GSIS turns 77, to conduct bloodletting activity
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 15 (PIA) – In time with the
77th year celebration of dedicated service to its members and pensioners come
May 31, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) through the Kapisanan ng
mga Manggagawa sa GSIS (KMG) will be holding the nationwide bloodletting
activity on May 16, 2014 at the GSIS building, this city.
Said activity is also in coordination with the
GSIS Medical and Wellness Services Department and the Philippine Red Cross.
“This activity aims to encourage everyone to
give back to the community by helping save precious lives through blood
donation. Blood is life and by donating blood, we share a part of ourselves to
those people who need it,” disclosed Belen Talita, GSIS Branch Manager.
Talita also called on all government agencies to
support said activity and donate blood to save other people’s lives.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan City set to showcase theatre float parade
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, May 15 (PIA) – The month-long
celebration of Balangay Festival 2014 will exhibit all float innovations during
the grand Balangay Theatre Float Parade on May 19, 2014 as a way of paying
homage to the history of this city where first early settlement of people on
board the ‘balangay’, known as the oldest Pre-Hispanic watercraft, was found
along the banks of the Agusan river.
Anchored on the theme, “Rooting for Butuan
20/20,” the friendly competition is open to all government regional and local
offices, non-government organizations, socio civic and youth groups, schools
and companies in this year’s festivity wherein a theatrical presentation is a
required component.
As emphasized by Butuan City mayor Ferdinand M.
Amante Jr., the event is an opportunity for the different institutions to
promote and highlight their office’s thrusts and programs in relation to
Butuan’s glorious past, present advocacies and future visions.
The mayor further specified that the design of
the float shall depict the Butuanon culture and its people and the use of local
and biodegradable materials is encouraged.
The coordinators require that the maximum size
of the Balangay must be 2.4 meters wide and 10 meters long with height of 4.20
meters with a concept left to the discretion of the participating entity.
Theatrical aspects include a maximum number of
15 performers, three-minute presentation during the station showdown and
ten-minute presentation during the grand showdown and dramatic staging of the
participant’s program thrust.
The contest will be judged on the following
criteria: physical appearance - design and concept/artwork and creativity;
originality and uniqueness; theatrical presentation – dramatic production and
presentation of theme, its relevance and general impact.
Just like any other competition, the teams are
challenge to bag the grand prize award amounting to P125,000; P100,000 for the
second prize winner; and P75,000 for the third. Special award of P25,000 each
will also be given to the most thematic float and best dramatic presentation.
Non-winning entries with no special awards will bring home P20,000.
All entry floats will undergo an advance
screening on the 16th of May.
"Your participation will surely add flair
to this endeavor as we bring pride and honor to our beloved Butuan, the home of
the Balangays,” remarked Amante.
The float parade is one of the most remarkable
annual citywide events that take place within the festival. The Mutya Hong
Butuan pageant, which parades the most pleasing ladies from all over the city
also creates a spectacular display of talent, wit and beauty. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
FREEDOM Inc. installs energy-efficient lights at
PIA Caraga office
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, May 15 (PIA) – The Foundation for
Rural Enterprise and Ecological Development of Mindanao, Inc. (FREEDOM, Inc)
has recently carried out its commitment to upgrade the existing traditional
incandescent lights of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional
office with energy-efficient fluorescent and lightbulbs.
“The newly installed light emitting diode (LED)
lights set significance in our office’s goal to address the common drawback of
using uneconomical bulbs with lost energy
of about 90% given off as heat and that missing energy is money we are
throwing away,” stated PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga.
Through the sponsorship of FREEDOM, Inc., PIA
Caraga office is now experiencing a more illuminated workplace that creates a
welcoming atmosphere.
In a recent visit of FREEDOM, Inc. deputy executive
director Epimaco Galero Jr., Caga expressed to him with gratitude for granting
solutions to its high electricity consumption charges.
Galero distinguished LED and compact fluorescent
lights (CFL) as the rapidly developing technology and considered as one of the
best money-saving options. “The reason why we opted to donate this dependable,
high-quality type of products by putting value to durability and efficiency
with less regard to its principal expense,” added Galero.
By citing one of the missions of the
organization to stimulate growth while simultaneously ensuring that such
progress will not sacrifice the environment, FREEDOM executive director Antonio
Peralta underscored that they are helping out their beneficiaries get the real
advantage of acquiring cost-effective and better outcomes specifically on
decreased utility bills and more importantly protection of the environment by
using eco-friendly lights. "Then, eventually make every effort in fighting
ecological threats one way or the other," bared Peralta.
