Media Center Building, Visayas Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
FEATURE: PREGNANT TEENS MORE AT-RISK TO MALNUTRITION
Wednesday 22nd of May 2013
Pregnancy, according to the United Nations’ World Health Organization (UN-WHO), is the period of about seven to nine months on the average when a woman carries a developing fetus in the womb.
For most women, pregnancy is a time of great happiness and fulfillment, but it is also the period when both the woman and the developing child face health risks.
According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), 1 out 4 adolescent or teenage pregnant women are more nutritionally at-risk than older pregnant women.
Many health problems associated with negative outcomes of pregnancy occur d...
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21May2013DAVAO CITY May 21 (PIA) -- With millions of Filipinos getting online everyday, internet search giant Google has stepped up to provide online support to help voters and information-hungry netizens during the conduct of the May 2013 elections. This with its Precinct-Finder which was first launched in 2010 and the recent Google Election page which was launched in February of this year. The Philippine election page allows Filipinos to visit one site and be updated with election news from differen...
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20May2013MANILA, May 20 -- The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) recommends using iodized salt in processed foods like ham, tocino, tapa, hotdog, sausage, langgonisa and the like. These are all-time favorites of the young and grown-ups alike for meals and snacks. Using iodized salt in processing meat products may increase the iodine available in the diet of consumers patronizing processed food items. Availability of iodine in the diet may h...
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17May2013CEBU CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- Results of the recent mid-term elections caused a historic, drastic shift in the upper echelons of the political landscape of Cebu, one of the most vote-rich provinces in the Philippines. Some longtime, major political stalwarts suffered upsets in the hands of newbies. On the other hand, some of the newcomers finally tasted victory after several failed bids for electoral seats. One such surprising fall of an old guard in Cebu politics is Cebu First District Rep. Ed...
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16May2013LEGAZPI CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) will be boosting their monitoring instruments in the vicinity of Mayon to further improve detection of volcanic activities. “We already have several instruments at the (Mayon Volcano’s) base, but there is still a need to improve visualization of the geophysical and geodetical trending,” Phivolcs Resident Volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta said. “There is not so much activity inside the volcano ...
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09May2013LEGAZPI CITY, May 9 (PIA) -- Despite the unfortunate deaths of four German nationals and the injury to five Thais and an Austrian due to the Mayon Volcano phreatic eruption early morning of May 7, the number of tourist arrivals in Albay has still gone up. “Occupancy rate increased by 10 percent,” Albay Governor Jose “Joey” Salceda said. "The beauty of Mayon is the main reason why more tourists come to Albay not the mountaineering activities that attract only a few adventure seekers," ...
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09May2013LEGAZPI CITY, May 9 (PIA) -- The Albay Provincial Disaster Operation Center confirmed the lone missing Thai mountaineer was already rescued while five other fatalities are already being readied for transport and autopsy. The rescue teams found alive Boonchai Jattupornpong, 35 years old, at 3:45 p.m. yesterday at 1,870 meters above sea level, or near Mayon Volcano’s Camp 2. The survivor suffered a broken right arm, neck and back burns, and unable to walk due to fatigue but now in a stable cond...
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08May2013QUEZON CITY, May 8 (PIA) -- The Maynilad Water Services, Inc. recently completed the repair of a ruptured primary pipe along Kaingin Road in Quezon City. The pipe was immediately repaired to lessen inconvenience to customers and motorists. “To lessen inconvenience to motorists, we always aim to explore cost-efficient yet effective methodologies instead of total pipe replacements while implementing leak repairs,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ricky P. Vargas. Maynilad repaired the leak...
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19Apr2013CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, April 19 (PIA) -- A total of 322,622 households in Central Luzon are considered poor, results from the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) show. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional information officer Evelyn Manalo disclosed “the Central Luzon figure make up 6.13 percent of the more than five million identified indigent households nationwide.” Manalo added that “a household is defined as a social uni...
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18Apr2013PARAÑAQUE CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- Parañaque City has moved-up to the qualification phase of the New7Wonders Cities search, making the city one of the front runners in the Southeast Asia & Oceania Zone competition. The global vote for New7Wonders Cities started with over 1,200 nominees from more than 220 countries. More than 300 cities qualified for the current phase. Voting for the New7Wonders Cities finalists continues across three qualifying phases. From the top 77 voted during the quali...
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16Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 16 (PIA) -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminds importers, traders and distributors to secure FDA authorization in using “magic sugar” or the artificial sweetener. This after FDA Acting Director Dr. Kenneth Y. Hartigan-Go issued on Monday, April 15 Advisory No. 2013-009 which allows the use of “magic sugar,” revoking BFAD Advisory No. 05 issued in 2000, which prohibits its importation, distribution and sale. According to FDA, the decision to finally allo...
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12Apr2013COTABATO CITY, April 12 (PIA) -- “Tinitiyak natin mahal na Pangulo, na ang pondo ng pamahalaang pambansa ay gagamitin sa mga proyekto at programa na pakikinabangan ng mga mamamayan at magsusulong ng kaunlaran ng ating mga komunidad sa autonomous region.” said Hataman. (I assure that funds for various projects and programs from the national government is utilized for the benefit of the people and communities in the autonomous region,) This was the assurance of ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Ha...
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11Apr2013The description "long and winding road" took on a new meaning for me when I covered the Bayani Challenge event in Brgy. San Miguel in the town of San Remigio, Cebu. Several things will actually take on a new meaning for me later on that day. But let's start with the road to San Miguel. San Miguel is a small, upland village spread out in the mountains of San Remigio. To get there, we had to navigate roads that looked more like forgotten trails. Our vehicle kicked up dry, hot dust as it delica...
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07Apr2013MANILA, April 7 -- "Billy Esposo served our country with distinction." This is how Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma described the person whom he considered as a friend and a mentor. William "Billy" Esposo, a former Director-General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Chairman of the government–supervised Radio Philippines Network (RPN) during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, died from complications due to a kidne...
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04Apr2013KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 4 (PIA) -- Rewards and recognition are pouring aplenty for police officer (PO1) Roel Armecin who courageously fought against a group rebels that attacked a police outpost in Barangay Silodon, T’boli, this province. PO1 Armecin, now called a “poster boy for courage” of the Philippine National Police “single-handedly” fought off 15 New People’s Army rebels who attacked the Community Police Assist...
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03Apr2013KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 3 (PIA) -- Soccsksargen Region has recorded 1,528 dengue cases in the first quarter of 2013, according to a report released yesterday by the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the Department of Health (DOH) – 12. Some 669 or 41 percent of the victims are children 10 years old and below. Jenelyn Ellie Ventura, health education and promotion officer of DOH 12, said the figure as of March ...
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31Mar2013DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, March 31 (PIA) -- One of the five Filipinos continuing Brisbane International Student Ambassadors in Australia, Xavier Villagonzalo, 28, from Negros Oriental was elected as secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia-Philippines (CCIAP) Incorporated. After having been appointed twice as Brisbane International Student Ambassador, first by former Lord Mayor (now Queensland Premier) Campell Newman in 2011, then in 2012 by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, V...
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25Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 25 (PIA) -- The United States Government and the City Government of Quezon City launched a new partnership that will implement the use of electronic payments for government services. In a release, U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Gloria D. Steele and Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the selection of Quezon City as one of the pilot areas of the Scaling Innovati...
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21Mar2013SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, March 21 (PIA) -- A new expressway in the North, effective delivery of social welfare program, booming agri-tourism programs and a strong labor force formed part of the state of the region that the Regional Development Council (RDC) reported. Juan B. Ngalob, acting chair of the RDC in the Ilocos, also lauded various sectoral committees in last week’s state of the region development address for exhibiting relentless contribution in the pursuit of inclusive growth. ...
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21Mar2013MANILA, March 21 (PIA) -- The Philippines is hoping for Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines in 2016 in time for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress. This after Vice President Jejomar C. Binay has invited the pontiff during a meeting after Pope Francis’ installation and inaugural mass Tuesday, March 19, in Vatican City. “I invited Pope Francis to visit the Philippines for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016,” said Binay. The vice president said the Pope replied...
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19Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 19 (PIA) -- Vice President Jejomar C. Binay urged Filipinos to pray for the new Pope that he may lead the Church with wisdom, humility, compassion and grace. This after the Vice President left for Vatican yesterday to personally deliver to Pope Francis a congratulatory letter from President Benigno S. Aquino III. "I'll be representing the country in the inaugural mass and the installation of the Pope. And I'll be bringing likewise the letter of the President congratulating ...
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19Mar2013MANILA, March 19 (PIA) -- Catholic Churches across the country will hold Mass today, March 19 as new Pope Francis starts his ‘Petrine Ministry.’ Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Jose Palma requested all the dioceses to offer “special prayers” in all Masses for the new leader of the Catholic Church. According to the CBCP, the Mass for the inauguration of Pope Francis, in time for the feast of St. Joseph, will be at 9:30 am (3:30 pm Manila ti...
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18Mar2013GLAN, Sarangani, March 18 (PIA) -- A new gateway that provides alternative trade links and inter-island routes in the South was inaugurated on Friday, March 15. Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay Sr. and Governor Migs Dominguez led the inauguration of the new Roll-On Roll-Off (RoRo) facility of Glan International Port. Binay in his speech said that with Southern Mindanao being eyed as the country’s next vegetable basket, the new RoRo port will eventually benefit thousands of farmers ...
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18Mar2013ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Mar 18 (PIA) -- Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said the Philippine Government has been treating the Sabah incident with utmost care and sensitivity, giving priority to saving lives. Speaking before hundreds of spectators at the 39th Founding Anniversary of Basilan province on March 7, Roxas explained the position of government in treating the Sabah incident, saying that there are underlying principles that guide the decision of President B...
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16Mar2013TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 16 (PIA) -- The ecologically important bird species, the Philippine Eagle with the scientific name of Pithecophaga Jefferyi naturally inhabits the rich forests of Samar. The recent citing of the Philippine Eagle at the Taft Forest Wildlife (Philippine Eagle) Sanctuary confirmed this, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Manolito Ragub said. “The sighting of the Philippine Eagle is something which the people of Eastern Visayas...
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15Mar2013VIGAN CITY, March 15 (PIA) -- Vigan, the only UNESCO World Heritage City in the Philippines and a Gawad Pamana ng Lahi national awardee, has an innovative way to fight poverty in line with the UN Millennium Development Goals through its “Raniag ti Masakbayan” program. Raniag is an Ilocano term for light while Masakbayan connotes the future. Combining these two powerful words, the Biguenos especially the “poorest of the poor” expressed optimism that there’s light shining over the Heri...
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15Mar2013MANILA, March 15 (PIA) -- The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) welcomed newly elected Pope Francis. In a statement, CBCP President Archbishop Jose Palma said they are glad that the Church has a new leader, expressing happy surprise that a cardinal outside Europe was chosen for the post. “We are happy that we have new pope and like many others, we also accept the surprise that he is not European,” Palma said adding that like all Christians, we are invited to give f...
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14Mar2013BAGUIO CITY, March 14 (PIA) - - Four out of every 10 young Filipino students plan to work abroad after graduation, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center’s Pinoy Youth Barometer project reveals. The Pinoy Youth Barometer, a project of AIM in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and in networking with key high schools, colleges, and universities nationwide, is a functional survey which is done periodically and specifically designed to collect informati...
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12Mar2013TUGUEGARAO CITY, March 12 (PIA) -- The buzz word nowadays in select society is stem cell treatment so much so that fly by night establishments are cashing in on the highly sought treatment. The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) will regulate stem cell treatments in the country to ensure safe operation and laboratory practices. Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, FDA director-general, said cancer patients and ageing individuals are now resorting to stem cell treatments in the country and even abroad; t...
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08Mar2013Rafflesia - the flower that conquered the world, a flies’ delight, lauded and maligned, the paradoxical and amazing flower which can be seen in the Kalanganan sub-village in Barangay San Vicente, Baungon, Bukidnon. The Higaonon tribe living near the rainforests at the foot of Mt. Kitanglad were among first to see the unimposing plant which the natives call “Kolon Busaw.” Governor P. Alex Calingasan said the plant should be nurtured and protected to help it grow and flourish. “We are l...
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08Mar2013With more women in the boardroom and increased visibility of women as impressive role models in every aspect of life, women indeed have come a long way from the past. In the past, women were hindered from using their capabilities and knowledge because they were expected to just be in the house, said Heddah V. Largo, Gender and Development (GAD) focal person of Provincial Women and Children’s Commission (PWCC). During the March 2 episode of “Pagtuki,” the official radio program of Ramon ...
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04Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 4 (PIA) -- The Maynilad Water Services, Inc. continues to provide substantial discounts to make water services more affordable for low-income households. According to Maynilad, lifeline customers whose consumption does not exceed 10 cubic meters (cu.m.) per month receive a 41 percent discount off the basic water rate of the company. These lifeline customers constitute roughly 19 percent of Maynilad’s residential customers. “We are committed to providing affordable water...
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26Feb2013COTABATO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- Working closely with the Department of Education, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) Philippines through its Alternative Delivery Model (ADM) Project supports government efforts to address lack of access to basic education in remote communities. ADM Project is Component 4 of the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao-ARMM (BEAM-ARMM) that provides catch-up education opportunities targeting remote areas with large number of out-of-school children a...
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25Feb2013ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Feb 25 (PIA) -- Twenty-seven years ago, the EDSA People Power Revolution had proven that the convergence of people from all walks of life - from the civilians, military, religious, and business - could bring about change and transform a country. Commemorating the EDSA revolution each year for most Filipinos is a special calendar so that the succeeding generation of Filipinos shall appreciate the importance of freedom and democracy that the country enjoys today. This...
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25Feb2013COTABATO CITY, Feb 25 (PIA) -- The state-run People's Television (PTV) Network has expanded its Manila newsroom to bring services of development communication closer to the people of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Central Mindanao. Julmunir Jannaral, senior desk editor of the PTV Channel 4 in Manila, said the TV network has established a News Bureau for the ARMM and Central Mindanao. The PTV News Bureau shares office and has been in close working collaboration with the Bur...
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21Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- The Catholic Educational of the Philippines (CEAP) reminded Catholic school teachers and principals to keep the graduation ceremonies simple but meaningful. CEAP president Fr. Gregg Bañaga in a statement said, graduation should be held as something that students will cherish for many years without necessarily spending much. “Let’s make our graduation ceremonies simple because some parents are already complaining of lavish graduation rites,” Bañaga said adding t...
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13Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- This season of love, our friendly and reliable men from the postal service will play cupid by delivering chocolates, flowers, stuffed toys, cards and letters. According to the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhlPost), personalized delivery will be available at participating post offices in the cities of Manila, Makati, Quezon City and the province of Bulacan. Likewise, mall goers in Metro Manila can also avail of this special valentine treat at post offices located in ...
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13Feb2013CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the leading cause of deaths in Central Luzon since 2006 with an average of 9,000 cases annually, figures from the Health Department show. “CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels which include diseases on coronary heart, cerebrovascular, peripheral arterial, rheumatic heart, congenital heart, and deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism,” Center for Health Development (CHD) 3 Nu...
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12Feb2013DIPOLOG CITY, Feb 12 (PIA) -- Dipolog City will host the Tunog-Tugan: 1st International Gongs and Bamboo Music Festival last February 16-22 in celebration of its 100th year. The city government has planned an exciting array of activities for the grandiose affair to feature gongs and bamboo instruments. The Tunog-tugan Festival is a one week celebration, with galas and concerts to be held throughout the city where several groups of musical artists will exhibit their talent. Guests and dignita...
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08Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 8 -- Candidates running in the forthcoming May elections should not oversell themselves because they cannot hide the truth from the public--especially in the Internet age. In today’s episode of Paghahanda Para sa Hatol ng Bayan, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said voters can easily “fast-check” or verify statements made by candidates, like what US citizens did in their last presidential elections. Coloma said voters can easil...
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06Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- To welcome the lunar year, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) issued a special Year of the Snake stamps. The special stamps feature the Junior Dragon (snake) with a “Happy New Year” greeting in Filipino, English and Chinese. Postmaster General and CEO Josefina Dela Cruz said the New Year stamps are popular among stamp collectors (philatelists). She added that more than 100,000 stamps have initially been printed for commercial selling at P10 and P30 den...
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05Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 5 -– The establishment of a "women's vote" in the Philippines could push Congress to make more laws favorable to women in the country. “There is no 'women's vote' in the country despite a huge number of women voters,” said Aida Santos Maranan, co-founder of the women's organization WeDPro. Maranan was guest during the second episode of the Paghahanda Para Sa Hatol ng Bayan aired over People's Television Network today. She said there is no women’s vote in the country becaus...
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04Feb2013CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb 4 (PIA) -- For the third time, Samar State University (SSU) based in Catbalogan City enjoyed a perfect score - 100 percent passing rate - in the Nursing Board Exam held December last year. According to Redentor Palencia of the SSU, there were actually 26 takers where one belonged to a previous batch but the members of the SSU Nursing 2012 batch all passed the exams. Associate Dean Leonardo Labrague attributed the good standing to a strict retention policy where the...
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04Feb2013MANILA, Feb 4 (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will soon issue a commemorative bill with the image of the second Filipino saint, San Pedro Calungsod. According to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the limited edition 50-peso bill commemorates the recent canonization of the second Filipino saint, a teenage Catholic missionary who died a martyr in Guam more than three centuries ago. Secretary General of the National Commission on the Canonization of Calung...
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30Jan2013What is Alopecia areata? Is it a disease or just a plain hair-fall condition leaving bald patches in the scalp? Top tableya (chocolate tablet) entrepreneur Dalareich Polot who is suffering from alopecia areata said there is a need for the public to understand about this auto-immune disease as she goes out on a mission to form a support group for persons with similar condition. Polot said forming a support group for people with Alopecia areata will help people understand and to make it easier f...
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29Jan2013CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan 29 (PIA) -- The Police Regional Office - Reg 8 (PRO-8) awarded a policeman from Samar along with others during the 22nd Foundation Day of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Monday. The PNP elements were given recognition for their efforts in fulfilling the organization’s peacekeeping mission. POI Noel Royandoyan was given a Medalya ng Kagalingan or PNP Merit Medal for his gallantry in action during the manhunt operation at Barangay Peñaplata, Gandara, Samar wh...
