GOVT. OFFICES DRAFTS CHARTER TO FIGHT RED TAPE

MASBATE CITY—The public can expect government agencies, especially those rendering frontline services in the province, to take the fight against red tape seriously with the drafting of the “Citizen’s Charter,” a code of service standards for government transactions.

The Citizen’s Charter, which should be displayed in conspicuous areas of offices by September, should bear the guidelines detailing the step by step process for getting their services and the name of employee responsible for each step.

It should also state the time frame for the process, documents to be presented by the clients, amount of fees, and procedure for lodging complaints arising from requests and applications.

The guidelines should be a result of restructuring the frontline services of offices and ensuring that both their services and their personnel are in keeping with RA 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act.

To assist government institutions in the province in drafting their respective charters, the Civil Service Commission has slated a workshop for national government agencies (NGAs), state colleges, government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local water district.

Cecilia R. Nieto, CSC regional director, said those interested in the workshop get in touch with her office by calling 052-435-3459.

On the other hand, representatives of the city government here and municipal governments across Masbate province completed training on the anti-red tape law jointly organized last March by CSC Provincial Director Andronico D. Lanuza and Provincial Director Renato S. Alaurin of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

In attendance were the city’s and municipal governments’ local government operations officers, administrators, planning and development coordinators, personnel officers, and councilors.

Other similar workshops were conducted last May 28-29 for state colleges and GOCCs; June 2-3 for local water district, while NGAs completed the two-day workshop last May 15. (EADelegado,PIA Masbate)


COUNCIL AND LUPON MEMBERS TRAINED ON EFFECTIVE BGY. JUSTICE SYSTEM

DAET, Camarines Norte — Officials and council members from the 25 different barangays in this municipality attended the Training on Human Rights Program: Accessing Justice through Gender Responsive Barangay Justice System at the Local Government Academy Training Center in UP Los Baños, Laguna.

Estela Dames, municipal local government operations officer of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) here, said the training provided the participants necessary concepts and tools that will enhance the proficiency of the barangay officials and members of the “Lupon ng Barangay” in performing their mandated tasks and responsibilities in good governance.

“The training showcased exemplary practices in carrying out the barangay justice system, also known as the “Katarungang Pambarangay”, that will enable the poor, women and children, to pursue justice through knowledge of their basic rights,” she noted.

Also discussed during the training were updates on the implementation of national laws and local legislations that will ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of women and children; gender advocacy and development program, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, among others.

Resource persons were Camarines Norte Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Atty. Omar Manlapaz, MGOO Adela Federico of Mercedes and MGOO EstelaDames of the DILG.

The training program was sponsored by the Liga ng mga Barangay Daet Chapter, in cooperation with the municipal government, DILG, and DOJ-Office of the Provincial Prosecutor. (RBManlangit, PIA Cam. Norte)


MAGALLANES CRAFTS CHILDREN’S CODE

SORSOGON Province — Designed to pursue advocacies on the protection and welfare of children and committed to eliminate all forms of child abuse, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan here has reaffirmed ratification of the Child Code of 2009 of the municipality of Magallanes.

Magallanes Vice Mayor Tito Ragrario, Councilors Loleng Huidem and Milo Buelo jointly authored the Code, the first of its kind in the province,

Officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol regional office, who were present during the plenary of the provincial legislative body, said Magallanes is also the Bicol town to have crafted a code for children.

Board Member Arnulfo Perete was also all praises for the Child Code of 2009 describing the ordinance as comprehensive and well-written as it will definitely help in protecting the children from all forms of abuses and exploitation, promote children’s rights, improve their quality of life and ensures that children’s rights are will be put on top among the programs of the municipal government.

Board Member Rosario Diaz, chair of the Gender and Development Committee, said that the Code adopts the national and international concepts provided in the various national laws and other statutes.

Diaz stressed it provides the mandates, roles and involvement of practically all offices of the municipal government such as the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Health Office Municipal Police Station, and all covered barangays.

The Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (MCPC), meanwhile, will spearhead the implementation and monitoring of the Code. Likewise, barangay governments are mandated to have their own counterpart councils, the Barangay CPC, and will give their share in the program by ensuring the community and parents’ awareness of children’s rights and their responsibilities.

“The 25-page ordinance deals with issues such as child abuse, children in conflict with the law and the proper procedure to follow in dealing with such cases. It also tackles protection and prohibition of children from exposure to vices and other inimical activities,” said Diaz.

She also commended LGU officials for their commitment and support to children and gender development advocacy and anticipates for other municipalities to replicate what Magallanes has achieved.

