CWC FEATURES WORLD’S BEST TRIATHLETES IN IRONMAN 70.3 PHILIPPINES

CAMARINES SUR Province — All eyes of the sporting world will focus on this province as nine of the world’s best triathlon athletes have signed up for the Ironman 70.3 Philippines set on Sunday, August 23, at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Pili town here.

This international competition is sponsored by the Provincial Government here, under the auspices of Governor LRay Villafuerte, in partnership with Alaska Milk Corporation and Asia Brewery.

The nine elite triathletes will be part of no less than 500 expected participants from 23 countries, including the Philippines, who will compete in the triathlon

The Ironman 70.3 will be staged for the first time in the country as part of a series of triathlons in selected locations to determine this year’s World Champion.

The triathlon is a modern sport, actually a multisport integrated into the Olympic Games only in year 2000, that combines 1.2 miles (almost 2 kilometers) of swimming, 56 miles (over 90 kilometers) of cycling and 13.1 miles (over 21 kilometers) of running for a total distance of 70.3 miles or some 113.11 kilometers.

The awesome roll of triathlete-participants is led by Chris McCormack, fondly known in triathlon circles as “Macca”, resident of Cronulla, Australia and Bend, Oregon, USA, who has been Ironman Hawaii World Champion, International Triathlon Union (ITU) Olympic Distance World Champion, ITU World Cup Champion, eleven-time Ironman Champion, winner of 19 national titles, seven-time World Cup Champion, Goodwill Games Gold medallist, four-time Triathlete of the Year, two-time Competitor of the Year, four-time Escape from Alcatraz Champion, and four-time Wildflower Half Ironman Champion.

Among others expected to put up a tough run for the plum is Cameron Brown of New Zealand who has been lauded as “the most consistent ironman triathlete with eight New Zealand Ironman championships tucked under his belt, aside from having been European Ironman Champion of 2006, New Zealand Ironman Champion for eight times, New Zealand Sportsman of the Year in 2001 and New Zealand Sprint Distance champion.

Terenzo Bezzone, a 24-year old South African-born now residing in New Zealand, is another professional triathlete to look out for, an upcoming sports wonder who focused in multisports like cross country running, cycling and swimming while very young who has amassed a pile of victories since leaving school, lately the championships in the World Champ 70.3 in Clearwater, USA, the Vineman 70.3 in California, the Kansas 70.3 in Kansas and named top 70.3 Athlete of the year in 2008. Before that he won Eagleman 70.3 USA, the Columbia in Maryland, the Buffalo in Minnesota, and placed second in St. Anthony’s in Florida and in the Ironman Debut in New Zealand.

Other highly rated triathlon professionals are eleven-time Ironman Hawaii champion of Hawaii Tim Marr of Hawaii and Pete Jacobs of Australia who recently placed second in Ironman Australia.

Top-rated female triathletes include the veteran 35-year old Charlotte Paul of the United Kingdom, cited one of the fasted female Ironman triathletes in the world today who finished third in the Busselton Half Ironman last year and was champion of the IM Western Australia and Port Macquarie Half Ironman in 2007.

Also expected to turn out a fine performance is another veteran, Gina Kehr of California who, at forty, is still considered among the finest female triathletes in the world today. Kehr’s bag of successes include the Southbay Triathlon and the Stealhead 70.3 last year and she was Ironman National Champion and first placer in the ITU Boston Southbay Triathlon in 2003 and in the Sandman Triathlon in 2002.

Expected to give them a run for the glory are Canadian Liza Bentley, also a 40-year old veteran of the game who is an eleven-time winner of the Hawaii Ironman Championships, second placer in the 70.3 World Championships and Triathlete of the Year in 2004, and Florida-born now Hawaiian resident Bree Wee who has consistently been a top contender in many triathlon games.


Along side these international triathletes are a long roster of prominent local triathlon enthusiasts who have already enlisted for the games. They include Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr., Senator Pia Cayetano, Wilfred Steven Uytengsu of Alaska Milk, ABS-CBN bigwig Ernie Lopez, Tessa Prieto-Valdez of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Fernando Zobel of Ayala Corporation. (GBClaveria, MMEC/PIA)


SORSOGON’S POLICE CITED BEST PCR SNC OFFICER

SORSOGON CITY — SPO2 Nestor Jardin Aguirre was cited as Best Senior Police Community Relations Police Non-Commissioned Officer for 2009 during the 14th Police Community Relation Month culminating activity held at Camp Simeon Ola, Legazpi City recently.