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28Jan2013CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- Health authorities in Samar may yet face another round of Chikungunya fever infection in Samar as some 500 Villareal folks have been affected which rendered the victims unproductive for a week. Dr. Antonio Tirazona, Department of Health (DOH) Representative in Samar reported this during the first Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council (PDRRC) meeting, this morning. He declared that they have received reports that Chikungunya has threatened the muni...
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23Jan2013CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, January 23 (PIA)—The Department of Health-Samar warns public against cases of Chikungunya virus infection. The warning was issued in the province of Samar after 28 cases of fever with rashes and joint pains from Barangay Guintarcan were reported by the Municipal Health Officer of Rural Health Unit (RHU) Villareal, Samar on December 10-27, 2012. Ten cases or 36% were confirmed to have Chikungunya infection through IgM ELISA testing by the Research Institute of Tropic...
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22Jan2013KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Jan. 22 (PIA) -- Soccsksargen Region’s Department of Health (DOH-12) has recently confirmed several cases of Chikungunya (also called CHIK) fever in nearby Sarangani province. Jenelyn Ellie Ventura, information officer of DOH-12, told Philippine Information Agency 12 this morning that 57 Chikungunya cases have been clinically diagnosed from the coastal towns of Maitum and Kiamba since early January. Of these, Vent...
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21Jan2013KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Jan. 21 (PIA 12) -- Dengue cases in Soccsksargen Region or Region 12 in 2012 was higher by 61 percent as compared to the number of cases in 2011, according to a year-end report from the Department of Health (DOH) 12. Data from the DOH 12’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit sent to Philippine Information Agency on Friday, indicated that the entire Soccsksargen Region had 4,325 dengue cases as of Decem...
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16Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) has partnered with web search engine Google to further innovate education in the Philippines. CEAP entered into a formal agreement with Google to provide free access of Google Apps for Education to all 1,345 member-schools through an internal email system among its administrators, teachers and students. Janet Yoon, head of Google Apps Supporting Program for the Philippines (GASP) said Google commits to pro...
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15Jan2013CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Jan. 15 (PIA) -- Central Luzon has 5,823,044 registrants for the midterm polls-months according to the latest figures from Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the third biggest in the archipelago. “Bulacan has the most number of voters in the region at 1,497,873 followed by Nueva Ecija with 1,363,646; Pampanga-1,239,372; Tarlac-692,948; Bataan-456,648; Zambales- 444,202; and Aurora-128,355” COMELEC Regional Director Zoilo Perlas disclosed. “There will be 7...
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14Jan2013GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan 14 (PIA) — A local blogger bagged the top prize in the nationwide “Google Map Your Town" competition. Reynard Navarro, a member of the Soccsksargen bloggers or “sox bloggers,” completed the five-month online competition from April to August last year, mapping Surallah, South Cotabato and the City of General Santos with more than 1,200 edits. “Edit is a term used in putting identifiable marks to a map like name of streets, roads, establishments, tourist destin...
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11Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- The Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and the city government of Valenzuela recently signed an agreement to help clean Tullahan River. The Memorandum of Agreement signing was led by Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) senior deputy administrator Nathaniel Santos, Maynilad COO Herbert Consunji, MWSS Administrator Gerardo Esquivel Jr., and Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, together with city officials Councilors Kate Galang-Coseteng, Tony Espiritu ...
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10Jan2013TAGUM CITY, Jan 10 (PIA) -- Imagine a place where people can enjoy an atmosphere of cleanliness and happiness. This is a place where cancer patients they can go biking or just drop by the nearby mall or watch their favorite movies without worrying about how they look. No, this is not a preview of the latest high-end subdivision in town, but Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Anthony del Rosario’s vision of an ideal community for cancer patients in Davao del Norte. This vision may ju...
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09Jan2013Heroic cadet laid to rest, receives award from PMA by Redjie Melvic Cawis BAGUIO CITY, Jan. 9(PIA)-- The Philippine Military Academy(PMA) cadet who sacrificed his life to save his sibling and uncle from drowning on New Year's Day was finally laid to rest in his hometown in Mankayan, Benguet last Monday, January 7. “In his 19 years of existence, he had shown that his life is meaningful. Until the end, he was the Darling of the Crowd.” This was how family, friends, relatives, cla...
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09Jan2013KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Jan 9 (PIA) -- A former overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who ventured for nine years as a mechanical engineer and a foreman in steel fabrication in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was chosen 2012 Gawad Saka Awardee. After years of working abroad, in 1990, Roberto Garcia Panghulan, 52, went back home to the Philippines and the grown-up coconut trees at his wife’s family farm in Sultan Kudarat province had caught his eye. The Batangas-born returning OFW married to Lourdes ...
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09Jan2013ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan 9 (PIA) -- Gourmet mushrooms that grow only in cold countries are now cultivated here using local raw materials. At the Angeles City Livelihood Complex in Barangay Pulung Cacutud, the Healthy Mushrooms, Inc. is engaged in the cultivation, growing, and processing of gourmet mushrooms using state-of-the-art equipment and technology-based production systems under a controlled environment. Four kinds of mushrooms are propagated – the shiitake, king oyster o...
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07Jan2013TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan 7 (PIA) – Good news for "tuba" afficionados. The sin tax law will not affect the price of their favorite alcoholic beverage. The price of tuba or coconut toddy, which is the native wine in Eastern Visayas or in the Visayas, will not be affected by the Sin Tax Reform Law of 2012 which took effect on January 1, 2013. Bureau of Internal Revenue Tacloban Assistant District Revenue Officer Susan Cabello said this is explicitly stated in the Implementing Rules and Regulat...
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03Jan2013SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) communication researcher Jaime Manalo IV won the Best Qualitative Conference Paper Award during the recent International Conference on Communication and Media ’12 (i-COME ’12) in Penang, Malaysia. i-COME ’12 aimed to address communication and media issues such as challenges in the socio-economic and political agenda, cultural integration, and social reengineering. The conference gathered more than 120 ...
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03Jan2013ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 3 (PIA6) -- Firecrackers may cause injuries. And life long disabilities. At the young age of 10, Kevin is a living testimony to the dangers of firecrackers as he screamed in pain due to blast burns in virtually most parts of his body while being treated at a public hospital. So intense was the pain that the boy’s cry reverberated in adjacent rooms as initial medications were being applied to the wounds. Kevin suffered blast burns from an explosion from a flash pow...
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03Jan2013MANILA, Jan 3 (PIA) -- The Philippine Postal Corporation (PhlPost) recently announced the winners of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter Writing Competition for Young People. PhlPost promotes letter writing to make the youth aware on the role of the postal service in society and to foster affection for writing letters despite the modern modes of communication. In 2012, the competition was for young people to write a letter to someone asking, “Why is water precious?” The...
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28Dec2012SAN VICENTE, Ilocos Sur, Dec. 28 (PIA) -- Sometimes the physically impaired person comes out better than the normal person for they are challenged to take care of themselves and deal with their handicap. Such is Jayson Jayme, 13, a grade 1 pupil from SPED- Bayubay School for Exceptional Children. Jayme’s outstanding characteristics were featured in the school paper of San Vicente Elementary School “Ang Gabay,” which means The Guide. Born visually impaired on August 8, 1999, he is the ...
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28Dec2012MANILA, Dec 28 (PIA) -- Two foreigners from the State of Israel and Federal Republic of Germany were conferred the “Kaanib ng Bayan” Award (Helpers of the Country Award) by President Benigno Aquino III during the December 5 awarding ceremony in Malacanang, according to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). The awardees were Gonen Haba of Israel and Christian Loehlein of Germany. The Kaanib ng Bayan Award is conferred on foreign individuals or organizations for their exceptional or ...
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27Dec2012KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Dec 27 (PIA) -- Thirteen persons, including a four-year old child, were wounded due to improper use of firecrackers during the Christmas celebration in South Cotabato. The number of firecracker-related injuries as of 11 a.m. yesterday was already 8.3 percent higher to the number of victims at the same time last year, Cecil Lorenzo, disease surveillance officer at the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (PESU) of the Integrated Pr...
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24Dec2012MANILA, Dec 24 (PIA) -- In this season of sharing, inmates of the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City will do their part to help the victims of typhoon Pablo that recently hit Mindanao by skipping their meals on December 24, 25 and 26 and donate the money. Inmates in the state penitentiary heed the call of President Benigno S. Aquino III to help hundreds of families in Mindanao, according to Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action, Just...
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23Dec2012CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Dec. 23 (PIA) -- The internet is used extensively by business establishments in Central Luzon in obtaining information about government organizations. This is just one of the results of the 2010 Survey on Information and Communication Technology conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO). Out of the 89 establishments surveyed, 78% use the medium to get data about government agencies and 74.5% request for government forms using the internet. Bu...
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22Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 22 -- A Filipino community newspaper editor in Hong Kong, received the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Community Service from Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying in a special ceremony held at the Government House on 8 December 2012. Ms. Daisy CL Mandap, editor of The Sun was cited for her “meritorious community service, particularly her contribution in serving the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong,” a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. She has...
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19Dec2012VIGAN CITY, Dec 19 (PIA) -- The Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (Iseco) is committed to deliver better, faster, and more efficient services to residents of the province, Tirso Savellano, chairman of the Iseco board of directors told local media during the cooperative’s 34th annual general membership assembly held recently at the Iseco Compound in Santiago town. Savellano said the cooperative wants consumers to be satisfied so its personnel is definitely working everyday to ensure that consume...
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18Dec2012TAGUM CITY Dec. 18 (PIA)-By the morning of December 5, Rubber boats were being hauled aboard the dump trucks even as the rescue workers of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (PDRRMC) were reviewing their schedules for the day. There was a semblance of calmness but an outsider visiting the Center would observe that each person was moving with a sense of purpose and of urgency. After all, it was the second day of rescue operations after Typhoon Pablo’s landfall in Baganga...
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13Dec2012KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Dec 13 (PIA) -- The Community e-Center (CeC) of M’lang town in Cotabato province received a national award for introducing innovations in digital literacy in local governance. The local government unit received the citation as one of 2012 Community e-Center innovators in a ceremony held earlier this month in Davao City. M’lang information Officer Mary Ann Cortado told the Philippine Information Agency here that the national award was given by the Departmen...
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13Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 13 -- Five companies received recognition from President Benigno S. Aquino III during the 15th Philippine Quality Award conferment ceremonies that held at Rizal Hall, Malacanang Palace. The following firms coming from various sectors were recognized for their performance excellence and as leaders and role models for businesses in the country: Don Bosco Technical College and Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas Inc., Optodev, Inc., and Thomson Reuters Corp. Pte. Ltd P...
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13Dec2012BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Dec. 13 (PIA) -- The safety and environmental programs of Cagayan Valley’s power firm SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) Group recently received certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The 360-megawatt Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP) received for the first time since its operation in 1983 the ISO 14001:2004 Certificate for its establishment and implementation of the environmental management system (EMS) in compliance with the ISO r...
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12Dec2012SANTO DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur, Dec 12 (PIA) -- Dr. Francisca T. Velcek, a native of this town joined Grammy Award winner Allan “apl.de.ap” Pineda of the famous Black Eyed Peas to be among the 11 Pamana ng Pilipino awardees in this year’s Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas conferred by President Benigno Aquino III on December 5 in Malacanang, said the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). Some of the outstanding achievements of Velcek, the CFO said, ar...
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12Dec2012ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Dec 12 (PIA) – Joint fleet-marine operations of Naval Forces West and other national government agencies rescued some 117 endangered sea turtles in Balabac, Palawan. In a statement, NFW Public Affairs Officer Lt. Noel Joseph Cadigal PN said a rescue operation was conducted last November 27 to save turtles in the shorelines of Sitio Dunglog, Barangay Caguisan, Balabac. Cadigal said that after a tip-off from a concerned citizen in Balabac, elements of the fleet-marine t...
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12Dec2012TAGUDIN, Ilocos Sur, Dec 12 (PIA) -- Students and personeel of the Saint Augustine School of this town joined the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill on December 3 conducted by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) - Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council 1 in this pilot area in Region 1 . The actual earthquake drill started with the simulated one-minute ground shaking at 9 a.m. or the recognition of a possible 4.5 magnitude earthquake. After this, the earthquake drill ...
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08Dec2012MANILA, Dec 8 (PIA) -- His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday expressed his solidarity for the Filipinos affected by the recent onslaught of typhoon "Pablo." According to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Pope, in a message to Archbishop Jose Palma, head of the Philippine Bishops’ Conference, said that “Pope Benedict XVI was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of lives and the suffering” caused by the recent typhoon. The Pontiff also sent his “heartfel...
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06Dec2012CABUGAO, Ilocos Sur, Dec 6 (PIA) – Residents of Barangay Salapasap in this second most northern town of Ilocos Sur saw the rescue and setting free to the ocean of a dolphin last Sunday by the fishery law enforcers of the municipal government, the PNP and the Philippine Coast Guard, said Municipal Fishery Coordinator Milagros Savella-Paz. The dolphin of the Spinner type turned out to be a baby of less than a year old and weighing about 100 kilos. It was spotted by fisherman Elpidio Solmerin a...
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03Dec2012The outcome of pregnancy is highly dependent on the health status of the mother. The 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2008 found that 26.3 percent of pregnant women are nutritionally-at-risk for delivering infants with low birth weight. Moreover, the prevalence rate of anemia among pregnant women is 42.5 percent and 9.5 percent for Vitamin A deficiency, the survey also disclosed. This hi...
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02Dec2012Most people want to live in urban areas because they think it is where they can find success in life. But urban living can also create problems, including becoming overweight. Urban living means fast living. People gobble up on fatty food for daily meals. People are always busy with work and, therefore, don’t have extra time for regular exercise. People rely on computers and cell phones for faster work and communication. As a result, they are mostly sedentary (or sitting while working) and...
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02Dec2012Estimates from the 2008 National Demographic and Health Statistics (NDHS) of the National Statistics Office (NSO) revealed that one in four, or 26 percent, of women aged 15-24 have begun childbearing. Of the 26 percent of young mothers, 19 percent of the births delivered have multiple medical risks due to a combination of the mother’s age, birth interval and birth order, the NDHS further revealed. A related survey conducted in 2011 by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Departm...
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02Dec2012BAGUIO CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- A technical-vocational (tech-voc) course graduate of Baguio City School of Arts and Trade (BCSAT) has gained recognition abroad for his outstanding service. Rodney Cadalig, a graduate of BCSAT which is a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)- institution in the city, has been awarded the Excellent Service Award or EXSA – Silver in Restaurant Service last October in Singapore. The EXSA is a national award in Singapore that recognizes indiv...
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01Dec2012Zinc is an important mineral needed by the body. Its main function in our body is for growth and development, and also for proper immune function. Aside from these, it also plays a role in wound healing and normal sense of taste. A deficiency in zinc can cause many problems because of its many functions in the body. Some symptoms of the deficiency include hair loss, growth retardation and loss of sense of taste and smell. These symptoms can vary from person to person. Little is known about the...
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01Dec2012VIGAN CITY, Dec. 1 (PIA) -- Local officials of Ilocos Sur congratulated boxing champion Brian Viloria for his impressive win in a unification championship fight against Mexican Hernan “Tyson” Marquez last November 18 (Manila Time) in Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California in the United States of America. The provincial board members passed Resolution Number 162 series of 2012 during their regular session last Tuesday. The resolution cited Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria as the f...
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29Nov2012GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH) 12 noted on Tuesday that dengue cases in the region now reached 3,726 from January 1 to November 24 this year; a 45% increase compared to the 2,575 cases for the same period last year. “Dengue cases reported to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) 12 revealed that more than half or 53% of the cases were male with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or 56% was the most type reported,” DOH 12 information office...
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29Nov2012PhlPost reprints additional Calungsod commemorative stamps MANILA, November 29 (PIA) – The Philippine Postal Corporation (PhlPost) will soon reprint 500,000 more copies of commemorative stamps in honor of St. Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint. “Due to insistent public demand, we would be reprinting 500,000 more Calungsod stamps. We would be using the same design,” said PhlPost Postage and Philatelic Department manager Elenita San Diego in a statement. She also said that new c...
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28Nov2012A whole day of repetitive and tedious manual labor, with not enough time to do household chores. This is how the folks of Barangay Balawag in Tabuk City, Kalinga, particularly the fresh coffee processors describe their daily activity just to produce the volume of ground coffee needed to earn a living. Their produce is sold at the market at the center of Tabuk, which is some 45 minutes away from Balawag through rough and partly concreted farm-to-market road. Watching them at work, a visitor w...
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27Nov2012"We need to make heroes out of ordinary people; we need to make heroes out of ourselves.” These were the words of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo. Last Friday, Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation Inc. and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Labor Department recognized 10 individuals who in their own simple ways found how to make heroes out of themselves through discipline, dedication and commitment to excellence. This year’s roster of honorees co...
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27Nov2012MARIKINA CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) -- The city government of Marikina and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) launched the bike lanes today in the city. The 3.92-kilometer bike lane starts in front of SM City in Marikina up to Mc Donald’s area along Marcos Highway. It aims to encourage the public to use bicycles instead of vehicles at the same time, promote a more eco-friendly mode of transport. In a statement, Marikina Mayor Del De Guzman thanked MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino ...
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22Nov2012CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Nov. 22 (PIA) – Most of the establishments in the information economy of the country uses internet in obtaining information from government agencies, according to the preliminary results of the 2010 Survey on Information and Communication Technology (SITC). Dr. Janith C. Aves of the National Statistics Office (NSO) in Northern Mindanao disclosed during the regional data dissemination that 78 percent of the establishments selected for the survey reported that they use inte...
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20Nov2012TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat, Nov. 20 (PIA) -- “I am proud that I come from Tacurong. This is where I was able to establish my strongest foundations,” Elma Arboleras said. In 2011, Arboleras, from Tacurong, with her co-inventor Rodel de Guzman, won the gold medal in the 11th British Invention Show with her iBus invention. iBus or the Intelligent BUS Utility System can organize buses based on machine readable tags. It is a bus monitoring and management system that can make the buses loa...
