Communications technology department, Masbate local government sign free Wi-Fi agreement

MASBATE CITY, Nov. 20 (PIA)—Residents of Masbate province would soon access the internet for free in several public areas as the newly established Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) works to plug the limited information in the countryside.

Information and Communications Technology Assistant Secretary John Henry D. Naga signed Monday a memorandum of agreement with Masbate Governor Antonio T. Kho for the provision of free Wi-Fi services for provincewide coverage by next year.

The service will be available in public areas such as public schools, plazas and parks, government hospitals and rural health units, seaports, airport, national government and local government buildings, according to Nonielon Bagalihog Jr., head of the governor’s information office.

Masbate, the southernmost province of Bicol region with a population of 892,393, is one of the priority areas for DICT’s “Juan, Konek! Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Project.”

The measure comes after President Duterte, in his State of the Nation Address in July, promised free internet connection during his administration.

 Although no details were given during the signing between the governor and the DICT as to how the government would deliver the state-funded service considering the government does not own a broadband network, ICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima shed light on the matter in a recent onscreen interview.

“The government will pay something to the telecom companies in exchange for the Wi-Fi connection and we offer it to the citizens for free,” Salalima said during an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source that was aired on Nov. 7 and has been uploaded to YouTube.

Salalima downplayed concerns that the free Wi-Fi access is expected to limit data revenue prospects for Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications, saying the free wireless service is in keeping with the government’s bid to widen people’s internet connectivity, which the Duterte administration has deemed a human right.

“It is the duty of the government to see to it that the people who have no access to the telecommunication system be given the opportunity to enjoy the right to telecommunicate,” he said.

With internet speed of 256 kilobits per second, the free service will let the users do basic internet searches or access to Facebook.

Masbate Vice-Governor Jo Kristine C. Revil, who witnessed the signing, hailed the free Wi-Fi access as a “step forward,” saying people in Masbate are “looking forward to the implementation of this MOA in 2017.”

Other witnesses to the signing were town mayors including Arturo Virtucio of Aroroy; Byron Angelo E. Bravo, San Fernando; Charmax Yuson, Batuan; Zacarina A. Lazaro, San Pascual; and Kristine Hao, Mandaon. (EAD/PIA5-Masbate)

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DOH raises awareness on antibiotics use

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Nov. 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Bicol regional office conducted Tuesday an interfacing with various stakeholders and the public to raise the awareness on the proper use of antibiotics and its ill-effects, due to irrational use.

The event dubbed “Antibiotics, Handle with Care” was participated in by students, mostly nurses and their clinical instructors, barangay health workers (BHWs), senior citizens and representatives coming from various sectors.

 The interfacing was held in line with the observance of Philippine Antibiotic Awareness Week from November 14 to 18.

DOH regional pharmacist III Maribel L. Cruz said that the alarming rise of anti-microbial resistance cases prompted DOH and other partner agencies to come up with advocacy events to make the public understand the dangers of self-prescription, which most often than not, lead to a worsened health condition.

“We have observed, not just in the Bicol region, but also in other parts of the country that most of the people are not well informed about the proper use of antibiotic. Most of them are practicing self-prescription. They are not aware that they are now prone to anti-microbial resistance,” Cruz explained.

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change and are capacitated to resist the effects of antibiotic.

It is important to note, Cruz added that when taking antibiotics, the correct dosage and prescribed days of taking it should be strictly observed.

“You don’t stop treatment just because you are already feeling well. There is a big chance that when you stop without taking the full day as prescribed, the bacteria may survive and re-infect you. By the time you would like to use your old antibiotic, it might not work for you  and you might resort to a higher kind of antibiotic, and that would already be very expensive.”

A poster making contest was also conducted in the afternoon. Nine (9) schools participated in.  Cararayan National High School grabbed the first prize, the University of Nueva Caceres snatched the 2nd place while Naga City Science High School got the 3rd post.

DOH Coordinator for Naga and Development Management Officer IV, Imelda Dacanay, RN, RM, MAN said that they hope that through the event, more and more people will be armed with the proper knowledge on how to properly use antibiotics.  (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)





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SP commends CSU stude for placing number 3 in Agri Licensure Exam

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Nov. 17 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Catanduanes has passed a Resolution No. 295-2016 on its 17th Regular Session commending Ray Tilo Ocol of the Catanduanes State University (CSU), Panganiban Campus for nailing the Top 3 spot in October 2016 Agriculturist Licensure Examination.