In a press statement, PC/Insp. Alfredo Nierva, Public Information Officer of Sorsogon Police Provincial Office said the awards program, which is open to all police officers and units region wide, aims to pay tribute to outstanding police units and police officers who provided concrete examples and inspirations to police force, at the least of making even a little difference in bringing in more improved police service and good relations with the community.

“The selection is done annually not only for PNP to inspire the police force but to make them more effective in serving the public and at the same time draw support from the community noting that mamang pulis at aleng pulis are worth it,” said Nierva.

SPO2 Nelson J. Aguirre, who elicited all accolades from his colleagues after capping the said honor, is a licensed criminologist assigned at the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, Camp Salvador C. Escudero, Sr., Sorsogon City .

It can be noted that Aguirre has become instrumental in introducing and bringing the SPPO’s various programs and services to the community.

Topping Aguirre’s highlight of accomplishment is the free swimming tutorials which he has provided for Sorsogon’s youth.

Aguirre said his primary goal of offering his free services is to deviate budding youths from vices and other unworthy practices. “Swimming is an effective approach towards bringing the youth to more worthwhile activities for aside from it is a good exercise, the skill can also be used to save lives,” he narrated.

Aguirre is also currently teaching swimming lesson patiently to children with special disabilities, who according to him need utmost attention and skills development.

Aguirre was also the police officer behind the implementation of PNP’s community programs such as distribution of free food packs and feeding program for elementary school children, distribution of footwear and school supplies for graders so to help underprivileged school children in different barangays in the province.

The award was conferred to him by Police Chief Superintendent Paterno Palding Bangi, Bicol PNP Regional Director. (BA Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)


PHILHEALTH ADOPTS SINGLE EMPLOYER REGISTRATION

LEGAZPI CITY — Streamlining the employer registration process through the adoption of Single Employer Registration Process (SERP) impelled the Memorandum of Agreement between the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Social Security System (SSS)

Orlando Iñigo Jr., PhilHealth Bicol regional director, said that an employer who registers with SSS becomes automatically registered with PhilHealth.

Iñigo added that an employer shall no longer be required to go personally to PhilHealth for initial registration.

He explained that all employer’s data received from SSS will be processed by PhilHealth, consequently, issuance of PhilHealth Employer Number (PEN) to the employer.

He said the PEN serves as the permanent identification number for all transactions with the PhilHealth.

Iñigo stressed the employer will be required to submit the post registration requirements, after 30 days following the initial registration from SSS,:

PhilHealth

1. Accomplished report of employee members (Er2)
2. Member data record for employed member (M1a) and supporting documents for declarations dependents:
* Photocopy of marriage contract for spouse who is not a PhilHealth member
* Copy of birth certificate for children below 21 years old
* Copy of birth certificate for parents 60 years old and above

SSS

1. Employment report (SS Form R-1A)
2. Specimen signature card (SS Form L-501)
3. Sketch of business address; and
4. Validated miscellaneous payment return form (SS Form R-6) or special bank receipt, showing payment for the employer registration plate, if not paid upon initial registration. (PhilHealth V/PIA)


MORE JOBS CREATED DESPITE GLOBAL ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN – DOLE V

LEGAZPI CITY — Jobs created, jobs lost.

Alarmed by the impact of the fluctuating dollar-peso exchange rates to local industries and the possible after-effect of the global financial crisis, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here is doing rounds in several businesses across the region assessing the assess hiring ‘capabilities’ and retrenchment percentage.

Ernesto C. Bihis, DOLE Bicol regional director, said that the ‘assessment’ drive, dubbed “Labor Trending”, is actually an interpretation of regional statistical data culled and consolidated by the agency..

Bihis said that the activity is an in-depth study of the results of our various programs, the agency’s accomplishments in numbers, quantified and real.

He related for the first semester, 4,560 Bicolanos were ‘lucky’ to land a job thru DOLE and PESO assisted programs like Jobs Fair.

He explained that this number quantifies an almost 41 per cent accomplishment of the 11,182 target for the whole year – not bad considering the onset of the GFC. The job placement is ‘more than enough’ to absorb workers affected by the GFC.

