Albay named nat'l winner of Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 8 (PIA) -- Albay notched this year’s Gawad Pamana ng Lahi for Best Province in Local Governance besting 79 other provinces across the country for embarking on aggressive programs on environment, education, and health.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the award belongs to the ordinary residents of Albay whose unity and hard work, and generosity of civic spirit has enabled their province to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by practicing disaster risk reduction, environmental protection and climate change adaptation, by investing in education and skills training, universal and modern healthcare and by nurturing our arts, culture, history, and social capital.

Albay received a P5-million cash award that could finance development projects of the province.

“The award was conceived by the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo to whom we dedicate this achievement,” Salceda said.

Gawad Pamana ng Lahi is a total award concept conferred to provinces, cities, and municipalities that have exhibited exemplary performance in Administrative, Social, Economic and Environmental Governance.

Exemplary performance information is drawn from the database of the on-line Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) , Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH), International Organization or National Government Agency-bestowed Award(s), and acknowledged innovation/s.

The awards program has two levels of awards, the Regional Award which is given annually, and the National Award which is given every three years.

To qualify for the regional award, an LGU should have an LGPMS Overall Performance Index (OPI) of 4.00 and is an SGH Silver Recipient.

To qualify for the national award, na LGU should be a Regional Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Awardee, and has LGPMS OPI average of 4.31, three (SGH) Silver Awards, and any National Awards on Governance.

In 2011, Albay ranked No. 7, also according to Salceda.

Salceda, meanwhile, has also cited the support and policy initiatives of the provincial legislative body or the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, under the leadership of Vice Governor Harold Imperial, where in such achievement cannot be understated.

“Certainly, I am proud to be the governor of Albay in accepting this award on their behalf,” Salceda said. (MAL-PIA5, Albay)



NMIS holds 13th Meat Inspection Congress in Naga City

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Nov. 8 (PIA) -- A three-day confab of meat inspectors from Region 3 kicked off Wednesday at Villa Caceres Hotel here with attendees coming from the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bataan, and Aurora.

Dr. Minda S. Manantan, NMIS executive director shared, “As a specialized regulatory agency of our government, we have to ensure that the meat being served were hygienically prepared and passed through the proper procedure of slaughtering for the interest and welfare of the consuming public. At the same time, we also would like to help our legitimate businessmen by improving and supporting our livestock industry.”

Manantan also added that a big chunk of the discussion will focus on the salient provisions of Administrative Order (AO) No.5 or the Rules and Regulations on Hygienic handling of newly slaughtered meat in the markers and AO No. 6 which contains the rules and regulations on hygienic handling of chilled, frozen and thawed meat in the meat markets.

Dr. Roberto Umali, head of the Plant Operation Inspection Section- NMIS Region 3 said it is important for consumers to be vigilant and watch for the telltale signs of a meat unfit for human consumption.

“Aside from the five senses, we should also employ the sixth sense, that is our common sense when buying meats in the market. We have to remember that illegally slaughtered meats did not pass through the proper inspection and there was no laboratory analysis which could assure their safety for human consumption,” Umali added.

To be sure, Umali advised consumers to always ask for the corresponding Certificate of Meat Inspection (COMI) issued by the NMIS or the local veterinary office in their respective areas and never patronize illegitimate meat vendors.

For imported meat, the Department of Agriculture has two agencies that handle the importation process of meat and other meat products: the NMIS for the accreditation of meat and meat products for human consumption and the Bureau of Animal Industry for the issuance of Veterinary Quarantine Certification and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Clearance for the protection of animal health. (LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)