Salceda urges GSIS to restudy suspension of housing loans to members

by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, June 30 (PIA) -- Governor Joey Salceda of Albay has strongly urged the new management the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to review its policy on suspension of housing loans to its members seen not beneficial to its more than 1.4 million members.

Salceda, chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC), pointed out during the full council meeting last Friday that transferring the housing loan from GSIS to Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) will increase the cost of the loans because of the add on administrative cost and the expected higher interest rates due to higher cost of money transferred to it.

“Why should GSIS transfer funds to HDMF or Pagibig when GSIS members are already members of Pagibig and are already entitled to borrow from the fund?” Salceda asked.

GSIS funds are taken from the 9 percent deducted from the gross salaries of government employees as its member and 12 percent government share.

During the same conference, RDC Bicol has approved a resolution expressing its strong objection to GSIS top management’s recent decision suspending housing loans to its members and transferring funds to the Pagbig fund, further urging the same to review its negative implication to its members as expressed by chairman Salceda. (MAL/EDL, PIA V)

Demand up for pili products in the local, international market -- DTI V

by Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, June 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office here has been pursuing the massive pili planting and farming in Bicol not only for environmental purposes, but more importantly, to boost the already booming industry in the local market and abroad.

Jocelyn Berango, information officer of DTI V, said demands for pili (Canarium ovatum) products continue to increase both in the local and international market with a competitive edge at par with food garnishing nuts, extracted oil, resin, among others in the world.

She said that under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and through the farmer-beneficiaries, the agency has since planted at least 10,000 pili seedlings this year in different parts of the region.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional field office here has provided the seedlings, conducted site validation and made available its technical people to assist in the implementation of the project as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), entered into by and between the DTI and DA.

Pili, described as the “majestic tree” and fast emerging as another “tree of life” next to coconut is now Bicol’s “flagship crop and industry.”

The Philippines had been exporting pili nuts to Hawaii, Germany, France, Great Britain, Japan,and China since before World War II, according to the Plant Industry Digest published in 1970.

A study conducted by a team of biotechnologists has also urged the national government to support the pili industry in Bicol and improve the tree as a source of resin but also of oil and other micronutrients.

The agency, Berango said, continues to pursue industry development in its desire to boost pili commercialization as a source of livelihood among beneficiaries and provide significant employment to farmers, traders, processors and private entrepreneurs industry in Bicol.

“The planting of Pili trees not only helped the farmer beneficiaries but more so, it would even help in reducing air pollution because of their high carbon absorption ability,” she added.

In recent development, pili plantation in Bicol has increased in hectarage and improved the quality of the processed products

Berango furthered that “not to mention the sturdiness of the trees that makes them more resistant to strong winds and super typhoons. “ (MAL, PIA V/with reports from JRB, DTI V)

July is 16th Police Community Relations Month

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Office will be celebrating its 16th Police-Community Relations Month from July 1-31, 2011 with the theme: “Matatag na Ugnayan ng Mamamayan at Kapulisan Tungo sa Mapayapa at Ligtas na Pamayanan”.

The month-long observance is mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 764 which declares the month of July every year as Police Community Relations Month, with the National Police Commission as the lead agency.

In this connection, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Catanduanes Information Center Manager, Edna A. Bagadiong being one of PNP’s partners in the overall scheme of crime prevention with the province of Catanduanes will be one of the awardees this year.

A certificate of Recognition will be awarded during the 2011 Police-Community Relations Month Kick-Off Activity/ Distinguished Visitors Program on July 5, 011 at the Catanduanes Provincial Police Office, Camp Francisco Camacho, Virac, Catanduanes.

The program will coincide with a flag raising ceremony to be held on the said day. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)`

No Chinese 'cloudy agent' contamination case in Bicol—DOH

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, June 30 (PIA) -- Despite the quieting down of the Di Ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) scare that gripped the nation early this June, the Department of Health-Center for Health and Development (DOH-CHD) in Bicol continues with its monitoring activity.

To date, the DOH disclosed that no DEHP contamination has been noted in the 233 establishments checked by the Food and Drug Administration office.

Health Director Nestor F. Santiago said that special regional monitoring teams were deployed throughout the region to monitor food products which whose results revealed negative contamination of the DEHP.

Of the 233 establishments screened, 6 are located in Albay, 108 in Camarines Norte, 43 in Camarines Sur, 20 in Catanduanes, 4 in Masbate and 52 in Sorsogon.

A total of 2,131 Taiwan-manufactured food items from these establishments were verified and found out that said items were not in the list of contaminated products.

Also, 96 per cent or 2,048 Taiwanese food items of the 2,131 examined were voluntary pulled out by store owners.

High-risk products from Taiwan monitored by DOH-FDA included sports drinks, fruit juices and soft drinks.

The DEHP scare started when Taiwanese authorities have discovered that DEHP was illegally added to a food product raw material called cloudy agent that improves the emulsification of a product. The Taiwan government has informed the Philippine government particularly the health department that involved material or products may have been exported to the country.

DEHP is widely used as a plasticizer in the manufacturing of articles including medical devices like intravenous bags and tubings, blood bags and infusion tubings and nasogastric tubes. Health authorizes said that low doses of DEHP is generally safe but with high doses or prolonged and repeated exposure is harmful especially to children. It could lead to testicular defects, fertility problems and toxicity to kidneys.

Efforts to trace the products in question are still in progress in the country and in Bicol in particular to ensure that products are safe for consumers.

Aside from the continuous monitoring, the DOH-CHD Bicol has coordinated and requested for personnel augmentation from local government units in the monitoring of DEHP contamination.

DOH, too, cautions consumers to be vigilant and suggested that in case they have purchased questionable products or those recalled throwing them away in a manner that will prevent others from consuming them. If they become ill for consuming such food products to immediately consult health care providers.

Most of all, when buying imported products to always check the food registration. If these are Taiwan- made they are advised to verify from the FDA through the website www.bfad.gov.ph or call DOH FDA at 02-8425606 or 02-8078275. (MAL/AAN, PIAV)

BIR Camarines Norte exceeds P5.1M collections in first 5 months of 2011

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, June 30 (PIA) -- Taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) district office here exceeds P5.1 million from January to May this year due to intensified tax campaign of the agency.

Assistant Revenue District Officer Modesto Avila Jr. said that the district office has collected almost P196 million exceeding the target goal for the said period of P190,802,000.

He said that due to their appeal, more tax payers have filed and paid their income taxes, particularly businessmen in the province.

Avila also said that they have also intensified their tax mapping, reading of cash registered machines in big stores and supermarkets and reading of meters in gasoline stations here.

He also urged consumers to always ask for receipts in their purchases and services transactions wherein they can also win instant prizes in the Papremyo sa Resibo contest .

He explained thar "PSR" offers instant cash prizes through text in the said promo of the BIR. To join text PSR(space)TIN No.of O.R.(space)O.R. No.(space) O.R. Amount and send to 9777 (for single entry) or 9778 (for multiple entries). P100.00 reflected in the official receipt per entry and P2.50 will be deducted from the load per entry.

He added that the RDO here target goal for this year is 457.17 million wherein they will have to collect 37.2 million in order to reach the said goal at the end of the year. (MAL/RBM, PIA Camarines Norte)