Iñigo stressed that DOLE Bicol created at least 4,560 jobs and recorded some 441 displacements showing that about 150% more jobs were created than we lost in the region

It can be recalled that for the last quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009, at the peak of the economic meltdown, DOLE Bicol recorded 11 establishments which either permanently shutdown or retrenched workers.

Irma S. Valiente, DOLE assistant regional director, however, said that it is very “interesting to note” that of all the provinces, Masbate may seem to have a “stable” business with only one establishment reporting and verified to have been affected by the global economic crisis.

“Bicol have experienced an increase in retrenchment last year and early this year. But we were able to turn the tide around through the jobs fair. Data shows that our generated employment is more than or rather three times than the retrenched workers because of GFC,” Valiente said.

At present, DOLE Bicol has streamlined new livelihood programs up for implementation in the region including the “Trabaho sa Bag” – a livelihood program for the informal sector, NARS program – for nurses, SPES – for students and WINAP, ISLA and TUPAD for displaced workers, the unemployed and fisher folks.

Bihis noted that DOLE Bicol’s efforts here are paying off. Aside from our livelihood programs establishments are slowly getting back to its business, for example in Camarines Norte about 2 mining firms have already re-opened.
(RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)


CONSULTATIONS ON MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE UNDERWAY

LEGAZPI CITY — Consultations for the long awaited increase in the minimum wage rates are still being conducted by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol regional office here and the RTWPB.

Series of wage consultation in the provinces of Masbate, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Albay are now being mulled to determine whether or not an increase is due this year.

Ernesto C. Bihis, DOLE Bicol regional director and RTWPB chair, explained that several hearings are being carried out annualy to assess if a wage increase is necessary or if the existing wage order will stand.

Workers here are speculating of the amount that may be added in the increase but the DOLE and RTWPB will remain silent until the study is finished.

Irma S. Valiente, DOLE Bicol assistant regional director, assures Bicolanos that deliberation on the issue of wage increase is the priority of the agency and the regional wage board.

Valiente added that this is not an easy matter and should be studied thoroughly since the fate of the workers will depend on these talks.

“We would like to let the public know that this is not a simple job and a lot of factors must be considered. The matter of wage increase entails a delicate balancing act of weighing the needs of workers against the employer’s capacity/ability to pay,” Valiente said. (RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)


KBP SORSOGON HOLDS FIRST MEDIA OLYMPICS

Sorsogon Province -- The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) - Sorsogon Chapter on August 13-15, has organized for the first time the Media Olympics, an athletic event that aims not on competing against who has the best vigor and physical prowess but primarily on getting acquainted with and strengthening camaraderie among media personalities here.

"KBP is very much elated upon seeing that the sports event which we conceptualized under the theme 'Together As One' was successful in its attempt to foster in-depth friendship among media community in Sorsogon," said Andy Espinar, KBP-Sorsogon Chapter president.

Espinar said that over the years, the media community here has never been provided with activities that would make them 'together as one'. "This is why, we thought of the media Olympics, the first activity ever, to serve as vehicle towards unifying and at the same time, serve as an avenue to develop hale and hearty skills among Sorsogon media," he said.

He added that through the activity, each one was chanced to be acquainted with other personalities in the media community of Sorsogon, who according to many "were only known to them either by name or by voice."

The activity kicked off, August 13, with a motorcade along the city's main thoroughfare and a short opening program which was graced by National Telecommunications Bicol Regional Director Engr. Ariel H. Padilla.

The games officially started in the afternoon with basketball and volleyball games for its opening salvo.

The three day Media Olympics featured nine events to include basketball, volleyball, chess, scrabble, table tennis, dart, badminton, billiards and bowling held at the Aemilianum College Gymn, X-trim Badminton Gymn and Dino Mark Bowling House respectively.

"More than hundred of media personalities here put across their intention to be part of and have joined this very first significant event. They were divided into green team, blue team, yellow team and red orange team, each has its own knacks and eccentricity, which has added zest to the affair," said Espinar.

Meanwhile, the awarding and closing ceremony, August 15, highlighted the covenant signing among media practitioners.

"The covenant provides guarantee of promoting effective cooperation and unity among practicing media enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity for their personal growth and public advancement as well as in furthering communication development," said Espinar.

