TACLOBAN CITY – Plan Phils. supports the Reproductive Health(RH) bill as it will provide the basic needs of every women particularly those who are in the family stage as it will help them learn basic information on how to protect themselves and the child they are conceiving, together with arrays of choices on how to plan the number of children they wanted to have.
Dr. Ester Miranda, health and nutrition consultant of Plan Phils Visayas, said that with the passage of the RH bill, all mothers will have access to information especially teenage girls who get pregnant early.
In the region, teenage pregnancy is prevalent, according to Miranda, and most of these young girls are not aware of the consequences of getting pregnant at an early stage.
She added that teenage pregnancies are not just prevalent in urban areas but mostly in the rural areas they had visited particularly in provinces in the island of Samar where Plan Phils is implementing some projects.
Girls as young as 14 years old to 16 years old, Miranda who appeared at the weekly press conference “Express it at the Park”, said that just like in Daram town, Samar, prevalence of pre-marital sex is high.
“If this bill will be passed, these children will be taught through the incorporation of sex education in their academic subjects of how they can protect themselves, respect and value their bodies in order for them not to engage into such kind of activity,” said Miranda.
“It is wrong to say that they will be taught with different sex position or how to use contraceptives because it is not part of the bill, but rather they are to be taught on the different changes that their body will be experiencing when they reache age of puberty and how they should deal with it,” she added.
“Just like girls who are about to have their menstrual cycle, they need to be taught that they have to protect their bodies and not to engage into activities that will cause them to get pregnant,” she added.
Dr. Miranda added that aside from schools teaching sex education, it is also the obligation of parents to teach their children on different stages that adolescent children are experiencing.
However, due to customs and culture of Filipinos, most parents are not open to discuss issue about sex to their children, which tends their children to get information from other sources like their peers, media (television and movies) and internet, according to Dr. Miranda.
“These sources are dangerous because they opt to get wrong information, unlike if they get it from the right person like the educators and their parents,” she added.
Dr. Miranda also accepts the fact that some teachers are still uncomfortable to discuss sensitive issues like sex with their children.
Miranda expressed her hope that the controversial bill will be passed immediately.
“We know that strong opposition is coming from the Catholic Church, but our leaders much also listen to other sectors of religion and not just to one religion, they must listen to what people are saying and visit the grassroots in order for them to decide appropriately and intelligently on the issue of RH bill, because it is only then that they can have a good decision once they get the sentiment of the people that they are representing,” Miranda stressed.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
DTI reiterates warning over unregulated Christmas lights
TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry in Leyte warns the public over unregulated Christmas lights that are sold in the market as the Yuletide season is fast approaching.
Consumers, according to DTI Provincial Director Desiderio Belas, should check if the product they are going to buy had passed quality standards by the agency by checking its ICC or Import Commodity Clearance for imported Christmas lights and PS Mark or Product Standard mark for locally made Christmas lights.
The reason why it is important to check this marking, according to him, is to ensure their safety from untoward incident that may happen by using uncheck Christmas lights.
To ensure that the public will buy and use products that had passed that quality assurance of the agency, personnel of the DTI will conduct surprise visits to various stores in the region, to check the qualities of Christmas lights being sold.
Moreover, in line with the upcoming Christmas season, the agency will conduct a fair at their provincial office, selling “noche buena” goods on November 17.
The products to be sold are all provided with five percent discounts for they come directly from manufacturers.
The purpose for the “Diskwento Fair” of DTI, according Belas, is to encourage consumers to buy early the ingredients that they needs for their “noche buena” dinner as some retail stores may take advantage, due to the increase of demand.
Consumers, according to DTI Provincial Director Desiderio Belas, should check if the product they are going to buy had passed quality standards by the agency by checking its ICC or Import Commodity Clearance for imported Christmas lights and PS Mark or Product Standard mark for locally made Christmas lights.
The reason why it is important to check this marking, according to him, is to ensure their safety from untoward incident that may happen by using uncheck Christmas lights.
To ensure that the public will buy and use products that had passed that quality assurance of the agency, personnel of the DTI will conduct surprise visits to various stores in the region, to check the qualities of Christmas lights being sold.
Moreover, in line with the upcoming Christmas season, the agency will conduct a fair at their provincial office, selling “noche buena” goods on November 17.
