SurSur COMELEC all set for COC filing sked
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 7 (PIA) – The
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office here, in connection with the May 9,
2016 National and Local elections, is all set for the five-day schedule of
filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for all elective positions on October
12 – 16, 2015.
Atty. Ernie Palanan, provincial election
supervisor (PES), said preparations had already been undertaken including the
command conference with the PNP and AFP as well as the conference for all
election officers (EOs) province-wide held, respectively, on September 7 and
September 28.
Meanwhile, a COMELEC Gender and Development
Seminar on Women and Elections is underway here “to help increase women’s
political participation and to give women easy access to elections.”
A half-day lecture on various electoral fronts
were set to be discussed including qualifications/disqualifications of
candidates, calendar of activities, prohibited acts, campaigns and the like.
For the final stretch of voter registration, Atty.
Palanan said COMELEC offices would be open for 12 hours or from 9:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m. during the period October 17- 31, 2015.
In the validation of registration records as of
September 2015 released by Atty. Palanan, 14,246 registered voters have yet to
undergo biometrics or equivalent to 4.23 percent out of the 336,933 total
number of registered voters as of April 20, 2015.
The COMELEC provincial chief indicated that
coordination with concerned officials in all respective local government units
(LGUs) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well had already been made.
(NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Feature: Shopping tips for healthful eating
By Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa
Consumers today have many choices when it comes to
food, especially at the grocery store. With numerous items and brand names, how
does one go about choosing foods that are enjoyable, affordable, and most
importantly, those that provide proper nutrition?
The List
Before you head out to the market, take time to
make a list. It will save you time and money.
§ What to eat this week. List out meal ideas for
the week, keeping in mind which days you’ll have time to cook and which days
you’ll be pressed for time to put dinner on the table. When time is short, opt
for vegetable salads or boil or steam green, leafy or other vegetables and
ready-to-eat fortified foodstuffs containing low fat, cholesterol, and sodium
or salt.
§ Organize the list. As you create your shopping
list, check your menu options against the Food Guide Pyramid developed by the
Food and Nutrition Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology
(FNRI-DOST) to ensure you’ve remembered everything from rice, breads and
cereals to fats and oils, meat, fish and poultry, milk and other dairy products
to vegetables and fruits. This will help ensure that you are purchasing a
variety of foods that provide all your nutrient needs.
§ Don’t forget snacks! Everyone enjoys a little
boost between meals, so choose nutritious, great tasting snack foods such as
low-fat nuts, popcorn and fruits.
The Strategy
§ Avoid going to the market or grocery when you
are hungry. Leave the decisions with your head, not your stomach. It’s easier
to stick to the list if you are not hungry, so make sure to eat something
before you go shopping.
§ Set a routine. Establish a day and time that
makes it easy for you to move quickly and easily through the store or market
and stay focused on your market list.
§ Save money. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that
are in season because these are cheaper. In the grocery store, look for
foodstuffs that are on sale.
§ The labels. Read food labels. You can compare
nutrients and ingredients between similar foodstuffs. Determine which nutrients
the food contributes to your total diet.
§ The tricks in going to the grocery store:
Knowing how to shop and what to look for in each section of the store helps you
save your time.
Farm Products. Since fresh agricultural products
(like green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, fruits like bananas, papaya, mango,
pineapple) which contribute vitamins and minerals don’t last very long, buy
only the amount you can eat for a few days. Roots and tubers such as kamote,
potatoes and gabi can be bought in bulk for a one to two - week supply. These
are important sources of energy, fiber and vitamins.
Meat, fish, chicken, eggs, dried beans and nuts.
Get your protein! These foods are sources of high-quality protein. Buy meat,
fish, and chicken, especially when they are on sale.
Milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products,
small fish like dilis. Including these in your diet is an easy way to get your
recommended intake of calcium to prevent osteoporosis.
Frozen. The frozen foods section is a great place
for convenient, nutritious food choices for any meal occasion – breakfast,
lunch, dinner – and even dessert. Read nutrition labels and choose low fat,
cholesterol, and sodium (salt) content of different brands.
Canned foods. Canned fruits and vegetables are
also great to have on hand because they are similar and some are fortified, hence,
higher in nutrients than their fresh counterparts. Most importantly, they don’t
spoil as quickly!
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; Telephone/ Fax Nos:
837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local
2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. Like our Facebook page at
facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST.
(FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)
Bislig LGU obligates people to plant trees during
celebrations
By Eric Gallego
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 7 (PIA) - The city government of
Bislig in Surigao del Sur may obligate the residents to participate in the tree
planting activities during the special days such as charter day and fiesta
celebration in support of the National Greening Program (NGP).
This was stressed by Forest Officer Michael
Montalban in his capacity as OIC, CENR Officer of CENRO Bislig during an
emergency meeting called by Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) Caraga regional director Nonito M. Tamayo on Wednesday at the DENR
Regional Learning Center to discuss about possible contingency measures to be
adopted to cushion the effect of El Nino Phenomenon on the reforestation
program of the DENR.
Montalban said the city government through the
Sangguniang Panglunsod member Margarita G. Garay has prepared a draft ordinance
requiring institutions, establishments, NGOs and POs and the barangay LGUs to
participate in any tree planting and rehabilitation activities during the
town’s anniversaries and charter day.