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20Nov2012PAGADIAN CITY, November 20 (PIA) -- The government will run after the perpetrators of the multi-billion pyramid Aman scam that has victimized 10,000 people in Pagadian and its neighboring places. The assurance was made by Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas during his recent visit here for a consultative meeting with the local officials and some investors. Roxas said President Aquino has ordered the Department of Justice (DoJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) , Depart...
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19Nov2012LANAO DEL NORTE, Nov. 19 -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NCP) recently upgraded its control system for the Balo-i Substation in Lanao del Norte in a move to increase the reliability of the entire Mindanao Grid. Since NGCP and its technical partner State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) started working together in 2009, many changes have been implemented in terms of systematically improving operations and management to build a stronger power grid. The installation of state...
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18Nov2012It was dark, extremely risky, and dangerous. More than a thousand people were on board trucks, in a convoy, negotiating the lonely Middle East road towards a safe border to escape a war gone mad. The passengers are to be brought to seaports before the situation caught on them. Inside the vehicles, not a single word was spoken. Only the eyes wide open and bitten lips captured the emotions of the passengers. Checkpoints were everywhere. To add to the already hostile situation, there was no guarant...
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18Nov2012SIQUIJOR, November 18 (PIA)--The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) in Siquijor province is calling for support for the on-going one million signature campaign to support the Sin Tax Bill. IPHO Information Officer Pamela Dominguez said that one can participate through signing a form at the office located beside the provincial hospital or through signing online by liking the sin tax bill page on facebook. Dominguez, said the approval of this bill will help both the government and the ...
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17Nov2012From being old and dilapidated, 19 classrooms in five public elementary schools in Bantayan, Caraga are now good as new after the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), through its School Rehabilitation Program (SRP), and volunteers had conducted school repairs and clean-up. Last Oct. 12, RAFI turned over these classrooms to Tamiao Elementary School, Vito Elementary School, Sillon Elementary School, Baod Elementary School, and Kabac Elementary School. A total of 896 pupils benefited from the pr...
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16Nov2012It was at the scenic Lantawan Eco-Park a month and a half ago where I first met and chatted with Mylen G. Mariano, 18, a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chair and resident of Brgy. San Isidro here. At the time, she confided that she was aching to go back to school in order to learn something practical and applicable that she can make use of to earn something for a living. At the time too, I could sense that she was disposed into believing what the movers and shakers of the Kasanayan Para sa Kapayapa...
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13Nov2012VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental, Nov 13 -- Both units of StEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) are now are fully operational with an available power of 210MW with the coming in on line of the second unit (Unit 2 with the capacity of 105MW). Unit 2 (105MW) of SPI Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental was officially synchronized to the Mindanao grid at 8:58 a.m. on November 10, 2012 [approximately 15 hours ahead of schedule], following a 12-day planned preventive maintenance shutdow...
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12Nov2012by Rene V. Carbayas ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Nov 12 (PIA) – Multi-stakeholders composed of key officials and representatives from local government units, government agencies, non-government organizations, the military and police, including the media in Basilan have agreed to organize a forum on the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement aimed at correcting misconceptions on the said agreement. The provincial government of Basilan as represented by its newly installed provincial administrator Tahira Is...
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10Nov2012MANILA, Nov 10 (PIA) -- Does Congress need to pass an enabling law for the Consitutional ban on political dynasties to take effect? This was one of the contentious issues discussed in a forum aired over PTV-4 yesterday. While the 1987 Philippine Constitution expressly bans “political dynasties,” Congress need to pass an enabling law for this provision to take effect, former vice president Teofisto Guingona Jr. said. The Philippine News Agency quoted Guingona as saying that, “The Constitu...
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09Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 9 (PNA) -- With the unprecedented number of candidates having the same family names running for various elective local and national government positions in the coming May 13, 2013 mid-term polls, Filipino voters are once again faced with the issue on political dynasties -- a problem that is fuelling heated debates throughout the political landscape. To help people understand better what lies behind this issue, a panel composed of politicians, candidates, legal and political experts...
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09Nov2012Santa Rosa is now vying to be recognized as the next ICT center of excellence consistently belonging to the top three “Next Wave City” for the past years. Among the activities of the city distinguishing it from other cities include the establishment of the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) for start-up BPO companies interested to grow and expand later. Other activities are the conduct of the Science cum ICT Expo in cooperation with the Philippine Science Foundation; the implementation of...
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07Nov2012Tired from work and quite hungry on her way home, Candy stops at a nearby food chain to get a burger and a can of soft drinks. Inside the bus, she starts eating and says to herself it will suffice for her dinner. She's too tired to take her supper anyway, so she'd rather sleep when she arrives home. Sounds familiar? The busy world of today sometimes pushes people to take unhealthy food alternatives instead of nutritious meals. Foods from fast food chains often offer a quick fill-in for ...
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06Nov2012VIGAN CITY, Nov 6 (PIA) -- The relic of St Pedro Calungsod was welcomed by thousands of Catholic devotees, seminarians, youths and clergies from the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia on its arrival in Vigan City, Saturday afternoon. At about 4 p.m., the relic arrived on the bridge between Bantay town and Vigan City and was transferred into a decorated antique cart pulled by the honor guards of the Knights of Columbus during its procession going to the Conversion of Saint Paul Metropolitan Cathedral...
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28Oct2012TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 28 (PIA) -- Two children from Eastern Samar, Philippines had the rare chance of discussing disaster risk reduction and climate change with the Indonesian President and Queen in Yogyakarta, Indonesia during the 5th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Yogya Expo Center on October 23-25 at Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The two children, Mark, 14-years old from Oras, Eastern Samar and Thania, 16 years old from Llorente, Eastern Samar were among the 18 chil...
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25Oct2012MANILA, Oct 25 (PIA) -- Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle will be one of the six archbishops to be appointed one of the newest cardinals of the Catholic Church. In a release, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will formally appoint Tagle in a consistory (assembly of cardinals) on November 24, 2012. According to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Pope Benedict elevated the Manila Archbishop to the College of Cardinals, making him the seventh cardinal of the Philippine...
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25Oct2012DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- Thousands of passengers were stranded at the four sea ports in Negros Oriental after the Philippine Coast Guard here suspended all boat trips leaving the island starting yesterday morning due to Tropical Storm Ofel blowing through the Visayas area. Records from the Coast Guard Dumaguete Station show that as of 9 a.m. of Oct. 25, total of 1,417 passengers were stranded in the sea ports of Dumaguete City, Sibulan, Tampi/Tandayag, and Guihulngan City. Some 14 s...
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23Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 23 (PIA) -- Ten Muslim youth leaders from the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi were chosen for the 2012 Internship Program for Emerging Young Leaders from October 21 to 31. The program, initiated by the United States Embassy, Heifer Foundation and the National Youth Commission-Office of the Commissioner Representing Mindanao, will expose the Muslim youth leaders in several activities of government agencies including hands-on activities on urban poor development of ident...
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20Oct2012A forester from Cagayan Valley lost her life fighting to preserve wildlife and forest by implementing environmental laws. Melania Dirain, a forestry specialist of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 is one of this year’s Dangal ng Bayan Awardees of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), a posthumous award. Her sons received the recognition from President Benigno S. Aquino III and a cash reward amounting to P200,000. Her trophy is designed by the Philippines’ nat...
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10Oct2012Quezon City, Oct. 10 (PIA) - Leading aviation training provider Alpha Aviation Group (AAG) is set to train world-class airline pilots in the country to respond to global demand, according to AAG executives, a press release said today. Boeing reported that the demand for pilots will skyrocket in the next 20 years, with 465,000 new pilots needed to sustain the industry. The greatest demand will come from the Asia-Pacific region, where almost 185,600 new pilots will be required. With continuous...
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08Oct2012ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Oct 8 (PIA) -- Public and private partnerships once again emerged as an important strategy in improving people’s lives. This was evident at the First Agri-Business Summit in Lantawan, where some fifty farmers of Lantawan municipality gathered to enhance capacity and improve the agriculture sector. The farmers’ summit was part of the Mindanao Bridging Leaders Program of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) that trains key officials in government in emulating the br...
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07Oct2012TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct 7 (PIA) -- Starting October 5 businessmen and travelers can already travel from Tacloban directly to Iloilo City, thus making the three regions in the Visayas Islands more accessible. The Cebu Pacific Air launched on Friday, direct flight services from Iloilo to Tacloban City in the province of Leyte. The route serviced by an ATR 72-500 aircraft will be on a thrice weekly schedule, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. It has an estimated flying time of about 1 hour...
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03Oct2012Contrary to prevailing belief among Filipinos, breast cancer is curable, but only if detected and treated at an early stage, the Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas said. This is the reason there is so much interest in breast cancer awareness that October of every year has been designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The World Health Organization (WHO) statistics showed that breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women at present, accounting for 16 percent of all for...
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01Oct2012VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, Oct 1 (PIA) -- A mother’s milk is a nutritious and complete food for a baby. This was cited by 56 percent of Filipino mothers as their reason for exclusively breastfeeding their babies, according to the 2011 survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology. Respondents were mothers of 0-23 month old Filipino babies. Aside from its nutritional value, 52.9 percent of the mothers said it is economical and 26.4 p...
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01Oct2012TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct 1 (PIA) -- The United Nations General Assembly in December of 1985 designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. For this year, World Habitat Day is observed on October 1 with the theme, “Changing Cities, Building Opportunities.” Under the theme, the UN Habitat underscores the need to plan cities better because unplanned growth of cities leads to chaotic development and urban sprawl, the UN-Habitat Executive Director Joan Clos said in ...
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29Sep2012VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, Sept 29 (PIA) -- Results of the 2011 survey of nutritional status of Filipinos of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology show that 32.4 percent of mothers stopped breastfeeding due to inadequate flow. During the September 19 forum in Vigan City, it was also reported that 20.3 percent of women stopped because they work outside of home or are too busy. Among the reasons also listed are: children refusing to be breastfed, 14 pe...
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28Sep2012PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Sept 28 (PIA) -- The country’s Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) Act of 2009 or Republic Act No. 10067 won silver in the 2012 Future Policy Awards as one of the world’s most inspiring and innovative ocean protection policies. The World Future Council announced the winners on Wednesday at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Micronesian Republic of Palau was proclaimed the winner in recognition of two outstanding marine policies while the Philippines...
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27Sep2012Seminars may be tedious and laden-learning sessions, to say the least. But participants who attended the seminar on Laymanizing Environment, Climate, and Weather Reports had only one thing to describe it: “Excellent!” It was a two-day of learning worth attending, said Anne Santos of ABS-CBN GenSan. The seminar was organized by the Philippine Information Agency 12 in cooperation with the Office of the Civil Defense 12. Olivia Sudaria, PIA-12 regional director, said it took her at least ...
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22Sep2012In my mind runs a scenario of that fateful day. It was dark and gloomy, and I imagine several plainclothesmen trying to get him into a van as he resisted. This was the first time they tried to get him. They failed. The second time though, they succeeded. He was on his way to his class when he was abducted by elements of the military. He was never seen again. It was in 1980. He was my father's older brother. I never met Uncle Romy, for he disappeared long before I was born, but I feel that s...
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21Sep2012It was 1980. He was on his way to class when elements of the military abducted him. He was never seen again. I never met Uncle Romy, my father’s older brother, for he disappeared long before I was born. But I feel like, somehow, I know a part of him. He was “there” during occasions and gatherings, mostly with fellow families of desaparecidos (the disappeared) and he comes alive whenever we remember martial law. He is a shadow that keeps on showing up every now and then. Our famil...
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21Sep2012VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, September 20 (PIA) – ‘Hope springs eternal’ particularly for six cerebral palsy patients of this city. This came through as the country celebrates the 9th Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week on September 16 to 22 with the theme, “Sa Karapatang Natutunan, Tanaw Na Ang Magandang Kinabukasan ”. The success story report of the Vigan Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) states that six kids suffering from cerebral palsy (CP) and delayed motor...
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20Sep2012VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- This year’s celebration of the Girl Scout Week from September 16 to 22 focuses on World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) “Stop the Violence” (STV) campaign, on September 20, Escoda Day in remembrance of the Girl Scout Great Founder. National Executive Director Ma. Dolores T. Santiago enjoins the Councils to adopt the activities suggested for the week-long celebration. The activities for the Escoda Day include Josefa Escoda Cer...
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19Sep2012QUEZON CITY, Sept 19 (PIA) -- A person with disability emerged as this year’s Happiest Pinoy, flagship campaign contest of the Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions. Inspirational speaker Rommel E. Arellano, 35, of Bataan was afflicted with polio in his childhood that has affected his lower extremities. Arellano said he experienced discrimination while in school and in getting employment. "Nobody is immune to humiliation, kahit po siguro sino ay tiyak na bibigay kapag nakaranas nito (No...
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16Sep2012MATAG-OB, Leyte, Sept 16 (PIA) -- Thirty families in Barangay San Sebastian in Leyte province are now happy owners of permanent homes said Clotilde Malatbalat, provincial social worker of Leyte. She said the core shelter project costing more than P2.8 million for the 30 families, was sourced from the combined funds of the DSWD of P70,000 per beneficiary, P10,000 each from the provincial government of Leyte and P15,000 each from the local government unit of Matag-ob. The permanent core shelters...
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12Sep2012BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 11 (PIA) -- Saying 'I love you' personally or through phone calls and text and going to malls regularly for shopping, dining or other activities are among the high points of a survey conducted in this city on how couples spend quality time with each other and with their children. Saint Louis University professor and statistician Zenaida Garambas said they conducted a random survey among couples in Baguio City as part of the National Family Week Celebratio...
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07Sep2012QUEZON CITY, Sept 7 (PIA) -- The net public satisfaction rating for President Aquino jumped to a "very good" +67 points, an August poll of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said. BusinessWorld, which posted the resulted of the SWS survey, reported that 77 percent of the respondents in the recent survey said they were satisfied with the President's performance. The latest ratings, which is the highest for the President since taking office in June 2010, is a turnabout after it dipped to its l...
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06Sep2012CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Sept 6 (PIA) -- An interesting new species of stick insect has been discovered in Mindoro Island by a group of scientists, that includes an Italian professor. The insect which is wingless and has greenish-blue head and orange body is temporarily named Conlephasma enigma from its own genus. The discovery of the stick insect, which lives on the ground rather than in trees – and sprays a foul-smelling odor against predators, was reported this week by the Brit...
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06Sep2012TUGUEGARAO CITY, Sept 5 (PIA) -- After the regional health department’s report on the decrease of dengue cases in the whole Cagayan Valley region, the province of Cagayan has also released a report of its increasing dengue cases as of August 2012. Based on the latest report, there were 965 morbidity cases with seven deaths recorded from January to August this year, which is higher than the recorded 581 cases and two deaths last year. Dr. Carlos Cortina, assistant provincial health officer, s...
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06Sep2012VIGAN CITY, Sept 6 (PIA) -- Five persons died of dengue while 808 others were afflicted in Ilocos Sur. Dr. Pablo Quedado, assistant provincial health officer, said, from January 1 to September 4 this year, two school children died of dengue in Narvacan, and one each in Candon City, Sta. Maria, and Cabugao. Jeffrey Pablico, health educator and promotions officer of the Provincial Health Office, said from January to December 2011, 17 persons died of dengue and 3,545 others were afflicted with t...
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03Sep2012PALO, Leyte, Sept 3 (PIA) -- The 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Eastern Visayas Friday night damaged 110 houses in the region, initial reports received by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRC) showed. Rey Gozon, chairman of the RDRRMC, said 78 houses were totally damaged and 32 were partially damaged in seven barangays in Samar and Eastern Samar. The highest number of damaged was reported by Brgy. 2 in MacArthur, Eastern Samar with 13 partially damaged ...
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03Sep2012MANILA, Sept 3 -- Filipino-American Community associations from the Bicol Region, Bicol clergy led by Fr. Roy Rogaspi, classmates and friends of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo held a memorial mass on August 25 at Our Lady of Victories Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York Eduardo de Vega, Deputy Consul General Theres...
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03Sep2012BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Sept 2 (PIA) –- It was supposed to be a festive occasion but a 7.6 earthquake at past 9 p.m. changed all that. All preparations - program, finger-foods, fun - went to naught as guests rushed home to be with their families. The evening, assigned as the evening for all national and local agencies, in celebration of the Patron Saint of Borongan. But before the program formally started right in the city plaza, the quake shook the grounds. The 7.6 quake extended...
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02Sep2012BORONGAN CITY, EASTERN SAMAR, Sept 2 (PIA) -- An earthquake reported to be of 7.7 magnitude shook this city at about past nine in the evening of Friday, September 1, but no major damage so far had been reported. The tremor that lasted for about 30 seconds caused residents to scramble and seek higher grounds as tsunami alert level-3 was raised. Some residents rushed to the provincial capitol while others, to the four- storey Bishop’s residence. People were surprised at the and lengthy tremo...
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01Sep2012DAVAO CITY Sept. 1 (PIA) -- Davao Cinematheque is paying tribute to the departed Dolphy, King of Comedy with a retrospective of some of his movies. Lolita Lacuesta, head of the Davao Cinematheque said the screenings of Dolphy films is open to the public for free. The retrospective started last August 30 and will run until September 2. The Dolphy retrospective was conceived to honor Rodolfo “Dolphy” Vera Quizon’s numerous and unprecedented contributions to Philippine cinema. Similar Do...
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31Aug2012MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 31 (PIA) -- Results of the 2010 Census of Popluation and Housing reveal that Southern Leyte’s population increased by 38,977 from 360,160 in year 2000 to 399,137 in 2010. NSO-Southern Leyte, in a press release, reports that the increase in population count from 2000 to 2010 translated to an average annual growth rate (APGR) of 1.03 percent, which means that one person was added every year, on the average, to every 100 people residing in Southern Leyte from 20...