The covenant will also serve as a reminder for the media practitioners here to abide by the journalist's code of ethics, setting as well, a good example by providing the public right, accurate and timely information. (BA Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)




June ’09 remittance posts record high inflows of US$ 1.5B; totals US$ 8.5B in H1 of '09

MANILA -– The record-high of nearly US$ 1.5 billion Overseas Filipino (OF) remittances in June 2009 alone is a testimony of earlier projections that inflows would remain resilient this year amid the global downturn.


The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday said remittances grew 3.3 percent in June this year to US$ 1.49 billion from the US$ 1.45 billion in June 2008.


This brought the inflows in the first six months this year to US$ 8.5 billion, or a jump of 2.9 percent compared to the US$ 8.24 billion in end-June last year.

Bulk of these came from the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UK, Japan, Singapore, UAE, Italy, and Germany.

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said inflows from land-based and sea-based workers both registered higher inflows of 2.5 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.

“The continued growth of remittance flows since January this year, accompanied by emerging signs of improving global economic conditions, have affirmed the positive outlook for steady remittance for 2009,” he stressed.

Tetangco traced the continued strong inflows to both the high demand for highly-skilled and professional Filipino workers and the wide array of services and products being offered by domestic banks and their counterparts abroad.

He said deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) is expected to remain robust in the coming months due to, among others, the employment arrangements of the Philippine government with its counterpart in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, and SouthKorea.

Apart from the possible recruitment of around 4,000 Filipino medical workers in Libya, the BSP chief said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Tripoli is checking out employment possibilities for Filipinos in non-traditional markets like Algeria, Chad, Malta, and Morroco, particularly in the hotel, oil, gas and technical services sectors.

The central bank also said that more OFWs are expected to be deployed in Taiwan, among others, due to the Special Hiring Program for Taiwan (SHPT). (PIA V Release)

PGMA signs Food and Drugs Act of 2009

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today signed into law Republic Act 9711 otherwise known as the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Act of 2009.

The FDA Act of 2009 is said to complement RA 9502, or the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008. It renames the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to FDA and strengthens its regulatory powers, resources and capabilities to efficiently and expeditiously perform its mandate.

Under Republic Act. No. 9711, FDA will have the powers that BFAD currently does not have. It can order the ban, recall and withdrawal of health products that cause or has the potential to cause death, serious illness or injury to people. It can also do the same to products that make deceptive claims.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who attended the signing ceremony, noted that the new law also authorizes FDA to retain all income in addition to its annual budget, thus providing the agency the resources to meet operational cost and to fund the purchase of laboratory equipment and increase its manpower resources.

Duque added that under the law. FDA can seize without hearing or court order health products found to be in violation of the laws or rules and regulations pending further proceedings.

Another salient feature of the law is the establishment of modern and complete testing laboratory facilities in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, apart from the existing central office laboratory, which will be equipped with the necessary and appropriate provision of the latest laboratory equipment and procedures. This assures the delivery of FDA services to its clients at the shortest time possible anywhere in the country.

Rep. Arthur Pingoy, Jr., chair of the House committee on health, said President Arroyo’s signing into law of the FDA Act of 2009 is “one of the greatest legacies of the President to the Filipino people.”

“The BFAD strengthening bill has long been a priority legislative measure of Malacanang aimed at protecting and promoting the right to health of the Filipino people through an effective regulatory system of all health products responsive to the country’s health needs and problems,” Pingoy said.

He added that a stronger FDA will make the country more effective in monitoring and ensuring the entry of quality, affordable food and medicines in the country.

Without a tougher and stronger FDA, Pingoy noted, the implementation of the Cheap Medicines Law would not be effective and complete, as it is a necessary component to it. (PIA V Release)


PGMA witnesses DOH turnover of P50-M to UP-PGH

MANILA — The Department of Health today turned over P50 million to the University of the Philippines Manila-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) in ceremonies held at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the main supporter of the DOH’s health facilities enhancement program, witnessed the turnover rites which coincided with the UP-PGH’s 102nd foundation day.

The fund is intended to procure a second angiography system for the PGH – a single plane flat panel detector digital angiography system.

Also in attendance were Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Dr. Emerlinda Roman of UP Manila-PGH.

The project was facilitated through the generosity of President Arroyo and the assistance of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral.

With the increasing trend in cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery diseases, myocardial infarction, hypertension and stroke, the services of the cardiac catheterization laboratory (Cathlab) are imperative and critical since it offers a wide range of diagnostic and treatment modalities for these diseases.

