Labo, Camaligan named Bicol's Best Child Friendly Towns

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, June 11 (PIA) -- The towns of Labo in Camarines Norte and Camaligan in Camarines Sur were declared regional winners for the Best Child Friendly Municipality 2011.

In the awarding ceremony held at Naga City Science Centrum on June 5, Labo mayor Dindo Pardo and Camaligan mayor Emmanuel Prado each received a cash prize of P50,000 and certificate of recognition.

The awards were conferred by Elino Bordelon of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) and Nilsa Matamorosa of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol.

Camaligan is the 2011 regional winner for the Best Child Friendly Municipality in the fifth class municipality category while Labo bagged the same award for the first class municipality category.

Mayor Pardo said the award is the second citation that the town of Labo received in the same category.

Prado meanwhile said that it is not the cash prize that counts but the award will serve as a challenge for them to see what more they could do for the benefit of the children especially the disadvantaged one.

DSWD-5 regional director Remia Tapispisan, chairman of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children, explained that the Presidential Award for the Child Friendly Municipalities and Cities was initiated by the Council for the Welfare of Children pursuant to Executive No.184 series of 1999 entitled “Establishing the Presidential Award for the Child Friendly Municipalities and Cities.”

The award is considered as a self-assessment mechanism of the level of child friendliness of a particular city or municipality and at the same time gives recognition to LGUs that put in place a “child-friendly” environment and upholds the rights of Filipino children to survival, development, protection, and participation. (DSWD5/MAL/EEJ-PIA5)

Independence Day celebration prepped up

MANILA, June 11 -- It was on June 12, 1898 when the freedom of the Filipinos from foreign repression was declared. 114 years after that momentous day, the Filipino peoplestill value their sovereignty to a great extent that celebrating Independence Day has already been part of their culture.

On the day that the Filipinos obtained their independence, their culture has been marked significantly forever. Traditions, beliefs and the arts of the Filipinos have been revolutionized in lieu of the liberty they have attained.

This year, Filipinoshonor the 114^th year of Philippine Independence and the 25^th Anniversary of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, and as part of itsannual traditional celebration, the Philippine government, led by President Benigno S. Aquino III and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), will be holding “Kalayaan 2012”. The entire month of June 2012 will be dedicated for the commemoration of Philippine freedom.Activities for the month will be in line with the theme for this year which is “Kalayaan: Pananagutanng Bayan parasaTuwidnaDaan”.

The activities for “Kalayaan 2012” willbe reflective of the culture of the Filipinos and will feature Philippine liberty through the arts. The entire Independence Week will be packed with various exciting activities organized by the country’s very own government agencies and offices.

It will begin with Paco Park Presents “PanatasaKalayaan”, a musical tribute tothe renowned national artist for literature, Amado V. Hernandez, will be held on June 8, 2012, Friday, 6:00 PM at the Paco Park in San Marcelino, Manila. It is a free-for-all show where special guests will be performing such as soprano Raye Lucero of the Mabuhay Singers, baritone Ronnie Sta. Maria and guitarist Eddie Suarez.

Sinekalayaan, a 3-night film showing event that will feature films about Philippine Independence, will be held during the beginning of the Independence Week, 8:00PM at the Open Auditorium, Rizal Park in Manila. AishiteImasuMahal Kita 1941, starring Dennis Trillo and Judy Ann Santos, will be shown on June 9; Sakay, starring Julio Diaz, will be shown on June 10; and The Forgotten War, starring Kyla Lapus and Baron Geisler, will be shown on June 11.

MusikalayaanConcert, a concert led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to celebrate the Flag Day and Independence Day, will be held on June 9, 2012, Saturday, 6:00PM at the Central Lagoon in Rizal Park, Manila. Lt. Gen. Jessie D. Dellosa, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, will be the guest of honor for this event. This will also be attended by NHCP Executive Director LudovicoBadoy and NPDC Executive Director Juliet H. Villegas. Various Filipino performing artists will be showing off their musical talents for the commemoration of the independence of the Philippines. 

On June 10, 2012, Sunday, 8:00 AM, a send off ceremony for the “ParadangPag-anyaya” will be led by the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Fire Fighters of the Philippines, Inc. (AVFCFFPI) in cooperation with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Department of Interior and Local Government(DILG) Sec. Jesse M. Robredo will be the guest of honor for the occasion. Other guests are the Hon. Juliet H. Villegas, Hon. LudovicoBadoy, Mr. Jose Go, and Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mr. Tan Ching, who will be giving an inspirational message for that day.

Following that event, there will be a free Concert at the Park “Mahalkong Bayan”, 6pm at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium, Manila. Everybody is invited to watch an hour of ballet set in Philippine music featuring Ballet Repertory Philippines, joined by dancers from the Ballet Dance Academy.