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31Aug2012ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, Aug 31 --The city government of the Island Garden City of Samal has opened the Samal Island Memorial Park in Barangay San Miguel, Samal District last August 23. Samal Island Memorial Park, also called Pahulayan Memorial Park, is a public cemetery furnished with amenities comparable to a private memorial park. It offers 62 mausoleum lots, with 42 square meters per lot area, and 2,005 subterranean lots offered in the first phase of the project. The city government b...
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29Aug2012MANILA, August 29 -- President François Hollande of France and President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf of Switzerland led foreign leaders in expressing sympathies to the Filipino nation on the passing of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. In separate letters to President Benigno S. Aquino III, the two leaders conveyed their “great sadness” in learning of the tragic accident which took the life of the Secretary according to a Department of Foreign Affairs statement. “I ...
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29Aug2012What vehicle is powered by grass and not by gas? Answer: tartanilla, the horse-drawn carriage that may soon trot in big numbers once again on the streets of Dumaguete. Silliman University (SU) has partnered with Smart Communications, Inc. to develop the prototype of a modern tartanilla which they presented to the public on August 27. This is not the same tartanilla that our Filipino ancestors once rode in, though. The university’s staff from its Buildings and Grounds Department, the brains ...
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28Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 28 (PIA) -- President Aquino led today the conferment of the Philippine Legion of Honor (posthumous) with the rank of Chief Commander on the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. Secretary Robredo was conferred with the Philippine Legion of Honor for life achievement as secretary of the Interior and Local Government and as mayor of Naga City. He had served as mayor from 1988 to 1998 and 2001 to 2010 and interior secretary from July 2010 until his death. “For being a leader who...
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28Aug2012BAGUIO CITY, Aug. 28 -- “Let’s live out our lives as best as we could – for a purpose-, so that we make a difference (as did) the kind of life that Secretary (Jesse) Robredo lived, as a champion of those who have less in life.” With that counsel, city mayor Mauricio Domogan, together with provincial Govrnor Nestor Fongwan, led Baguio and Benguet residents in paying tribute to Interior and Local Government Secretary Robredo, who died in a plane crash last Aug. 18. “Grief in our ...
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27Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 27 (PIA) -- The President tomorrow will confer on the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of Chief Commander. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. after the Concelebrated Requiem Mass at the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, according to a statement from the Committee on Funeral Arrangements and Burial of the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. The Philippine Legion of Honor is considered the highest award the Preside...
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27Aug2012NAGA CITY , Aug. 27 (PIA) -- The remains of Interior and Local Government Sec. Jesse M. Robredo were transferred this morning from the City Hall to the Basilica Minore for the final day viewing of those who still wish to pay their last respect to the late Secretary. Robredo will be brought to his final resting place tomorrow at Eternal Gardens after the cremation. On his way to the Basilica Minore following the traditional departure honors, Robredo’s remains circled in the main thoroughfare...
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27Aug2012PASIG CITY, Aug. 27 -- As a tribute to the late Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, all schools nationwide will have a discussion about his life tomorrow, August 28, the day of his funeral. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro, in a press statement instructed all Department of Education Regional Directors to disseminate a module developed by DepEd Region V where Robredo served as Mayor of Naga City for 19 years before being appointed as Cabinet S...
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26Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug. 26 -- The remains of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo’s was brought to his hometown of Naga City, Camarines Sur, Sunday. President Benigno S. Aquino III led the departure honors for Robredo. Some 150 members of the Presidential Security Group Honor Guards rendered the departure honors and paid their last respects to the former DILG chief with a 19-gun salute. With the President were Robredo’s immediate family and members of his official family....
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26Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug. 26 -- Members of the Aquino cabinet held a memorial service for former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Saturday night at the Kalayaan Hall of Malacanang. Climate Change Cluster Ramon Paje of the Department of Environmet and Natural Resources spoke of Robredo as one who did what is right. Paje said, often, when he consulted Robredo, the latter would always tell him to do what is right despite pressures and assured him that he (Robredo) would be behind...
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26Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug. 26 -- Members of the Aquino cabinet held a memorial service for former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Saturday night at the Kalayaan Hall of Malacanang. Climate Change Cluster Ramon Paje of the Department of Environmet and Natural Resources spoke of Robredo as one who did what is right. Paje said, often, when he consulted Robredo, the latter would always tell him to do what is right despite pressures and assured him that he (Robredo) would be behind...
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25Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug. 25 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III declared August 28 as a special non-working day in Naga City. The President issued the declaration, through Proclamation No. 461, s. 2012 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on August 24 to allow the people of Naga City the opportunity to honor and show their respect for the late Secretary Robredo. “Earlier, the City Government of Naga issued a resolution requesting the Office of the President to declare August 28, 2012, ...
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25Aug2012TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, August 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government Regional Management Coordinating Committee composed of DILG, Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection sponsored a concelebrated mass for the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo. Held at the Santo Nino Parish Church at 8 a.m. of August 24, Friday, the mass was attended by the officials and staff of the DILG family in Eastern Visayas, members of the media and other govern...
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25Aug2012BAGUIO CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) -- A twenty-one year old lady from Baguio City joined the list of topnotchers in the recent 2012 Nurse Licensure Examination. Vanessa Joy Palacio Gasat, a cum laude graduate of the University of the Cordilleras batch 2012, leads the examinees here in the region placing number five in the board results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Thursday. Eleven examinees from three other schools in Baguio City and Benguet are also in the top 10...
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24Aug2012TABUK CITY, Kalinga, Aug. 24 (PIA) -- Secretary Jesse Robredo is a great loss to the country. He was a leader, a friend and a public servant worth emulating. This was the shared opinion of leaders in this province as they join the nation in mourning the untimely death of the highest official of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). In a message, Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac said that Robredo’s legacy is the immense improvement in local governance. Upon his assumption i...
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24Aug2012KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Aug 24 (PIA) -- Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo was originally set to be the guest of honor of the 2012 Talakudong Festival on September 18. The festive mood all over Tacurong City, while everybody prepares for the celebration, unexpectedly turned to grief and mourning as reports confirmed his death in the ill-fated Piper Seneca plane on August 21. Saddened, Tacurong City residents regret they could have proudly shown the late secretary the city’s Seal of G...
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24Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 24 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III led on Friday ceremonies honoring the late Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo in Malacañan Palace. Aquino led the official tribute for Robredo at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañan Palace. The Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) said the President was joined by Cabinet members Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas. Aquin...
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24Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 24 (PIA) -- The remains of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo will be brought to Kalayaan Hall in Malacañan Palace today August 24, Malacañang announced Tuesday. An advisory from the Committee on Funeral Arrangements and Burial said the wake will be held there for two days before the remains are returned to Naga City. Based on Bulletin No. 5 issued yesterday, public viewing is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. for August 24 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Augus...
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24Aug2012SIQUIJOR, Aug 24 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) family in Siquijor offers a Holy Mass yesterday for the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Siquijor, Siquijor. The mass was celebrated by Monsignor Candelario Catubig, parish priest of Siquijor who, in his homily said that Robredo’s death brings to all lessons to live by and that is, “How do we want to be remembered when we’re gone.” He said Robredo’s life is a go...
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24Aug2012CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, August 24 -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 offered a holy mass at the DILG Regional Office, Conference Room yesterday afternoon for the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo. The mass was officiated by Fr. Casi Quiacao, an active Parochial Vicar of St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy.It was attended by the staff of DILG Region 10, headed by Regional Director Atty. Rene K. Burdeos. Also joining in prayer were the Regional Directo...
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23Aug2012MANILA, Aug. 23 -- Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. called on the employees of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to continue performing their tasks and the reforms started by the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo. “In this period of transition, we urge everyone to do their share and do their best so that all the programs and reforms that Secretary Robredo has started will not go in vain, for the benefit of our countrymen whom he fait...
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23Aug2012TABUK CITY, Kalinga, Aug. 23 (PIA) - - The provincial government and national agencies here join the whole nation in mourning the untimely death of Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo. All flags were raised at half mast and a mass was held yesterday at the Capitol for the repose of his soul and as a tribute of his good deeds. Fr. Joker Gamatero of the Catholic church officiated the mass attended by Gov. Jocel Baac, City Mayor Ferdinand Tubban, heads of agencies and local officials, ...
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23Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 23 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) deeply mourns the death of Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. In a statement, CSC Chair Francisco T. Duque III said the best way to honor the late secretary, a beacon in public service, is to continue his legacy of transparent and accountable governance and to support his noble advocacies. CSC said Robredo’s unique brand of leadership, one of sincerity and genuine commitment to public ser...
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23Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 23 (PIA) –- After six days of search and rescue that later led to search and retrieval operations, the last body to be retrieved from the sea, where the ill-fated plane that carried the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo crashed, was finally found this morning. In a statement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Public Affairs Office, the body of the Nepalese co-pilot Kshitiz Chand was found floating by a fisherman today and reported it to Navy...
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23Aug2012DAET, Camarines Norte, August 23 (PIA) -- “Secretary Jesse Robredo was my idol, mentor and friend,” said Mayor Tito Sarion of Daet yesterday during the Daet Press Corps meeting. As a youth leader, Sarion said he wanted to emulate Robredo and other leaders like former Sen. Raul Roco and Cong. Marcial Pimental. He said many of his advocacies and ideas in governance and politics are inspired by the successes of Robredo in Naga City. The mayor said he also advocated independence from nationa...
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23Aug2012Naga City, Aug 23 (PIA) -- Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas was all praises on the three daughters of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. Secretary Robredo left behind three daughters Jessica Marie, 25; Tricia, 18 and Jillian, 11. “Nakakabilib ang katatagan nila sa panahong mula pa ng hinanahap si Jesse (Their fortitude that they showed, from the time Jesse was reported missing, was truly remarkable)," Roxas said. He added that the search and rescue operations, the two elder daugh...
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22Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 22 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III yesterday signed Proclamation No. 460, placing the country in "National Days of Mourning" over the death of Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. It officially began yesterday, Aug 21 and will continue until the late secretary's interment. The proclamation also orders "all government buildings and installations in the Philippines, and our posts abroad" to put the Philippine flag at half-mast from sunrise to sunset for...
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22Aug2012NAGA CITY, Aug 22 (PIA) -- An incident command center to oversee the activities in line with the wake of the late DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo has been set up here. The Secretary’s wake is open to the public at the Archbishop’s Palace since yesterday evening until Friday morning. Dubbed Task Force Robredo, the group will facilitate inter-agency efforts to man the peace and security situations in and around the wake area, ensure the proper flow of vehicles through the imposition of a ...
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22Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) -- The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines said Wednesday it conveys its sincerest condolences to the family of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, as well as to the government and the people of the Republic of the Philippines. In a statement, Lubomir Frebort, Charges d' Affaires of the EU Delegation, said: "Let me share our sentiments of loss and sorrow at the passing away of this champion of good governance...
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21Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug. 21 -- Canadian Ambassador Christopher Thornley today issued a message of condolence to the family of Jesse Robredo, Philippine Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, following the announcement of his death in Masbate. "The Government of Canada would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the family of Secretary Robredo, the Government of the Philippines and the Filipino people. He will be remembered as a leader who ushered in a new era of political reform in th...
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21Aug2012NAGA CITY, Aug. 21 (PIA) -- President Benigno Aquino personally sent home Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo’s remains to his family today aboard C130. He was met by Atty. Leni Robredo, their three daughters- Aika, Trisha and Jillian, together with friends, colleagues and political supporters at the Pili Airport at around 12:40 noon today. After DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas’ teary-eyed announcement on the television this morning that Robredo’s remains was already foun...
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21Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug. 21 -- As the nation commemorates the death of Ninoy Aquino, the nation also mourns the death of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo who perished in a plane crash off Masbate shores, Saturday afternoon. His body was found by technical divers today after three days of unrelenting search and rescue operations, with President Aquino personally overseeing the operations. Several top government officials expressed their tribute to Robredo who was descri...
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21Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 21 -- Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio €œSonny€ Coloma, Jr. is one with his colleagues in mourning for the passing of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo whose body was recovered Tuesday morning. In a message relayed to Malacañang reporters, Coloma conveyed that Robredo would be a great loss to the Philippine government given his excellent traits as a public servant that inspired many of them who were ...
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21Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 21 (PIA) -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo’s body has been found Tuesday morning. Robredo’s body was found inside an upside down fuselage, 180 feet deep below sea level, Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas confirmed in a press conference this morning in Masbate. Divers found the body of Robredo behind the aircraft, Roxas said, making it easier to retrieve while the other two pilots’ bodies, Capt. Jessup Bahinting and Kshitiz Chand’s, were attached...
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20Aug2012LEGAZPI CITY, August 20 (PIA) -- Even as President Aquino left Masbate this afternoon, several key officials have stayed behind taking the reins of the search and rescue operation to find Interior and Local Government Sec. Jesse Robredo and two others who have since been missing after the plane carrying them crashed off Masbate waters Saturday afternoon. President Aquino left the officials with a directive that remains a search and rescue operation for the missing. The President has been at M...
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20Aug2012NAGA CITY, Aug 20 (PIA) -- In two days of uncertainty and anticipation, Atty. Leni Gerona Robredo, wife of missing Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo still managed to smile as she accepted friends and supporters at their residence in Bulusan, Dayangdang here hoping for the best but spoke of being practical in the face of odds. In her Facebook account, Leni expressed her sentiments at the moment and her gratitude for the overwhelming support that their family is receiving. The post sa...
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19Aug2012LEGAZPI CITY, August 19 (PIA) -- Besides the strong current and deep waters of Masbate Pass, time poses a big challenge to the search and rescue teams, which for more than 24 hours now, have been relentlessly scouring the crash site and surrounding areas to find Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and two others. President Aquino refuses to give up and continues to stay put in the operation center overseeing the search and rescue operation until this evening optimistic that R...
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19Aug2012LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 19 (PIA) -- President Aquino is in Masbate overseeing the search and rescue operations for Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and two others whose plane crashed off Masbate waters Saturday afternoon. Following earlier briefing from Masbate police provincial director Heriberto Olitoquit on the status of the operations, the President conferred with local officials and search and rescue teams on updates and to review strategies to recover Robredo and the two p...
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19Aug2012QUEZON CITY, Aug 19 (PIA) -- President Benigno Aquino III flew to Masbate at 5:45 a.m. on Sunday morning to oversee search and rescue operations for Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and his two companions. The President’s official Twitter account said Aquino arrived in Masbate on board a C-130 plane. Cabinet members Mar Roxas of the Department of Transportation and Communications, Florencio Abad of the Department of Budget and Management and Voltaire Gazmin of the Depar...
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18Aug2012NAGA CITY, Aug. 18 (PIA) -- Supporters, friends and city officials gathered at the house of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo today in prayer as they implore Ina’s intercession for the safe return of Robredo and his companions. The vigil is being held at the Secretary’s residence at Bulusan Street, Dayangdang here . The social networking sites are also now flooded with prayer requests for the safe return of his group. Atty. Leni Robredo, the secretary’s wife, k...
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15Aug2012DIPOLOG CITY, Aug 16 (PIA) -- August 15 marks the first anniversary of the first online magazine produced by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in the country, One Mindanao. It all started as an e-news service wherein news stories on government policies, pronouncements, programs, projects and accomplishments had been forwarded to the individual email addresses of public officials, businessmen, civic and religious leaders, teachers, students and others. PIA-Caraga headed by director Abner ...
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10Aug2012TAGAYTAY CITY, Aug 10 (PIA) -- The International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) declared that a third of the world’s children is iodine-deficient. “A child born to an iodine-deficient mother has an IQ lower by 13.5 points,” Dr. Teofilo L. San Luis, ICCIDD director and country representative, said during the communication planning workshop on the National Salt Iodization Program (NSIP) in Tagaytay City from August 7 to 10. The workshop gathered together...
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08Aug2012Camiguin never runs out of surprises. Yes, this beautiful volcanic island, lying off the north east coast of Mindanao, offers another extraordinary treat to tourist. Cold and hot springs waters are common, but a pool made of soda, that's rare. Lying beneath Mount Hibok-Hibok in Barangay Bura of Catarman town is the healing and whitening waters of the soda pool. This interesting pool tastes just like the commercialized bottle soda water minus the acidity. Its water source spouts up natural ca...
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02Aug2012CABUGAO, Ilocos Sur, Aug. 2 (PIA) -- The rice verification trial in this town which started during last year’s rainy season yielded 120 cavans of hybrid rice per hectare according to the Bayan ng Cabugao website. The rice verification trial is a program that compares the capabilities of inbred and hybrid rice in planting and harvesting in various places. This is one concept of the research of Edilberto V Santiago, a rice researcher of Ilocos Sur to help farmers learn to use new farm technol...
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31Jul2012BALIANGAO, Misamis Occidental, July 31 (PIA) -- The Protected Area, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management System (PAWCZMS)-10 has cited the Baliangao protected landscape and seascape (BPLS) for documenting almost 1,500 living organisms and wildlife in its area. “This is the first of such project done in the region and we are very glad that you have taken the initiative to do so,” Belen O. Daba, regional technical director of PAWCZMS, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-10,...
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21Jul2012CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 21 (PIA) -- The Philippine Postal Corp is issuing a stamp that features the famous white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro. This was announced by Cecilia Cotapte, PhilPost Northern Mindanao Area information officer, during the Regional Association of Government Communicators meeting recently. Having a size of 30mm x 40mm, the stamp is classified a special issue at P9 each; there are only 100,200 pieces available. Cotapte said the stamp is available at the Manila Centra...
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20Jul2012As a young housewife hiding in the hills bordering Aklan and Antique in World War II, Josefina I. Dela Cruz helped her mother-in-law weave clothes for Filipino soldiers fighting the Japanese. Having run out of clothing materials, they had to use “birang,” a cloth produced from abaca fiber. Little did she know that later in life she would be the first exporter of placemats made from abaca and raffia fiber. After more than 60 years, she is being recognized for her passion and skills for tra...
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20Jul2012OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD), Region 10 has reiterated its call for the local government units (LGUs) to intensify their anti-dengue information campaign. This, after the number of dengue cases that were admitted to the different sentinel hospitals in the region has continued to rise, from 1,023 as of May 25 to 1,720 as of July 6 this year. This means there were 697 more cases or an increase of 68.13 perc...