With such accomplishment, the agency and FREEDOM
Inc. have proven their mutual obligations as strong partners in bringing
advancement and championing advocacies. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD-Caraga heads quick disaster response
cluster meeting
By Theresa D. Barsobia
BUTUAN CITY, May 15 – In cognizant of the human
sufferings due to recurring disasters, Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) Caraga as co–chair for disaster response spearheaded the
Regional Disaster Response Cluster (RDRC) meeting on Wednesday held in one of
the local convention centers here.
DSWD-Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli
led the representatives from the other government agencies as they convened and
assessed the disaster response experience in the region using a Meaningful
Conversation via World CafΓ©’ strategy. The group reviewed the disaster response
cluster functions, and crafted each member – agency’s function under the
regional response cluster.
In the said meeting, DSWD Chief on Institutional
Development Division and Protective Service Unit Angelita B. Amista facilitated from the
different participating agencies the crafting of the following interventions by
the different government agencies were seen effective during disaster
preparedness and response: assessment and geo–hazard mapping; establishment of
compound centre for power monitoring; prepositioning of goods in strategic
areas; 24/7 monitoring of weather forecast and no travel policy; and
information of timely, accurate, and relevant disaster–related updates, among
others.
The participants of the said RDRC meeting are
coming from cluster agencies led by DSWD–Caraga were able to identify the
following areas for growth or actions to be taken in order to enhance its
preparedness and response operations during disaster: strengthen coordination
mechanisms among organization providing support to disaster–victims especially
relief delivery; explore partnership with the local suppliers during disaster
as alternative source of goods needed for relief distribution; popularize IEC
materials on DRRM; and mandatory training on basic life support, swimming, and
first aid among others.
“As designated co-chair for the Disaster
Response with this given role the Department has to take the lead in establishing
a well–coordinated disaster response operation at all levels,” Brigoli said in
her opening message.
Brigoli further stated that the disaster
survivors are helpless and traumatized and even would be more traumatic for the
survivors if the respondents are not prepared and do not know what to do during
and in times of disaster.
She also identified that all efforts of the
cluster member agencies must be well coordinated and systems integrated for the
prompt and adequate delivery of services and assistance to disaster -affected
populace. Thus, the need for the cluster members to meet regularly to ensure
efficient and harmonized response by concerned agencies in time of disaster.
The following national government agencies
participated in the said forum namely: National Food Authority (NFA);
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Office of Civil Defense
(OCD); Philippine Information Agency (PIA); National Grid Corporation of the
Philippines (NGCP); Coast Guards; Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP);
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR); Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP); and
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). (JPG/DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
Claver’s Sirong-Sirong Festival wins in 'Sajaw
Surigao' 2014
SURIGAO CITY, May 15 (PIA) - The “Sirong Sirong
Festival” of the municipality of Claver emerged as champion of the Sajaw
Surigao Dance Showdown Competition 2014 held on Tuesday, May 13 at the
Provincial Sports Complex, this city. They will bring home P500,000 plus plaque
of appreciation.
The activity forms part of the 113th Foundation
Anniversary celebration of the province.
Meantime, the “Lubi-Lubi Festival” of the
municipality of Bacuag bagged second with P400,000 cash prize plus plaque.
Third place went to “Kinhason Fesfival” of Dapa
with P300,000 cash prize.
The special awards for Festival Queen, Best in
Production Design and Best in Musicality, all went to the municipality of Dapa.
Governor Sol F. Matugas, in her message,
acknowledged the guests, participants, officials and employees from different
government agencies and private individuals.
Matugas, also, underlined the progress and
development achieved for the past three years since the province started the
centennial celebration.
“We must rejoice, give thanks and dance our
hearts out to the one vision, one dream and always look back and look forward
for a better Surigao,” Matugas said.
On her part, Philippine Councilor’s League (PCL)
national chair Alma Moreno, the event's guest of honor, expressed her heartfelt
appreciation to Gov. Matugas, Cong. Matugas and provincial officials for making
her part of the meaningful celebration.
Moreno said that she was overwhelmed by the
hospitality of the Surigaonons. “Rest assured that you have my support,
together with my family I will help Surigao in every way I can,” she said.
