UNDP-Phil chief leads switch on of water, electricity service connection in Albay relocation site

DARAGA, Albay, Aug. 24 (PIA/LGU Albay) -- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) country director Renaud Meyer led Wednesday (Aug. 24) the ceremonial switching of water and electricity service connection in Barangay Anislag Resettlement Site Phase l project here.

“ The project worth P1.2 million forms part of the Bicol Recovery and Rehabilitation Project funded by the UNDP, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government here and residents,” Meyer said.

The project now covers 80 houses now enjoying the water and electricity service connection.

Meyer stressed during the simple ceremony that participation of local residents in pursuing and sustaining the projects is very important to get the most benefit out of which.

Emma Lindio, municipal social welfare officer here, on the other hand said that the beneficiary-relocation site is composed of 1,057 housing units .

“As of August this year, some 678 housing units have been completed and energized while 678 are yet to be completely provided with facilities,” Lindio said.

However, she said the municipal government here has targeted a total of 4,679 housing units to be constructed in different resettlement sites.

“Our over all shelter gaps remain 1,067, including those in the phase 1,” she added.

Aside from water and electricity service connection, UNDP has also supported and funded various projects and programs in the province of Albay the likes of climate change adaptation, recovery and rehabilitation from calamities, and HIV/AIDS prevention and control. (MAL/MDR/LGU Albay)

Chiz: overhaul of national data system key to Philippine development

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) -- Senator Chiz Escudero lauded the Palace endorsement of the bill reorganizing the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) as priority legislation, saying this will help policymakers to map out a national development program.

Senate Bill No. 103 (SBN 103), principally authored by Escudero, aims to overhaul the outdated data collection and storage system of the country to make it at par with the country’s neighbors in the region. No less than President Benigno Aquino III has endorsed it for congressional action.

Escudero praised the President for recognizing the importance of establishing a state organization, which will be primarily responsible for all national surveys and act as a central data bank for national accounts.

“Statistics and information has become the lifeline in policy-making the world over. We must be at par with our neighboring countries, if not the world, to be equipped with vital and current information on world trade, events and trends,” Escudero said.

“More than that of course, the country must fully know itself, its demographics, resources, capabilities, skills and potentials as a state to aid our policymakers in deciding for our development as a nation and as a race. The country has to arm itself with the ability to know its necessities at present and options for the future,” Escudero explained.

The PSS is currently a decentralized, government-wide system of providing statistical information and services to the public.

Its present system bears a very tall structure with majority of its resources performing administrative functions. With the overhauled system, the PSS shall be independent, efficient and competent agency, the senator said.

In the government, the only agencies that produce statistics as their primary functions are the National Statistics Office (NSO), Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) and Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLAS).

The proposed Statistics Philippines (STATPHIL) will be attached to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for easy policy coordination and collaboration. A national statistician will be in charge of the administration of the office.

The development of a comprehensive and integrated research and training program for the newly overhauled system will be the responsibility of the statistical research and training institute, which will be established simultaneously with STATPHIL. (MAL/Office of Sen. Escudero)

Dengue cases surge in Naga City and Camarines Sur

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA City, Aug. 24 (PIA) -- The intermittent rainfall coupled with the varying weather condition proved to be the most auspicious breeding time for dengue-causing mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes Aegypti. This was disclosed by Naga City Health Officer Dr. Vito Borja amid the escalating increase of dengue cases here over the past few months.

In an interview, Borja acknowledged that dengue re-emergence is admittedly one of the major health problems that need to be urgently addressed not just by the local health authorities but also of the members of the community. He said that dengue threatens survival while and endangers the most vulnerable member of the family, the children.

Naga City posted a total of 287 dengue cases from January to August 22, 2011. This is 78.28 per cent higher as compared to the cases recorded last year covering the same period. Seventy-nine (79) cases, the highest number of dengue occurrence were registered during the month of July, followed by 54 cases listed on the month of June. It was also during these months where two (2) casualties, emanated.

Barangays Trianggulo, Calauag, Concepcion Pequeña, Sabang and Tinago all of Naga City indexed a considerable increase in dengue cases during the last two (2) quarters.

While the number of dengue cases continues to ascend, Borja said that everything is still under control.

”We have enough blood to sustain the need of our patients like blood transfusion or the provision of platelets. The local government is also doing its part in giving assistance, especially to the indigents. We just need to sustain our effort in strengthening the clean up drive and intensify the level of awareness of the members of the community that cleanliness is still the best solution to get rid of these dengue-carrying mosquitoes,” Borja said in closing.

