BSP Dgte raises funds for attempt to put Philippines in Guinness record
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 24 (PIA) --- In line with the central bank’s efforts to place the Philippines in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest line of coins this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in Dumaguete City recently raised a total of P9,577.
The total amount raised translates to a line of coins measuring 832.8 meters, according to Divine Labitad, BSP Dumaguete research specialist and in-charge of the Economic and Financial Learning Center.
“This is our branch’s show of support to the momentous event that BSP is initiating in placing the country in the Guinness Book of Records,” Labitad told the Philippine Information Agency.
The funds were raised during the “Mahalaga Ako Night Run/Stride” activity organized by BSP here on Nov. 10, 2011 in partnership with the Bankers Club of Negros Oriental (BCNO), Dumaguete Amateur Runners and Striders (DARS) and the Metro Dumaguete Road Runners Club
Of the money raised, 22,308 pieces were 25-centavo coins, or P5,577.00
It takes 46 pieces of 25-centavo coins to cover a one-meter line.
Labitad said the BSP Dumaguete Branch earlier raised more than P12,000 from contributions from the branch employees.
BSP is attempting to clinch the World Record for the Longest Line of Coins this year, a title currently held by the USA when they laid down a 64-kilometer stretch of coins in 2008.
“Now our challenge is to beat that record by targeting a hundred kilometer line,” said Labitad.
Central bank employees aim to lay down the coins at the Manila Quirino Grand Stand on November 30 to December 1, 2011.
BSP is eyeing to save around P5 million out of the attempt to gather the most number of 25-centavo coins, which will afterwards finance BSP’s school building project in each of the central bank’s three regional zones, namely La Union, Cebu and Davao.
Individuals interested to contribute to BSP’s attempt for the longest line of coins may call the BSP branch here at 422-9326 and look for Divine Labitad. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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Cebu City LGUs, NGOs link with business sector to make Cebu a sustainable place
by Amor Saludar
CEBU CITY November 24 (PIA) – The Cebu City Government and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc, (RAFI) in partnership with Kaabag sa Sugbo, recently gathered together local entrepreneurs and business leaders, concerned government offices, civil society groups and other stakeholders for an Understanding Choices Forum dubbed as “Prosperity and Planet: Engaging Business as Stewards towards Sustainable Cebu.”
The forum sponsored by The Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC) presented a sustainability framework anchored on the Cebu City Ordinance No. 2243 known as’ The Sustainable Ordinance,’ that requires all persons doing or operating business within the territorial jurisdiction of Cebu City to submit an Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP) upon securing or renewing their business permit.
The forum also tackled the impact of the said ordinance in solving the problem of climate change and the ways and strategies that can be used to promote environmental protection and conservation towards sustainable development.
Cebu City Councilor Nida Cabrera, committee chair on the environment discussed the objective of the ordinance and its impact to the LGUs and business sector in the city. Also present in the event was former City Councilor, Eng. Nestor Archival who authored the Sustainable Ordinance.
Cabrera aired the desire of the City Government to make Cebu a sustainable place for living and to maintain a good relationship between the business sector and the leaders in the city down to the barangay level.
“This is why such an ordinance is passed which will be implemented in the next two years. We believe that the existence of this ordinance or this Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP) will provide the venue for the barangays to create connection and good partnership with the business sectors,” Cabrera said.
Under the Sustainable Ordinance, the Barangay Environment Officers (BEO) are tasked to monitor and to conduct inspection to every business establishments operating under their area whether or not they are following the provisions of the ordinance.
Meanwhile Eng. Archival appeal to all sectors to help make Cebu a better place to live for the good of the environment and for the welfare of the people in general.
In response, Association of Barangay Captain (ABC)-Cebu City President Michael Ralota called on every barangay to also draft and adopt their own Sustainability Action Plan and be a model to the business sector.
“Lain kaayo kita mopatuman unya kita mismo wala nagbuhat,” (It is not good that we implement the ordinance but we, ourselves, are not implementing it) Ralota said.
Ralota also mentioned that in their barangay of T. Padilla, they have planted malunggay and alugbate vegetables and sweet potato crop which would augment their food needs.
Ralota also suggested the use of native baskets which is more environmentally-friendly and avoid the use of plastics which is not good for the environment.
He then urged everyone to continue the quest in saving the environment despite circumstances and obstacles. “We should not be discouraged, because the things we have now will also be of good to us in the future,” Ralota concluded. (FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)