RAFI conducts public exposures for Triennial laureates, finalists in Dumaguete City
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY , July 13 (PIA) --- The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Triennial Awards finalists this year and its Circle of Laureates will undergo public exposures and post-awards engagement activities on July 13-16 in Dumaguete City in partnership with the awardees and finalists that are operating in Negros Oriental.
RAFI communications officer Haidee Emmie Palapar said the public exposure and post awards engagement aim to share the inspiring stories and work of the awardees and finalists through public fora, conferences, and learning visits.
The previous winners of the Triennial awards from the Visayas and Mindanao will gather in Dumaguete City on July 13-14 for the “RAFI Triennial Awards Circle of Laureates Conference.”
The laureates will be provided with a venue for interaction, dialogue, initiation, and development of partnerships and other collaborative engagements between and among them.
The laureates, on July 16 will experience a series of learning visits to organizations, individuals, and places in Negros Oriental where benchmark projects are the norms
According to Palapar the RAFI Triennial Awards is currently on its fifth run this year. Its top five finalists per category were presented in a public forum on June 15 at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center in Cebu City .
On July 15, this time in Dumaguete City , they will again be presented to the public during the “3rd Leaders of Change Forum” at Foundation University to share their works, projects, causes and their contributions to community development.
The top five finalists for the individual category include Fr. Angelo Buenavides, Prof. Estrella Cantallopez, Mr. Apolinario Leyson, Sr., Fr. Dennis Tamayo, and Mr. Rene Vendiola.
The top five finalists for the institution category are SOS Children’s Villages Philippines; Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation Inc.; The Great Physician Rehabilitation Foundation Inc; Agri-Aqua Development Coalition-Mindanao; and Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc.
The finalists will still have to undergo an extensive screening process and the winners will be conferred with the Awards in March 2012.
The Triennial Awards was initiated in 1996 and conferred every three years. It was established to encourage and give recognition to individuals and institutions that have brought hope and change to better the lives of the less privileged in communities.
Palapar explained that the Triennial Awards is also a form of recognition of people and institutions that reflect the philanthropic, humanitarian, and holistic ideals of Don Ramon Aboitiz and Don Eduardo Aboitiz.
The awards are given in two categories—the Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual and the Eduardo Aboitiz Award for Outstanding Institution.
The RAFI Triennial Awards is one of the capabilities of RAFI, which emphasizes best practices in community development.
Its other capabilities include Grants, Institutional Development & Planning, Knowledge Sharing & Advocacy, and Services & Facilities. (PIA-NegOr/mbcn/JCT)
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 12 (PIA) -- The city government of Dumaguete in Negros Oriental is gearing up for the launching of its smoke-free policy on July 14.
The cash collected is set to feed the underweight pre-school children and curb gradually the malnutrition in some poor barangays in the city.
For this year’s 37th Nutrition Month celebration focuses on the theme “Isulong ang Breastfeeding- Tama, Sapat at Eksklusibo!” The core message ensures successful breastfeeding practices and encourages all sectors to promote, protect and support correct breastfeeding habits, according to Lourdes Taburasa, City Nutrition Action Officer.
Other activities for the month-long celebration include a Nutrition Caravan on Tuesday at the South City Elementary School and on Thursday at the Magsaysay Memorial Elementary School; a Well Baby Contest on July 22 at the Robinson’s shopping mall, an Inter-High School Oratorical Contest, food fair and an inter-barangay booth contest, among others.
Meanwhile, the City Nutrition Council gave awards to the following categories for biggest contingent school category, Negros Oriental State University (for public school); Silliman University, biggest contingent office category, private school category; biggest office contingent, City Economics Enterprise Office; Barangay Banilad for biggest contingent organization (school level), Hospitality Management Society of NORSU; Rotary South biggest civic contingent, and members of KALIPI (Peoples’ Organization); biggest contingent cooperative category, Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative; biggest group donor office category, General Services Office and in school category, Negros Oriental State University ROTC and best slogan, Silliman University Nutrition and Dietetics students.
Construction workers have to brave rough waters during the 30-minute boat ride from the village of Malatapay, Zamboanguita town in order to reach the island.
In this ‘Lakbay Aral,’ the Grades 5 and 6 pupils accompanied by their teachers and some parents were ferried by a service military vehicle to Dumaguete City to expose them in an environment outside their communities to create a widen horizon and positive outlook, according to Maj. Sonny Gonzales, 302nd Brigade Civil- Military Operations (CMO) Officer.