The province of Camarines Sur on the other hand, reported a total of 210 dengue cases, with male as the most affected gender. This was the collated report coming from various provincial sentinel sites from January to August 13, 2011. Most of the cases were from Bula, with 17 cases, Pamplona – 13; Camaligan -12 and Calabanga and Pili, both with 11 cases. (LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

UNICEF program anchors review on pathways to change strategy and towards equity for children

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) -- Using the methodology of backwards mapping or the Theory of Change, a total of almost 200 participants implementing the Countrywide Program for Children (CPC) 4, 5 and 6 through the funding of the United Nations International Childrens Fund (UNICEF) from Regions 5 and 8, culminated the 3-day thematic consultation held at St. Ellis Hotel, Legaspi City, Friday of last week.

Participants from regions 5 and 8 reviewed the inputs of the 3- day national workshop conducted in Manila early last month and compared it to the strategy used by local implementers particularly in regions 5 and 8 to draw the localized pathway of change strategy for implementation towards equity for children.

The newly drafted CPC 7 national program was presented and participants where consulted on which pathway should be strengthened and improved viewing it on a local implementation outlook and perspective given also their local pre-conditioned situations with regional cultural implications and differences.

The results of the inputs of these two regions were laterally compared with the inputs drafted by 100 participants from Manila earlier prepared and considered as preconditioned situations.

In cooperation with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office Region V , UNICEF provided the legal, structural and process framework focusing on the basic early childhood and development. nine key programs.

Significant issues on inequity, marginalization and opportunities for a balanced implementation of the rights of children, the program review also provided sharing of experiences from program implementers from the two regions.

Basic Education; Maternal ; Neonatal and Child Health; Nutrition (2) ; Child Protection (2) ;Conflict Risk Mitigation and Peace Building;Water Sanitation and Hygiene; HIV and Aids; Social Protection Policy and Disaster Risk Reduction were the nine program areas given emphasis of the review..

Regions 5 and 8 key implementers' of CPC 4, 5 and 6 drew their inputs through knowledge sharing from their community based experiences, views and the working arrangement and current resources both financial and human.

One of the conditions that surfaced was on strengthening the assistance and support group interventions and its logistics componenet.for workers in the program..

According to the inputs presented, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). provide voluntarily services. While these services were given , there is a need to look at their financial capability and status as it revealed that they are given very low renumeration.

Barangay Health Workers aside from medical workers who implement the CPC are usually not provided the enough logistics as they are considered volunteers .

They have to walk to far flung areas and are exposed to bad weather conditions and other elements.in the implementation of the program.

"This pre-conditioned situations are the real scenario in rural communities and such issue has to be resolved. It should be acted upon to at least successfully strengthen and assure the success of the CPC implementation " , this is one of the indicators in the review that surfaced.

The assumptions also surfaced that while volunteerism is a strategy for program implementation, these volunteers (BHWs) are themselves part of the issue to be provided interventions as most of them are mothers / women who should be receiving interventions from the program.

Providing children a voice on the program to be implemented with proper consultation on what they need should also be seen as a major linkage to successfully implement the program.

This was significantly highlighted especially during the synthesis on the last day with emphasis on the proper monitoring and evaluation of the program, its impact on the target clients and the indicators of success.

The three day activity also surfaced certain social policies on education issues that has to be reviewed thoroughly and be brought to government's attention like provisions for safe and mitigating risk threat school buildings that can withstand certain calamities if these will be used as evacuation centers.

The program review of the nationally drafted CPC 7 drew new inputs of suggestions of indicators,assumptions and interventions in the pathway to change strategy as local thematic consultation was implemented taking into consideration regional issues and differences yet still focused towards equity for children. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

CENRO urges public not to capture marine turtles

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Aug. 24 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Community Environment and Natural Resource Office (CENRO) is asking the public not to capture marine turtles (pawikan) released to the sea by neighboring countires.

According to CENRO OIC Officer Luvimindo F. Chioco, our partners in Saipan had installed satellite transmitter on the back of three (3) green sea turtles last summer and released them to the ocean.

Based from the satellite tracking, one of the turtles named Kumiko was said to have been detected between Catanduanes and Guinahoan or Refugio island north of Caramoan, Camarines Sur.

There is a possibility that the turtle will also reach south Catanduanes waters.

CENRO moreover advised the public especially those living in coastal communities not to capture the said turtles if ever they encounter such animal.

The turtles have transmitter on their back. It is advised that it would be better to just leave the sea turtle swim freely and do not remove the transmitter.

The said transmitter monitors the migration tracking of the turtle wherein data collected and gathered are essential for the conservation and protection of marine turtles.

Marine turtles have lived in the oceans for over 100 million years. They are an integral part of the traditional culture of many coastal indigenous peoples throughout the world.