A total of 12 contingents from the different
municipalities of the province participated the competition. (SDR/PIA-Surigao
del Norte)
Multi-sector group supports national greening
effort
DAVAO CITY, May 15 (PIA) - Over 2,000 seedlings
of hardwood trees will soon become forest foliage in this city’s upland area,
as a multi-sector group conducted a tree planting activity last month in support
to the National Greening Program (NGP).
The city government of Davao, the Mindanao
Development Authority (MinDA), and several other organizations led the planting
of Narra, Molave, and Big-leaf Mahogany seedlings at a designated
mini-watershed located in Sitio Upper Kibalang in Marilog Disrtrict.
“We cannot be here forever. In fact, I am about
to retire. By training members of the local community on how to take care of
the environment, we hope that the knowledge will be kept and propagated among
the people of this barangay,” said Martin Obrero, supervising environmental
specialist of the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO).
He added that the seedlings planted in the
mini-watershed would be taken care of by volunteers from the local community
for a minimum period of three years to ensure their survival and maturity into
full-grown trees.
The tree growing activity, which coincided with
the city’s celebration of the 44th Earth Day was also supported by volunteers
from the local community, various offices of the city government, other
national government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), and professional organizations like the Philippine Institute
of Civil Engineers (PICE).
"We need similar collaborations that aim to
rehabilitate our denuded forests and support us in our goal of protecting
Mindanao’s environment while contributing to the targets of the NGP,” said
MinDA Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino.
NGP is a flagship project of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that aims to plant 1.5 billion trees
covering 1.5 million hectares for a period of six years from 2011 to 2016.
Apart from being a reforestation initiative, the program is also a climate
change mitigation strategy that aims to increase the country’s forest cover to
raise its capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, which is largely blamed for global
warming.
Antonino added that through the MindaNOW!
Nurturing Our Waters Program, MinDA is working with DENR and the Department of
Interior and Local Government in the full implementation of the Mindanao
Barangay StraTREEgic Forest Project (BSFP) through the Barangay Forest Program
(BFP), a component of the NGP.
The BSFP is a tripartite partnership that seeks
to facilitate the implementation and attainment of the objectives of the NGP in
Mindanao. A launch of the project will be held on May 21 in Cagayan de Oro
City.
“We initially target 200 barangays in Mindanao
as part of this campaign, and we hope to engage them in massive reforestation
activities aimed to generate at least two million seedlings of forest trees to
be planted among typhoon-prone and perennially flooded areas in the
island-region,” said Antonino.
(MinDA/PIA-Caraga)
Iron deficiency among pregnant women and babies
is preventable
By Czarina Teresita S. Martinez
MANILA, May 15 (PIA) - A baby born full-term has
usually sufficient iron stores, according to the U. S. National Academy of
Science (NAS).
Mild maternal iron deficiency anemia (IDA) may
not have significant effect on the iron status of the newborn but severe IDA
has significant repercussions.
The nine
months of pregnancy is an exciting time for couples who are eagerly
anticipating their bundle of joy.
However, it may also be a period of stress for
the expectant mother as the nutrient demand of the developing fetus adds to the
normal maintenance of iron.
Dr. Helen A. Guthrie, Professor of Nutrition at
the Pennsylvania State University, says that a woman who has been
well-nourished prior to conception enters pregnancy with a reserve of several
nutrients that can meet the needs of the growing fetus without jeopardizing her
health.
The Food and nutrition Research Institute of the
Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) recommends that pregnant women
should eat a balanced diet. Lactating women are further advised to drink enough
fluids preferably milk, soups, fruit juice and water so that maternal stores
will not be depleted and lactation will be sufficient.
During pregnancy, the body conserves iron since
menstruation ceases and iron absorption increases three folds. The blood
protein responsible for iron absorption likewise increases.
However, iron stores may decrease during
pregnancy because iron needs also increase.
On the last trimester of pregnancy, much of the
available iron and maternal iron stores are taken up by the fetus to create its
own iron stores for the first three to six months of life.
The National Nutrition Survey (NNS) by the Food
and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology
(FNRI-DOST) found that 4 out of 10 pregnant women are suffering from IDA.
Based on the criteria set by the World Health
Organization (WHO), the prevalence of IDA among pregnant women in the
Philippines is of significant public health problem.