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16Jul2012MANILA, July 16 (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said as of end-March 2012, total credit card receivables (CCRs) of universal and commercial banks and thrift banks stood at P131.9 billion, up by 11.0 percent, or P13.1 billion from last year's P118.8 billion. In a statement, BSP said overall CCRs' total including those of universal and commercial bank subsidiaries amounted to P159.1 billion, higher by 12.7 percent from year ago’s P141.2 billion, of which 82.6 percent or P131.4 billion ...
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13Jul2012TAGUM CITY, July 13 -- In the heart of Davao del Norte lies a river-cruising destination which aside from being one-of-a-kind tourist adventure is also crucial in showcasing efforts in mangrove rehabilitation and fish production restoration. The seat of the provincial government, Tagum City hosts such river-cruising adventure in Liboganon River which stretches 8.8 kilometers from the national highway to the Davao Gulf. It traverses barangays Liboganon and Bincungan. When sailing through t...
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11Jul2012OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Health, National Epidemiology Center (DOH-NEC) has included the Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection as a notifiable disease in the country, upon instruction of Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona. Inclusion of the EV-71 in the list of notifiable diseases compels all health providers, especially physicians, to report individual cases or even outbreaks, Dr. David Mendoza, Head of the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Re...
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10Jul2012DAVAO CITY July 10 (PIA) -- They are sleek and elegant connoting class and style, Davao City’s Black taxis are becoming the rave in the city, owing to its mixture of riding comfort and digital technology. A 25- unit fleet operated by the Davao City-based Mabuhay Taxi, the units are individually equipped with satellite Global Positioning System and a Point-of-Sale (POS) system which enables each taxi passenger to pay their fares using their debit or ATM cards and in the works is a system that ...
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10Jul2012PAMPANGA, July 10 -- The City of San Fernando, Pampanga’s (CSFP) holistic approach to governance is a key ingredient in reaping major national awards, including the Most Business Friendly Local Government Unit Award for the third consecutive year, thereby elevating the City to the Hall of Fame of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). Besting 17 other cities in its category, CSFP was successful in its bid because it passed the rigid screening done by the PCCI. The criteria co...
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02Jul2012MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 2 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Office (NSO) reported that for the first quarter of 2012, there were 672 deaths in Southern Leyte with pneumonia topping the leading cause. According to the NSO June 2012 special release, of the 672 deaths, 331 were caused by the top 10 leading causes of death and the remaining 341 were due to other causes. The release added that all other causes contributed less than two percent of the total deaths in Southern Leyte for t...
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02Jul2012CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, July 2 (PIA) -- Latest figures from the Philippine Renal Disease Registry (PRDR) show that 1,136 of the 9,769 dialysis patients nationwide are from Central Luzon. Central Luzon Organ Sharing Effort (CLOSE) head Joy Mallari said this during Thursday's press conference at the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office III. She said Pampanga topped the list in the region with 434; followed by Bulacan, 202; Nueva Ecija, 178; Tarlac, 140; Bataan,100; Zambales, 81;...
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01Jul2012Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur, July 1 (PIA) -- Good food, good life, good environment. These are what residents get from making and using organic fertilizer, according to Ilocos Sur Provincial Agriculture Officer Teofilo Quintal in a radio interview on his way to this town for the five-day organic fertilizer making seminar-workshop which started yesterday. Quintal said that about 60 teachers, barangay officials, farmers, and residents of this town gathered for this event to make life as healthy as pos...
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29Jun2012Calamities strain people’s physical and economic resources. The recent calamities that struck the country had displaced thousands of families and the aftermath was worse as illnesses began to spread. During the displacement, infants and young children are the most vulnerable. Having weak immunities, they are the ones who easily get sick in crowded evacuation centers. Feeding infants and young children with milk formulas in resettlement areas may pose dangers to their nutrition and health st...
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28Jun2012ILOILO CITY, June 28 (PIA) -- Based on a 2008 food consumption survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Filipinos on the average are eating less and less vegetables per day in the past three decades. Nona Tad-y, Regional Nutrition Coordinator, National Nutrition Council (NNC) said the survey shows that from 145 grams per day of vegetables in 1978, vegetable consumption decreased to 110 in 2008. The report also shows that across regions, consumption varies, showing Cala...
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27Jun2012MANILA, June 27 (PIA) -- Land Bank of the Philippines' loans to its priority sectors reached P176.7 billion as of end-March 2012, 10 percent or P15.9 billion higher than the P160.8 billion registered in the same period last year. In a statement posted on its website, Land Bank said loans to priority sectors now comprise 73 percent of the Bank's total loan portfolio of P242.2 billion. "Land Bank continues to reach out to more key players which help spur countryside development. This signifies ...
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26Jun2012QUEZON CITY, June 26 (PIA) -- The World Heritage Committee formally removed the Philippine Rice Terraces in its list of World Heritage in Danger during its 36th session in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation. The committee said the country met the Desired State of Conservation, which included factors on successful landscape restoration and conservation, protection and planning, and proper management, according to a release by the Department of Foreign Affairs. It reported that the Philippine...
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26Jun2012KORONADAL CITY, June 26 (PIA) -- Who would not consider it manna from heaven when a local government unit and its residents establish a coconut-based farm for farmers whose fields have been idle for years? This is what exactly happens, according to Koronadal City Mayor Peter B. Miguel, to 435 farmer-owners whose farm lots will be covered in the 2nd Tree-Growing Festival on Friday, June 29. Information from the city local government units (LGUs) indicated th...
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22Jun2012ILOILO, June 22 (PIA6) -- Cooperatives and employees associations are now having a new venture: serving as outlets for medicines, including prescription or maintenance medicines, commonly needed by employees. “With a Botika in the office, low-cost but quality maintenance and other medicines are made accessible to the employees anytime of the day,” Rufino Leonoras, chief personnel specialist of the Civil Service Commission-6. Leonoras, who is also the Botika Para sa Taumbayan Project ...
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22Jun2012MANILA, June 22 -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said portfolio investment transactions for the month of May yielded net inflows of US$106 million. In a statement posted on the BSP website, it said however, that the figure was 68.1 percent lower than the US$333 million recorded a month ago. In addition, registered investments were almost at the same level as April at US$1.5 billion due largely to several initial public offerings by Bloomberry Resorts Corporation, Rockwell Land Corpora...
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15Jun2012SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, June 15 (PIA) -- The National Statistic Office 1 (NSO-R1) announced that the population of region 1 increased by 547,000, based on the result of its 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH). NSO 1 Regional Director Socrates Ramores said the 2010 CPH was designed to take an inventory of the population and housing units here. It was also aimed to collect information about their characteristics. This is also in pursuant to Batas Pambansa Building 72 and Commonweal...
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15Jun2012SIQUIJOR, June 15 (PIA) -- People in Siquijor find hydroponics--growing plants without soil--strange and not applicable. Why, indeed, does one need this kind of technology in a place with land aplenty? "We are so rural that we still have plenty of land available for planting,” an agricultural worker in Siquijor said. Unlike in some urban areas where hydroponics is highly called for, Siquijor is an agricultural province with areas not so densely populated; it might be foolhardy to advise set...
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15Jun2012PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, June 15 (PIA) -- Seven passengers, including an eight-month old child, died after an inter-island ferry M/V Josille II sank off the vicinity of Pagauanen Point in El Nido, Palawan during the height of bad weather Tuesday night. As of this writing, 56 survivors have already been accounted for, eight of whom were brought to the Taytay District Hospital. Search and rescue operation for four missing passengers is still on-going led by the Joint Task Force (JTF) Malamp...
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13Jun2012QUEZON CITY, June 13 (PIA) -- A soil-less planting technology was presented by the Department of Education during the Kalayaan Day Trade Fair held at the Luneta Park, Manila, yesterday, June 12. The technology also known as the Simple Nutrient Addition Program, or SNAP – Hydroponics, was a priority agriculture-related program of the DepEd-National Capital Region, and is already being used in a number of schools particularly in the Division of Makati City. Faculty members of the Comembo Eleme...
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11Jun2012Positive descriptions have been accorded to the Asik Asik Falls, North Cotabato’s newest tourist attraction, which has, until recently, remained hidden to the public eye. Asik-Asik Falls, situated in the remote sub-village of Dulao in Barangay Upper Dado, Alamada town, is very small compared to the likes of Katibawasan Falls in Camiguin or the second falls of Lake Sebu’s Seven Falls, as it only drops a few meters. But what is unique about Asik-Asik Falls is that i...
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09Jun2012DUMAGUETE CITY, June 9 (PIA) -- A student paper developed by eight students from Silliman University’s (SU) Medical Technology program was shortlisted for the Best Paper Presentation of an international scientific conference. The research paper discussing the Philippine oysters’ absorptive capacity of sugar effluents at sea was ranked fourth among the top five scientific papers presented during the 2nd International Seminar and 12th Annual Scientific Conference of the Philippine Society f...
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09Jun2012ANTIPOLO, Rizal, June 9 (PIA) --The Provincial Government of Rizal announces this year’s Anak ng Lahing Bayani (ALAB) ng Rizal awardees namely, Dr. Gilberto M. Duavit, Prof. Ligaya G. Tiamson-Rubin, Engr. Bonifacio O. De Lumen, and Dr. Milagros R. Niñonuevo. This year, ALAB ng Rizal awardees come from various fields of endeavor -- a public servant, two educators, and an engineer who is an expert in management practice. Each ALAB ng Rizal awardee has shown outstanding skills, transformational...
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09Jun2012KALIBO, Aklan, June 9 (PIA) -- The province of Aklan listed 151 cases of dengue from January to May 27 of this year, as shown by records of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here. Unlike the previous years where some municipalities had zero dengue cases, all the 17 municipalities for the period have cases of dengue, with Kalibo, the province’s capital town having the highest number with 50 cases. Other municipalities with two-digit cases include Numancia town, just across the Kalibo Bridg...
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08Jun2012DUMAGUETE CITY, June 8 (PIA) -- A rising star in the national government’s ongoing efforts to revive the country's woodlands is a reforestation site in Ayungon town, Negros Oriental, which is being touted as a champion and model of the National Greening Program (NGP) implementation nationwide. This after the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office I (CENRO I) based in Ayungon surpassed the expectations of environment officials in terms of community support and participation to the...
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04Jun2012Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. It is the natural way of providing infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Breast milk is safe, gives babies the nutrients they need and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses. Globally, it is estimated that around 35 percent of infants aged 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed today, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). ...
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04Jun2012The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) used to be known as a bastion of male marines. As years passed, females were also welcomed on board who developed and used their navigational skills. This year, six women graduated from Batch 2012. The six female graduates are among the 241 students who graduated in the Baccalaureate Degree which offered courses in Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) and Post-Graduate Programs-...
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02Jun2012HAGONOY, Davao del Sur, June 01 -- As water is a valuable but scarce resource in many areas in Mindanao, selda managers here keep clean water flowing. Eugenia Torrecampo, 75, sees to it that her selda or cluster of eight members observe the policies they have agreed in the proper use of the newly installed potable water system (PWS). “We have to ensure that everyone observes the policy to protect this water facility since this is the project that solved our long clamor for clean and safe wat...
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01Jun2012MANILA, June 1 (PIA) -- To achieve a child’s optimum nutrition, the global recommendation is to breastfeed the child exclusively from birth up to six months and to provide safe and appropriate complementary foods starting at six months with continuing breastfeeding up to two years and beyond, if possible. Based on the 2011 survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), there is a marked improvement in breastfeeding practi...
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01Jun2012MANILA, June 1 (PIA) -- The 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) revealed that 4.3 percent or about four in every 100 newborns to five year-old children are overweight for their age. A child is overweight-for-height if the weight is much greater than that of normal children of the same height. Although the prevalence of overweight children belonging to this age group is still low, it has been st...
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31May2012BALIANGAO, Misamis Occidental, May 31 (PIA) -- The town of Baliangao will continue to highlight the conservation and protection of its natural resources, foremost of which is its very rich mangrove ecosystem. This was emphasized by Mayor Svetlana P. Jalosjos-De Leon, who said protection of the ecosystem is a priority of the “SHINE Baliangao” strategy, reflective of the town’s five themes: social enterprise development, health and social services, infrastructure support, new systems of go...
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30May2012MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, May 30 (PIA) -- Famous for its vast rice paddies and known as the rice granary of the province, Valencia City has embarked on Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System (IRDFS), which is regarded as the future of organic rice farming that relies on ducks. Valencia City Mayor Leandro Jose Catarata said that farmers tend to utilize the local “bebe” (mallards) for egg-laying only, and nothing else. “Research, however, showed that the IRDFS is not only feasible, but also ...
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26May2012QUEZON CITY, May 26 (PIA) -- It was on June 12, 1898 when the freedom of the Filipinos from foreign repression was declared. One hundred fourteen years after that momentous day, the Filipino peoplestill value their sovereignty to a great extent that celebrating Independence Day has already been part of their culture. On the day that the Filipinos obtained their independence, their culture has been marked significantly forever. Traditions, beliefs and the arts of the Filipinos have been revolutio...
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26May2012MAWAB, Compostela Valley Province, May 26 (PIA) -- Ever heard of or seen a blind fish? Chances are you’ll not see one ever again in Mahayahay cave in the village of Tuboran, unless you are fortunate. The cave is less than a ten-minute walk from the military camp of the 72nd Infantry Battalion at Camp Manuel T. Yan, Sr., headquarters of the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, 12 kilometres from Tagum City in Davao del Norte. Efren Tagorda, representative from the regional office of...
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23May2012It all started with a dream. When Barbara Yap-Angeles dreamt of building a school to fulfill her dream of teaching and to extend help to the less-fortunate people through education, Angeles Academy was born. Given to her as a graduation gift from her brother Ildefonso Yap, Angeles Academy was established on May 10, 1931. Back then, it was the very first private high school in Angeles City with four classrooms, a library, a laboratory, and a living quarters for the staff - housed in a single se...
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22May2012From its role as an important and integral part of the Aparriano diet and neighboring municipalities during its season, to today’s exportable shrimp paste, the aramang (Nepatopalaemon tenuipes) or spider shrimp, a soft-shelled specie uniquely endowed to Aparri in Cagayan province up north, certainly has gone a long way. In fact, like the name of the town’s festival held annually in May, it has also become the One-Town, One-Product (OTOP) of Aparri, at the same time its tourism icon. The ar...
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22May2012It was a tiring job, but it was well-worth the effort, according to Ruben, as he looked around appreciating what he, and the rest of the other parents, groups and even the students themselves accomplished for one day. Ruben is part of the group who volunteered to work for Brigada Eskwela, to prepare the school and the classrooms for the opening of classes. For this, he had to take a one-day leave from work. What is Brigada Eskwela? According to Secretary of Education Br. Armin A. Luistro, t...
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20May2012DUMAGUETE CITY, May 20 (PIA) --The United States Embassy tackled laws and regulations governing US temporary worker’s visas with Philippine employment agencies as part of the U.S. Department of State’s efforts to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking. In a press conference held at Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Manila on May 18, US Embassy Spokesperson Betina Malone explained that US temporary worker’s visas are issued to a wide range of employees - from semi-skilled workers li...
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20May2012MANILA, May 20 (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that domestic liquidity (M3) expanded by 5.6 percent year-on-year in March 2012, slower than the 7.2 percent growth recorded a month earlier to reach P4.5 trillion. On a monthly basis, seasonally-adjusted M3 declined marginally following a growth of 1.1 percent in the previous month, the BSP said. Money supply growth continued to be driven by the sustained increase in net foreign assets (NFA) at 11.8 percent in March. The ...
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19May2012BAGUIO CITY, May 19 (PIA)--The boxing pride of Mountain Province successfully defended his championship crown for the fifth time. Dayer Gabutan, who hails from Ambagiw, Besao in Mountain Province defended his World Boxing Organization Oriental bantamweight crown with ease scoring against Dado Cabintoy in the undercard of the Brian Viloria – Omar Niño Romero at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City last week. Gabutan won by unanimous decision. The 23-year-old Mt. Province native earned...
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17May2012Vincent Tegerero Tegio was not excited to see the exam results, he was nervous. He felt he may not have done his best in the 300 item-Civil Engineering board Exams recently. But he could not escape the deluge of congratulatory messages beeping one after the other from his cellphone - he did not only pass, he was among the top 10 ranking along with one from Dela Salle University and another from Mapua Institute of Technology. This is the first time that a student from Eastern Samar State Unive...
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14May2012CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 14 -- Having written for Business World, the Doha Centre for Media Freedom, and various websites and blogs, Al Gerard de la Cruz can now add The New York Times to his resume of published works. de la Cruz, a graduate of Xavier University (XU) where he majored in development journalism in 2009, recently had his article about the blossoming of upscale subdivisions in Bukidnon published in the Great Homes and Destinations section of the award-winning American daily newspap...
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10May2012Over the past 12 years, cycles of violent conflict in Central Mindanao have displaced nearly a million people from their homes. In October 2011, thousands of families had to leave their homes yet again when fighting escalated in parts of Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan. Currently, several thousand people across Mindanao remain displaced, particularly in Maguindanao. These disrupted lives present major challenges to both government and affected families, particularly since these displaced individu...
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09May2012STA ANA, Cagayan, May 9 (PIA) -- Officials of this town are now strengthening security measures of Palaui Island after being declared as the top 3 among Best Beaches and Islands in the Philippines by CNN Go travel website of the Cable News Network (CNN) International. In an interview with media, Mayor Darwin Tobias stated that ensuring peace and security in the area will bring in more tourists and will help preserve the natural beauty of the island. Apart from Palaui Island, other beaches tha...
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08May2012BUTUAN CITY, May 8 (PIA) –- Population in Caraga Region grew by an average of 1.49 percent annually from 2000-2010, the regional office of the National Statistics Office (NSO) here said. According to NSO-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Rosalinda Celeste, based on the 2010 census of population and housing, the total population of Caraga as of May 1, 2010 is 2,429,224. The official added the 2010 population is higher by 333,857 compared to the 2000 population of 2,095,367. In 1990, the total pop...