A Philippine Independence Day celebration will not be complete without a tribute for the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Enjoy the30-minute spectacle of light and sound sculptural tableau for 3 days honoring Dr. Jose Rizal that feature poignant moments of Rizal’s final hours. This is a collective obra of four national artists, Leandro Locsin, LambertoAvellana, Lucio San Pedro and Rolando Tinio, The “Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal: Light and Sound Presentation” will be on June 11-13, 2012 at the Execution Site in Rizal Park Manila. This is free of charge so that everyone can take pleasure in the entertaining exhibition.

On June 11 and 12 at the Rizal Park in Manila, government agencies will also be setting up various exhibits. The Department of Agriculture (DA) will present their “Agri-Aqua Fair and Exhibit”. Exhibitions will also executed by several lead agencies. There will be a static display, silent drill, sky diving and band exhibition by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); a slow drill exhibition by the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA);and a drum and bugle exhibition by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The culminating day on June 12, 2012 of the “Kalayaan 2012” will still include several cultural activities such as a Filipino Indigenous games Exhibition, led by the Philippine Sports Commission,that features Arnis and PencakSikat. There will also be a Special Kalayaan Concert from 1-9PM for the SadiganngKalayaan and LuzViMinda, and Party Kalayaanfrom 9pm-12mn at the Quirino Grandstand. In the evening, a spectacular and breath-taking Special Fireworks Display will be presented to highlight each segment of the concert for that night.

“Kalayaan 2012” will surely be an exciting and educational, month-long event that will bring out the cultural and Filipino pride in everyone. This will make people realize the true value and reveal the luster of freedom that the Filipino ancestors have worked hard for in the years before June 12, 1989. (PIA)

Simultaneous flag raising, wreath laying ceremonies on Araw ng Kalayaan

MANILA, June 10 -- On the 114^th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2012 and the 25^th Anniversary of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, simultaneous Flag-raising and Wreath-laying Ceremonies will be done in the morning to commence the historical commemoration. According to the National Historical Council of the Philippines (NHCP) Dir. Maria Serena Diokno, there will be nine places where these ceremonies will be done. Five of these- two in Manila and one each in Bulacan, Cavite andPampanga- were part of the eight provinces that are represented by the golden rays of the sun on the flag.

The National Steering Committee, created through Administrative Order No. 23,to observe, monitor, organize and evaluate national observances such as the Independence Day, National Heroes Day and ArawngKagitingan, will be present in different places in the country for the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies. This vital committee is spear-headed by the NHCP head Dir. Maria Serena Diokno. Department of Tourism (DOT) Sec. Ramon R. Jimenez, Department of Education (DepEd) Sec. Armin Luistro, Department of Local and Interior Governance (DILG) Sec. Jesse M. Robredo and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Sonny Coloma are members of the National Steering Committee. 

His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino will lead the flag raising ceremony at the historical Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan where General Emilio Aguinaldo temporarily settled in and where the First Philippine Congress was held on September 15, 1898. The President will be delivering his speech for this day during the commemorative program that will also be held at the Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in the morning.

Vice President JejomarBinay will be in charge of hoisting the flag at the popular Rizal Monument Shrine at the Rizal Park in Manila. It is in that place where historical execution of the Filipino national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, occurred. The well-guarded memorial shrine of Dr. Jose Rizal is also situated in that place.

Meanwhile in the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrilewill be present for the raising of the Philippine flag in that area where the very important Declaration of Philippine Independence happened.

In the place where the first battle of the Katipunan against the Spanish colonizers occurred, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte will also be the first in raising the Philippine Flag for that day. This will happen at the Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan City where the vital “Cry of PugadLawin” took place. 

While Speaker Belmonte and the other representatives are raising the flag in their respective places, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will also be doing the same in the Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion in the Manila North Cemetery. Here lies the brave veterans of the Philippine Revolution who fought well for Philippine Independence that Filipinos are enjoying today.

At the Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City, the hero Andres Bonifacio is commemorated, and in that said place will also be where one of the flags will be raised, as led by Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez will be in charge of the flag-raising in the Pamintuan House in Angeles City, Pampanga. This was the place that became the first seat of the Philippine Republic and the residence of the First President. This was also where the first celebration of Independence Day occurred.

Finally, in two of the major cities in the Philippines will be where the other two flags will be heaved. In Cebu City, Gov. Gwen Garcia will be hoisting the flag while City Mayor Sara Duterte will do the same in Davao City. 

These simple acts are very significant in reminding the Filipino people about how their freedom was attained and how Independence can not be achieved alone. Sovereignty is not a one-man job, but a national concern and effort. (PIA)

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)