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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Friday, June 8, 2012

Legazpi City, now a Hall of Famer in Red Orchid Award
… law enforcement, community support cited in smoke-free campaign success

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, June 8 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) recently installed the city government here to the Hall of Fame of the Red Orchid Award after it scored outstanding performance for three consecutive years in the implementation of smoke-free programs and policies. 

Mayor Geraldine Rosal attributed the success of the implementation of the smoke-free city program to the strict enforcement of the ordinance and the efforts contributed by different sectors of society such as the church, academe, NGOs, business group and the members of the law enforcement team, among others. 

The city government here received the Red Orchid Award and Hall of Famer at the Philippine Trade and Training Center Roxas Boulevard Pasay City last May 29, just in time for the upcoming observance of World No Tobacco Day on May 31. 

The city government also received P500,000 and a specially designed trophy from DOH Assistant Secretary and chairperson of the Red Orchid Award Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial. 
The amount won can be used for tobacco control projects to protect the people in this city from the ill effects on smoking. 

Dr. Fulbert Gillego, city health office chief, said that the award is an offshoot of effective implementation of the Comprehensive Smoke Free Ordinance by putting up signages containing pictures on the dangerous effect of smoking, and the advocacy campaign in private and public schools, government and private offices and the smoking cessation program of the city. 

Gillego also said the constant operations of the enforcement team against the violators have contributed in helping the city’s smoke free program. 

In the quest for “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” (Universal Health Care), DOH has been pursuing a healthy lifestyle in an environment free from tobacco smoke, which is deemed important. 

This year, according to DOH, more and more provinces, municipalities, cities, workplaces and health facilities are making great strides in enforcing measures to protect people from the hazards of tobacco smoke and exposure to secondhand smoke, eventually leading to 100 percent tobacco-free environments. 

Legazpi City is joined by Davao City in Davao Region, Maasin City in Eastern Visayas, Calauag, Quezon in CALABARZON, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao as Hall of Fame awardees in the country. 

The Red Orchid was used by the World Health Organization in its 2001 World No Tobacco Day advocacy as a symbol of a tobacco-free world and to remind people that the campaign to end the tobacco epidemic is far from over. (MAL-PIA V/Albay) 



NSO price index of income households for April site a decrease

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 8 (PIA) -- The provincial inflation rate in Catanduanes registered a decrease of 2.3 percentage points from 4.7 percent in April 2011 to 2.4 percent in April 2012.

By commodity group, inflationary effects were noted in Education (10.31%); Maintenance of the House (7.36%); Rest. & Misc. Goods & Svs. (5.01%); Health (3.21%); Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (1.86%); Recreation & Culture (1.56%); Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (1.44%); Clothing & Footwear (1.38%); Housing Water, Elec .Gas & other Fuels (1.69%); Transport (0.88%) and Communication (-2.10%);

On a month-on-month basis, the Consumer’s Price Index for all income households was registered at 137.3 in April 2012, higher by 0.8 index point over the 136.2 index in March 2012.

Across commodities under the Food, and Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Index, upward trends were noted in the following: Corn (24.56%); Oils & Fats (11.20%; Fish (4.93%); Food (0.86%); Non-Alcoholic Beverages (0.77%); Alcoholic Beverages (0.75%)Food Products N.E.C. (0.34%): Bread & Cereals (0.27%); Rice (0.13%). Negative percentage changes were noted in Meat (-0.71%); Fruits (-6.73%); Sugar, Jam, Honey and Chocolate and Confectionery (-1.49%). Tobacco and Milk, Cheese and Eggs were stationary at zero percent.

With regards to non-food commodity/service group, price increments were recorded in Rest. & Misc Goods Svs (3.52% change from 161.8 to 167.7); Health ( 1.52 % change from 116.7 to 118.5); Furnishings, Hse Equipt Routine Maintenance of House (1.47% change from 127.2 to 129.1); Clothing & Footwear (0.49 % change from 122.9 to 123.5).

Communication (0.09% change from 114.1 to 114.0) and Transport (0.07 percent change from 136.6 to 136.7). Recreation and Culture (-83%) and Housing, Water and Elec, Gas, and other Fuels (-0.15) exhibited price decrement while Education remained stationary at zero percent.

With the price trends reported above, the Purchasing Power of the Peso (PPP) for the province of Catanduanes maintained its value at P0.73. (EAB/NSO 5, Catanduanes)



Good Governance Caravan highlights Kaogma fest

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, June 8 (PIA) -- At least 10 localities in Camarines Sur benefited from the Kaogma Good Governance Caravan in celebration of Camarines Sur’s 433rd foundation anniversary May 27.

Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte said that the festivity dwelt more on community-based and service-oriented approach by directly bringing its programs to its constituents.

The provincial team, composed of its health personnel, department heads, employees and representatives from other government entities like PhilHealth, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), National Statistics Office (NSO), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and other stakeholders.

Municipality-beneficiaries include Balatan, Pasacao, Pamplona, San Fernando, Buhi, Del Gallego, Garchitorena, Gainza, Milaor, and Minalabac already received various services, particularly free check up and medicines, free tooth extraction, and other dental services.

The caravan served 401 patients in Balatan who availed of the free medical check up and dental services ; 473 in Pasacao; more than a hundred in Pamplona; 300 in San Fernando; 688 in Buhi; more than 400 in Del Gallego; and 900 in Gainza.

More than 500 residents from the said municipalities also enrolled in the PhilHealth programs and were given information regarding their privileges under the Universal Health Care program of the Aquino government. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also conducted Diskwento Fairs in the said municipalities.

The Caravan also enjoined the community to participate in various endeavors like the blood letting activities in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in order to have enough blood reserve in the provincial blood bank in case of emergency; mass wedding, mass baptism, and confirmation.

Early childhood care and development programs (ECCD) which includes nutrition counseling for mothers, proper handwashing, alis-kuto and nail cutting, supplemental feeding for children, distribution of school supplies, and Day Care Workers ECCD Orientation were also conducted by the staff of the Provincial Social Services office.

Vegetable, fruit, and forest tree seeds, and fingerlings were also distributed to various municipalities. The agriculture team also conducted anti-rabies vaccination. Residents with physical disabilities were fitted with wheelchairs. An Aquarium summit was also done, including school drills while farmers were enlisted to the coconut rehabilitation program.

Proving to be a one–stop–shop, it also included assessor’s services where tax declarations were processed; there was also the distribution of certificates of land holdings to the residents.

The caravan ends June 8. (LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)



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