300 vice mayors gather in Butuan for 3rd
Mindanao Island Congress
By Eldie N. David
BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte, June 30 (PIA) --
Some 300 vice mayors from all over the Philippines have attended the Vice
Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP) third Mindanao Island Congress held at
one of the local convention centers here.
The congress, which is anchored on the theme
“Protect the Natural Environment, Preserve Nature’s Wonders, Promote Ecotourism,”
also highlighted with the conduct of the second Regular Quarterly National
Executive Board (NEB) Meeting and the Academy of Presiding Officers (Module 2)
training.
The event officially commenced with a press
conference, which featured as panelists senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, former
senator Ernesto Maceda, VMLP national president and Manila vice mayor Francisco
“Isko Moreno” Domagoso, VMLP national secretary and Tagum City vice mayor Allan
L. Rellon and Congress Director, VMLP Caraga Regional Chairman and Butuan City
vice mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun.
Fortun expressed gratitude for the opportunity
given to the vice mayors of the Caraga Region to host the event and present
what the region has to offer in terms of ecotourism.
Apart from the theme, the event featured the
slogan, “Discover Caraga,” which was aptly adopted for all the delegates to
discover for themselves the beauty of the region wherein they were treated to a
tour on the second day of the congress instead of the usual plenary sessions,
said Fortun.
According to Vice Mayor Rellon, Butuan City won
the bid to host this year’s congress after “a very persistent Vice Mayor
Fortun” was able to convince more than 90 percent percent of the league’s
members with his unique and original idea of featuring breakout sessions while
travelling to the different tourist destinations in the Caraga.
Simultaneous with the press conference, the vice
mayors underwent the second Module of the Academy of Presiding Officers (APO),
which was presented in two sessions. They listened to the lecture delivered by
Atty. Benedicto Gonzales, Affiliate Legal Expert of the Center for Local and
Regional Governance of the University of the Philippines-National Center for
Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), on crafting high-quality
ordinances and resolutions. They also got critical pointers from Provincial
Director Maria Calpiza Sardua of the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) – Zamboanga Sibugay on the rationale, principles and process
of codification.
After the press conference, the present NEB
officers and members convened for their 2nd Regular Quarterly Meeting, in which
the vacant position of former VMLP National Vice President for Mindanao Patri
Chan, now the Mayor of Dapitan City, was filled in by Deputy Secretary General
for Mindanao Antonio Bendita of Surallah, South Cotabato. By succession, PRO
for Mindanao Angelito Martinez of San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur became the new
Deputy Sec Gen, while Deputy PRO for Mindanao Conrad Cejoco of Bislig City,
Surigao del Sur, was promoted to PRO for Mindanao.
To give the guests a warm welcome, the Opening
Ceremonies and Welcome Night opened with a “Kasi-Kasi,” a traditional way of
welcoming visitors in Butuan City by drinking nipa wine or “laksoy.”
Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. was
applauded by the participants when, in relation to the congress’ theme, he
spoke to them about the anti-illegal logging drive of the city government. A
series of anti-illegal logging operations was conducted by the city government,
which resulted to the confiscation of a total of more than 2,000 cubic meters
of illegally cut forest products amounting to some P10 million.
Other guest speakers were Agusan del Norte 2nd
District Representative Angel Amante-Matba, who was represented by Ms. Miriam
Pagaran, former Senator Ernesto Maceda and Senator Antonio Trillanes, the
keynote speaker of the evening.
The second day was even more exciting and
fun-filled for the delegates as they went on a tour to some of the different
tourist destinations in the region. Among the places that they visited were the
Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City, the Enchanted River in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur,
the Britania Group of Islands in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, the Cagwait
White Beach in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, the Bunawan Eco-park which houses
Lolong, the largest crocodile in captivity and the Butuan historical sites.
On the evening of the second day, the delegates
were treated to a “mini-concert” by no less than guest speaker Agusan del Norte
Governor Erlpe John M. Amante who wowed the crowd with his singing prowess.
Agusan del Norte 2nd District Representative was also present to complete the list
of guest speakers for the evening. To buoy up the evening’s excitement, prizes
were raffled to the vice mayors, the biggest one of which was the round-trip
package for two to Singapore, courtesy of VMLP National President Isko Moreno.
(RER/NCLM/BC-VMO/PIA-Caraga)
Disaster Consciousness month activities set in
Bislig City
By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
SURIGAO DEL SUR, June 30 (PIA) -- The city
government of Bislig through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (CDRRMC) will spearhead the activities for Disaster Consciousness Month
celebration that is set to start on Sunday.
According to Youreally Love Sango of CDRRMC, the
activities set for the month-long celebration is in line with the International
Disaster Consciousness Month on July.
Sango said to kick-off the month-long activity,
a mangrove planting will be conducted on Sunday, July 1 at Sitio Pung-o, San
Fernando, Bislig. A holy mass will also be held earlier in time with the natal
day of Mayor Librado Navarro.
Also, Sango said the launch and oath-taking of
the officers of the Quick Response and Rescue Team (QRT) will be held on July
2. The rescue team with 261 volunteers has completed their series of trainings
last May 2012.