Dubbed as “Bayanihan Para sa Kabataan, Lakbay Aral Para sa Karunungan,” the educational tour was first in the lives of hinterland pupils who have not experienced and tasted the city life, thus creating landmarks in their hearts and minds, said Major Gonzales.
The first visit was in Dumaguete City Tourism Office, where the pupils were briefly tour around the Quezon Park, Cathedral Church and Bell Tower. After which, they took their breakfast across the street at Mc Donalds then proceeded to the Freedom Park, Macias Sports Complex and Convention Center and to the oval at the Provincial Capitol area.
The children had the chance to interact with the Provincial Governor Roel Degamo in an open forum at the Capitol. In the course of the discussion, the Governor granted the request of the school head teacher to have a set of computer for San Miguel Elementary School.
The group then visited the Sidlakang Negros Village Showroom to familiarize them some native products of the province.
The pupils were treated to a lunch at Jollibee at Robinsons Place, where they felt surprise and delighted. Interestingly, the group was also amazed when the 302 Brigade headed by Colonel Christopher Estella, the deputy commander and Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria of Dumaguete City conducted gift giving to the pupils.
This was followed by the distribution of school supplies and slippers while entertained by a Jollibee Mascot and a mall tour where they had the chance to experience the beauty of city life.
The group then proceeded to the Lee Plaza amusement center where they were given two tokens each for games. After which, the group toured the Silliman University library, Luce Auditorium, Silliman University Medical Center and the Silliman Marine Laboratory. They also went toSt. Paul University Butterfly Sanctuary and Recycling Processing Plant.
The tour was ended with a demonstration of eco-kalan and snacks at the Felipa Beach in Mangnao, Dumaguete City.
This educational was initiated by Army’s 302 Infantry Brigade in coordination with the 79th Infantry Battalion, Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network (ONCAN), Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, Negros Oriental High School Batch 1994 and 1995 and Dignity Plus to benefit the students as well as the community in promoting educational awareness in the urban areas.
Colonel Estella said that the activity also aimed to strengthen the AFP’s partnership with the various stakeholders in the province. (PIA NegOr/JCT)
The DOH is currently focusing on increasing the coverage of the poorest of the poor to be registered with Phil Health in order to realize its ultimate goal of universal health care for every Filipino. But in order to do this, the agency needs to link with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program are considered the poorest of the poor.
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Mayor orders inspection of public bldgs after 6.2 earthquake
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 12 (PIA) -- Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria has ordered the inspection of buildings in the city following a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that shook the city and some parts of Negros Oriental at 4:47 a.m. today.
Sagarbarria, in an interview, said he has instructed the City Engineer's Office to send a team of structural engineers to monitor buildings in the city for cracks and other damages.
This after the city disaster council convened at the Mayor's Office this morning.
"So far, we have not received any reports of damages or injuries resulting from the earthquake," he said.
The mayor added that after the quake, at around 6:45 a.m., he went around checking the city streets but "everything looked normal," he said.
Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo has also directed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to monitor the rest of the towns and cities in the province for damages or injuries resulting from the quake and its aftershocks.
Data from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) showed that the quake was tectonic in origin with its epicenter 93 kilometers south and 66 degrees west of Dumaguete City. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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No arrests yet after smoke-free policy launching, councilor says
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 12 (PIA) – No arrests of smoke-free law violators will immediately be made after the city government here launches its smoke-free policy on July 14, 2011.
This was stressed by Dumaguete City Councilor Kenneth Arbas, one of the three councilors who crafted the smoke-free ordinance, during a top-level meeting among city department heads at the Dumaguete City Session Hall this morning.
Arbas explained that after the launching, the city government will focus its resources in mounting a massive advocacy campaign for six months on the ill-effects of smoking and the violations and corresponding penalties carried by the ordinance.
This was echoed by Bernie Maniego of the Framework Convention Alliance on Tobacco- FreePhilippines, who said that the awareness drive will target all residents in the city. “Everybody in the city should attend the orientation to make them advocates against smoking,” he said.
Said ordinance imposes a reprimand for first offense, a fine of P500 for second offense and P1,000 for third and succeeding offenses.
Arbas, however, assured that the ordinance will be strictly enforced after the six-month period.