Dr. Guthrie adds that the best method of
combating iron deficiency in pregnancy is to promote high intakes of available
iron by women of reproductive age so that she enters pregnancy with adequate
iron stores.
According to the FNRI-DOST, iron is present in
both animal and plant origins. Liver and glanular organs are the richest
sources of iron while meat, fish and poultry are the other good animal sources
of iron.
Iron-rich plant foods are the legumes family,
green leafy vegetables such as gamet (seaweeds), kulitis (Spineless amaranth),
dahon ng malunggay (horse raddish leaves), kangkong (swamp cabbage), dahon
ng gabi
(taro leaves), dahon ng kinchay (Chinese Celery leaves) , dahon ng
saluyot (jute leaves), talbos ng kamote
(sweet potato leaves), and some dried fruits like prunes.
However, iron in plant foods is non-heme iron
and is less bio-available than the heme iron in animal sources.
IDA could also be avoided by consuming foods
that may help in increase iron absorption and metabolism like vitamin A,
Vitamin C, and riboflavin that are abundant in fruits and vegetables.
In addition, IDA could also be avoided by
consuming fortified iron foods. The Department of Health (DOH) is advocating
the consumption of foods with the Sangkap Pinoy Seal; that include iron
fortified foods. The FNRI-DOST develops fortified food products including iron
fortified foods that will help increase the consumption of iron.
For more information about food and nutrition,
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Sciecne and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan
Taguig City.. E-mail mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com, Telefax: (02)
8372934 and (02) 8273164, or call (02) 837-2071 local 2296 or visit our website
at http//www.fnri.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Services/PIA-Caraga)
Youth leaders take youth issue debates to
cyberspace
MANILA, May 15 - More than 200 youth leaders
from all over the country took to the web to discuss pressing and emerging
youth issues facing young Filipinos today.
The 216 young individuals, all participants of
the 10th Parliament of Youth Leaders (NYP), gathered virtually in a social
networking site to campaign for their particular advocacies in the fields of
health, education, employment and youth participation.
“It’s only natural that we take the debate to
cyberspace as almost 7 out of 10 young Filipinos age 15 to 30 years old are on
social media,” said Commissioner-at-Large Kit Cruz, NYP Organizing Committee
Chair.
The online discussion started last April 19,
2014. Guided by National Youth
Commission (NYC) designated facilitators, the participants actively engaged in
online debates while at the same time presenting data and research to support
their arguments.
Delegates’ advocacies are wide ranging, with
some delegates batting for the implementation of a comprehensive in-school
nutrition program for elementary and high school students while others
campaigned for workplace equality. Other
delegates focused on the more visible youth issues like teen pregnancy, access
to education, and the increasing HIV-AIDS incidence among the young.
“The discussions were intense and free flowing.
Immediately we saw how passionate the discussions were, that’s why we’re
anticipating a scorching but productive youth parliament. These young people do not believe that their
participation, particularly in politics, should be limited to being followers
and observers. These youth leaders are
here to change all that,” added Cruz.
NYP is the biennial gathering of the country’s
youth leaders. Convened every two years
at the call of the NYC, the NYP’s output serves as the government’s guide in
crafting youth development policies. It is the only of its kind mandated by law
through Republic Act No. 8044.
(NYC/PIA-Caraga)
DepEd to administer 2014 Special PEPT
BUTUAN CITY, May 15 (PIA) – In commemoration of
the 116th Celebration of Philippine Independence Day and consistent with the
Education for All (EFA) goals, the Department of Education (DepEd), through the
National Education Testing and Research Center (NETRC) together with the
assistance of personnel from the schools division offices (SDO) and schools,
will administer the 2014 Special Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT)
for free on June 12 in all schools divisions nationwide.
According to DepEd undersecretary and
officer-in-charge Atty. Alberto T. Muyot, the registration of the PEPT shall be
done at the SDOs until May 30.
Atty. Muyot is also directing the Division
Testing Coordinators (DTCs) to submit their actual number of registrants to
NETRC on or before June 3.
“The DTCs shall be in-charge of the evaluation
of documents and shall ensure that documentary requirements of each registrant
are complete, which include From 137 for Secondary students of Form 138 for
Elementary pupils, birth certificate or baptismal certificate, and two (1x1) ID
pictures,” Atty. Muyot said.
PEPT will be administered based on the data on
school registration of out-of-school children and youth, who are the primary
target clientele, to determine their grade/year level placement, Muyot added.