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08May2012Today, about 240 families lost a loved one to a tobacco-related illness. That’s an estimated 87,600 deaths in a year. In 2011, the country earned around P26 billion worth of taxes from the tobacco industry, while revenue from cigarette manufacturers amounted to approximately P31 billion. How much does life cost? For each life lost to tobacco use, the tobacco industry earned P353,881.28. Is it worth it? This does not even account for the annual health costs and productivity losses from to...
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07May2012Unknown to many, the first Filipino Muslim woman civil engineer has been in government service for four decades, holding the highest regional post for a woman in Mindanao at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and making her the first woman regional director of the said agency in the country. Engineer Sinaolan Tanggol Macarambon earned a degree on Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from Mindanao State University in Marawi City in 1968. She passed the board examinat...
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06May2012BAGUIO CITY, May 6 (PIA) -- After three weeks of high altitude training in this mountain resort, Team Pacquiao leaves for the United States with high hopes of another win for the pride of our country. Boxing champion and Congressman Manny Pacquiao left Baguio, Thursday night after pounding again his Russian sparring mate Ruslan Provodnikov, during the last day of their training at the Shape Up Gym here in the city. Pacquiao completed his high altitude training with the rest of the Team Pacq...
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05May2012CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan, May 5 (PIA) -- In this city, passbooks are not only used to save money, but also to help save the environment. Under the Junk Shop ng Bayan Project of the city government, public schools in Balanga use customized passbooks to keep track of plastic garbage they each one has collected. The accumulated trash of schools will be picked by a truck and the points saved in their passbook may be used to claim rice rewards, said Annie Tuazon, consultant on solid waste manageme...
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04May2012DAVAO CITY May 4 (PIA) -- With more people taking Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) screenings, the number of cases listed also increased. “Nitaas siya kay daghan na nagpatest (It has risen because many took the tests),” said Kenneth Sadia, Information Education Communication (IEC) support staff of the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) of the Davao City Health Office said. From January to March, the City Health Office recorded 45 new cases. Based on RHWC data, there had be...
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02May2012Romblon is endowed with huge deposits of marble. As the very foundation of the island is made from the mineral, this valuable and highly prized resource is virtually inexhaustible. At the rate that it is extracted for commercial production, there is enough marble to last even for the next 100 years. Romblon has yet to fully exploit its mineral resource for its development and progress. During the Spanish era, the colonizers were among the pioneers to utilize Romblon marble. They trained local...
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30Apr2012MANILA, April 30 -- Cycles of violent conflict in Central Mindanao have resulted in the mass displacement of nearly a million people from their homes over the past 12 years. In 2003, tens of thousands were displaced by armed conflict and, more recently, thousands of families had to leave their homes yet again when fighting escalated in parts of Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan in October 2011. Currently, several thousand people across Mindanao remain displaced, particularly in Maguindanao. Disrupt...
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29Apr2012BAGUIO CITY, April 29 (PIA) -- The University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio showed its support for the Balili River revitalization by presenting the history of Balili River among barangay officials of the city and La Trinidad, Benguet. In a planning workshop spearheading the Balili River System Revitalization Coalition (BRSRC), the river’s history, based on a study conducted by UP students, was presented, also tackling the drivers of pollution in barangays of the city and La Trinindad along ...
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27Apr2012QUEZON CITY, April 27 (PIA) -- Topping the survey and as the only country that attained a score above 7.0 in the annual Business English Index (BEI), the single index that measures business English proficiency in the workplace, the Philippines’ global workers’ increased business English capability that poses as an indicator of continued economic growth and business success. Conducted by GlobalEnglish Corporation (www.GlobalEnglish.com), the survey results were announced early this month, wi...
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26Apr2012SORSOGON CITY, April 26 (PIA) -- The 903rd Infantry (Fight and Defend) Brigade was recently chosen by Philippine Army headquarters as the best Infantry Brigade (Inf Bgde) of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division for the year 2011 receiving the Award of Merit by the Commanding General of the Philippine Army and the Command Plaque by Commander, 9ID. Commanding Officer of 903rd Inf Bgde Col. Felix Castro Jr. said that considering the imperatives of IPSP “Bayanihan” and its emphasis on both combat...
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25Apr2012NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, April 25 (PIA6) - - The Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) is home to giants. In its interiors, one may find Almaciga trees (Agathisphilippinensis) so huge that the trunk could not be embraced fully even by eight people standing side by side with both hands outstretched. This is just one of the many reasons why the provincial government of Negros Occidental is relentlessly protecting the Park under a co-management scheme with the Department of Environment and Natural Reso...
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24Apr2012Born in July 14, 1938, Edgar Larosa Daniel Sr., columnist and former editor-in-chief of the newsweekly Vizcaya Advocate died last April 4 due to health complications. Daniel, who also served as a public school teacher before starting his career in media, started his stint as a field reporter before grabbing the position as editor-in-chief of the local newsweekly, Vizcaya Advocate based in Solano town. He replaced Joel Palacios, now one of the top officials of the government’s Social Se...
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20Apr2012PANGASINAN, April 20 (PIA) -– Male folks of barangay Villegas in Pozzorubio town here have been conducting nightly patrols for a week now after news of an ‘aswang’ appearing in the village continues to hound them The ‘aswang/manananggal’ or the half man-half beast creature with wings, was believed to be touring the place from 9 pm to 12 midnight looking for animals to devour. Armed with pointed spears, residents watch nightly for ‘aswang attack’ spurred by a picture of the creat...
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19Apr2012SOUTHERN LEYTE, April 19 (PIA) -- This province has carved a new impression as a haven for a rich bio-diversity wildlife in the wake of reports broadcast on nationwide television and online news outlets that two new species of frogs were discovered in the forests off the pacific area. According to reports, the newly-found frogs species were a mottled brown frog with red eyes and a broad yellow stripe running down its back, and a yellow green frog the size not much bigger than a man’s thumb....
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17Apr2012Summer is here and there is one destination you should not miss. A 20-minute ride on a motorized banca from Barangay Danan, Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur would take you to the beautiful Triton Island, with its white sand and cool waters, the pride of this serene and peaceful town. A three-hectare expanse on the island is lush with greenery. ‘‘Balite’’ trees abound in the area, old trees preserved through timeand thick vines reminiscent of the days of ‘‘Tarzan’’ jumping fr...
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16Apr2012ISABELA CITY, Basilan, April 16 (PIA) -- Tuberculosis or TB remains to be a health threat in Basilan and urged the public to be aware of the disease, according to local health authorities here. In separate radio interview over DXNO-FM Radyo Komunidad radio station in Isabela City, both representatives of the Department of Health (DOH-Rep) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) agree that TB detection cases in the province is high and to some degree alarming. PHO’s National Tuberculosis Contr...
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13Apr2012MANILA, April 12 (PIA) -- The scorching heat signals the coming of the summer season. There are a lot of wonderful things we can indulge ourselves into to lessen the heat. We can take a plunge in the pool or just relax at home sipping an icy cold glass of our favorite fruit shake or cold water. But if there’s one good thing about summer, it is the abundance of fresh fruits to really enjoy. But do you know how to choose the best one among our favorite fruits? In an article published by the ...
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09Apr2012MANILA, April 9 (PIA) -- In emergency situations and where basic needs have been compromised, breastmilk remains a safe food for babies. Providing all nutrients needed for healthy development, it also contains antibodies that help protect them from common childhood illnesses like diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition. Moreover, breastmilk is readily safe, available and affordable. This helps ensure that infants get adequate sustenance at the time when they need it. Feeding infants and young c...
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08Apr2012CENTRAL VISAYAS, April 8 (PIA) -- The Philippines is one of one of the signatories that adopted the Millennium Declaration in addressing extreme poverty while promoting gender equality, education and environmental sustainability. This set of time-bound targets with the 2015 deadline is popularly called the Millennium Development Goals or (MDGs). It contains new approaches to address poverty placing people as the center of the program investing in their capabilities to chart and improve their l...
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31Mar2012BOHOL, March 31(PIA) –- Just in time for their migration, a Brydes Whale has been sighted calmly feeding off Pamilacan island in Baclayon town, a group of marine biologists and researchers reported recently. Scientifically called balaenoptera brydei, brydes (pronounced broo-dess) whales are large rorquals- whales with expandable, pleated throats that feed primarily on plankton and small fish. According to a website www.marinebio.org, Brydes Whales were earlier reported as possibly extinc...
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28Mar2012KORONADAL CITY, MarCH 27 (PIA) -- Like thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who ventured in foreign lands, a now famous Las Vegas-based Ventano Italian Grill and Seafoods chef wanted to share the fortunes he earned with the poor students of his home barangay Polonuling, in South Cotabato province. In simple ceremonies Tuesday morning, chef Rodolfo Janeo, personally turned over 35 balikbayan boxes containing books for various subjects; computer sets with printers; DVDs and DVD Players; s...
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21Mar2012The opening of Sapang Dalaga Falls to the public is seen to change the image and economy of the local government unit here. Formerly called Baga Falls, this new tourist attraction which is located at sitio Celso Velez, Barangay Poblacion, could be a destination for those who want to go outing and commune with nature at affordable prices, Mayor Donjie Animas said. The mayor is very optimistic that the place would welcome both local and foreign tourists and will improve the town&...
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20Mar2012NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, March 20 (PIA 6) – “Duaw sa Tingadlaw” (summer visit), a tourism package for summer vacation, is being launched by the Silay Tourism Office for tourists who may want to have their sojourn in the "seat of arts, culture and ecotourism in Western Visayas." Ver Pacete, tourism officer of Silay, said that there are many activities in Silay City that could be enjoyed by environmentalists, culture enthusiasts, pilgrims, food aficionados, org...
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19Mar2012LOS BANOS, Laguna, March 19 (PIA) -- Researchers from University of the Philippines (UP) are studying marine microorganisms in sponges that may lead to the discovery of new drugs for tuberculosis, pneumonia and other infectious diseases, and snails that could provide anti-pain agents. Led by UP’s Vice President for Academic AffairsDr. Gisela P. Concepcion, researchers from the UP Marine Science Institute (MSI) have isolated microorganisms associated with sponges and are currently confirmin...
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18Mar2012ORMOC CITY, Leyte, March 18 (PIA) -- Ormoc is currently waging a battle against the Crown of Thorns starfish, locally known of dap-marine invertebrates that feed on corals which are marine sanctuaries and kills corals. The outbreak of COTS in Ormoc was confirmed recently after the Animal Production and Fisheries Division of the City Agricultural Services Office collected almost 400 pieces of COTS after just two hours of diving in more or less 200 square meters inside the fish sanc...
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15Mar2012Honorable Maria Olivia B. Pascual, former mayor of Lallo, Cagayan and now board member of the 1st district, is one lady official who championed solid waste management in her serious implementation of the solid waste management law. Tagged as “Babaeng Maaasahan,” Pascual is a catch-all line for all the efforts she does as a local chief executive and a legislator of her vision for every Cagayano. She was a business woman turned politician and a known environmentalist. ...
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14Mar2012BAGUIO CITY, March 14(PIA)-- Another Cordillera lady cadet is this year’s Athletic Saber awardee of the Philippine Military Academy Class 2012 who will graduate this Sunday, March 18. Cadette 1st Class Zaporah Gabino Dalang of Tinoc, Ifugao is the top athlete from among the 187-strong BAGWIS or Bagong Kawal na may Iisang Lakas Class of 2012 composed of 168 males and 19 females. Dalang is the third woman&n...
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14Mar2012It begins with a painful, all-too-familiar story. The friend of a friend promises a young girl from an impoverished family a high-paying job abroad as a waitress. The amount both staggers and delights her, and she responds with a resounding yes. How can she not want to help her family? Magically, the paper work is prepared in the blink of an eye. She is to be sent to the Middle East, but must first pass by Malaysia as a stowaway. So she boards a motorized banca as the dusk begins to fa...
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12Mar2012SANTA ANA, Cagayan, March 12 (PIA) -- Taiwanese fishery experts have signified their interest to corroborate with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 2 for a special research study on flying fish (Execoetidae). “The Taiwanese are interested and we hope they will really help us in the study,” BFAR Director Jovita Ayson said. She told participants of the Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network workshop at Jotay Resort here that flying fish a...
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05Mar2012STA. CRUZ, Laguna, Mar 5 (PIA) --Being a consistent and outstanding implementor of nutrition programs, the Province of Laguna under the administration of Governor Jeorge “E.R.” Ejercito Estregan was chosen as one of the pilot areas for the project “Development of a New Monitoring and Evaluation Protocol” spearheaded by the National Nutrition Council (NNC). The goal of the project is to develop a monitoring and evaluation system for nutrition programs and nutrit...
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03Mar2012VIGAN CITY, Mar. 3 (PIA) -- The shorelines of Ilocos Sur are free from red tide toxin, Benny Saraos of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) office here said. According to him, close monitoring to all public markets in the province is regularly being conducted to prevent the entry of all types of shell fishes from the four identified coastal towns of Pangasinan that had been declared infested with red tide toxins. “I am closely coordinating to all...
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01Mar2012It was February in 2011 when three Filipinos were sentenced by the Chinese government to death penalty by lethal injection. The criminal offense: drug trafficking. The three executed Filipinos-- who first were arrested separately in China in 2008 for carrying packages of at least four kilograms of heroin, then prosecuted and convicted in 2009—were all victims of drug trafficking. Like the other Filipinos who engage in drug smuggling, these three were lured by the promise of money without k...
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29Feb2012DIGOS CITY, Feb. 29 -- The 5,000-seater coliseum in Davao del Sur province, touted as the biggest in Mindanao, is beginning to create a mark as a favored venue of sports events in the province. In basketball, particularly, the Davao del Sur coliseum has drawn into this southeastern Philippine province the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to hold four PBA games in just a span of one year since its inauguration in December 2010. These allowed basketball aficionad...
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28Feb2012The proportion of infants receiving exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months decreased from 2003 to 2008, according to the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST). The NNS showed that only 8.6 percent or only about 8 out of 100 of 0-23 month old children received exclusive breastfeeding, while 29.9 percent received breastfeeding and complementary foo...
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27Feb2012The problem of overweight and obesity in the country is alarmingly increasing in number, affecting about 7 out of 10 women and about 1 out of 10 men, according to 7th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST). Obesity affecting Filipino adults is known as android or apple-shaped type, where abdominal fat accumulation is measured using waist-hip ratio (WHR). The WHR criteria are...
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24Feb2012STA. CRUZ, Laguna, February 24 (PIA) --The Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) of Laguna hosted yesterday the CALABARZON regional multi-sectoral forest protection committee meeting held at the conference hall of the provincial health office (PHO) building, Provincial Capitol Compound. This meeting is held every first quarter of the year annualy to discuss the actions of each agency involved in tree planting activities, forest poli...
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16Feb2012MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Feb. 16 -- The first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Lanao del Sur is the majestic beauty of Lake Lanao, a beauty beyond compare. Situated right at the heart of Mindanao, Lake Lanao is the second largest freshwater lake in the country with a surface area of 349.4 square kilometer and a mean depth of 60.30 meters, with the deepest part at 112 meters. It is fed by four major rivers with only one outlet, the Agus River, which flows northward...
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16Feb2012GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- What happens when a soldier who is a staunch advocate for development meets a passionate teacher-innovator? In a far-flung sitios of barangay San Jose here, a soldier whose vision was to touch the lives of people through concretizing developmental projects met a teacher whose passion was to teach, conceptualize, and invent meaningful projects for the less-fortunate. That was how Joint Task Force (JTF) GenSan commander Philippine Army Col. J...
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15Feb2012ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Feb 15 (PIA) -- Philippine soldiers of the Western Command (WESCOM) recently underwent a training program that would enhance their peace-building capacities and embody the principles of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) of the country. WESCOM Commander, Lt. Gen Juancho M Sabban (AFP), presided over the opening ceremonies of the Small Unit Combat Operation Training (SUCOT) last February 1, 2012 at the WESCOM Officers’ Club House in Palawan. ...
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14Feb2012ILOILO CITY, Feb. 14 (PIA 6) -- The province of Guimaras is not just home to what is tagged as the “sweetest mangoes in the world,” but to some 21 species of migratory birds, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Western Visayas. The Provincial Environment Resources Office-Guimaras has recorded the presence of these birds in five sites in the province, under the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC). DENR-6 Director Julian Amador said the...
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14Feb2012Dangwa Flower Market, also known as the Bulaklakan ng Maynila (Flower Market of Manila) is the place to visit for the freshest and cheapest flowers produced by ornamental growers all over the country and abroad all year round. Located in the Dos Castillas Street and Laong-Laan Street Sampaloc, Manila and adjacent to Dangwa Bus Terminal where it got its name According to some flower traders of Dangwa, in 1976 when the markets was said to have started; traders and...
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12Feb2012In Eastern Visayas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is promoting bamboo cultivation by local government units in areas that have been tagged by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) as landslide-prone. Planting bamboos in potentially loose soil can serve to hold the earth in place with its dense and wide-spreading system of roots. This can limit erosion, particularly the large-scale sheet that can lead to fatalities and damage to properties. &nbs...
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10Feb2012SANTA ANA, Cagayan, Feb. 9 (PIA) -- Tourism stakeholders in Cagayan drafted a letter requesting the local chief executive to adopt a new branding for their town after realizing that the present “Paradise of the North” has been used by other municipalities. In a meeting called by the newly organized Santa Ana Hotel Accommodation Resort and Restaurants Association (SAHARRA), the members said they will request Mayor Darwin Tobias to consider their suggestion to tag Santa Ana as...
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09Feb2012Palanan, one of the coastal towns of Isabela, has gained popularity through its Sabutan festival, the most colorful and fun festivals in the coastal town. This local festivity marks the establishment of the civil government of Palanan, the commemoration of the capture of the first president of the Republic, Emilio Aguinaldo and the promotion of the sabutan products like mats, fans and bags made of grass grown in the coastal areas of Palanan. Sabutan is a plant that grows along the coast...
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08Feb2012DIPOLOG CITY, FEB. 8 (PIA) -- Due to the continuous aftershocks being felt by different areas in Visayas and Mindanao after a 6.9 magnitude , Intensity 4 earthquake hit the region Monday morning, the City Government of Dipolog has appealed to its constituents not to panic and remain calm but vigilant and be prepared for any eventuality. In a Press statement issued by the City Information Office, the City Government called on the public not to panic to be able to come with an appropriate...