Other activities lined-up include: upland tree
planting at Tinuy-an watershed on July 14, and the “5-K Run for a Cause” to be
participated by around 2,000 runners with 76 participating organizations on
July 29, in time with the culmination of the month-long activity. (RER/NGBT/PIA-Surigao
del Sur)
Feature: Breastfeeding during calamities
By Charina A. Javier
Calamities are pressing people’s physical and
economic resources. The recent calamities that struck the country have
displaced thousands of families and the aftermath is much worse as illnesses
began to spread.
Infants and young children are the most
vulnerable. Having weak immunity, they are the ones who easily get sick when
staying in crowded evacuation centers.
Undoubtedly, breastfeeding is the best for
babies. Breastmilk is the perfect food for newborns and infants because it
provides all the nutrients that are needed for healthy development.
Today, as families are in emergency situation
and where basic infrastructure has been compromised, breastmilk provides a safe
food for babies. Breastmilk contains antibodies that help protect them from
common childhood illnesses like diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition.
Moreover, breastmilk is readily safe, available
and affordable. This helps to ensure that infants get adequate sustenance at
the time when they need it, even in emergency situations.
Feeding infants and young children with milk
formulas may pose dangers to their nutrition and health status. First, safe
water needed for the preparation of milk formula and for cleaning and
sterilizing materials such as bottles and nipples may not be available in the
area. Water in evacuation centers may be contaminated to cause diarrhea,
cholera and other water-borne diseases.
Water should be put to a rolling boil for at
least 3 minutes if it is to be used to prepare milk formulas. Bottles and
nipples should be boiled longer to make them sterile.
This poses the problem of not only safe water
but also fuel source, which may also be scarce in evacuation centers.
Storage equipment, like a refrigerator, is most
of the time not available and the hot environment in evacuation areas make milk
formulas easily spoil.
In a situation where economic activities of a
household are disrupted, income and savings, if there are any, are exhausted,
and thus, milk formulas become inaccessible.
Mothers who are under stress may have stopped
lactating for a day or so, but this can be overcome with good support.
It is a myth to think that because mothers are
under stressful situations, they would not be able to breastfeed. They only
need support for re-lactation.
The other myth is that because mothers are
undernourished or are sick, they cannot breastfeed or the milk is of poor
quality. This is not true because even very malnourished mothers can produce
good milk.
Under these conditions, breastmilk may be in
lower amount but it is still the best source of nourishment for the baby.
Mothers, if undernourished as in such case, should be given the nutritional
support that she needs.
Indeed, breastfeeding is a life saving
intervention. It is best for babies in normal and emergency situations.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City. E-mail: mcv@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com,
Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call: 8372071 local 2296 or visit our
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (NCLM/FNRI-DOST S & T Media
Service/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog Feature: Wastong timbang para sa
mahabang buhay
By Divorah V. Aguila
Kung ang inyong anak ay lumalaki nang mas
mabilis kaysa normal, kailangang bigyang pansin ito kaagad.
Ang tangkad at laki ng katawan ng bata ay may
kinalaman kung siya ba ay obese o sobra ang timbang.
Ang bata ay obese kung 20 porsiyento o mahigit
pa ang labis na timbang niya sa kanyang ideal body weight para sa kanyang edad
at taas.
Kung may family history ng obesity, mas malaki
ang tsansa na ang bata ay maging mataba rin, lalo na kung ang nanay at tatay ay
parehong matataba.
Ang sobrang dami ng pagkain at kakulangan sa
exercise ay malaking dahilan ng obesity sa mga bata. Ang matabang bata ay
malamang maging mataba rin sa kanyang pagtanda.
Sa tulong ng inyong doktor, bantayan ang
pagtangkad at pagbigat ng bata upang tiyakin na normal ang kanyang paglaki.
Kung kailangan ang mag-diet, planuhin ito kasama
ang doktor o registered dietitian upang makagawa ng wastong nutritional guide
na susundin nang pangmatagalan. Huwag kalimutan na dapat may exercise component
rin ito.
Mapanganib sa kalusugan ang obesity.
Kapansin-pansin sa mga dalubhasa na ang mga batang obese ay may panganib na
magkaroon sa kanilang pagtanda ng matitinding sakit, katulad ng sakit sa puso
at ugat, diabetes, arthritis at ilang uri ng cancer.
Upang maiwasan ang obesity at magkaroon ng healthy
eating habits hindi lamang ang mga bata kundi pati na ang boung pamilya,
bigyang pansin ang mga sumusunod: Tiyakin na ang inihahandang pagkain ay
balance: may kanin, ulam, sapat na gulay at prutas; Isama ang mga bata kapag
nag-exercise; Limitahan ang computer at tv time ng mga bata at ipagbawal ang
pagkain sa tapat ng tv; at Iwasan ang mga malalangis na pagkain at iwasan rin
ang kumain sa mga mga kainan na ang menu ay nakakataba.
Tandaan, kung kayo’y nababagabag na ang inyong
anak ay mukhang tumataba, huwag pagalitan ang inyong anak upang siya ay
mag-dyeta.