"We are not imposing a total ban on smoking as this will violate the smokers' rights. What we want is to keep the non-smokers safe from the cigarette smoke emitted by the smoking public," he stressed.
The smoke-free ordinance crafted by Arbas together with Councilors Manuel Arbon and Antonio Remollo on May this year is hinged on the national smoke-free law, RA 9211, which prohibits smoking in public places.
Private establishments are free to designate smoking sections in their areas but this is not the case for public places."RA 9211 absolutely prohibits designating smoking areas within public places," stressed Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, as he urged smokers to give up smoking. "People will have to quit smoking," he said in an interview. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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Dumaguete gears up for smoke-free policy launching
Dumaguete gears up for smoke-free policy launching
by Rachelle M. Nessia
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| City Councilor Kenneth Arbas |
Department heads at the City Hall gathered today at the City Session Hall for a top-level meeting to plot out the activities that will start in the afternoon of said date.
A parade participated in by students and city government employees will kick-off at 1:00 p.m. from three different venues, namely: Robinsons Dumaguete, Freedom Park and Silliman University Ballfield to converge at Quezon Park in front of the City Hall where a program will occur.
Dumaguete City Councilor Kenneth Arbas, one of the three proponents of the smoke-free ordinance, said they are expecting a turnout of between 10,000 to 15,000 people for the launching. "We are expecting a huge crowd for the launching and we hope to exceed our target number," he said.
During the program, Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria is expected to officially declare Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, a smoke-free city.
The launching will be capped by a concert at Quezon Park, this city, in the evening.
Said launching is one of the series of smoke-free related activities to be carried out in Negros Oriental this month, starting with the ordinance launching on July 13 in Bindoy followed by a similar launching in Jimlalad town in the morning of July 14.
Amlan, the first local government unit to craft and implement a smoke-free ordinance in the province and in the region, will mark its second year of implementing the ordinance on July 15. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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Nutri-fit walk-for-a-cause to feed underweight pre-schoolers
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 12 (PIA) Dumaguete City government led the more than a thousand participants in Nutri-fit walk-for-a-cause for underweight pre-school children on Sunday in observance of this year’s Nutrition Month of July that underscore the importance and benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for infants.
The walk-for-a-cause has collected more than P40,000 this week intended for its feeding program and nutrition education activities of the City Nutrition Office (CNO).
However, the city expects to collect P120,000 for this year, since in 2010 the CNO gathered some P118,000 while some schools, establishments and other officials pledged to donate until this August.
The cash collected is set to feed the underweight pre-school children and curb gradually the malnutrition in some poor barangays in the city.
For this year’s 37th Nutrition Month celebration focuses on the theme “Isulong ang Breastfeeding- Tama, Sapat at Eksklusibo!” The core message ensures successful breastfeeding practices and encourages all sectors to promote, protect and support correct breastfeeding habits, according to Lourdes Taburasa, City Nutrition Action Officer.
In his message, City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria thanked the participants for the support by joining the activity, saying the city government is supportive of the nutrition programs for Dumaguete residents.
Other activities for the month-long celebration include a Nutrition Caravan on Tuesday at the South City Elementary School and on Thursday at the Magsaysay Memorial Elementary School; a Well Baby Contest on July 22 at the Robinson’s shopping mall, an Inter-High School Oratorical Contest, food fair and an inter-barangay booth contest, among others.
Meanwhile, the City Nutrition Council gave awards to the following categories for biggest contingent school category, Negros Oriental State University (for public school); Silliman University, biggest contingent office category, private school category; biggest office contingent, City Economics Enterprise Office; Barangay Banilad for biggest contingent organization (school level), Hospitality Management Society of NORSU; Rotary South biggest civic contingent, and members of KALIPI (Peoples’ Organization); biggest contingent cooperative category, Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative; biggest group donor office category, General Services Office and in school category, Negros Oriental State University ROTC and best slogan, Silliman University Nutrition and Dietetics students.
Participated in the nutri-fit walk also includes Vice-Mayor Alan Gel Cordova, Cityhall employees, barangay officials, establishment, teachers and students from public and private school around the main thoroughfares of the city. (PIA NegOr/JCT)
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Dumaguete gears up for smoke-free policy launching
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 12 (PIA) -- The city government of Dumaguete in Negros Oriental is gearing up for the launching of its smoke-free policy on July 14.