The P50 Million allotment made by President Arroyo comes at a most opportune moment, helping PGH achieve its vision of being “globally competitive, committed to the health of the Filipino people through a system of networking, served by competent, compassionate, and ethical health professionals working as a team, and in being the center of excellence in leadership in health care, training and research, that creates an impact on health policies.” (PIA V Release)


Palace awaits Comelec decision on Lakas merger

Malacanang will wait for the final decision of the Commission on Elections on the Lakas-Kabalikat Ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-KAMPI-CMD) merger before it issues any official announcement.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita issued the statement when asked for a reaction on former President Fidel V. Ramos’ rejection of the coalition’s post as chairman emeritus.

He noted that it is “hard” for him to say anything on the issue for some people may use or misuse his statements.

“He (Ramos) is just coming out with his own position,” he added.

Ermita said that matters like the announcement of Ramos is something that cannot be set aside especially since it comes from the former leader.

Earlier, former Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. filed a petition before the Comelec, asking to nullify the merger and invalidate the positions and appointment of the officials of the coalition.

De Venecia also asked Comelec to nullify the merger of the parties involved.(PIA V Release)


THIS AUGUST, START TAKING CARE OF YOUR EYES – DOH

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) today reminded the public to take care of their eyes as approximately 314 million people worldwide are estimated to live with low vision and blindness, according to the 2002 World Health Organization data.

“We have coordinated a nationwide eye screening and cataract surgery with selected government and private hospitals, so I urge the public to have their eyes checked up to prevent blindness later in life”, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

The global figure translates to 3.4 million Filipinos who are visually impaired, according to the 3rd National Blindness Survey done in 2002. Of these, 3.2 million have visual impairment in one or both eyes while 461,121 are blind in both eyes.

“According to the same survey, blindness was most common among the elderly and the poor who have no access to health facilities”, Duque said, adding that as one grows older, one gets more prone to have an error of refraction, or glaucoma, or cataract, or blindness due to diabetes, hypertension.

Based on the same survey, the top three causes of visual impairment are cataract, error of refraction, and glaucoma. Cataract is the number one cause of reversible blindness in the country, with prevalence highest among the poor and underserved. Errors of refraction can usually be corrected with eyeglasses.

Experts said that glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually lead to loss of vision, often without warning. This disease is hardly preventable when blindness has set in.

What is important is early detection; however, this can only be done with high technology equipment. This makes the number of glaucoma cases under-estimated.T

he reminder was made as part of the national observance of this month as Sight-Saving Month whose theme is, “Excellence and Equity in Eye Care: A Human Right”.“Quality and affordable eye care must be made accessible to all Filipinos of all social strata.

This is a basic right that should be accorded to everyone, without discrimination as to age, sex, gender, religion, race, or social standing”, declared Duque adding that the challenge now is how to bring affordable and excellent eye care to all areas of the country.

This year, the DOH and its partner agencies and organizations under the National Committee for Sight Preservation, aims to put up local Committees for Sight Preservation in the different regions and provinces of the country.

Under their local chief executives (LCEs), these committees will coordinate the delivery of eye care services at the local level, such as eye screening and cataract surgery programs for the indigent constituents of the community. (PIA V Release)


RP government still pushes for peace talks – Ermita

MANILA –- The Philippine government is still pushing for peace talks with the communist and Islamic rebels across the country despite all odds.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita made this pronouncement following a call to shelve the peace talks and the peace process.

Ermita also said Malacañang is also awaiting the investigation by the Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the role of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Basilan encounter last weekend.

“There are plenty of things to consider in the name of peace in Mindanao,” according to Ermita adding that it is so hard to accuse who had done it because they have no basis and they don’t know the real story in the said operation.

Last Monday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said that it is the government’s fundamental commitment to continue the peace talks in Mindanao despite what happened in Basilan.

“If there are challenges such as rogue rebels like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the government has to reaffirm its commitment on both sides to have peace talks but we have to deal with the terrorists separately,” Fajardo said.

Meanwhile, Fajardo said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave instructions to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to assist the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Basilan and nearby areas.

Fajardo said affected by the firefight are about 435 villages in region 10, 11 and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). “The IDPs were given shelters, relief packages and livelihood projects,” she said. (PIA V Release)