Supplemental feeding program to benefit more than 26,000 children in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, July 21 (PIA) -- A total of 26,173 children enrolled in day care centers across Albay will benefit from the supplemental feeding program following the signing of the memorandum of agreement among and by the provincial government, city and municipal governments in Albay and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently.

Some P38.544 million has been allocated for the province of Albay alone to implement the supplemental feeding for a period of 120 days, in a five days a week, to commence before the end of this month.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said that the provincial government relentlessly pursues to eradicate malnutrition through food supplementation of energy booster and other nutrients missing from the diet of children with more nutritional requirements.

The program intends to prevent malnutrition prevalence through reducing the nutrient gap between individual’s actual consumption and nutrition requirement.

The provincial government, Salceda added, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), will strictly monitor the implementation of the program and in support will also augment other requirements needed in the preparation of foods.

He emphasized that beneficiaries of the program are those children enrolled in day care centers.

“This is part of the DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program,” Salceda said.

Yolanda Yanzon, PSWDO chief, meanwhile said hot meals for children in day care center cost some P12.50 per day -- 2.50 for rice to be purchased by DSWD from National Fodd Authority (NFA) while the P10 budget will be released to the city and municipal governments -- for 120 days

The responsibility of barangays is to prepare the food based on the meal cycle menu recommended by the Food Nutrition and Research Institute (FNRI), while parents will assist in the preparation of meals.

Respective city and municipal social welfare and development offices, along with PSWDO, will monitor the status of children who will be weighed at the start of the feeding and a monthly weighing thereafter will be done to determine improvement and sustenance in their nutritional status.

The MOA and corresponding funds of P38.5 million will sustain Albay performance, with 5 out of top 10 best performing towns cited in 2010 nutrition program implementation. (MAL, PIA V)

DTI V urges Bicol brands to register trademark

LEGASPI CITY, July 21 (PIA/DTI) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office here has urged business owners in Bicol to apply for trademarks of their products.

Trademark registration certifies that a proprietor owns the brand or logos he uses in his products and signages. It is a powerful intellectual and economic asset not only of the individual owner but also of the nation as it leverages to compete globally.

Unlike BN registration, trademark registration is not mandatory under the law. However, when copying occurs, an owner’s only basis for legal protection is a trademark registration.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL), an agency attached to the DTI and with satellite offices in the region, caters for trademark registrations necessary to obtain ownership and protection for brands and logos.

DTI meanwhile only caters to business name (BN) registration which is required to start a venture.

IPOPHIL, an agency attached to the DTI, issues registration over trademarks, patents, utility models, designs, and copyrights for protection. (MAL/JRBerango, DTI V)

New infrastructures to spur progress in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, July 21 (PIA/DPWH) -- Albay province in the third congressional district is poised for progress with the near completion of the Albay West Coast road concreting projects in the municipalities of Libon and Pioduran.

Just recently, a port project in Pioduran became operational in addition to the existing Pantao Port in Libon.

“Our road projects serve as vital access to these port facilities. It goes without saying that motorists would choose paved roads over gravel roads resulting to an increased trade and commerce activities in the countryside,” said District Engineer Efren Manalo in an interview following his inspection of the projects thereat.

Majority of the constituents along the said coastal areas depends on marine and agricultural industries for their livelihood. Easy and timely transport of products to commercial centers translates to a corresponding increase in household income.

Regular Infrastructure Program for 2011 of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earmarked a total of P28 million for the road upgrading (gravel to asphalt) of Albay West Coast road.

Per records gathered, the allocation for Albay 3rd District is P46.19 million wherein P2.2 is for the rehabilitation/reconstruction of damaged paved national road along Polangui-Poblacion in the municipality of Polangui and P15.9 for the preventive maintenance/asphalt overlay along Banao-Binogsacan-Morera Daang Maharlika Road of the municipality of Guinobatan.

Close monitoring is being done by DPWH Regional Office through its Regional Director Danilo Dequito for the completion of the current-year projects within the deadline set by Honorable Secretary Rogelio Singson which is before end of December this year. (MAL/LVCastañeda, DPWH V)

Sarmiento sets ‘Ulat sa Distrito’ for Catanduanes

VIRAC, Catanduanes, July 21, (PIA) -- Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento of the Lone District of Catanduanes will have his first ‘Ulat sa Distrito’ on July 22, 2011, 8:00 a.m. at the Provincial Capitol Dome.

The said activity aims to relay to the public the accomplishment of Cong. Sarmiento and the progress of the programs and what to expect in the succeeding years in his term.

According to Sarmiento, the said ‘Ulat sa Distrito’ is a measure of one’s efficiency in rendering public service.

The report of the Congressman will cover his development agenda entitled as HEALTHY that covers health, education, agriculture, livelihood, tourism and youth empowerment. He will also tackle the expanded programs for health and social assistance for the indigent families.

It can be noted that Cong. Sarmiento’s Care for the Sick program which started a year ago which offers an option for advanced health services in some specialty hospitals and the College Education Assistance and Reward (CESAR) program has benefited a great number of families in the province. Care for the Sick has benefited 1,000 patients from 11 towns of the province while the latter has now covered grantees from the 300 barangays in the province.

Expected to attend the “Ulat” are Provincial officials, municipal chief executives, heads of government agencies, representatives of non-government and civic organizations, barangay officials, youth and student leaders, businessmen, farmers and fisherfolk, the academe, senior citizens and transport sector officials. (EAB, PIA Catanduanes)