In the Bicol region, Camarines Norte and Masbate has an existing Provincial Child Code, while Naga City is the only city with similar ordinance.

Meanwhile, the same Magallanes municipal legislative body is awaiting for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to hear on two other ordinances approved recently, the Ordinance Ensuring the Welfare and Protection of Minors which deals with the continuous proliferation of fraternities, sororities and gangs specifically in the Poblacion, and thee Ordinance Adopting the Gender and Development Code.

Ragrario has expressed optimism that the two pending ordinances will also be ultimately approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


UNICEF-FUNDED DCC’s INAUGURATED

LEGAZPI CITY – Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral led Wednesday (June 3) the blessing and inauguration of two day care centers (DCC) funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in barangays Gajo of Tiwi and Bantayan of Tabaco City, all of Albay province.

Cabral was joined by Ms. Vanessa Tobin, UNICEF country representative, DSWD Bicol Regional Director Remia Tapispisan, Tiwi Mayor Jaime Villanueva and Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro.

In her message, Cabral said that the DSWD plays a critical role being the lead agency in the establishment and operation of DCCs in consonance with the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program which promotes the comprehensive development of 0-6 years old children.

She also acknowledged the overwhelming support of the LGU-beneficiaries being important development partners, noting that “without the local government, these development projects will not be realized.”

She averred the DCCs were constructed in the wake of the destructions brought about by strong typhoons that hit Bicol region in 2006 damaging several centers, thus need to be rehabilitated or new ones should be constructed.

Funded by the UNICEF, the DCC project is referred to as “Building Safe Learning Environment for Children Project.”

It was a red letter day for the residents of these two barangays, a dream come true for them after bearing only with a dilapidated building serving as DCC for the past 22 years.

To date, there are 50 DCCs constructed in the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes and Sorsogon covering 26 towns. An additional of 28 new centers with an allocation of P300,000 each shall be constructed, according to the UNICEF representative.

Another two day care centers were inaugurated in barangays Anislag, Daraga and Ilawod, Guinobatan The inauguration was ld by Ms. Vanessa Tobin, Assistant Director Paz Sarino of the Program Management Bureau, Regional Dirctor Remia Tapispisan and Asst. Regional Director Evelyn Lontok. (EEJerusalem, DSWD/PIA)


“TRASH TO CASH” PROJECT LAUNCHED AT SM CITY

NAGA CITY – Reaffirming their commitment as vanguards for the environment, the government and the private business sector have forged partnership in carrying out practical applications of environmentally sound techniques and strategies of waster minimization.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol, in cooperation with the Naga City Government, Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE) and SM City here, launched the Recycling Market or “Trash to Cash” project to educate shoppers or mall goers on proper disposal of solid recyclable materials.

SM City has organized and is maintaining a collecting and buying event for recyclable materials at the mall open parking area from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every first Friday and Saturday of the month.

Previous recycling market days in other malls of SM had over a hundred sellers turn-out coming from the AB market, working class, students and parents.

The project has saved 11,000 seven-year-old trees and diverted from landfills two tons of mall-generated garbage.

Items such as scrap paper and cardboard, empty ink and toner cartridges, plastic bottles and plastic caps, used lead batteries (from cars/UPS/voltage regulators), aluminum, tin cans, busted rechargeable lamps, polystyrene, Styrofoam, junk cellphone, cellphone batteries (not for recycling/buying) are brought for display and sale to accredited buyers.

The project, launched in time for the observance of Environment Month this June, is in consonance with Republic Act 9003 or “The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000”. (DCAbad, PIA CamSur)


AIDS ADVOCATES ALARMED OVER HIV SURGE,URGE BOTH CONGRESS AND MALACANANG TO PASS RH BILL

MANILA — The number of Filipinos diagnosed with HIV unprecedented rose, in 2009 the monthly average is now 60 a month.

The statistics would show that it rose almost four times compared to the yearly statistics of 1999, from January to April 2009, 237 were diagnosed to be living with HIV compared to last years’ accumulated data of the same time which was 177.

Girls, Women, and HIV & AIDS Network (GWHAN) cited this worsening problem as they called for the immediate passage of the RH bill recognizing also that most of those diagnosed (68%) in 2009 are in their most productive years (20-39 y/o), it should also be noted that 17% of the recorded HIV positives are OFWs and more of those being recorded is coming from the general population specially the youth. This was recorded by the National Epidemiology Center (NEC).

