Random drug tests for government offices workers urged
by: Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 15 (PIA) --- Local officials involved in the province's anti-illegal drugs campaign is calling for random drug testing to be conducted for government employees in the local government units and national government agencies here.
Provincial Police Director Rey Lawas in a March 10 forum appealed to mayors and government agency chiefs here to make government employees undergo random drug tests to weed out drug users among state workers.
Lawas disclosed that he has received reports that some doctors, attorneys and even hospital staff are allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade either as users or pushers.
The provincial police office have listed 145 individuals in the province who are in their “target list” or those who have been confirmed and validated to be engaged in illegal drugs activities.
“There 246 more in our watchlist, or persons who are reported to be involved in illegal drugs operations but have not yet been validated and confirmed,” said Lawas during the forum held at Plaza Ma. Luisa Suites Inn with local government and non-government agency information officers in attendance.
The provincial police office is conducting compulsory surprise drug tests for its personnel every six months, which led to three cops having tested positive and are now facing administrative and criminal charges either as a drug user or a drug pusher.
Lawas said the city governments of Dumaguete and Bayawan have already set in place moves to make their employees undergo drug testing. “I hope the other local government units will also follow suit,” he said. (RMN/PIA-7 Negros Oriental)
Negros Oriental grants cash assistance to OFWs from Libya
by: Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY,March 14 (PIA) – A total of 11 displaced Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Libya who came back to Negros Oriental received cash assistance from Gov. Roel Degamo today.
Degamo handed over the checks each worth P10,000 – taken from the provincial government's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AIKS) - to the OFWs who fled Libya after civil unrest broke out in the North African country.
The 11 OFWs are, namely: Robert Ortega, Jose Victor Teves, Deborah Barba, George Velez, Alma Baylon and Lucio Gajeles, Jr. all from Dumaguete City; Joel Latoy and Merlyn Orcullo from Sibulan; Crusaldo Perojon from Valencia; and Carlos Maypa and Ben Contes from Bacong.
There were originally 14 Libya repatriates scheduled to receive the financial aid from the governor but only 11 showed up at the Governor's Office.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Alice Lagarde said the number of displaced OFWs in the province from the strife-torn country are expected to reach 30. “We are still processing some of their papers,” said Lagarde.
In his talk with the OFWs in his office prior to handing over the checks, Degamo extended his sympathies to the plight of the workers. “This is just our initial help to you, there are more coming,” the governor told the OFWs.
VP Binay to visit Dumaguete for food security, climate change forum
by: Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 15 (PIA) – Vice President Jejomar Binay will be the Keynote Speaker during a forum tackling poverty, food security and climate change issues at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Main Campus tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
The Vice President will be flying in tomorrow upon the invitation of NORSU President Dr. Henry A. Sojor.
Expected to accompany Vice President Binay is Sen. Miguel Zubiri who is also expected to give the greetings during the forum's program and share his inpus as well on said issues.
Among the lineup of speakers during the forum are Dr. Gil Villancio of the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna, Silliman President Dr. Ben Malayang III, Dr. Juan Serana of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Metals Industry Research Development Director Engr. Francisco Dime, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Joel Rudinas and former Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Herminio Teves.
After his stint at NORSU, the Vice President is scheduled to meet with Gov. Roel Degamo and Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria. (PIA-Negros Oriental/RMN)
NFA NegOr launches Iron Fortified Rice program
by: Rachelle Nessia
BACONG, March 15 (PIA) – The National Food Authority today launched the I-Rice Iron Fortified Rice program at the Bacong municipal gymnasium in line with the program's simultaneous launching across the country.
Although the Iron Fortified Rice program was started in 2001, NFA Provincial Manager Francisco Lorico, Jr. said the rice agency is launching it today to correct the public impression that the NFA rice, especially the iron-fortified rice, is not up to par with the commercial rice.
“Because of the fortified rice's darker color, people think that it does not taste good and that there is a foul smell. By launching the I-Rice program today across the country, we hope to educate them and correct this misconception,” said Lorico.
The iron-fortified rice, the color of which is a shade darker than the non-fortified rice, is due to the iron fortificant mixed with the rice.
The national government started fortifying the government-subsidized rice with iron supplements in view of the iron deficiency incidence among Filipino children.
The I-Rice, available through the NFA rice grains retailers, is sold at the same price as the non-fortified NFA rice at P27 kilo.
“We're selling it at the same price because this is government-subsidized,” said Lorico, who explained that the iron-fortified rice, if sold without subsidy, would cost more than P40 per kilo.
More than 200,000 sacks of I-Rice have been distributed province-wide through the Food For School Program of the Department of Education and through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Lorico added that they include one sack of iron-fortified rice for every 10 sacks bought by the retailers. (PIA-NegOr/RMN)
NFA appeals for support from LGUs
by: Rachelle M. Nessia
BACONG, March 15 (PIA) – The government food agency is appealing to local chief executives in Negros Oriental to support the National Food Authority (NFA) by patronizing government-subsidized rice in their local programs.
“Support us by buying rice from us for your programs,” said NFA Provincial Director Francisco Lorico, Jr. during the launching of the I-Rice Iron Fortfied Rice Program in this town.
Lorico said he hopes the local government units (LGUs) here would follow the footsteps of the provincial government which has been consistently procuring NFA rice for its various programs, including its daily meals for the provincial jail inmates.
During the launching, Board Member Jessica Villanueva, who attended in behalf of First District Rep. Josy Limkaichong, pledged her support to NFA, saying that all of the rice procurements for local government programs in her district are from the rice agency.
Bacong Mayor Lenin Alviola in his speech during the I-Rice launching at the municipal gymnasium here urged local residents in the audience to support NFA by buying NFA rice.
“It is not true that NFA rice smells foul or tastes bad. Let us support our government by buying NFA rice,” said Alviola. (RMN/PIA-7 Negros Oriental)