LEGAZPI CITY TO INSTALL CCTV CAMERAS

LEGAZPI CITY -- The city government here is set to install Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in 11 strategic locations to monitor the flow of traffic and pre-empt petty crimes in the city’s business centers, schools, churches, main streets and other public areas.

During the meeting of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) held Monday at the City Hall, Mayor Noel E. Rosal disclosed that the CCTV cameras will effectively monitor the traffic situation in busy intersections and help prevent crimes and at the same time document crimes in progress.

Rosal was impressed during his recent visit to Davao City, wherein the police operation center is equipped with video surveillance cameras that are now installed in different parts of the city.

“Mayor Rodrigo Duterte told me about the effectiveness of CCTV in deterring crimes and documenting progressing crimes and identities of perpetrators. The law enforcers even come up with usable video evidence in prosecuting criminals,” he noted.

"I already directed my staff to canvass how much the city government would have to spend for the installation of wireless CCTV cameras and identify the locations where these surveillance equipment will be put up," Rosal said during the meeting.

The mayor has also directed the city’s chief of police, C/Supt. Edgardo L. Ardales, to train a quick response team who will man the operation center and respond to emergencies monitored through these CCTV cameras on a 24/7 basis.

Meanwhile, Councilor Rolly Rosal, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Public Safety and Order, has also fielded as early as Monday the initial 14 member-agents in plain clothes to serve as eyes and ears of the city police.

The group is called Legazpi City Civilian Anti-Crime Group. (EADeleon, PIA V)


DOLE RELEASES AH1N1 GUIDELINES FOR WORKPLACES

LEGAZPI CITY -- Workplace health was emphasized in the recent meeting of the Bicol Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on the issue of Influenza AH1N1 awareness and preparedness.

DOLE Bicol information officer Raymond P. Escalante said that employers are enjoined to maintain a clean work area and provide household disinfectant, water, and soap in washrooms and toilets.

DOLE announced in yesterday's advisory, that the order enjoins employers and workers the need to stay healthy and keep a healthy workplace.

The advisory requires employers of workplaces where workers are at risk of infection to prepare immediate protective measures in correcting or removing such danger.

DOLE has recommended a screening program on AH1N1 to be installed by the DOH in the different workplaces across the region and in the business establishments.

Employers are also urged to provide Personal Protective Equipment like respirators, gowns, and gloves to be worn by workers while at work.

In workplaces where there are suspected AH1N1 workers, the company is required to immediately isolate the worker in a separate well-ventilated room. The work area must also be decontaminated with appropriate disinfectant like chlorine bleaching solution.

If the worker is not suspected to have influenza, it is the responsibility of the employer to allow the worker to take prudent measures to limit the spread of the communicable diseases.

Escalante said that employer must allow the worker to stay at home, take adequate rest, take plenty of fluids, and seek medical care.

The worker's leave of absence may be charged to the sick or vacation leave credits under the company policy. If the credits are used up, the employer could consider granting leave of absence without pay.

However, DOLE stressed the need for the employers' flexibility and compassion in granting additional leave with pay. (MALoterte, PIA V)


DENR-MGB HOLDS MINING SECURITY FORUM

LEGAZPI CITY— Managers and representatives of mining companies operating in the Bicol region, officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) V, police and military officers convened in a forum recently assessing the establishment of security protocol in mining operations.

The one-day interfacing was conducted in consonance with Minerals Development Council (MDC) Resolutions Numbers 3 and 4, series of 2008, signed by DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) V Regional Director Reynulfo Juan explained Resolution No. 03 requires mining companies and mining contractors, particularly those with Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA), Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), Exploration Permit (EP) and Lease Agreement (LA), to submit a security and social assessment of their respective mining areas.

On the other hand, Resolution No. 04 also calls for the AFP and the PNP to establish a joint mining security protocol that will guide the mining companies/contractors in dealing with security threats from various rogue elements in their respective mining areas and seeks the assistance of the AFP and the PNP in formulating long-term and short-term preventive measures that can be implemented in coordination with various mining companies/contractors in addressing mining security problems.

“The same resolution requests the AFP and the PNP to jointly establish a security protocol with mining operations,” he noted.

RMDC coordinator Glaiza T. Baliwag briefed participants on the creation of the Regional Minerals Development Council (RMDC) and its roles and objectives to ensure security of mining areas through the cooperation of DENR, military and police, and mining operators.

MDC Security Consultant B/General Celso G. Castro (Ret) also gave a briefer on mining security; while P/Sup’t. Eduardo Chaves, deputy chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of PNP Bicol, Col. Marlu Salazar and Col. Silvestre Celso, Jr., both of the Philippine Army, provided update on the peace and order situation in Bicol and Ms. Baliwag’s briefing on the creation of the MDC.

DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada was also present to grace the forum. (LDValdez, MGB/PIA)


DENR-EMB BICOL SLATES EVENTS FOR ENVIRONMENT MONTH 2009

LEGAZPI CITY— The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau ((DENR-EMB) Bicol regional office here has lined-up activities highlighting the celebration of Environment Month this June.

The activities will be jointly undertaken by advocates from various government and private organizations, including LGUs, NGO’s, youth sector, private sector and academe, among others.

This year’s international theme states: “Your Planet Needs You-Unite to Combat Climate Change” which supports people’s involvement in taking effective actions necessary to address the adverse effects of climate change.

Environment Month has kicked off on June 1 with Hataw Kalinisan held in Sorsogon City which marked the formal opening of the celebration.

Other activities will include the media information campaign focusing on the “Let’s Tune Up to Clean Up the Air” program, and Anti-Smoke Belching campaign, in cooperation with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Bicol.
An “Enviro 5K and 10K Fun Run” is also slated on June 5 along the main thoroughfares of this city..