“This is a welcome development for CENRO Bislig
which is seeking to plant tree seedlings on 1,447 hectares in several sites
under the NGP this year,” Montalban said.
The draft is expected to be tackled at the session hall next week.
As of date, CENRO Bislig had only accomplished
about 350 hectares of the target area for tree planting due to the delay in the
delivery of tree seedlings notwithstanding the prepared planting sites. OIC, CENRO Montalban said “The continuous
rains in Bislig due to ITCZ has sufficiently soaked the grounds with sufficient
water on the planting sites.”
He said planting activities at the site shall
proceed on double time to meet the specified target by November this year. He
said about 30 newly-hired forest rangers have been mobilized in the NGP tree
planting and monitoring. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Feature: Read food labels!
By Charina A. Javier
When you buy food, do you read the labels? Which
labels catch your attention?
People have different considerations when
selecting and buying a food product. They often choose a product because of its
taste. Some consider the price. Others try out new ones because of testimonials
while some people are attracted by a product's packaging. A growing number of
health-conscious people are now taking time and carefully considering the
nutritional and health values of a product.
A nutrition claim describes the level of a
nutrient in a food or dietary supplement and describes the link between a
nutrient and the deficiency disease that can result of the nutrient is lacking
in the diet. For example, "enriched with vitamin C" and "vitamin
C prevents scurvy". A health or disease claim shows the relationship
between a nutrient and other substances in a food and a disease or
health-related condition. Nutrition and health labels help customers in
selecting which components of food would contribute to a well-balanced diet.
They provide information about prevalent public health concerns and help
promote a healthy diet. Some food products put additional information about the
association between the nutrient they claim to have added or modified in the
product and the probability of decreasing the development or preventing the
progression of a certain disease. An example of this is the role of calcium in
the prevention of osteoporosis, as seen in some milk product packages. These
nutrition and health claims have to be approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs
before the manufacturers can put claims on the products.
Various manufacturers nowadays have invested in
fortifying, enriching or modifying the content of their products in response to
the emerging health and nutrition concerns of consumers. A product that is
fortified, enriched or modified are labeled according to the nutrients that
were added or modified in the product. Examples of nutrition claims of products
are "rich in Vitamin A and C", "with beta-carotene”, "high
calcium", "low sodium", "non-fat",
"sugar-free", "high fiber", "low calorie", among
others. On the other hand, examples of nutrition support claims include,
"protects your heart", "help prevent osteoporosis",
"help prevent certain cancers", and others.
A product has to meet certain standards before it
can put a nutrition or health claim on its label. For example, when a product
claims that it is low calorie, it must have 40 kilocalories or less per
serving. When a product claims that it is rich in or a good source of a certain
nutrient, it has to contain at least 20% of the recommended intake of that
nutrient of a reference person.
The Sangkap Pinoy Seal found in the packaged food
products that consumers buy. is given to food products fortified with vitamin
A, iron and iodine either singly, in combination or all of the three nutrients.
Having the Sangkap Pinoy Seal means that at least 1/3 of the recommended
nutrient intakes for vitamin A, iron, and iodine was satisfied by the food
product.
Other manufacturers have also fortified their
products with other nutrients such as calcium, zinc, vitamin C, folate, and
vitamin B complex. These are optional nutrients for the manufacturers to add in
their products and are not required in the Sangkap Pinoy Seal.
However, a fortified or enriched product should
not be the only source of nutrients. Eating a variety of foods everyday, the
first message of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos developed by the Food
and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology
(FNRI-DOST), is recommended. No single food can provide all the nutrients
required in the proper amount.
Consumers should always read the product labels
before buying. Consumers should be wise in choosing food products that taste
good and are affordable but also consider the nutritional values one can get
from them.
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; Telephone/ Fax Nos:
837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local
2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. Like our Facebook page at
facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST.
(FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)
Feature: Yoghurt-ing your way to a healthy and
sexy you
By Chona F. Patalen
Being lean and fit are some of the goals of
today’s generation. People are now more
conscious of what they eat and crave for current food trends and nutrition
information to maintain good health and ensure proper nutrition.
Yoghurt, the healthy snack, is considered one of
the “in” foods, particularly among young women.
Yoghurt is a semi-solid fermented milk product
which is a rich source of calcium. It
also comes fat-free for weight conscious individuals.
But that is not all, yoghurt has so much to offer
since it has high quality protein, vitamins and minerals. It also contains good bacteria which is
beneficial to our health. Here is one
reason why promotion of yoghurt as snack food has intensified, in place of
burgers and chips, which are energy-dense and high in fat.
A problem of lactose intolerant individuals is
resolved with the consumption of yoghurt.
Since they cannot digest lactose and usually experience gastrointestinal
symptoms, yoghurt is a better option for them.
They can tolerate yoghurt because it is very low in lactose.
Yoghurt-ing can be a healthier option for young
women who would like to lose weight.
With proper diet and sufficient physical activity, a well-informed woman
can effectively lose weight and ensure complete nutrition in every meal.
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; Telephone/ Fax Nos:
837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local
2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. Like our Facebook page at
facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST.
(FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)