Department heads at the City Hall gathered today at the City Session Hall for a top-level meeting to plot out the activities that will start in the afternoon of said date.
A parade participated in by students and city government employees will kick-off at 1:00 p.m. from three different venues, namely: Robinsons Dumaguete, Freedom Park and Silliman University Ballfield to converge at Quezon Park in front of the City Hall where a program will occur.
Dumaguete City Councilor Kenneth Arbas, one of the three proponents of the smoke-free ordinance, said they are expecting a turnout of between 10,000 to 15,000 people for the launching. "We are expecting a huge crowd for the launching and we hope to exceed our target number," he said.
During the program, Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria is expected to officially declare Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, a smoke-free city.
The launching will be capped by a concert at Quezon Park, this city, in the evening.
Said launching is one of the series of smoke-free related activities to be carried out in Negros Oriental this month, starting with the ordinance launching on July 13 in Bindoy followed by a similar launching in Jimlalad town in the morning of July 14.
Amlan, the first local government unit to craft and implement a smoke-free ordinance in the province and in the region, will mark its second year of implementing the ordinance on July 15. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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NegOr allots P1.5-M for school repair in Apo Island
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 12 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Negros Oriental has allotted a total of P1.5 million for the repair of the lone elementary school building in Apo Island, Dauin, Negros Oriental.
The funds are taken from the provincial government's Special Educational Fund (SEF), according to Engr. Maelen Jimenez of PEO's maintenance and public work division.
Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, together with Division Construction Head Engr. Franco Alpuerto of the Provincial Engineer's Office (PEO), on July 9, 2011 visited the elementary school in Apo Island, signaling the start of the repair work.
Workers are now ferrying construction materials from the mainland to Apo Island for the repair of the one-storey, three-classroom building. "The entire building is really in a dilapidated state," said Jimenez.
She can't tell for now when the repair work will be done. "We did not set a target completion date as we are depending on sea conditions because we have to haul materials from Dauin out into the island," she explained.
Construction workers have to brave rough waters during the 30-minute boat ride from the village of Malatapay, Zamboanguita town in order to reach the island.
Apo Island, a world-renowned dive destination seven kilometers off the southeastern tip ofNegros Island, is an island barangay under the jurisdiction of Dauin town with a population of 745 based on the 2007 Census. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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Army, PNP & NGO initiate ‘Lakbay Aral’ for hinterland school children
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 11 (PIA) Some 70 school children in hinterland barangay of San Miguel Elementary School, Sta. Catalina town were given a chance to experience in an educational tour to urban-city of Dumaguete.
In this ‘Lakbay Aral,’ the Grades 5 and 6 pupils accompanied by their teachers and some parents were ferried by a service military vehicle to Dumaguete City to expose them in an environment outside their communities to create a widen horizon and positive outlook, according to Maj. Sonny Gonzales, 302nd Brigade Civil- Military Operations (CMO) Officer.
Dubbed as “Bayanihan Para sa Kabataan, Lakbay Aral Para sa Karunungan,” the educational tour was first in the lives of hinterland pupils who have not experienced and tasted the city life, thus creating landmarks in their hearts and minds, said Major Gonzales.
The first visit was in Dumaguete City Tourism Office, where the pupils were briefly tour around the Quezon Park, Cathedral Church and Bell Tower. After which, they took their breakfast across the street at Mc Donalds then proceeded to the Freedom Park, Macias Sports Complex and Convention Center and to the oval at the Provincial Capitol area.
The children had the chance to interact with the Provincial Governor Roel Degamo in an open forum at the Capitol. In the course of the discussion, the Governor granted the request of the school head teacher to have a set of computer for San Miguel Elementary School.
The group then visited the Sidlakang Negros Village Showroom to familiarize them some native products of the province.
The pupils were treated to a lunch at Jollibee at Robinsons Place, where they felt surprise and delighted. Interestingly, the group was also amazed when the 302 Brigade headed by Colonel Christopher Estella, the deputy commander and Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria of Dumaguete City conducted gift giving to the pupils.
This was followed by the distribution of school supplies and slippers while entertained by a Jollibee Mascot and a mall tour where they had the chance to experience the beauty of city life.
The group then proceeded to the Lee Plaza amusement center where they were given two tokens each for games. After which, the group toured the Silliman University library, Luce Auditorium, Silliman University Medical Center and the Silliman Marine Laboratory. They also went toSt. Paul University Butterfly Sanctuary and Recycling Processing Plant.