Arbor Week has been slated on the next week, featuring an Urban Greening or Tree Planting activity to be participated in by government agencies, youth organizations, NGOs, and the private sector.

The activity coincides with the anniversary celebration of the DENR on June 10.

A mural painting contest will be conducted promoting to and encouraging students to do their share with creative art on environmental issues and solutions.

On June 12, DENR will also be staging the groundbreaking Enviro-Rock Jam 2009 with local artists singing their tribute to “Inang Kalikasan”.

Provincial elimination for the 19th Eagle Quiz (EQ) contest, the annual quiz bee competition for grade six and fourth year high school students, will be held on June 23 in all 6 DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

The EQ contest is now on its 19th year of promoting environmental awareness, protection and sustainable development especially among youth sector.

In the culmination of the Environment Month celebration, the 19th Regional Battle of the Eagles, wherein the best students would wrest for the championship crown as the brightest environmentally-aware youngster of Bicol, alongside the esteemed Saringaya Awards, which give due recognition to the significant contributions of different individuals and stakeholders in environmental advocacies and programs, will be conducted on June 27. (EMB-5 release/PIA)


SUSPECTED EXTORTIONIST ARRESTED IN LABO TOWN

LABO, Camarines Norte – A suspected member of the New Peoples Army (NPA) and a wife of a known rebel member, Severino Samonte y Gadil aka Jack, operating in the province of Camarines Norte was apprehended while actually extorting money from a rice mill owner in barangay Kalamunding here around 7:45 a.m. last Monday (June 1).

P/Supt. Marlon Celetaria Tejada, acting chief of police here, in his report to P/Supt. Emmanuel Malaluan Talento, provincial director of Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office, identified the suspect one Lolita Obal Samonte, 34 years old, a resident of sitio Batteries in barangay Masalong, this municipality.

Joint intelligence operatives of Labo Municipal Police Station, Alpha Coy 31st IB, PA and MIB led by SPO1 Menardo Ando Salamero and TSGT Alan Reyes Rafer, respectively, caught the suspect in flagrante delicto while actually extorting money in the amount of P2,500 and packs of cigarettes from one
Maylene Mati-Ferrer, owner of Ferrer Rice Mill.

In an investigation, Tejada bared that prior to the arrest of suspect, Samonte introduced herself as a member of NPA and handed over an extortion letter to Ferrer last May 21, purportedly coming from a certain Ka Edgar (TNU), also a member of rebel group operating in barangay Masalong, Calabasa and Talobatib, all in Labo town.

The victim, however, did not yield to the extortion scheme but instead reported it to the elements of Labo MPS and Alpha Coy 31st IB, PA resulting in the arrest of the suspected NPA member when she returned to the place to collect the amount.

A criminal complaint for violation of Article 294 of the RPC (Robbery Extortion) has already been filed in court against Samonte with already inquest proceedings at the Provincial Prosecution Office in Daet, docketed under NPS-V-09-INQ-09F-00060. The suspect is now under the custody of BJMP Daet in line with the PNP’s legal offensive action against suspected member of rebel groups.

Talento, meanwhile, commended the members of Labo MPS, intelligence operatives of Alpha Coy 31st IB, PA and MIB who were directly involved in the successful conduct of intelligence operation resulting in the arrest of the suspect. (PSupt. MCTejada, LMPS/PIA)


Feature:

LET US HAVE A HEART-TO-HEART TALK!

The heart and blood vessels make up your circulatory system. Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood through the body.

The heart pumps blood carrying oxygen to large blood vessels called arteries and small blood vessels called capillaries. Other blood vessels called veins carry blood back to the heart.

When cholesterol is too high, the insides of large blood vessels become narrowed or clogged. This problem is called atherosclerosis.

Narrowed and clogged vessels make it harder for enough blood to get to all parts of your body. Narrowed blood vessels leave a smaller opening for blood to flow through.

Having narrowed blood vessels is like turning on a garden hose and holding your thumb over the opening. The smaller opening makes the water to shoot out with more pressure. Other factors, such as kidney problems and being overweight also can lead to high blood pressure.

You may control your blood pressure by eating more fruits and vegetables, eating low-salt and low-sodium foods, losing weight if you need to, being physically active, not smoking, and limiting alcoholic drinks.

Heart and blood vessel disease can lead to heart attacks and strokes. You can do a lot to prevent heart disease and stroke by:

1. Keeping your blood glucose under control. Have an A1C test twice a year. The A1C test measures the average blood glucose level for the past two to three months. The higher the level of glucose in the blood, the higher the A1C result will be. For most people with diabetes, an A1C goal of less than 7 is recommended. Reaching the goal is important since very 1 per cent increase above this A1C result raises the risk of diabetes-related complications. Should blood glucose levels rise above this goal, a change of medicines or a review of the treatment plan is needed.

2. Keeping your blood pressure under control. Below 130/80 is the target for most people.

3. Keeping your cholesterol under control. Have it checked at least once a year. The target for most people for Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol is below 100, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol should be above 40 for men and above 50 for women. Triglycerides should be below 150.

4. Making physical activity a part of your daily routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Check with the doctor to learn what activities that are best for you.

5. Making sure the foods you eat are “heart healthy”. Include foods with high fiber such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, and oats. Cut back on meats, butter, and dairy products. Limit foods with trans fat such as potato chips.

6. Losing weight if you need to. If you are overweight, try to exercise most days of the week. Consult a registered dietician for help in planning meals and lowering the fat and calorie content of your diet to reach and maintain a healthy weight.

7. If you smoke, quit.

8. Check if you need to take an aspirin. Studies have shown that low dose of aspirin everyday can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

9. Take your medicines as directed.


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 (DOST), General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguid City; Te/Fax Nos.: 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. (CCTanchoco, FNRI-DOST /PIA)