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06Feb2012For the past 25 years, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has been disseminating information about government programs, policies and projects and utilizes information and communication to save and improve lives. PIA is mandated to “communicate with people and in turn for the people to vigorously express their opinions, views and beliefs to the President and to provide efficient flow of public information required by people to assist them in making decisions and improve qualit...
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06Feb2012QUEZON CITY, February 6 (PIA) -- Of all the health concerns that catch the average Filipino’s attention one way or another, dental health is arguably the least prioritized. Studies reveal that Filipinos, especially children, have been negligent in terms of dental care. The 2006 National Oral Health Survey (NOHS) revealed that 97.1 percent of six-year-old children suffer from tooth decay. More than four out of every five children of this subgroup manifested symptoms of dentinogeni...
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02Feb2012SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela, February 2 (PIA) – A farmer at barangay Nagassican in this city has turned over to a local television station here a rare bird which he caught in his farm recently. The bird identified as a baby owl was seen by Rodrigo Albay while he was working in his farm and he caught it, unaware that it is an endangered species. Albay said he used to see birds of this kind in his farm but this is the only time that he was able to catch one because...
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01Feb2012CAR, Feb 1 (PIA) -- The Cordillera is now a region to reckon with when it comes to yellow corn production. Instead of being just the ‘Salad Bowl of the Philippines,’ major hybrid and heirloom rice producer, it is now excelling in yellow corn production as evidenced by CAR farmers’ yearly victories in the Gawad Saka Search and Outstanding Quality Corn Farmer Search conducted by the Department of Agriculture. Among the winni...
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31Jan2012Cancer is an assortment of diseases characterized by the abnormal cell growth that can spread and destroy other organs and body tissues. It is a result of complex mix of factors related to heredity, diet, physical inactivity and prolonged, continuous exposure to certain chemicals and other substances. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 7.4 million deaths, or around 13 percent of all deaths, in 2004. In t...
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30Jan2012As they say, information is power. Indeed, it is. Information affects in a positive or negative way or sometimes in both depending on circumstances arising. But one thing that would ascertain information is power, on a very positive note, is that “it can save lives,” especially when the information is accurate, timely and conveyed in an appropriate manner and methodology. This was what the Philippine Information Agency in Central Luzon has come to attest particularly during ...
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26Jan2012President Benigno S. Aquino III’s attendance to the eighth National Organic Agriculture Conference (NOAC) in Tarlac City last November establishes that the government recognizes that agriculture remains the country’s primary source of livelihood. If given enough attention, agriculture will bring us to economic proportions leveling that of the most developed countries in the world. Take it from the man himself, whose family’s primary income came from tilling th...
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26Jan2012ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has assured the victims of Sendong of government support and thanked some 2,000 volunteers who came to celebrate Jan.25, as the Day of Volunteerism, in Iligan City. Coinciding with the 40th day of mourning for the victims and the birthday of Former President Corazon C. Aquino, the day marked Iligan City’s “Bayanihan ng Bayan sa Iligan” Shelter Build Project in Barangay Sta. Elena, a permanen...
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26Jan2012ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- Hope runs high for Joan Valdez, whose three (3) children perished, during the onslaught of tropical storm Sendong last Dec. 17. “Mr. President, I really thank you for your help. I am one of the Sendong victims whose house in Barangay Hinaplanon was washed out,” she told President Benigno S. Aquino III, in Cebuano. “Two (2) of my children drowned while one (1) was missing. After 40 days, however, I have accepted ...
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22Jan2012Late arts and culture writer Doreen Fernandez could not have put it better when she tasted a Kapampangan cuisine: This is paradise. Penchant on food—in all its potpourri of savor, aroma and fashion—is hegemony always to scintillate in every Filipino household through thick or thin. However embattled Central Luzon natives are or idyllic in times, there would always be a chasm where wistfulness on delectable entrees will permeate into their yearning palate. It is the craving f...
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22Jan2012When one searches for equivalent meanings of cancer, results show malignancy, sarcoma, pest, blight and even evil. The disease, once heard, has always been associated with so much of pain—from physical hurting to misery. Cancer rules the third spot among the most frequent diseases in the Philippines today with 70,000 new cancer cases diagnosed yearly, according to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS). Recent studies estimate that one of every 1,00...
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20Jan2012TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, January 20 (PIA) – They are huge, they are wild, and they are called “crisis crops” and they are the stars at the on-going 12th Ubi Festival in Bohol. The annual festival sponsored by the Office of the Provincial Agriculture in cooperation with various agencies in the province aims to showcase the varieties of Ubi and to show reverence and present the potentials of Bohol's leading ethno-religious crop. According to assistant provincial agricultur...
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12Jan2012MALASIQUI, Pangasinan, Jan. 12 (PIA) – A two-year old girl died of meningococcemia in barangay Bolaoit, this town prompting the Provincial Health Office to put 39 others, who had direct contact with the victim, under surveillance. On account of the victim’s mother, the family hosted a party on January 1 attended by relatives and friends. That time, the child was already ill and feverish. Dr. Marlo De Guzman, municipal health officer, said the child was bro...
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03Jan2012ILOILO CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA6) -- When the government announced recently that it would start 2012 with a bang and accelerate spending for infrastructure projects with P141.8 billion, it was in effect, driving home the point that it was seriously pursuing its overall goal of “inclusive growth” spelled out in the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan. Although mobilizing and increasing spending on public infrastructures is just one of the major fixes conceived by the govern...
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30Dec2011Lasting peace is every Filipino's dream. But to achieve peace, we must understand why there are those who choose to bear arms while scores of others become victims of conflict. "To date, the conflict in Mindanao has claimed some 120,000 lives, many of them civilians. More than a million people have been rendered homeless and destitute. An estimated 200,000 to 300,000 refugees have taken refuge in neighboring Sabah, Malaysia while many others have moved to Manila and other parts of t...
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28Dec2011ILOILO CITY, Dec. 28 (PIA6) -- The onset of the New Year and the good tidings that people want it to bring will also usher in the calendar of tourism festivals for the year in Western Visayas that would kick off Jan. 1 with the “Lights of Bago”, Negros Occ.’s biggest New Year event in Bago City. The region has about 170 of these festivals spread from January to December. The first month of the year has two of the region’s major festivals – the Kalibo Ati-Ati...
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23Dec2011KORONADAL CITY, Dec. 23 (PIA) -- This is a given: Filipinos celebrate Christmas longer than any other nation in the entire world. Christmas carols, greeting of “Merry Christmas” –- even giving hints on what sort of gift we want to receive from our friends and loved ones -- start on the first day of September and lasts until past Jan. 6. In roughly a decade, another trend has increasingly become popular: local government units spearheading Christmas festivities...
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20Dec2011MANILA, Dec. 20 (PIA)-- The Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) seized P10.6 million worth of illegally imported firecrackers and fireworks misdeclared as school supplies. The two 40-footer container vans of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices came from China and were consigned to FEC Trading owned by a certain Francisco Edward Lopez Claudio of Makati City. Upon review of the FEC Trading’s entry for firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, it was discovered that it was not only...
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30Nov2011PAGADIAN CITY, Nov. 30 (PIA) –- To provide guests a calm, modest, charm and cozy ambiance, a well-refurbished 1,700 sq. meter hotel was opened in barangay Bulatok here. The hotel, named ‘four queens’ after the owner and her three daughters: Princess, Vanessa, and Paulline, has two (2) elegant and fully-air conditioned function halls, swimming pool, green house (a garden wedding and reception venue), and a videoke bar. It has superior, comfortable, elegant, clean and fu...
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25Nov2011ZAMBOANGA CITY,Nov 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 9 is distributing its newest education innovation, the STARBOOKS digital library, to eight public secondary schools of the Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamboPen) Region and one tertiary school in Basilan Province. “We have started deploying the STARBOOKS package yesterday (Nov. 24) to our public national high schools here; we will be travelling to Pagadian City Monday and later to Dipolog City and Sibugay Provin...
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17Nov2011The provision of correct and accurate information on proper nutrition to Filipino families, especially in far-flung areas whose constituents are always believed to be the less privileged ones, has always been the priority concern of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) . Such premise directs the idea of the Nutri-Skwela Community Radio Project, a long-term NNC strategy aimed at influencing or changing the mindset of local folks. The project is being institutionalized all over the countr...
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15Nov2011"Is there any other thing I can do in Lake Sebu besides taking the zip line?" Like my friend who has aversion to heights, many people, especially those who are not keen on adrenaline-pumping adventures would most likely ask this question. It's given: Lake Sebu is now synonymous to the Seven Falls Zip line. But South Cotabato's premiere destination for both foreign and local tourists offers a lot more. Travellers who want to spen...
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13Nov2011This little island called Passig Islet is one of Davao del Sur's treasures. Little is known about the Passig Islet Aqua-Eco Park, but this is nestled at the waters of Sta. Cruz town in the province of Davao del Sur, barely 30 kilometers southwest of Davao City. A white sand islet off Barangay Bato in Sta. Cruz, this has already attracted and mesmerized visitors for its natural white sand, clear waters and a diversity of beautiful aquatic resources. This elongated-shaped islet the size o...
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16Oct2011The last weekend of September 2011 was an unusual scene to remember at the Mabinay town market. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) region 7 Pantawid Pamilya regional coordinator Aileen Lariba could not forget the images she had recorded on still cam those two days. Droves of farmers and fisher-folks, mostly fathers were seen bargaining on the prices of a kilo of fresh and salted fish; some bundles of Kangkong; vegetables; sacks of rice and most of all a little or two del...
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15Oct2011KORONADAL CITY, Oct 15 (PIA) -- Three-year old Sheila (not her real name) had been crying her heart out for hours. She had not taken food nor drank any liquid for more than 8 hours. But her mother, a T’boli, was all smiles. Her little girl’s name was finally called to come to the mobile operating room just outside the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center for her surgery to correct her cleft lip and palate. Sheila is one of the 30 children operated for their cleft lip/...
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08Oct2011CENTRAL VISAYAS, Oct 16 (PIA)-- To develop children’s appreciation of Cebuano culture and heritage, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., a leading NGO in Cebu initiated a program called “Kids at the Museum.” Casa Gorordo Museum curator Florencio Moreño II, said in an interview over DYLA program ‘Pagtuki’ said, Kids at the Museum is an activity that allows children ages six to 12 years old from different barangays in Cebu City to gain more knowle...
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06Oct2011How many people are there worldwide? While some may consider this a rhetorical question, but in fact many really want a definite answer. Last July 11, during the observance of World Population Day, the countdown of the campaign for The World at 7 Billion started. The World Population Day is an outgrowth of the Day of 5 Billion which was first observed in July 11, 1987. The governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended that eve...
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11Aug2011Iloilo City, August 12 (PIA6) -- Carmen had been waiting for her turn to follow-up her papers with a government agency since 1:00 p.m., together with many others. She had come all the way from her town, about two hours ride from the City, not to mention, the “habal-habal” (single motorcycle) ride from their barangay to the town proper. At 4:30 p.m., she was next in line to be attended to, but the person manning the table where she was supposed to transact business with, sto...
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10Aug2011ILOILO CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) awarded two business firms and one national government agency in Western Visayas for their outstanding support to BSP’s statistical, information and advocacy endeavors. The awards in the form of sculptural trophies specially designed by renowned Filipino sculptor Juan Sajid Imao were given out during the 2011 BSP Awards Ceremony for Stakeholders held Aug. 9 at Days Hotel-Iloilo here. The awardees were the Lopez Su...
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07Aug2011CEBU, Aug. 7 (PIA) –- The micro-finance team of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) got to experience its “Leadership Sea Expedition” program as 25 of its managers, supervisors and officers paddled their way across the Hilutungan Channel to the Islands of Olango, Pangan-an and Caohagan, braving the big waves and rains recently. A fleet of 13 kayaks travelled an average of 20-km per day for four days (July 14-17) to experience the Leadership Sea Expedition ...
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05Aug2011BUTUAN CITY, August 5 (PIA) –- Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona today praised the move of former Senator Miguel Zubiri who recently resigned due to the alleged poll fraud in 2004 and 2007 Senatorial elections where Zubiri won over Atty. Coco Pimentel in a controversial result from the Commission on Elections. In an interview with a local radio station here this morning, Sen. Guingona said the entire Senate also praised Zubiri for wha...
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05Aug2011ILOILO CITY, Aug. 5 (PIA) –- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will hold an awards ceremony on Aug. 9 here to honor its stakeholders in Western Visayas who have provided exemplary support to BSP’s statistical undertakings, information needs, and advocacy programs. The awards program, which has “Ikaw at ang BSP: Working for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth” for its theme, is part of Bangko Sentral’s 18th anniversary celebration. BSP Deputy Director Job T....
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03Aug2011KORONADAL CITY, Aug 3 (PIA) -- Fifty-seven local government units, non government organizations, media and media personalities recently received commendations from the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12). Police Regional Director PCSupt. Benjardi Mantele said the honors were given as a salute to these groups and individuals for their contributions in the peacekeeping and policing efforts of the police force. “Police Regional Office 12 offers this to you ...
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02Aug2011BUTUAN CITY, August 2 (PIA) -– City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. on Monday delivered his second State of the City Address (SOCA) before a jam-packed crowd estimated at 2,000 at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city. The city’s chief executive gave importance to "sailing towards a common direction." “We can conquer the rough seas and reach our intended destination if we are all determined, united, self-sacrificing, courageous and metho...
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31Jul2011Every year, July is celebrated as nutrition month. This year's theme, "Isulong ang Breastfeeding-Tama, Sapat at EKsklusibo!" focuses on the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding for infants from zero to six months up to two years and beyond. Breastfeeding is considered by health authorities as the most cost effective way of feeding an infant. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasize the value of breastfeeding for mothers and child...
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28Jul2011ILOILO CITY, July 28 (PIA) -– The Philippines is headed for a new era in the development of and access to energy--one that would eventually reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuels. This was sounded off by President Benigno S. Aquino III in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) wherein the Chief Executive revealed that 140 companies have expressed their “readiness to participate in the exploration process and efforts to strengthen the country ‘s oi...
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24Jul2011ILOILO CITY, July 24 (PIA) – The National Greening Program (NGP) of the national government has found a partner in the ART of greening Iloilo. ART, acronym for Action for Re-greening and Transformation, is a one-month old program that is part of Iloilo’s reforestation efforts which serve as its contribution to government efforts to rehabilitate denuded upland areas and to the global campaign against climate change. Under the ART program, the provincial government has committ...
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19Jul2011OPOL, Misamis Oriental, July 19 (PIA) –- The local government unit (LGU) of Opol has been awarded the prestigious International Association for Universal Design Award 2010 in Hamamatsu, Shizouka Prefecture, Japan. Opol received the award, last November, for its outstanding achievement and contribution to the development, delivery and dissemination of Universal Design. It was also recognized for its accomplishments in the creation of a Non-Handicapping Environment (NHE) for Person...
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02Jul2011ILOILO CITY, July 2 (PIA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III has visited Western Visayas thrice during his first year in office. In these visits, the President broke ground for a hospital expansion project, inaugurated a multi-billion-peso power plant and renovation of a gateway airport to Boracay Island. President Aquino’s first visit to the region took him to Negros Occidental on March 4 where he led the groundbreaking of the P102-million expansion project of the Jala...
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30Jun2011What used to be just a home industry, muscovado production is now a multi million venture of the Sultan Kudarat Muscovado Farmers and Millers Corporation (SKMFC) based in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat province. Cornelio Castaneda, Jr, president of Sultan Kudarat Muscovado Farmers Corporation said they organized in 2006 or five years ago; hence, still an infant enterprise but nonetheless have already proven its worth. "The growing consumer preference for natural and healthy pr...
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30Jun2011PAGADIAN CITY, June 30 (PIA9) - Fun run to some has become a way of life. Reasons vary why people join the run. There are those who run for health and there are those who run for wealth by some thousands in cash prize. Others run for a cause, while others run simply for fun. Three Pagadian City Montessori schoolers join the recent Fun Run 2011 sponsored by the Pagadian-ZDS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. Nikole says she joins for fitness, while Nikko and Josh run to fu...
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30Jun2011"Yong nakikita ko marami pong tumatangkilik sa mga kanlurang produkto kaysa produkto ng ating bansa. Ang mga bansang ito ay sila tuloy ang paunlad ng paunlad. Dapat tangkilikin natin ang mga produktong gawa sa Pilipinas para lilikha ng mga job opportunities," (I observe that many patronize western products than Philippine products. These countries producing these goods are the ones becoming more progressive. We should patronize our own products so there will be more job opportuni...
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27Jun2011The National Greening Program was launched last February 24, by virtue of Executive Order No. 26. It is government's most massive reforestation attempt in the last 25 years in attaining sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Philippines has a total land area of 30 million hectares. Of this number, 15.9 million hectares or 52.9 percent are forestland and timberland while some 14.1 million ...
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17May2011Buri, scientific name Corypha elata, is found throughout the Philippines, the most stately and largest palm that can reach over 120 feet in height and a diameter of 5 feet. The leaves are fan-shaped, large, rounded in outline, up to 3 meters in length, the flower are numerous, greenish-white, and 5 to 6 mm in diameter, fruits are globose, fleshly, 2 to 2.5 cm in diameter, and the seeds are hard, and about 1.5 cm in diameter. This palm produces fermented drink (tuba), alcohol, vinegar, sy...
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14May2011CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, May 15 (PIA) – Small and medium enterprises (SME’s) in Northern Mindanao have been urged to join the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and hit the global market. This was the advocacy of Loreta Capistrano Rafisura, President of the Salay Handmade Paper Industries, Inc. (SHPII) based in Salay, this province, during a forum , at SM Cagayan de Oro, as part of the activities to celebrate the World Fair Trade Day, yesterday, May 14. R...
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09May2011When newly-crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Universe was asked in the Q & A (question and answer) portion of the Bb. Pilipinas 2011 Coronation night on what cause she was championing, 27-year-old Shamcey Gorea Supsup, regally answered, “Education. You can have money and fame but they can take these away from you. Education is something that nobody can take away from you.” Shamcey is right, but how about those people who were not lucky in life to get the needed education from a schoo...
