Phil. Army honors retiring troopers
by: Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 4 (PIA) --- A testimonial ceremony was held by the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental as four of its non-commissioned officers are about to bid farewell to the armed troops.
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Ramil Bitong on April 29 led the ceremony in appreciation of the officers' years of faithful service, efficiency, and devotion to the Lapu-Lapu Battalion, according to a statement released by 11IB Civil-Military Operation Officer 1Lt. Angelito C. Luna.
"The unit recognizes their immeasurable contribution to the success of its mission," Luna said in the statement.
Each of the retiring officers were awarded a plaque of recognition.
Testimonial reviews are traditionally held by the Philippine Army to honor and thank its retiring personnel.
Luna said the ceremony is firmly rooted in military history and provides an opportunity "to show respect for the flag, country and fellow Soldiers from the past and present who have served the country." (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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Thomas Jefferson Information Center re-opens on World Press Freedom Day; Dumaguete Media celebrates WPFD
by: Jennifer Catan-Tilos with reports from US Embassy
DUMAGUETE CITY, May (PIA) The Thomas Jefferson Information Center (TJIC) celebrated World Press Freedom Day on May 3 with an open house to announce its new location at the U.S. Embassy Seafront Compound, 1501 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr., who led the celebration, said: “The Thomas Jefferson Information Center is a great example of the ways we advocate for freedom of the press. In a democracy, the people must have access to reliable information. As we celebrate our new location, we join with you and media workers worldwide to honor World Press Freedom Day.”
Hence, journalist in Dumaguete City gathered at Marian Hall Center, Cathedral Compound to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) Tuesday.
The activity chaired by John Dx Lapid, news director of radio station DYGB has gathered some members of the Dumaguete Press and Radio Club and National Union of Journalist of the Philippines in the city.
This year’s theme, World Press Freedom Day is 21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers. The TJIC, formerly known as the American Library, continues to be the main research venue in the Philippines for U.S.-related information as it offers modern research tools such as online databases, electronic delivery, and digital video-conferencing.
It is the 21st-century descendant of the original U.S. Government-sponsored library, which started operating after World War II in September 1945.
In a discussion, Lapid said the WPFD is important because of several unresolved issues in the local and national level that concerns our colleagues in the media.
One issue, he said is the Freedom of Information Act, suppose an access of all documents from any government agencies in which the public and media as well need to know.
TJIC’s professional librarians provide reference and outreach services by phone, fax, e-mail and post, including the TJIC Alert Service, subject bibliographies, lectures and trainings, and digital videoconferencing. Modern online databases offered include Ebsco Host, Proquest, Factiva, Foundations Directory, and Lexis/Nexis.
The Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. (PIA NegOr/JCT)
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Almost 12,000 registered PUJs in C. Visayas can avail of ‘Pantawid Pasada’ Program
By Fayette C. Rinen
CEBU CITY, May 4 (PIA) --- Over 11,000 franchise holders of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) have been registered with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) inCentral Visayas as the same figure is set to receive the government’s public transport assistance program dubbed “Pantawid Pasada.’
The Pantawid Pasada Program that provides fuel purchase assistance to jeepney and tricycle drivers designed to temporarily ease their plight amid the series of oil price hikes has initially kicked off in Metro Manila as provinces nationwide will follow suit with the schedules yet to be determined.
LTFRB-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon during the Kapihan sa PIA this morning that featured the program bared that based on their list, “there are 11,897 registered franchise holders inCentral Visayas.”
Though the objective of the program is to help the jeepney and tricycle drivers, mostly affected with the incessant fuel increases, but the basis for the distribution of the Smart Cards pre-loaded with P1,050 fuel purchase assistance are franchise holders of PUJs with LTO-registration until March 30, this year, this is disclosed by Engr. Antonio Labios, regional director of the Department of Energy (DOE)-7.
“Based on our meeting with top officials of LTFRB in Manila, the program would jumpstart in the provinces 20 working days May 2, the launching of the Pantawid Pasada in Metro Manila. This, I would surmise to be at the end of May,” according to Cuizon.
But DOE-7 officials said that they still do not have the specific date for the launching of the program in the provinces but said they would immediately announce the schedule in case things have been finqalized.
“If you browse at the DOE website, at the right upper corner is shown the Pantawid Pasada Program with the schedules. At this time, the schedules shown are the dates of the distribution in Metro Manila which is done by batches,” DOE-7 Supervising Regulatory Officer Engr. Rey Maleza said.
Maleza said that though the assistance is only a one-shot deal, the validity of the card is five years as it can be used as a discount card provided by retail gas stations which sometimes provide discounted fuel rates to the PUJ drivers.
“We also do not discount the possibility that the government might again provide another round of fuel assistance to the public transport system,” Maleza declared.
President Bengino Aquino III issued Executive Order No. 32 otherwise known as ‘Pantawid Pasada’ aimed at extending fuel assistance to jeepney and tricycle drivers as fuel prices continue to climb. (PIA 7-Cebu)
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302 Brigade joins a series of free health services
by: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 4 (PIA) About 3,000 residents have benefitted the health services in a joint medical and dental mission by the 302 Brigade of thePhilippine Army and the provincial government in three separate occasions.
Civil Military Officer Sonny Gonzales of the army said the medical and dental team of the brigade participated in the “Halad sa Zamboangnon” on April 30 in the municipality of Zamboanguita in an effort to bring health services in the community.
The civic action team of 302 Infantry (Achiever) Brigade coordinated with the local government unit of Zamboanguita and provincial government of Negros Oriental to offer the army’s health services.
Of the target number of beneficiaries in the town, Major Gonzales said more or less 911 poor families availed of the services, wherein 318 got a free medical consultation, 210 for circumcision; 280, dental check-up; 36 tooth extraction and massage; and 67, haircut.
On Labor Day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has conducted the same medical and dental mission, which participated in by an army health team at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex, Capitol area, Dumaguete City.
During the jobs fair on May 1, about 1,300 poor families took advantage of the free health services wherein, 393 of them availed the free medical consultation; 439 children for circumcision; 364, dental check-up and tooth extraction, 28 were provided also free massage and 45 individuals given free haircut, said Gonzales.
The brigade has also conducted “Operation Tuli” with 286 children in Barangay Batinguel, Dumaguete City. The activity was assisted by Rotary Club of Dumaguete City, Association of Young Nurse Leaders and Advocates (AYNLA), Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital and the 11th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army.
The medical and dental outreach activities are in line with the AFP’s “Oplan Bayanihan” campaign through collaboration of efforts among the LGUs, LGAs, NGOs and other stakeholders in the community which aims to bring the government closer to the people through the delivery of basic services. (PIA NegOr/JCT)