Atty. Muyot encourages the out-of-school
children and youth to avail of the learning modules prepared by the Bureau of
Alternative Learning System (BALS), Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE) and
the Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) or any other learning resources
available at the regional offices (ROs) or SDOs.
Atty. Muyot further said that authorized NETRC
staff shall deliver and review the test materials and monitor the control of
this test. The school personnel who
shall be assigned to administer the test shall be given one day service credit
as per DepEd Order No. 53, s. 2003 entitled Updated Guidelines on Grant of
Vacation Service Credits to Teachers, he added.
Meanwhile, the schools division superintendents
according to Atty. Muyot shall identify/assign the testing centers for the
test. They are directed to ensure utilization of the test results by assisting
out-of-school children and youth in their re-entry to formal schools in order
to finish/complete the basic education program. (DepEd-Butuan City
Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Tagalog News: Brown rice, mas masustansya sa
puting bigas
Ni Celina Ann Z. Javier
MANILA, May 15 (PIA) - Kumakain ka ba ng brown
rice? Ang brown rice o pinawa ay di dumaan sa kumpletong proseso ng pag giling.
Ang unang ipa nito o “husk” lamang ang
tinatanggal sa brown rice.
Ito ay mayaman sa fiber at dahil dito,
nakatutulong ito sa pagbaba ng cholesterol at asukal sa ating dugo.
Nakatutulong din ang brown rice sa pagbaba ng
timbang dahil mas madaling magpabusog ito kapag kinain. Bukod dito, mas mayaman
din ito sa B-vitamins kumpara sa ordinaryong kanin.
Kaya sa susunod na bibili tayo ng bigas subukan
ang brown rice para sa magkaroon ng mas malusog na pangangakatawan.
Ang impormasyon na ito ay hatid ng Food and
Nutrition Research Institute ng Department of Science and Technology o
FNRI-DOST. Para sa karadagdagan impormasyon at kaalaman sa pagkain at nutrisyon
sumulat o tumawag kay: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director ng FNRI- DOST. General Santos
Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City o sa kanyang E-mail address: mcv@fnri.dost.gov.ph
o sa telepono bilang 8-3-7-2-9-3-4 and 8-2-7-3-1-6-4, Maari ring bisitahin ang
aming website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media
Service/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: MRP sa Butuan gisundog sa laing
LGU
Ni Lyka Quinto
BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 15 (PIA) - Isip pinakaunang
syudad nga nakabaton ug nakaimplementar sa Moral Recovery Program (MRP), ang
Butuan nagsilbi na karong sumbanan sa ubang mga syudad ug munisipyo alang sa
pagsugod sa maong programam sa ilang tagsa- tagsa ka mga lugar.
Tuod man, si MRP Officer Pastor Charlie Prior
ang nahimong pinasidunggang bisita sa gipahigayong MRP Launching sa munisipyo
sa Tina, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur niadtong Mayo 9.
Tungod niini, gilauman karon nga makabaton na ug
MRP ang mga nagkalain- laing lugar o mga kasikbit nga dapit sa Butuan.
(LGU-Butuan City PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Cebuano News: CPO mipailawum sa Dev’t ug
Enhancement Program
Ni Lyka Quinto
BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 15 (PIA) - Aron sa pagpalapad
ug pagpalambo sa mga survey tool o ekipo nga mao’y gamiton alang sa
Comprehensive Population Data Making and Management sa syudad, mipailawom sa
usa ka development/enhancement program ang mga personahe sa City Population
Office (CPO) ning Lokal nga Panggamhanan, Abril 30.
Subay kini sa gipirmahan nga Memorandum of
Agreement kon MOA tali sa Lokal nga Panggamhanan pinaagi ni Mayor Ferdinand M.
Amante, Jr. ug Executive Director of the Commission on Population Juan Antonio
Perez III alang sa “Technical Cooperation on Population and Development
Integration in Local Governance,” niadtong Enero 9, 2014.
Atol niini, ubay-ubay nga mga bag-ong sistema o
proseso ang gipresenta sa Regional Population Personnel ngadto sa mga personahe
sa CPO nga sarang daku’g ikatabang sa mga proyekto sa buhatan alang sa
pagpakunhod sa hisgutanang kapobrehon ilabina nga kusog ang pagsaka sa
populasyon sa dakbayan. (LGU-Butuan City PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
