Parents told: Spare the rod

MASBATE CITY, November 22 (PIA) -- At a recent seminar, dozens of parents and guardians, senior citizens, day care teachers, lay workers and youth leaders in the municipality of Cawayan were told that beating a child to instill discipline “is harmful as it impedes his development.”

According to the resource speakers in the seminar, just ridiculing, threatening or intimidating a mischievous child has negative impact on his childhood.

Ariel M. Posadas of Plan International told participants it was time to dispose of the proverbial rod at home—or to be more apt, employ alternative, non-violent punishment to properly bring up a child.

In line with the “Strengthening Civil Society in Eliminating Violence Against Children in the Philippines” project which is sponsored by Plan International and European Union, the seminar ended with the formation of participants into what was called as “Community-Based Advocacy Mainstreaming Group” (CBAMG).

Posadas said corporal or psychological punishment that is inflicted upon children tends to be hidden because it is typically committed in the home.

Civil society groups, like the CBAMG, could uncover such violence, he added.

Dante Tizon of Philippine Legislative Committee on Population and Development said that since the ordinance’s objective was the same as that of House Bill 4455, Cawayan was virtually providing a dry run for an imminent national campaign against violent discipline of children.

Tizon said once the “Positive Discipline Act of 2011” is enacted, parents and guardians will be assisted in fulfilling their parental authority while also upholding the children’s right to protection from cruelty.

The law would bind parents and guardians to adopt “positive discipline,” an enhanced technique in disciplining children that professional caregivers employ to correct the behavior of their wards. (MAL/EA Delgado, PIA Masbate)

DTI confiscates substandard Christmas lights

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Catanduanes has started its campaign against substandard Christmas lights sold by business establishments in the province as part of their monitoring to ensure public safety and to avoid unwanted incidence, according to DTI provincial director Ireneo B. Panti.

Included in the DTI operation are confiscation of substandard Christmas lights being sold in Virac Public Market and other parts of the town's capital.

Panti added that 50 pieces of Christmas lights amounting P700 were confiscated last Thursday, November 17.

DTI likewise urged the public to make sure that the products, especially the Christmas lights, are in good condition. Consumers may complain with the DTI for any substandard products sold by business establishments which may pose dangers.

Vendors were also warned to follow the law to avoid product confiscation and penalties. (MAL/EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)

Red Cross-Cat'nes to join nationwide fun run

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 22 (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Catanduanes Chapter will be joining the nation in a fun run dubbed as the Million Volunteer Run on December 4, 2011.

The activity is in connection with the celebration of the 10th International Year of Volunteers and aims to gather a million volunteer runners nationwide.

Million Volunteer Run also hopes to empower Filipinos against the dangers of disasters by training first responders and blood donors in preparation for any disaster.

Proceeds from the registration fee of P500 event will go to the different services especially in the training of Red Cross 143 volunteers and its disaster management programs.

The activity also emphasizes the importance of volunteerism and disaster-preparedness management through Red Cross 143 training in every barangay throughout the country.

The Million Volunteer Run will start at Plaza Rizal at around 6:00 a.m. and will end at the same venue. (MAL/EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)

Govt, private firms join DOLE-Bicol’s 1st Inter-Company Friendship Games

LEGAZPI CITY, November 22 (PIA/DOLE) -- A total of 16 teams have signified joining the first ever Inter-Company Basketball Friendship Tournament sponsored by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here.

DOLE Bicol regional director Atty. Alvin M. Villamor said that the tournament, dubbed as “DOLE Cup 2011” is an experimental venture aimed at promoting a harmonious relationship among labor and management in both the private and public sectors.

He said that DOLE Bicol is serious in its mandate of promoting industrial peace and shall use all means necessary to achieve the goal set forth by the Labor Sec. Baldoz in the unified Labor and Employment Plan (LEP) in attaining a 100 percent industrial peace in the regions.

“Sports has always been a peace maker not only internally to the companies that join us but as well as the entire business community here in the Region. In fact, an undeniable statistics shows that in every Manny Pacquiao’s fight crimes drop. So why not use sports as a tool in delivering our services,” Villamor added.

“DOLE Cup 2011” is a basketball tournament open to all businesses, companies, establishments, and even government offices region wide who are willing to join in any of the two categories.

The two categories are the Senior Category with players below 45 years old and the Veteran Category with players above 45 years old. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are also welcome to join the tournament by forming a consolidated team composed of several business entities.