The products to be sold are all provided with five percent discounts for they come directly from manufacturers.
The purpose for the “Diskwento Fair” of DTI, according Belas, is to encourage consumers to buy early the ingredients that they needs for their “noche buena” dinner as some retail stores may take advantage, due to the increase of demand.
Civil society group urges gov’t to manage its funds carefully
TACLOBAN CITY – A civil society group had urged the government to use and manage its funds carefully to ensure that all basic sectors of society is provided with appropriate fund intended for delivery of basic services.
Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. (right) , assisted by Mayor Remedios Petilla of Palo, Leyte, cuts the ceremonial ribbon during the inauguration of the new outpatient department (OPD) building of the Leyte Provincial Hospital. LITO ABALA BAGUNAS
“Education and health sectors are among those needs bigger budget but sad to say these two sectors also suffers from budget cut that the government had implemented this year,” according to Ana Malindog, executive director of People Partner for Development and Democracy.
Of the two, the education sector suffers the biggest budget cut particularly the state universities and colleges, according to Malindog.
In the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2012, 50 schools (SUCs) will have their total budget slashed by a combined P569.8 million, 45 will have cuts in their Maintenance and Operating Expenses (MOOE) funds by P250.9 million, while 58 will have cuts in Personal Services (PS) by P403.3 million.
While there is an increase on proposed P42.693billion health budget for 2012 from this year’s P32.427 billion, the increase is considered inadequate considering the steady inflation, increase in the prices of medicines and medical equipment.
The bigger portion of the increase of P12.5 billion is allotted to PhilHealth (P8.5 billion more from its 2011 budget) and another P3 billion is allotted for government equity for Public-Private Partnership in 25 regional hospitals.
The proposed 2012 health budget is a far cry from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of 5% of gross national product (GNP) that should be allotted for health, which is around P440 billion.
Reason why the government is implementing a budget cut is they focus more on debt servicing, according to Malindog.
“The priority right now of the Philippine government is on debt servicing, we have to ask, is it really necessary or is it important at this moment to pay our debt?,” asked Malindog.
Aside from debt serving, Malindog added that the government is also focusing on modernization of the Armed Forces.
“Is there really a war to fight, for us to modernize the military? Malindog asked.
To recall, the President had ordered to provide P10 billion fund for the modernization of the Armed Forces which would be sourced from appropriations of the 2010 and 2011 national budget at P5 billion each.
From the P5 billion fund from 2010, the AFP plans to equip the Philippine Army with armored personnel carriers and radios while the Philippine Navy intends to procure a sea-lift vessel, and the Philippine Air Force targets to acquire one special mission aircraft and two lift aircraft amounting to P1.6 billion.
The remaining P5 billion in the 2011 appropriations is intended to fund civil military operations, health services and disaster response activities.
This includes acquiring 32 five-ton dump trucks and 55 special-purpose vehicles for the Army; two search-and-rescue helicopters; and 30 special-purpose vehicles and 15 amphibian vehicles for the Navy.
Aside from the two focus of the government, Malindog added that another lapse of the government in appropriating budget is by funding projects that are not carefully studied, just like the implementation of conditional cash transfer program.
Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. (right) , assisted by Mayor Remedios Petilla of Palo, Leyte, cuts the ceremonial ribbon during the inauguration of the new outpatient department (OPD) building of the Leyte Provincial Hospital. LITO ABALA BAGUNAS
“Education and health sectors are among those needs bigger budget but sad to say these two sectors also suffers from budget cut that the government had implemented this year,” according to Ana Malindog, executive director of People Partner for Development and Democracy.
Of the two, the education sector suffers the biggest budget cut particularly the state universities and colleges, according to Malindog.
In the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2012, 50 schools (SUCs) will have their total budget slashed by a combined P569.8 million, 45 will have cuts in their Maintenance and Operating Expenses (MOOE) funds by P250.9 million, while 58 will have cuts in Personal Services (PS) by P403.3 million.
While there is an increase on proposed P42.693billion health budget for 2012 from this year’s P32.427 billion, the increase is considered inadequate considering the steady inflation, increase in the prices of medicines and medical equipment.
The bigger portion of the increase of P12.5 billion is allotted to PhilHealth (P8.5 billion more from its 2011 budget) and another P3 billion is allotted for government equity for Public-Private Partnership in 25 regional hospitals.