Gamitin ang positive reinforcement. Hikayatin
ang buong pamilya na mag-exercise at tiyakin na balanse ang pagkain para sa
buong pamilya.
Para sa karagdagang impormasyon sa pagkain at
nutrisyon, sumulat o tumawag kay: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and
Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General
Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/Fax Nos.: 837-2934 or 837-3164;
Direct Line: 839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071 to 82 local 2296 or 2284;
e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph o mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website:
http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (NCLM/FNRI-DOST S & T Media
Service/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog news: Agusan del Sur isinalin ang bagong
gusali sa Red Cross
By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Hunyo 30 (PIA) -- Isang bagong
gusaling nagkakahalaga ng P7 milyon ang isinalin ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng
Agusan del Sur sa Philippine Red Cross sa pamamagitan ng isang seremonya noong
ika-10 ng Hunyo.
Dumating sina PRC chairman Richard Gordon at
secretary general Gwendolyn Pang sa bagong gusali ng PRC sa Agusan del Sur
(PRC-Ads).
Sila ay sinalubong ng mga boluntaryong kabataan
ng Red Cross na nakasuot ng pula, ng PRC-Ads lupon ng directors na nakasuot ng
puting t-shirt na may logo ng Red Cross at Red Crescent at ng mga opisyales ng
pamahalaang panlalawigan sa pangunguna ni bise gobernador Santiago Cane Jr. na
siyang kumakatatawan kay gobernador Adolph Edward Plaza.
Sa pagdating ni Gordon, sinimulan agad ang
seremonya sa pagputol ng laso at ang pagbendisyon sa gusali. Tumuloy na ang
grupo sa provincial training center kung saan daan-daang mga boluntaryo ng Red
Cross, bata man o matanda, naka suot ng pulang t-shirt, ay naghihintay.
Sa tulong ni Cane at Pang, ipinamigay ni Gordon
sa mga volunteers ang mga light rescue materials (LRM) na binubuo ng mga rubber
boots, rain coats, flash light, megaphones, radyo, first aid kit, wasay at
marami pang iba. Ang pondong ginamit dito ay galing sa Netherlands Red Cross.
Ang kinatawan na si Margot Cleenberger ang nagsabing pinili nila ang Agusan del
Sur upang maging benepisaryo ng LRM dahil ang buong lalawigan ay madaling
bahain at kailangan ng mga tao ang mga naturang kagamitan sa pahahon ng
kalamidad.
Sinabi ni Gordon sa kanyang mensahe, ang mga tao
sa Agusan del Sur ay napakaswerte para magkaroon ng isang pinuno tulad ni
gobernador Plaza na may isang tunay na pagmamalasakit at pagmamahal sa kanyang
mga nasasakupan.
“Napakaswerte ninyo sa pagkaroon ng gobernador
gaya ni gobernador Plaza dahil bilang isang pinuno, siya ay laging nag-iisip
kung ano ang pinakamabuti at pinakamahusay para sa kanyang bayan. Tulad na
lamang ng bagong gusali na ibinigay sa Red Cross. Gusto kong malaman ninyo na
ang gusaling iyon ay hindi para sa amin sa PRC ngunit para sa mga tao ng Agusan
del Sur. Kami ay tagapangasiwa at nakatira lamang sa gusaling iyon na handang
maglingkod sa inyo sa panahon ng inyong pangangailangan. Sa buong bansa, dito
lamang sa Agusan del Sur na ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ay nagpatayo at
nagbigay ang isang bagong gusali para sa Red Cross. Gusto kong malaman niyo na
ang PRC ngayon ay hindi lamang para sa dugo ang pagseserbisyo ngunit ito ay
para sa malawakang serbisyo sa sangkatauhan, pagliligtas ng nangangailangan na
buong daigdig ang nasasakupan at handang tumulong para magsanay sa inyo at
bigyan kayo ng inyong kagamitan,” sabi ni Gordon.
Sa kanyang mensahe, sinabi ni Cane na
ikinagagalak niyang sabihin na ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ay naglaan ng pondo
upang suportahan ang mga programa ng Red Cross.
“Mula noong taong 2001, sa pamamagitan ng
pag-eendorso ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan, kung saan ang mga miyembro ay nandito
ngayon, ay nagtabi ng pondo upang matugunan ang mga gastusin para sa re-agents
o sa pagpoproseso ng dugo. Sa simula, ang badyet ay P1.5 milyon bawat taon,
ngunit noong aming nakita na ang pangangailangan ay tumaas at ang re-agents ay
tumataas din ang presyo kaya sa ngayon, ang aming inilaan na pondo ay umabot na
sa P2.5 milyon para sa re-agents lamang. Binayaran din ng pamahalaang
panlalawigan ang kalahating presyo ng isang ambulansiya na nagkakahalaga ng
P1.9 milyon para sa PRC-AdS. Ang gobernador ay nagpaplanong kumuha ng dalawang
pang mga ambulansya para sa lalawigan. Ganyan ang pagtutulungan ng pamahalaang
panlalawigan at ng Red Cross dito sa Agusan del Sur,” sabi ni Cane. (RER/DMS/PIA-Agusan
del Sur)