"This alarming data supports the call for the immediate passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill now being deliberated in both the Houses of Congress," said Marlon T. Lacsamana Program Officer of the Institute for Social Studies and Action (ISSA), GWHAN’s network chair.

“Moreover, the widespread disinformation, misinformation about and increased demonizing of the condom such as information that some condoms are now infected with the HIV virus must be disproved with accurate data,” he added.

GWHAN members agreed during their May 29, 2009 general assembly meeting that as pioneers and leaders of the HIV advocacy, to register their support for the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill (HB 5043 & SB 3122) and to steadfastly stand behind organized groups and networks advocating its immediate passage

The RH Bill if passed into law would serve as an enforcer of the RA 8504 or the "AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1988" where it mandates DepED, TESDA and CHED in Article 1 SECTION 4 in utilizing official information provided by the Department of Health, and shall integrate instruction on the causes, modes of transmission and ways of preventing HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in subjects taught in public and private schools at intermediate grades, secondary and tertiary levels, including non-formal and indigenous learning systems: Provided, that if the integration of HIV/AIDS education is not appropriate or feasible, the DECS and TESDA shall design special modules on HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
Reproductive health which includes HIV prevention and care & support as one of its key elements is a right upheld in various international documents to which the Philippines is a signatory, notably the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), 1994 UN International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), Beijing Platform for Action, 2001 United Nations Special Session on AIDS (UNGASS), 1st & 2nd Regional Consultative Meeting on Universal Access to HIV Prevention and AIDS Treatment, Care and Support in Low Prevalence Countries.

GWHAN is a multi-sectoral body composed of 21 government and non-government organizations including those of the positive community that integrate gender issues with HIV & AIDS advocacy. (VBLlorin, PLCPDF/PIA)


Feature:

NUTRITIONISTS ADVICE EXPECTANT MOMS TO MONITOR THEIR WEIGHT

The weight of expectant moms indicates whether or not they observe proper nutrition. Proper nutrition means eating the right kind and amount of foods.

Based on the weight-for-height table of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) by month of pregnancy, the total weight gain for the entire duration of pregnancy can range from 13.45 kilograms (or 29.59 pounds) for a mom who is 142 centimeters (or 4 feet and 6 inches) tall, to 19.4 kilograms (or 42.68 pounds) for a mom who stands 170 centimeters (or 5 feet and 5 inches). This table is a helpful tool for moms-to-be in determining their nutritional status.

The average weight gain for a full-term pregnancy is 12.5 kilograms but the recommended weight gains over pregnancy depend upon the mom’s stature and specific month of pregnancy that is below the stipulated range indicates that mom is not gaining enough weight. On the other hand, weight that is above the stipulated weight range indicates that the mom is overweight or gaining weight very fast.

Underweight moms need to gain more weight while those who are overweight need to gain less weight. Not obtaining the ideal weight during the different trimesters or months of pregnancy poses some risks, either on the part of mom or the baby inside the womb.

An underweight mom-to-be may have a low birth weight infant. An overweight mom-to-be may likewise give birth to an overweight infant and may experience difficult or prolonged labor.

A pregnant woman needs to eat more to meet not only hr own nutritional needs but also that of the growing fetus inside the womb. She needs additional 300 kilo calories per day from the fourth month to the ninth month of pregnancy according to the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI), 2002. The RENI was developed by the RENI Technical Working Group (TWG) Committee and RENI Task Forces composed of professionals in the health and nutritional sciences. Additionally, she needs to increase her daily intake of the nutrients compared to a non-pregnant woman:

Nutrients Pregnant Non-pregnant

Protein (grams) 66 58

Vitamin A (micrograms
Retinol Equivalent) 800 500

Vitamin C (milligrams) 80 70

Thiamin (milligrams) 1.4 1.1

Riboflavin (milligrams) 1.7 1.1

Niacin (milligrams
Niacin Equivalent) 18 14

Iron (milligrams) 18 27

Eating more, however, is not enough. It should be of the right kind and amount. Iron-rich foods and vitamin C-rich foods should be included in the daily meals to prevent iron-deficiency. Iron-rich foods include liver, heart, kidney, lean mat, egg yolk, and leafy and yellow vegetables. The vitamin C-rich foods, like ripe or green mango, papaya, chico, pineapple, melon and watermelon will make better use of the iron. Remember that proper nutrition and regular check-up of a mom-to-be is the key to ensuring a healthy baby!

For more information on food and nutrition, write or call: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Numbers: 837-2934 and 837-3164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph; mar_v_c@yahoo.com.; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (MAUdarbe, FNRI-DOST/ PIA)