Marine turtles migrate long distances between their feeding grounds and nesting sites. They have a large shell called a carapace, four strong, paddle-like flippers and like all reptiles, lungs for breathing air. The characteristic beak-like mouth is used to shear or crush food.

All marine turtle species are experiencing serious threats to their survival. The main threats are pollution and changes to important turtle habitats, especially coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests and nesting beaches. Other threats include accidental drowning in fishing gear, over-harvesting of turtles and eggs, and predation of eggs and hatchlings by foxes, feral pigs, dogs and goannas. (MAL/EAB,PIA Catanduanes)

Solid Waste Management Board highlights 2nd Q accomplishments

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) -- The Provincial Solid Waste Management Board (PSWMB) through its secretariat, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources, local government unit (PENRO-LGU) has forwarded to the Philippine Information Agency office here a copy of the highlights of the accomplishments undertaken during the second quarter meeting of the body last week of June.

Engr. Maribeth L. Fruto acting as presiding officer during its second quarter meeting spelled out certain issues regarding the actions steps to be undertaken specially on the issue of safe disposal of hospital wastes that has to be monitored by the PSWMB in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources , Region V- Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

The report says that, the DENR-EMB RO 5 issued already the guidelines to hospitals here in the province including clinics and other medical institutions whereby hazardous wastes that may affect public health if not properly and safely disposed will pause a problem to the helath of the public..

The recommendation based on the report stated that hazardous wastes generated from hospitals should be closely monitored , where and how these are being disposed.

EMB RO5 through Engr. Leonisa S. Madeloso reported that they conduct regular evaluation and monitoring of the proper disposal of these wastes and that Pollution Control Officers (PCO) of hospitals should have a recorded report of when and where these wastes are disposed.

According to Madeloso the management and disposal of hazardous wastes is the responsibility of the establishment as provided in RA 6969.

Engr. Madeloso also explained during the meeting that the DENR-EMB RO 5 had requested all LGUs in the province with hospitals for a final Hospital Waste Disposal Plan.

According to her Notice of Violation (NOV) are issued through their office through their legal department LGUs who are not complying with RA 6969.

The municipality of Irosin according to the report since catering to disposal of hazardous wastes coming from public hospitals should have to comply with the provisions of RA 6969. It should also secure a transport and disposal permit.

Mr. Noli Dellomas, Sanitary Inspector / PCO of the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital (PHO) here reported that the disposal of hospital wastes is mandated in the Joint Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Department of Health (DENR-DOH) Administrative Order 02, series of 2006, the Policies and Guidelines on the effective and proper handling, collection, transport, treatment, storage and disposal of health care wastes.

The AO categorizes hospital wastes as general wastes, infectious wastes, pathological wastes, sharps etc. and these are all provided the measures on how it will be properly and safely disposed,

Meanwhile Mayor Alejandro B. Gamos of Sta Magdalena informed the body of the support given by Congressman Deogracias B. Ramos, representative of the 2nd district of Sorsogon in the amount of P500,000.00 for the implementation of their SWMP. The amount was used for the purchase of a pulverizer.

It was also noted in the report that the municipalities of Sta Magdalena, Barcelona,Magallanes,Bulusan, Casiguran, Bulan, Donsol and Juban submitted their reports on the updates of the SWMP implementation.

The report also provided information on the requiring of all LGUs to submit their ESWM plan and a training on the preparation of the plan will be scheduled following also the new mandated guidelines and policies in the program.

Schedule of the 3rd quarter PSWMB meeting to be held at Tats Function Hall at the local government of Pilar is scheduled September 6 ,2011. (IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Civil Service Commission to celebrate 111th year

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Aug. 24 (PIA)-- The Civil Service Comission (CSC) will celebrate its 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA) on September, 2011 with the theme: "Championing R.A.C.E.: Publc Service Excellence at Full Speed."

CSC MC. No. 17, s. 2011 states that the year's celebration is ancored on President Benigno S. Aquino III's call for reform, daang matuwid and on his pledge to implement change in government.

The year's theme invites everyone to review and focus on the performances of every individual as they respond to the call for change int he government bureaucracy by embracing R.A.C.E.

The said celebration will be lead by the Catanduanes Council of Personnel Officers (CCPO) and the Catanduanes Association of Chiefs of Government Offices (CACGO) in coordination with the Provincial Government and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Catanduanes Field Office.

Several activities will be held during the celebration including a "Walk for Fun", Hataw, Beach Clean-Up, Family Day, Orientation on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Government Workers Fellowship Night.

A contest for Chorale groups, Digital Book Cover Designing, Photography, and Essay will also be held. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)