NSO CamSur inaugurates breastfeeding center

By Lizel Macatangay

NAGA CITY, March 30 (PIA) -- Government offices are responding to the needs of women, particularly lactating mothers by setting aside a portion of their budget and space for these mothers. In Naga, the National Statistics Office (NSO) Camarines Sur recently inaugurated a breastfeeding center to allow lactating clients to breastfeed their babies while completing their transactions at the said office.

NSO provincial statistics officer Clemente Manaog said that the idea came after conducting a general clean-up in their office and realized that the cleared space can be used for a more important purpose.

“The natural air circulating in the said area is just perfect for a lactating mother and her child and is conducive for breastfeeding while waiting for their transactions to be completed. Mothers can also change the diapers of their toddlers there or allow them to take a nap,” Manaog added.

Moreover, the establishment of the said corner will promote breastfeeding as a healthy practice and will eliminate malnourishment, especially among newborn children aged 0-6 months in support of the national government’s program to promote breastfeeding,

This will also strengthen every community’s resolve pursuant to the Philippines’ commitment to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal on reducing hunger and poverty with a measure on reducing child mortality by two-thirds before 2015.

The said endeavor is also in consonance with the local resolution filed by City Councilor Cecilia “Nene” De Asis dubbed as Ordinance 2011-032 which requires all government agencies or offices, including private establishments in the city of Naga to establish in their respective workplace a breastfeeding corner or space for lactating mothers.

Enacted in 2011, the ordinance also seeks to provide mechanism to ensure the strict implementation of the said legislation.

Recently, Naga Mayor John Bongat, together with Vice Mayor Gabriel Bordado, Councilors De Asis and Nathan Sergio and other city officials, led the putting of a time capsule on the proposed site of the Naga City Breastfeeding Center within the city hall compound. The said endeavor is also in coordination with the City Population and Nutrition Office and the Naga City Council for Women, in line with the celebration of International Women’s Month.

The principles and mandates set by the Philippine constitution also clearly states that the, “State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill consciousness among them. It also specifically notes that the state shall also adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development." (MAL/LSM-PIA5, Camarines Sur)

PDAF builds infra projects in Cam Norte

By Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Mar. 30 (PIA) -- A total of P4 million was allocated from a senator’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for road development projects in Basud.

Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona’s PDAF allocated P2 million for the development of the Bagasbas Boulevard or the Cory Aquino Boulevard while P2 million was also allotted for the farm-to-market road project in Bgy. Angas going to Bgy. Mandazo of Basud.

The P4-million fund is part of the P9-million fund allocated by the senator for the Bikolanos, including P2 million for the towns of Ragay and Pili Camarines Sur and P3 million for the Bacacay and Sto. Domingo, Albay road projects.

Governor Edgardo Tallado led Guingona in Cory Aquino Boulevard, together with Mayor Tito Sarion of Daet, Mayor Dominador Davocol Jr. of Basud and Mayor de los Santos of San Lorenzo Ruiz.

Guingona said that Bagasbas is a tourism opportunity in the province and needs development to attract more tourists, especially among surfing enthusiasts.

He said that the rehabilitation of the farm-to-market road in Basud will help farmers bring their produce in the market specially that agriculture is the primary source of income of farmers.

The senator also allocated P200,000 to respond to the medical needs of the indigent patients of Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital where a Memorandum of Agreement is now being processed before the release of funds.

Tallado, on the other hand, thanked senator for the projects especially for the amount to be given to the indigents of the hospital. (MAL/RBM-PIA5 Camarines Norte).

Naga barangay leaders ungergo human rights training

By Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Mar 30 (PIA) -- To equip local barangay officials and human rights action officers with the necessary tool in carrying out their mandated tasks, Karapatan-Bikol, in partnership with the local government of Naga spearheaded a basic human rights educations seminar on March 20 to 22 at Spring Valley, Barangay Del Rosario here.

The three-day activity enlisted twenty barangay human rights officers from different barangays in Naga City and more or less thirty representatives coming from various non-government organizations.

Part of the lectures include the discussions on common violations of civil and political rights, particularly regarding arbitrary and illegal detention, illegal arrest, surveillance and other violations of the right to privacy of communication and media repression, among others.

Karapatan is a national alliance composed of organizations, groups and individuals bounded by a collective goal to promote, protect, defend and advance human rights in the country. They also work hand in hand with various private and public offices to disseminate human rights principle across the country.

The local government units in return, have the obligation to ensure that all its constituents, particularly the law makers and its implementers are aware of these stipulations.

Each barangay then, in line with the provisions of the Philippine Constitution is mandated to create and strengthen the Barangay Human Rights Action Center.

This is also pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2006-45 issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and in adherence to the international human rights principle.

Also on the helm of the said program is the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Its training aims to enhance the proficiency of the participants and enable them to fully grasp the concept of the justice system in the barangay level. This also intends to assist the barangay officials to effectively implement related programs down to their respective constituents.

Being the flagship program of CHR, the program also endeavors to bring the government services, specifically in terms of human rights advocacy to the grassroots level. Part of its directive is also to provide continuous education to the community regarding human rights principles. (MAL/LSM-PIA5 Camarines Sur)

OPAg forum tackles women’s rights

By Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, March 30 (PIA) -- A total of 50 officers and members of Rural Improvement Club from different towns participated in a women’s forum in leadership training organized by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) in celebration of Women’s Month this March.

Third assistant provincial prosecutor Atty. Athena Oco-Boado of the Provincial Prosecutors Office discussed Women’s Rights and Magna Carta of Women during the activity forum.

Boado said the Magna Carta of Women or Republic Act No. 9710 is a comprehensive law that defines the rights of women specifically the right which protects them from discrimination.

She said that the Magna Carta protects women against abuse and violence.

Also an interpersonal skills building was led by Charity Babala, the Municipal RIC Coordinator of Daet.

This year’s national theme for the celebration is “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility.” (RBM-PIA5 Camarines Norte)

Tiwi farmers train on sweet potato prod’n

LEGAZPI CITY, March 30 (PIA) -- The Provincial Agricultural Services (PAS) Office in Albay has conducted an orientation and training for ten farmer-beneficiaries in Tiwi, Albay on Improving Food Security and Livelihood among households in Albay through Sweet Potato Production and Utilization.

The recent orientation and training highlights the new breed of sweet potatoes to be planted and produced by local farmers.

Training on planting and growing the said breeds will be done after the orientation.

According to Ruben Limos, Albay provincial agriculturist, the said program aims for the increased production of sweet potato in the province of Albay, uplift the living conditions of farmers and improve their skills and knowledge in farming.

PAS is likewise coordinating with private sectors in the province to help in the production of new sweet potato products such as sweet potato ice cream, pansit and juice.

Limos added that the sweet potato program is considered successful by PAS office and the local government of Albay since sweet potato production in the province extended to 15 hectares of land thus the expectation for the success of the said program in Tiwi, Albay. (MAL/SAA-PIA5 Albay)