The proposed 2012 health budget is a far cry from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of 5% of gross national product (GNP) that should be allotted for health, which is around P440 billion.
Reason why the government is implementing a budget cut is they focus more on debt servicing, according to Malindog.
“The priority right now of the Philippine government is on debt servicing, we have to ask, is it really necessary or is it important at this moment to pay our debt?,” asked Malindog.
Aside from debt serving, Malindog added that the government is also focusing on modernization of the Armed Forces.
“Is there really a war to fight, for us to modernize the military? Malindog asked.
To recall, the President had ordered to provide P10 billion fund for the modernization of the Armed Forces which would be sourced from appropriations of the 2010 and 2011 national budget at P5 billion each.
From the P5 billion fund from 2010, the AFP plans to equip the Philippine Army with armored personnel carriers and radios while the Philippine Navy intends to procure a sea-lift vessel, and the Philippine Air Force targets to acquire one special mission aircraft and two lift aircraft amounting to P1.6 billion.
The remaining P5 billion in the 2011 appropriations is intended to fund civil military operations, health services and disaster response activities.
This includes acquiring 32 five-ton dump trucks and 55 special-purpose vehicles for the Army; two search-and-rescue helicopters; and 30 special-purpose vehicles and 15 amphibian vehicles for the Navy.
Aside from the two focus of the government, Malindog added that another lapse of the government in appropriating budget is by funding projects that are not carefully studied, just like the implementation of conditional cash transfer program.
Laboratory building for LPH inaugurated
PALO,Leyte- A new building that will serves as the Out Patient Department and Laboratory Building for the Leyte Provincial Hospital was formally inaugurated recently.
Representative Juan Ponce Enrile, Jr. of the first district of Cagayan Valley served as guest of honor in behalf of his father, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, Sr.
The building was provided to the provincial government using fund from the office of Senator Enrile with an amount of P10 million as part of his effort to help health sector in providing basic health services to the people and in support to the program of the provincial government enhancing the health facilities in the province.
During the turn-over of the building, Rep.Enrile promised that aside from the support of the health sector in the province of Leyte, he assured that his father is always open to provide assistance in every problem or needs of the constituency of Leyte.
This announcement of Enrile was gladly accepted by the management of the LPH and officials of the province who were present at the turn-over ceremony.
Aside from the funds that was provided by the senator, it was also learned that Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla contributed a fund for an additional building, after the province was able to save around P500,000 from the funds that was given by Senator Enrile.
Among those who graced the turn-over ceremony were League of the Municipalities of the Philippines – Leyte Chapter president and Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla; Leyte Vice Governor Mimiette Bagulaya and Board Members Roque Tiu and Malou Go-Soco and barangay officials from the municipality of Palo.
Representative Juan Ponce Enrile, Jr. of the first district of Cagayan Valley served as guest of honor in behalf of his father, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, Sr.
The building was provided to the provincial government using fund from the office of Senator Enrile with an amount of P10 million as part of his effort to help health sector in providing basic health services to the people and in support to the program of the provincial government enhancing the health facilities in the province.
During the turn-over of the building, Rep.Enrile promised that aside from the support of the health sector in the province of Leyte, he assured that his father is always open to provide assistance in every problem or needs of the constituency of Leyte.
This announcement of Enrile was gladly accepted by the management of the LPH and officials of the province who were present at the turn-over ceremony.
Aside from the funds that was provided by the senator, it was also learned that Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla contributed a fund for an additional building, after the province was able to save around P500,000 from the funds that was given by Senator Enrile.
Among those who graced the turn-over ceremony were League of the Municipalities of the Philippines – Leyte Chapter president and Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla; Leyte Vice Governor Mimiette Bagulaya and Board Members Roque Tiu and Malou Go-Soco and barangay officials from the municipality of Palo.
City council to conduct public hearing on new revenue code
TACLOBAN CITY – The committee on finance of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tacloban will conduct a public hearing with regards to the proposed revision of city’s revenue code on Nov. 18 and 21 at the Kanhuraw Convention Center and at the Sagkahan Gymnasium.
The public hearing is to be headed by committee on finance chairman Councilor Cristina Romualdez.
