toshiyuki Wakatsuki, Youth & Education Senior Officer of the International Trade Union Confederation in Asia Pacific (ITUC-AP) described youth unemployment rate as “very critical.” 

Wakatsuki attributed the high youth unemployment rate on the fact that young people in their own respective countries are primarily employed on short-term contracts that require company to pay lesser benefits and these have been the first to be eliminated in the recession.
 
Wakatsuki then called for an urgent support for the youth that include opportunities for employment and job creation, education, training/re-training and job exchange, working and social lives of the youth and trade union participation.

Decent Jobs for Filipino Youth 

The ILO together with other UN country team agencies that include International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) developed a program called Youth, Employment and Migration (YEM): Alternatives to Migration, Decent Jobs for Filipino Youth specifically to improved policy coherence and implementation on youth, employment and migration through full stakeholder participation, and increased access to decent work for poor specifically to the young women and men in the country.

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The YEM according to Angon will be implemented by the different line agencies which act as the National Steering Committee. 

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She however said that the YEM Programme will only be implemented on the identified pilot project sites in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Antique, Masbate and Maguindanao. 

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“Discussions and workshop were already conducted to the different stakeholders and we are now in the initial stage of implementation,” she added.

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“The programs hopes to benefit some 10,000 poor and vulnerable youth aged from 15-24 years old who are Out-of-School Youths, In-school Youths, high school graduates, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Youth left behind by OFW parents,” said Angon.

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Trade Unions to the Rescue

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To demonstrate its concern for members, TUCP Campaign Officer Dominador Tuvera introduced the SALT program which stands as Solidarity action, Advocacy, Legislation and Trade Unions’ action. 

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“It will be the unions’ action to the mounting unemployment problem of the youth in the country,” said Tuvera.

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The SALT will serve as an entry point in engaging government’s programs and speed up its responses and interventions.

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He also reminded its members the right to organize and collective bargaining. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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DOH-Caraga strengthens newborn screening campaign

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By Jennifer P. Gaitano

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BUTUAN CITY – To ensure every child’s health from its birth, the Center for Health Development (CHD) of the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga strengthens it campaign on the newborn screening implementation especially to the health facilities in the region. 

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DOH-Caraga bared that newborn screening is an essential public health strategy that enables early detection of several metabolic disorders that could lead to mental retardation if not treated earlier. It has been an integral part of routine newborn care as mandated by the Republic Act 9288 otherwise known as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004.

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According to reports, Caraga region at present have 61 newborn screening facilities. Among these facilities, only few have reached the target of screening 85% of the delivered babies. Through monitoring and evaluation of these facilities, major persistent issues that hamper increase of coverage were uncovered. The low performances of the facility are due to the increasing numbers of indigent patients and lack of information and education of parents regarding importance of newborn screening.

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In line with this, CHD-DOH recently conducted the Sales Conference among partners in Newborn Screening program Implementation. The conference was conducted to ensure that the targeted coverage is met through adequate and sustained Newborn Screening information and education at all levels and lobby for funding to sponsor screening of indigent patients. 

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Also, part of the activity was also to rally support of the individual/s groups who have powerful influence at the grassroots level and have big roles in changing the lives of the future members of the society.

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With this advocacy, CHD-DOH is optimistic that families will bare with the implementation of the screening implementation as well as to all health facilities in the region. (PIA-Caraga) 
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NFA assures stable rice supply despite El Niño

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Regional Director Gil Pepito B. Paqueo assured the public of the availability of NFA rice to last a few months despite the threat of prolonged drought brought by the El Niño weather pattern this year.

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RD Paqueo said that 128,750 bags of imported rice on board M/V BINH PHOUC and 120,000 bags unloaded from M/V VINH HUNG respectively from Thailand and Vietnam arrived recently at the port of Surigao City to beef up the stock inventory of the region. He also disclosed that the third vessel is due to drop anchor this week with a shipment of 130,000 bags of Vietnam rice in Surigao City port. 

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This supply, he said, is part of the 1.6 million bags expected to arrive in the region this year. The region’s share in the rice importation has increased by 300,000 bags from the original procurement plan of 1.3 million bags as part of the El Nino mitigation plan. These rice imports will also cater the needs of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Province of Dinagat Islands. 

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With the regional consumption rate of 22,800 bags on the average daily, the NFA can sustain the market demand for the next 127 days. “With this inventory, we are capable of flooding the market with the commodity (and prevent) attempts to manipulate price and (put) consumers at a disadvantaged position,” said Paqueo.

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He also noted that while prices of commercial rice have gone up slightly, NFA rice continues to be sold at P18.25 and P25 per kilo. “It is the agency’s commitment to make NFA rice available and visible in the market in order for the consumer to buy rice at low prices”, he said.

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He then urged the public to send their comments, suggestions, queries and complaints in case of rice diversion, rebagging and overpricing to NFA office at (085) 342-7898. (Christine S. Parinas, NFA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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NFA opens new warehouse

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National Food Authority headed by Regional Director Gil Pepito B. Paqueo officially inaugurated its 30,000-bag capacity warehouse in Brgy. Luna San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands, last February 22, 2010.

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Gracing the event were Gov. Geraldine “Jade” B. Ecleo and Tubajon Mayor Ronaldo O. Luib Sr. During the ceremony, Gov. Ecleo led the inaugural cutting of the ribbon and unveiling of the marker together with NFA Regional Director Paqueo and Assistant Regional Director Rolando M. Maravilla.

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Gov. Ecleo was thankful for the construction of the warehouse in Dinagat which is very essential in order to deliver the rice needs of the people. She further commented that the NFA warehouse is a big help to the provincial government in serving the surrounding municipalities and nearby island barangays.

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The blessing of the NFA warehouse was attended by NFA Caraga regional Staff and NFA Surigao del Norte employees. It was also participated by local officials and staff from Dinagat Islands Provincial Office.

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The said warehouse is primarily aimed to increase storage for rice requirements which will cater to more than 108 barangays. It will also serve as rice depot supplying to adjacent islands.

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The one-hectare land was donated by Carmencita Balocan of that same province. (Christine S. Parinas, NFA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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Domestic Violence up in Caraga

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BUTUAN CITY – The incidence of spousal violence of women in Caraga posted high than on national average.

According to the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 20.9.% of married women age 15-49 in the region experienced physical violence by their spouse, which is higher compared to the national figure (14.4%).

Survey further revealed that women were hit by their husband because of jealousy (37.6%), followed by insist on knowing where she is at all times (23.8) and frequently accusing on being unfaithful (22.6%).

A study disclosed that women with exposure to spousal violence would likely result to mental health problems, which include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and suicidal behaviors and might have an increased risk of premature mortality due to the direct effects of trauma and due to increased risk of suicide.

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On the other hand, the children and youth who witness family violence is more likely to use drugs, more likely to have suicidal thoughts and more likely to be charged with a criminal offense and as he grow up the child may uphold that violence is an acceptable form of conflict resolution. Thus, practice the same as soon as he/she has a family.

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Furthermore, the greater is the amount of physical violence towards a spouse, the greater the probability of physical abuse of a child by the abusive spouse.

NDHS also revealed that married women here in the region have committed physical violence against their husband (24.2%).

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The Commission on Population thru the Local Population Offices emphasized in the Responsible Parenting Movement classes that some of the important elements of a happy relationship between husband and wife are love, respect and understanding to avoid violence and achieve a harmonious married life. (Angie Balen, POPCOM-13/ PIA-Caraga)