Ryan Villaflores, a basketball enthusiast, a certified Honda mechanic, and the owner-manager of a small yet profitable auto shop business - the Modules Car Clinic located at Tahao Road Legazpi City, allied with other small shop owners and mechanic to form their team the “Auto Boys.”

“Maganda po ito kasi nagkakakilala kami nang husto tapos nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na mapag usapan yung mga sikreto ng negosyo. Yun bang parang sharing. Tapos sa gaya naming maliit pa lang na business e naiiwasan yung sama-an ng loob gawa ng kumpetisyon sa negosyo yun bang tipo na…o sya I laro na lang naten ng basketball yan…” Villaflores said.

Even media personnel in the region have been all praises for this move calling it as a “different-yet effective” approach of advocacy.

Edwin Peralta, news director of PBN DZGB-AM Legazpi and an active KBP member, in an afternoon interview with DOLE-Bicol, even profess the willingness of the KBP Legazpi Chapter to also join the competition.

He said that the DOLE Cup 2011 is the proper venue to strengthen the bond of broadcasters in the region. He also sees it as an opportunity for DOLE-Bicol to reach out to far more than the four corners of its office.

“I was actually surprised by the outcome of the number of teams who signified. The response was overwhelming. Truly, this DOLE Cup is not about the price or prestige but the camaraderie and the harmonious relationships forged. Please note that there is no pot-money on this but just a trophy for the winning team,” Villamor added.

DOLE Cup 2011 commenced on November 12.

Enhanced Labor-Management-Public Sector relations plus the bonus of an actual advocacy of DOLE’s presence in the public eye can be claimed as the best campaign to push for voluntary labor standards compliance with a minimal or at no cost from the government at all.

Also, the partnerships made with this endeavor is expected to last a lifetime all in the spirit of giving the best public service and best labor and employment advocacy in the service of the Bicolanos. (MAL/RPE-DOLE V)

DPWH-DEO I joins hazard awareness, wellness services and psychosocial promotions

ALBAY 1st DEO, Legazpi City, November 22 (PIA) -- Officials and employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here and its three district offices of Albay joined the events and activities in connection with the conduct of hazard awareness, wellness services, and psychosocial care, coinciding with the birthday anniversary of Governor Joey Sarte-Salceda last Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

On the part of the DPWH, the walk for a cause was headed by regional director Danilo E. Dequito, together with 2nd Engineering District OIC Assistant D.E. Vicente Miraballes, 3rd Engineering District OIC Assistant D.E. Benecio V. Sazon, Administrative Officer V Flocerpida Azotea, and Administrative Officer III Ma. Teodora P. Losantas and Albay 1st Administrative Officer III Teresita B. Talastas.

This event was participated in by some government agencies, LGU’s, senior citizens, students and teachers from different schools, barangays, JCI Legazpi City, ABA, KBP and other entities.

The activity started through a “walk for healthier Albayanos” led by the Albay Provincial Health Office at 6:00 in the morning from Bicol University grounds to Peñaranda Park. Included in the event were the “Hataw” and the awarding of Inter-Department Sports fest.

Free medical and dental check-up, bone screening, breast care, health education and diet counseling were given to all participants at the “wellness clinic” at Albay Astrodome. At 1:30 p.m., school bags, tables and chairs were distributed to 500 elementary pupils and 200 day care workers, led by the Philippine Social Welfare and Development. (MAL/DPWH V)

DPWH personnel undergoes free osteoporosis screening

ALBAY 1st DEO, Legazpi City, Nov. 22 (PIA) -- The Albay Medical Society, under Dr. Ofelia Sy, with MSD-Merck Sharp and DOHME, in cooperation with the Albay District Engineering Office Employees Association, headed by Association’s President, Mr. Allan B. Imperial and organized by Epifania Daep, conducted a free osteoporosis bone screening last October 17, 2011 at the Public Information Office from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

OIC Assistant District Engineer Rafael B. Presbitero, Administrative Officer III Teresita B. Talastas, Engr. Wilfredo S. Bigol, OIC Chief, Construction Section and P.I.O Designate Marites B. Mañago were the first four personnel who submitted themselves in bone screening. A total of sixty six employees undergo bone testing, in which, six was found to be at risk for osteoporosis category, twenty three on osteopenia and thirty seven were classified under normal ratings.

With those findings, Dr. Ofelia Sy provided the necessary prescriptions to those personnel who have been found under the osteoporosis and Osteopenia categories.

Osteoporosis usually occurs in elderly persons and post menopausal women. Exercise programs, calcium-enriched diet, and sometimes estrogens replacement, are used in prevention and treatment. (MAL/DPWH V)