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06May2011People rave over the majestic beauty of Mt. Matutum but more than its beauty, is the nobility of its existence - the nourishment of lives and nature. The Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL) has not only provided ecological balance of nature but is an invaluable contribution to the development gains of South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City (SocSarGen) area. Declared as a forest reserve on August 11, 1964 under Proclamation No. 263, it covers an area of approximately 14,008...
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06May2011ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 6(PIA) -- They call themselves as "thunder riders" and they have been traveling to at least six cities in Mindanao on their big motorcycles in search for possible business partners while having adventure and promoting camaraderie. Yesterday morning, they had their stop here in Asia’s Latin City, Zamboanga. Twenty foreign bikers who are mostly businessmen from Malaysia were here yesterday with hopes to gain and establish contacts for business opportunitie...
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06May2011Easter, the most significant event in the Christian calendar marks the resurrection. It was some 2,000 years ago that the Christian faith began with the message of God's love and that because of this love, God sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross in order to deliver man from sin and eternal damnation. This Christian faith we know today spread around the world, where one of the biggest denominations the Roman Catholics now stand firm with some one billion believers. It is to this...
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05May2011ILOILO CITY, May 5 (PIA) -- On normal days, Dulce Ann drives her sports utiltiy vehicle (SUV) every weekday from her hometown to her office 20 kilometers away from the city, usually by herself. However, during the May 2-3 public transport strike that grounded most public utility vehicles in her hometown and the rest of the province, the lady government executive readily took in some fellow government employees and neighbors who are also working in the provincial capital. Dulce Ann w...
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03May2011ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 3 (PIA) -- The sun rises, oozing with heat at temperatures between 320C and 360C. People living in non-air conditioned houses and those working in non-air conditioned environment sweat it out the whole day. Young and old both long to have some deep plunge to cool themselves. Indeed it's summer time. People with lots of money to spend go to new-found nook and crannies, beautiful beaches and resorts with the family, friends, and officemates for bonding time. But locals ...
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03May2011DAVAO CITY, May 3 (PIA) -– A college school here would soon take a little modification of its name following the beatification of Pope John Paul II on Sunday. The Pope John Paul II College of Davao located in Ecoland Davao City would later on be known as Blessed John Paul II College of Davao. The minor change in the school’s name would not need anymore a resolution from its Board of Trustees. The school was chosen by the Catholic Archdiocese of Davao City as the central area...
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29Apr2011ILOILO CITY, Apr. 29 (PIA) – For Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General lawyer Jose A. Fabia, information has three important roles under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III. One, information can save lives as part of the government risk reduction and disaster management program. Two, information can also help achieve peace and unite people especially in areas of the country where there is conflict and in view of the peace talks being pursued by the go...
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25Apr2011ILOILO CITY, April 25 (PIA) – The Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, which contains the economic blueprint of the Aquino administration, has characteristics distinct from previous medium-term national development plans. It embodies public participation, inclusive growth, and President Benigno S. Aquino III’s social contract with the people. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the people themselves participated in the formulation of the PDP 2011-2016...
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24Apr2011Amazing! This is just one of several adjectives used to describe Eliseo Inayan who just graduated from a three-month commercial cooking course last March at the age of 89. He graduated together with 24 other classmates, all very much younger than him, who could have been his great grandchildren, from the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC), a school run by the Iloilo City government. The school provides free three-month courses to enable students to have livelihood opportunities t...
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23Apr2011Northern Mindanao’s “Pasundayag” has been a vehicle to connect the “affluent and comfortable” youth in urban areas to the “marginalized and disadvantaged” young artisans of the region. This was the assessment of Sharon Mae T. Casiño of Dire Husi Arts and Crafts Youth Social Enterprise who was among the participants of the week-long “Pasundayag,” at the Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City, last April 14-19. “Pasundayag,&rdquo...
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22Apr2011ILOILO CITY, April 22 (PIA) – Risks related to earthquakes and tsunamis can be mitigated in a country that is known to be vulnerable to these natural calamities, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). And this task, Phivolcs said, requires communities and individuals to work hand in hand. Phivolcs said there are certain activities that communities and individuals can do to prepare for, and reduce risks accompanying, these twin hazards...
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22Apr2011CEBU, April 22 (PIA) -- Various visual artists, interior designers, cultural workers, fine arts students and art groups in Cebu will participate in a free art and open exhibit called “Cebu and the Arts” Forum on April 28 at the Museo Sugbo Art Gallery. The forum will engage the various art sectors in Cebu to a dialogue on their thoughts about the state of the arts in the province. There will be panelists from various art forms that will share insights on the state of the art...
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19Apr2011Badjao children will soon experience the challenges and joy of learning via “floating school”, a mobile school “boat” that will ply the sea waters of Zamboanga City. The floating school will teach Badjao children ages 7 to 15 years old reading, writing and simple arithmetic in a 20- month literacy course. The floating school will be handled by a competent teacher who speaks well of the sinama- badjao’s native dialect for an effective education input. &ld...
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19Apr2011If there is one local government unit adhering to President Benigno Simeon Aquino, III' s vision of "Tuwid na Daan," it is Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat. This city has been reaping numerous awards in governance but the most notable is the Citizen's Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence from the Civil Service Commission. In August, 2010, the CSC conducted a report card survey (RCS) on client satisfaction and compliance to the other requirements under ARTA in the city of Tac...
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11Apr2011ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 11 (PIA) -- Who would ever imagine that the city has its own version of mini "Baguio City" where one has to use jacket even if it's high noon because the area is blessedly enveloped with "natural air-condition", more so, it gets freezingly cold in the middle of the night till dawn. At least thirty members and guests of the Zamboanga Adventure Tourism and Eco Recreation Society (ZATERS) were lucky to have experienced nature's best at the "Balu...
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07Apr2011KORONADAL CITY, April 7 (PIA) – “Never underestimate the power of sports as a unifying factor,” South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. told at least 7,000 participants in the opening ceremonies of the Cotabato Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) Meet last night. “In fact, the only event that makes nations and world leaders set aside seemingly endless bickering and quarrels is the Olympics,” he said. He then challenged the ...
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06Apr2011Results of the 2009 official poverty statistics show that a Filipino needs P974 to meet his or her monthly food needs and P1,403 to stay out of poverty. National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) chief, Poverty, Labor, Human Dev’t & Gender Statistics Division, Bernadette Balamban reported that in 2009, a family of five needed P4,869 monthly income to meet food needs and P7,017 to stay out of poverty. “A family of five needed P231 daily income to stay out of poverty,&...
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04Apr2011A grade six (6) classroom teacher's voice reverberates through a lapel microphone while explaining the lesson on the solar system to his 40 pupils. He turns on a switch and the children marvel at the movement of an illuminated planetarium. The school where the teacher utilizes the instructional gadgets is not an elite school which can well afford to buy modern audio visual equipment but at Lozano Elementary School, Barangay Sinawal, General Santos City, a farming village about seven (7)...
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04Apr2011"Those who traffic in illegal drugs respect no laws, no boundaries and have no scruples about destroying lives. Our response must be relentless, with government and the citizenry working together to ensure vigilance and mutual support to prevent our countrymen from being used by drug pushers as sacrificial pawns, whether at home or abroad." Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte during the press conference announcing the confirmation of the execution of Villanueva, Credo, and B...
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30Mar2011Gender equity and women empowerment has gone a long way in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) especially in the participation and representation of women in decision making and policy making processes in government. CAR was created on July 15, 1987 with the signing of Executive Order No. 220 by then President Corazon C. Aquino. To operationalize the CAR, Administrative No. 36 was issued on September 23, 1987 which called for the establishment of the regional offices of various national ...
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29Mar2011CALAMBA CITY, Mar 29 (PIA)- The white, dainty, and fragrance of the Sampaguita is its distinct feature, it is widely grown throughout the tropics as an ornamental plant, its strongly scented flowers are used in weddings, made into decorations for religious holidays, given as graduation gifts and bestowed to welcome visitors. Sampaguita is also traditionally used as medicine for some ailments such as headaches, fever, cough, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The roots are used to treat wounds...
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29Mar2011CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, March 29 (PIA) – Around 350 military and civilian cyclists endured, Sunday (March 27), the 160-kilometer trail retracing the route that Filipino war veterans walked from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac in what is historically known as the Bataan Death March of 1942. Dubbed as “Alay Sikad sa Kagitingan,” the bike-a-thon event, said event manager retired General Nicolas Ojeda Jr., is a simple way of saluting the heroic deed of war veterans during the Jap...
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28Mar2011Sheila is a twenty-eight year-old mother and a government worker from Aklan. She works in Iloilo City and her family is based in Aklan. She only gets to see her four-year old son and husband during weekends. When asked if she does not find it hard, she answers "I initially found it hard to adjust being away from them because I used to work in Kalibo and I found the travel to and from Aklan tiring." Every Mondays she leaves Kalibo at the crack of dawn so she would not ...
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28Mar2011p { margin-bottom: 0.21cm; } Sheila is a twenty-eight year-old mother and a government worker from Aklan. She works in Iloilo City and her family is based in Aklan. She only gets to see her four-year-old son and husband during weekends. When asked if she does not find it hard, she answers "I initially found it hard to adjust being away from them because I used to work in Kalibo and I found the travel to and from Aklan tiring." Every Mondays she leaves Kalibo at the crack of dawn so ...
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27Mar2011ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 27 (PIA) –- Close to 200 bikers from the various bikers association in the city showed strong support in the fight against global warming by riding on their mountain bikes during the world observance of Earth Hour, Saturday night (Mar. 26). Dubbed as "Earth Hour bike-riding beyond the Hour" the activity, organized and spearheaded by The Zamboanga Adventure Tourism and Eco Recreation Society (ZATERS) in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) 9, Phi...
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27Mar2011ILOILO CITY, Mar. 27 (PIA) – Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta said he welcomes the move of Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. to upgrade the football field inside the Iloilo Sports Complex to make it at par with international standards. Araneta, who hails from Barotac Nuevo town, which is considered as Iloilo’s football center, made the remark in a media interview after he learned of the plan of Defensor to upgrade the football grounds in preparatio...
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27Mar2011KORONADAL CITY, March 27 (PIA) – SOCCSKSARGEN Region or Region 12 recorded an employment rate of 96.8 percent, according to the January 2011 Labor Force Survey (LFS) of the National Statistics Office (NSO). NSO 12 Regional Director Maqtahar Manulon said, “this means that for every 100 person aging 15 years old and over in SOCCSKSARGEN Region ninety-seven were employed in last January and only three were unemployed.” The press release from NSO 12, explained that a person is co...
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24Mar2011TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Mar 24 (PIA) – As active communication partners in the propagation of government programs and projects, the Region 8 Anti-Hunger and Pro-nutrition Media Group, now named Harmonized Initiatives of Media for the Spread of Good Nutrtion in Region 8 (HIMSOG 8), is determined to bring more support to the health and nutrition initiatives through an information caravan in some municipalities of the region. According to the information gathered from National Nutrition Counci...
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23Mar2011CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Mar. 23 (PIA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III has called on the people of Northern Mindanao to continue tapping into the spirit of “Bayanihan” that runs in the blood of the Filipinos in order to finally lift the country, back to its rightful place under the daylight. The President sounded the call during his visit in Cayagan de Oro City, today, March 23, his first time to come, since he was sworn to office on June 30, 2010. Recalling h...
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23Mar2011Western Visayas will again switch off lights to mark Earth Hour 2011 this coming March 26. Local government units (LGUs) down to the barangay level in the region are expected to support the global event in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 2011-41 issued by Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo which encourages all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and punong barangays to organize their own Earth Hour events. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional of...
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22Mar2011Worldwide, trafficking victimizes millions of women and children. It is estimated that 161 countries have either been a source, a transit, or destination country. Like sheep looking for greener pastures, victims are led to the slaughter of slavery and exploitation. 1991. Ella was 14 when her mother's friend promised her a chance to work in Manila. She was told she would be working as a househelp in one of Manila's posh subdivisions. Ella was from Nueva Ecija, in 1st year high school, but her po...
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20Mar2011CEBU, March 20 (PIA) -- The Economic Development Committee (EDC) of the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas wants to revisit the creation of a special committee on environment that will discuss environmental issues and concerns particularly on the implications of proposed development projects and adaptation measures as well as environmental sustainability. The rationale behind the proposal is because of the vulnerability of the regions to the effects of climate change. The Cebu Sus...
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16Mar2011CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Mar. 16 (PIA) -- The establishment of a temporary haven named, "Bahay Pag-Asa" for disadvantaged children who are in conflict with the law (CICL) in Misamis Oriental is a result of "kurambus" according to Gov. Oscar S. Moreno of Misamis Oriental. “We want to let everybody know that this project was made possible only because of the “bayanihan” or what we commonly call in Cebuano “kurambus” meaning united/co...
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15Mar2011CEBU CITY, Mar. 15 (PIA) -- The Iron Fortified Rice (I-Rice) gets a boost as the chief of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region VII promised to mobilize its nutrition network and other stakeholders to promote and patronize the I-Rice during a re-launching of the fortified staple this morning. NNC-7 Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Dr. Parolita Mission said it is high time that the government through the National Food Authority (NFA) strengthens its advocacy efforts to sell I-Rice to...
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28Feb2011CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Feb. 28 (PIA) – Strong to gale force is expected to affect the Eastern seaboard of the country. This Gale Warning No. 6 was issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) at 5:00 a.m., today, Feb. 28 to the Chairpersons of all the Regional and Provincial DRRMC’s of the concerned areas. Fishing boats and other small sea crafts in Northern Mindanao are advised not to venture out into the sea, while larger sea vessels ...
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28Feb2011BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 28 (PIA) – The College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT) of this city celebrated recently its college day anniversary with the theme: “Outcome-based Engineering Education: Key to Effectiveness”. Highlighting the two-day activity is the Broadway Musical which was held Saturday, Feb. 26 at Dottie’s Place Convention Center here. During the show dubbed as “CEA Night 2011”, students...
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31Jan2011CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) – Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Atty. Jose A. Fabia said drug courier is a big embarrassment to the Phillippines. He said this during the "Anti-Drug Courier Program" launch held Monday in one of the local hotels in Cagayan. According to DG Fabia, with the latest number of arrested Filipinos in China reaching 209, it sad to note that this happens considering that th Philippines is one of the major exporters...
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28Jan2011ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 28 (PIA 9) – To disprove the perception that policemen are "tough" guys, some 600 individuals and police trainees from the Philippine Public Safety Colleges Regional Training School 9 (PPSCRTS) danced their hearts into the hearts of Zamboangenos as they performed their rendition of “Ati-atihan” in honor of the Feast of Sto. Niño, Sunday, inside the compound of Camp Eduardo Batalia, at RTLim Blvd. here. Clad in their ati-atihan costume...
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24Jan2011
Feature: Police of 4 Cebu towns escort over 600 4Ps beneficiaries with P7.5M cash grants safely home
CEBU, Jan. 24 (PIA) -– It was a scene to behold at 9:30 in the evening on January 4, 2011. More than 700 women and children onboard four dump trucks and some 100 ‘habal-habal’ (motorcycle) riders carrying approximately P7.5M worth of cash grants that were distributed at Land Bank-Bogo Branch earlier in the morning were escorted by a full force of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from Bogo City to San Remegio to Luyang, Tabuelan up to their respective homes in the four... -
19Jan2011ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- Who could ever forget the September 2009 tragedy that killed 73 persons and left nearly 70,000 families displaced after typhoon Ondoy dumped the heaviest rainfall on Metro Manila. The heartbreaking moment somewhat lead the public to wonder what happened to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) early warning system in situation such as this? PAGASA was put on a bad light as the bureau said it does not ha...
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17Jan2011CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Jan. 17) -- When I received a call from my previous squadron commander at 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing asking for volunteers to transfer to the 505th Search & Rescue Group (SRG), I never hesitated. I just couldn’t pass up this once-in-a lifetime opportunity to become an “Angel.” As posted in my Facebook account, my fascination with Angels started when my wife referred to our two cute and beautiful daughters as “our angels.” Joining...
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16Jan2011CEBU CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- An estimated crowd of over two million devotees from all over the country and abroad braved the heavy rains since yesterday to join the solemn foot procession and the opening of the 31st Sinulog Grand Parade today. Sinulog is the biggest religious and cultural event in Cebu that is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January. It is considered as the country’s grandest pageantry of sights, sounds and colors as it honors and pays homage to Señor Santo N...
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10Jan2011CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA) -- Hurry, join the “Premyo sa Resibo” raffle. This could be your chance to win P1M! Such is the campaign line of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that mans a PSR booth at SM Cagayan de Oro Supermarket, for the next two (2) days, Jan. 8-9, after SM housed it on the first three (3) weekends, last month: Dec. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19. An incentive and reward program of the BIR, the PSR encourages consumers to submit via SMS text, the official r...
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05Jan2011CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- Call it “Iwas Paputok” (Avoid Firecrackers) or just plain “Ingat Paputok” (Be Cautious of Firecrackers), the campaign to reduce the firecracker injuries, during the Christmas season in region 10, paid off. This was the assessment of Dr. Jaime S. Bernadas, Regional Director of the Dept. of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD), Northern Mindanao, who said only 19 cases of firecracker injuries were reported to have take...
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21Jan2010CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 21, (PIA) -- Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde's demise is certainly a loos to the media community who has looked up to his "struggling probinsyano" broadcast journalist, as a role model. From his humble beginnings in Cebu, he was able to rise up and conquer the walls of Malacañang, a feat that no other mediaman, in the past, has done. This was how Ditas Gualberto, Station Manager of DXIM-Radyo ng Bayan and Vincent Jaudian, President of...
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- Official Calendar
- 22nd ASEAN SUMMIT
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- Sin Taxes
- Government Information During National Disasters
- The Pay Rule
- Understanding Inflation
- The PCW on the 2013 Woman Suffrage Day
- President Manuel Roxas campaign speech 1947
- Women in government
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- Emilio Aguinaldo Profile
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