The revision of the revenue code has been asked by Mayor Alfred Romualdez for it has been 15 years since it was updated and according to him it had been two years since the city status was upgraded as a highly-urbanized city yet the revenue code remains at revision eight.
However, this move for revision of the city’s revenue code is being criticized by some members of the city council particularly members of the opposition bloc.
Among them is Councilor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin, who was once an ally of the city mayor particularly during the HUC campaign.
In an interview with Yaokasin, he recalled that among the promises they made to Taclobanons was there would be no tax increase for the next five years.
“If they will pursue with the passage of the revenue code they will be breaking their promise, because we are still under the five years promise of no tax increase, if there will be an increase that should be in 2013,” Yaokasin explained.
Yaokasin added that under the proposed ordinance seeking for the the revision of the revenue code, members of the opposition bloc had asked that their names be erased as proponents as they withdrew as co-sponsor of the proposed measure.
“But I hope that all voices of the city council will be heard once this is brought up in the floor,” Yaokasin added.
Earlier, the regional office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government had asked all local government units in the region to find ways to improve their finances and should not continue depending on their share on the internal revenue allotment(IRA).
Among the mechanisms proposed by the DILG was to update the revenue code of the LGUs.
The public hearing is to be headed by committee on finance chairman Councilor Cristina Romualdez.
The revision of the revenue code has been asked by Mayor Alfred Romualdez for it has been 15 years since it was updated and according to him it had been two years since the city status was upgraded as a highly-urbanized city yet the revenue code remains at revision eight.
However, this move for revision of the city’s revenue code is being criticized by some members of the city council particularly members of the opposition bloc.
Among them is Councilor Jerry “Sambo” Yaokasin, who was once an ally of the city mayor particularly during the HUC campaign.
In an interview with Yaokasin, he recalled that among the promises they made to Taclobanons was there would be no tax increase for the next five years.
“If they will pursue with the passage of the revenue code they will be breaking their promise, because we are still under the five years promise of no tax increase, if there will be an increase that should be in 2013,” Yaokasin explained.
Yaokasin added that under the proposed ordinance seeking for the the revision of the revenue code, members of the opposition bloc had asked that their names be erased as proponents as they withdrew as co-sponsor of the proposed measure.
“But I hope that all voices of the city council will be heard once this is brought up in the floor,” Yaokasin added.
Earlier, the regional office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government had asked all local government units in the region to find ways to improve their finances and should not continue depending on their share on the internal revenue allotment(IRA).
Among the mechanisms proposed by the DILG was to update the revenue code of the LGUs.
Gov’t agencies should talk first their stand on mining – BM Tiu
TACLOBAN CITY – National line government agencies should talk first with each other in relation to their stand on the issue of mining operation, said Leyte first district Board Member Roque Tiu, chairman of the committee on environment and natural resources.
This statement of Tiu is based on the different stand of national line agencies in the region on the issuance of permits to mining applicants in the province.
The provincial board of Leyte prior to issuance of mining permits had urged the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to include them in consultation and for asking a resolution prior to granting mining permits.
In every consultation that the provincial board holds together with some members of national line-agencies, it was noticed that most of them are opposing to any mining operations.
National line agencies that opposes mining operation are the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Among the reasons of these agencies is that mining activities is detrimental to the environment, destroying the natural eco-system affecting livelihood of people.
“With this kind of problem, the best thing to do is for the representatives of these line agencies to talk first and come up with one decision whether they will oppose or not the activities of mining in the province,” said Tiu.
“No matter how we like to grant a resolution to mining companies, if there are agencies that are opposing we cannot do so,” he added.
Tiu added that on the issue of favoring a mining firm to operate in the province, their top consideration is the ability of the mining firm to implement their social responsibility and the rehabilitation process based on what they had proposed in their application.
He added that members of the provincial board are strong in their decision to oppose off-shore mining as majority of people in the province are dependent on fishing and it is hard to detect the damage that is caused by mining operation when it comes to seawater.
Aside from the members of the provincial board, members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Leyte Chapter through a resolution signed by members of the organization had strongly opposed to any off-shore mining.
This statement of Tiu is based on the different stand of national line agencies in the region on the issuance of permits to mining applicants in the province.
The provincial board of Leyte prior to issuance of mining permits had urged the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to include them in consultation and for asking a resolution prior to granting mining permits.