The tour was ended with a demonstration of eco-kalan and snacks at the Felipa Beach in Mangnao, Dumaguete City.
This educational was initiated by Army’s 302 Infantry Brigade in coordination with the 79th Infantry Battalion, Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network (ONCAN), Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, Negros Oriental High School Batch 1994 and 1995 and Dignity Plus to benefit the students as well as the community in promoting educational awareness in the urban areas.
Colonel Estella said that the activity also aimed to strengthen the AFP’s partnership with the various stakeholders in the province. (PIA NegOr/JCT)
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Festival to mark 2nd year of anti-smoking ordinance
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 12 (PIA) --- The local government unit (LGU) of Amlan, the pioneer in the creation of an anti-smoking ordinance in Negros Oriental, is set to hold a festival to mark the second year of its implementation of the smoke-free law.
The "Waybuga Festival" will be held on July 15, 2011 with the theme "Amlan: Soaring High, Model of A Smoke-Free Community".
"Way buga" is a Cebuano term for smoke-free.
Amlan Information Officer Sheilah Mae Ligon said a walk-for-a-cause participated in by Amlan LGU workers, Department of Education (DepEd) personnel, barangay officials and schools representatives will kick-off the festivities at 6:00 a.m.
At 1:00 p.m., Amlan's eight barangays grouped into four contingents will take to the town's streets for a Street Dancing festivity followed by a showdown at the town plaza.
Ligon said the prizes up for grabs during the showdown will be announced later. "The organizers have yet to decide on the prizes for the winners," she said.
The LGU has invited high-ranking officials from the Department of Health (DOH) in Manila andCebu to grace the celebration, as well as provincial representatives of DepEd.
Amlan was the first LGU in Negros Oriental and in Region 7 to craft and implement a smoke-free ordinance on July 2009, paving the way for other towns and cities in the province to adopt their own anti-smoking ordinances. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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DOH allocates over P35B to upgrade gov’t health facilities
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) has allocated more than P35B to help modernize and upgrade government hospitals and other public health facilities throughout the country in the next five years in a program dubbed ‘Kalusugan Pangkalahatan’ or Universal Health Care (UHC).
Health Sec. Enrique Ona bared that in order to provide accessible and quality health care to all Filipinos, government health institutions should be upgraded especially with adequate health care equipment and resources.
Ona however, said that government needs to forge with the private sector to help realize the long-term goal of modernization of public hospitals and other health care facilities.
“Public-private sector partnership is needed to realize the vision of accessible quality and affordable health care to all,” Ona stressed.
Pres. Aquino has always highlighted private sector involvement in fast tracking economic development alongside government in a public-private sector partnership (PPP) approach.
The UHC for all Filipinos on the other hand, is a promise made by the President during his first State-of-the-Nation Address upon his assumption into office which the DOH responded by laying out the strategy for the implementation of the ‘Kalusugan Pangkalahatan,’ Ona said.
According to Ona, the strategy is focused on three strategic thrusts which are: 1) improving financial risk protection through the revitalization of the National Health Insurance Program 2) enhancement, improvement and facilities upgrading of health facilities including rural health facilities, local government hospitals, and DOH Regional Medical Centers and 3) attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) which includes reducing maternal and infant mortality rate.
Ona meanwhile, has assigned Health Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa to take charge of the technical aspect for the improvement and the updating of the list of government hospitals and healthcare facilities.
“For now, some 24 projects have been lined-up to modernize and expand major medical centers in the country using the PPP approach, said Usec. Herbosa.
”Government hospitals are in need to be updated to correct the age-old inequities in health services to ensure that the poor and the vulnerable sectors to receive the benefits of health reforms,” Herbosa added.
”Government hospitals are in need to be updated to correct the age-old inequities in health services to ensure that the poor and the vulnerable sectors to receive the benefits of health reforms,” Herbosa added.
The DOH is currently focusing on increasing the coverage of the poorest of the poor to be registered with Phil Health in order to realize its ultimate goal of universal health care for every Filipino. But in order to do this, the agency needs to link with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program are considered the poorest of the poor.
In order for the poorest of the poor families to access better the UHC services, the health department needs to link with the DSWD for the latter to allocate P100 per month per family or household beneficiary under its Conditional Cash Transfer Program to enroll with Phil Health. (FCR/JCT/PIA 7-Negros Oriental)