In the resolution sponsored by Hon. Gregorio E. Angeles, it was stated that Ocol, a native of Brgy. Rizal, Viga, Catanduanes was declared by the Professional Regulation Commission as number 3 topnotcher of the October 2016 Agriculturist Licensure Examination, garnering a rating of 85.17%.

Angeles added that Ocol’s excellent achievement brought pride and honor, not only for the entire academic community of the Catanduanes State University, but also to the Agriculturist Licensure Examination passers and their parents,

The same also brough pride to every Catandunganon, and again manifested the inherent intellect and determination of a true-blooded Catandunganon, having added to the long list of Catandunganon professionals who either topped or belonged to the top ten in board examinations.

The SP body likewise congratulated the parents of Ocol, Benjamin Ocol and Lilia Ocol, for having surely inspired and guided their son not just in achieving his feat as board topnotcher but in turning him into a productive member of the society.

Such achievement of Mr. Ray T. Ocol and Catanduanes State University – Panganiban Campus is worthy of commendation from the SP Body. (MAL/EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/841479386732/sp-commends-csu-stude-for-placing-number-3-in-agri-licensure-exam#sthash.nCJvS0sp.dpuf

DA opens P4M Bicol organic agriculture research and dev’t center

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 17 (PIA) - Stakeholders in the Bicol region can now further advance programs and initiatives on organic agriculture through the newly opened P4 million worth Organic Agriculture Research and Development Center located inside the Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol regional field unit compound at San Agustin, Pili in Camarines Sur.

DA Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) director Dr. Nicomedes P. Eleazar said BAR has funded the establishment of an Organic Agriculture R&D Center in all regions and has been closely monitoring in making it operational.

Eleazar cited the Bicol region as the most progressive in terms of production of organic products further expressing his hopes that the region will serve as supplier of organic products in Metro Manila.

Dr. Edgar R. Madrid, DA Bicol regional technical director for Research, said the center is equipped with a conference room, office and processing areas where packages of organic agriculture technologies will be made. It also features facilities for organic swine production, vegetable production and vermin composting.

Madrid furthered that the center will serve as venue of research, extension activities and training on organic agriculture for farmers, students and other stakeholders.

The center can likewise assist stakeholders to develop appropriate organic animal and crop production technologies and establish organic agriculture techno demo farm and bio-safety.(MAL/SAA/DA5-PIA5/Albay)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571479278638/da-opens-p4m-bicol-organic-agriculture-research-and-dev-t-center#sthash.nKslXODv.dpuf

Taboan 2016 features Bicol writers, highlights Rinconada dialect

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

NABUA, Camarines Sur, Nov. 17 (PIA) --- Bicol writers, who are into various genres of writing, met up and shared  experiences as book writers, poets, and artists using the Rinconada dialect during the Taboan 2016 forum held at the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC)- Nabua College Auditorium here, Tuesday.

Attended by more than a hundred students, the Bikol Taboan 2016 dubbed “Litgit-Paghinanyog sa Pulang Tingog” endeavored to encourage Bicol writers and the current generation to embrace and not to put into oblivion the use of the Rinconada dialect, a vernacular spoken among the fifth district towns  in Camarines Sur.

Frank Penones Jr., Southern Luzon coordinator of the National Committee on Literary Arts (NCLA) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) stated that Taoban used to be a national event but the NCLA decided to hold the activity here as to scatter the event on the island-cluster.

Taboan, a Visayan dialect which means “market place” is slated to be held in the country’s three geographical divisions, in Bicol for Luzon, and identified areas in Visayas and Mindanao.  The annual fest aims to promote culture and the written word.

Moderated by poet and book designer Victor Nierva, the event became a venue for the award winning guests to share their exciting saga towards the discovery of how beautiful Bicol language is.

Invited to share their thoughts were Estelito Jacob, a teacher at the Camarines Sur National High School (CSNHS) wrote a novel using the Rinconada dialect which recently won the Writer’s Prize; Elbert Baeta, a Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) but is currently taking his graduate studies at the University of Santo Tomas, and Ben Escoto, a Sorsoganon but has moved in Iriga City.

Baeta is also the project coordinator of the Bicol Taboan and will soon work on a research and documentation project of two Bicol oral practices, bansagan and rapsak songs. Escoto has already published poems in both Sorsoganon and Irigueno language.

Other invited guests included Dr. Paz Verdades  “Doods” Santos, a literature scholar and critic and award winning story book writer, playwright, artist and poet Carlos A. Arejola.

The event was capped by the Pintakasi Media arts book launch where 5 multilingual storybooks for children of Arejola were also launched.  (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/861479293524/taboan-2016-features-bicol-writers-highlights-rinconada-dialect#sthash.T0Y1nLKK.dpuf