In every consultation that the provincial board holds together with some members of national line-agencies, it was noticed that most of them are opposing to any mining operations.
National line agencies that opposes mining operation are the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Among the reasons of these agencies is that mining activities is detrimental to the environment, destroying the natural eco-system affecting livelihood of people.
“With this kind of problem, the best thing to do is for the representatives of these line agencies to talk first and come up with one decision whether they will oppose or not the activities of mining in the province,” said Tiu.
“No matter how we like to grant a resolution to mining companies, if there are agencies that are opposing we cannot do so,” he added.
Tiu added that on the issue of favoring a mining firm to operate in the province, their top consideration is the ability of the mining firm to implement their social responsibility and the rehabilitation process based on what they had proposed in their application.
He added that members of the provincial board are strong in their decision to oppose off-shore mining as majority of people in the province are dependent on fishing and it is hard to detect the damage that is caused by mining operation when it comes to seawater.
Aside from the members of the provincial board, members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Leyte Chapter through a resolution signed by members of the organization had strongly opposed to any off-shore mining.
Board Member Tiu supports HB 4626
TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Board Member and committee chair on environment and natural resources Roque Tiu, said that he supports proposed House Bill 4626 of Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile, Jr. that aims for the country to attain food sufficiency and security.
Enrile was in the province for a dialogue with farmers organizations in Leyte regarding his proposed bill which aims to establish a national food requirement plan wherein all provinces would have a food requirement assessment to determine the needs of the people.
Aside from free irrigation program for farmers, increase subsidy on seeds and fertilizers, ensure farm inputs, and establishment of anti-smuggling task force for the Department of Agriculture (DA) another salient feature of the law is the non-conversion of land to other purpose particularly on agricultural lands that had long been targets of conversion by some investors, converting them for residential, commercial, industrial and for mining use which is very important, according to Tiu.
“When I heard about this proposed bill of Rep. Enrile, I felt glad about it because this supports the food production program of the provincial government and answers the cry of our constituents begging the government not to touch and allow mining companies to let agricultural lands be converted into other use,” Tiu said.
Several agricultural lands in Leyte have been converted into mining sites, resulting to a reduced palay production.
One of these areas is in MacArthur town where there are three mining firms that are conducting their mining operations.
“This really affects our food production and our food security,” Tiu stressed.
To show his support, Tiu said that in their next regular session, he will submit a resolution in behalf of the province of Leyte supporting the bill of Enrile.
Moreover, even the President had already made a statement supporting large-scale mining, Tiu said, that operation of these mining firms should be check first whether their operation has no detrimental effect on the environment and damages projects that are funded by the government.
“There should be safety nets for large-scale mining; they should assure that no places or projects are to be affected while their operation is on-going,” Tiu said.
Enrile was in the province for a dialogue with farmers organizations in Leyte regarding his proposed bill which aims to establish a national food requirement plan wherein all provinces would have a food requirement assessment to determine the needs of the people.
Aside from free irrigation program for farmers, increase subsidy on seeds and fertilizers, ensure farm inputs, and establishment of anti-smuggling task force for the Department of Agriculture (DA) another salient feature of the law is the non-conversion of land to other purpose particularly on agricultural lands that had long been targets of conversion by some investors, converting them for residential, commercial, industrial and for mining use which is very important, according to Tiu.
“When I heard about this proposed bill of Rep. Enrile, I felt glad about it because this supports the food production program of the provincial government and answers the cry of our constituents begging the government not to touch and allow mining companies to let agricultural lands be converted into other use,” Tiu said.
Several agricultural lands in Leyte have been converted into mining sites, resulting to a reduced palay production.
One of these areas is in MacArthur town where there are three mining firms that are conducting their mining operations.
“This really affects our food production and our food security,” Tiu stressed.
To show his support, Tiu said that in their next regular session, he will submit a resolution in behalf of the province of Leyte supporting the bill of Enrile.
Moreover, even the President had already made a statement supporting large-scale mining, Tiu said, that operation of these mining firms should be check first whether their operation has no detrimental effect on the environment and damages projects that are funded by the government.
“There should be safety nets for large-scale mining; they should assure that no places or projects are to be affected while their operation is on-going,” Tiu said.
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