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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2016
LGUs
Cavite number coding scheme starts Dec. 22 T HE provincial government of Cavite will finally implement a number coding scheme for all vehicles starting December 22 (Thursday) like the one being used in Metro Manila. This comes nearly a month after the Provincial Board passed Traffic Ordinance 164, authored by first district Board Member Gilbert Gandia, on November 28. Governor Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla and Vice Governor Ramon Jolo Revilla signed the ordinance recently and ordered its publication, with notices to the public being circulated starting Monday. Cavite’s Unified Vehicular Reduction System bans vehicles with license plates ending on a certain number from taking the roads in the morning from 6 to 9 a.m. and afternoons from 3 to 7 p.m. based on this schedule: 1 and 2 on Mondays, 3 and 4 on Tuesdays, 5 and 6 on Wednesdays, 7 and 8 on Thursdays, and 9 and 0 on Fridays. Gandia, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s
transportation and communication committee, modeled the UVRP after the number-coding scheme of the Metro Manila Development Authority. The traffic scheme will be implemented along Aguinaldo Highway, from Bacoor City to the Dasmariñas-Silang Boundary; along Governor’s Drive from Carmona to the Trece Martires-Tanza boundary; the Mol i no - Salawag-Pal ipa r a n Road from Zapote in Bacoor to Paliparan in Dasmariñas City; Molino Boulevard; and Daang Hari Road, from Aguinaldo Highway in Imus to Molino in Bacoor. Benjamin Chavez This notice informs residents of Cavite of the new traffic scheme to be applied to the province starting December 22.
BCDA eyes better Poro Point ports SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union—The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority will pursue the upgrade of the existing airport and seaport here to international standards to help boost the development potential of Northern Luzon as a “national food basket” in the future. Vivencio Dizon, BCDA president and chief executive officer, said the studies for upgrading the Poro Point international airport are still under way, while the seaport needs to be converted into an international port to boost the trading of products in local and international markets. “We are in the process of putting things in order. We will try to come out with a comprehensive development plan for the Poro Point airport, the seaport, and the identified economic zone within six to eight months, and we will pursue whatever the development plan will be for the benefit of the people in Northern Luzon,” Dizon stressed. Poro Point received a P50million grant from the Private Public Partnership Center for a
feasibility study on the developments needed to maximize the use of the BCDA property. One recommendation for Poro Point airport is to widen its runways to accommodate larger commercial planes flying into Northern Luzon, thus bringing more tourists and products for local traders. Dizon said the thrust of the Duterte administration is to maximize the development potential of identified growth areas to generate additional employment and increase sources of livelihood for the people in the communities surrounding economic zones. BCDA is inclined to pursue its mandate of improving the former American military bases like Poro Point in the different parts of the country by implementing “appropriate development projects” that will contribute to boosting the economy around the zones. Poro Point is a strategic economic zone within the Ilocos Region that will serve to significantly improve economic activities because of its airport and a seaport, Dizon said. Dexter A. See
‘Yolanda’ survivors Agri council observes Volunteers’ Day nix P7.9-b project By Mel Caspe TACLOBAN CITY—Nearly 5,000 survivors of Typhoon “Yolanda” from different communities of Leyte and Eastern Samar marched from here to the Regional Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways at the Government Center in Palo, Leyte on Monday. The march was a “show of mass discontent over the continuing implementation” of the DPWH’s P7.9-billion Tide Embankment Project, which runs 27.3 kilometers from Tacloban to Tanauan, Samar. The marchers belonged to various sectoral groups aligned with the Community of Yolanda Survivors and Partners, an alliance of 163 community organizations of survivors and 10 nongovernment organizations. Throughout their almost 7-kilometer march, which started at the Tacloban City Astrodome, the marchers chanted “Tide embankment project, Undangon! Anomalya sa housing Bukwaton! (Stop Tide embankment project! Investigate anomalies in housing program!)” On their way to Palo, the marchers passed by the Regional Office of the National Housing Authority in Tacloban and burned an effigy of a house to symbolize their indignation at the anomalies on the housing projects for Yolanda survivors. They have been demanding the review of the tide embank-
ment project. Organizers of the march say that besides “the threat of displacement of thousands of families from their homes and sources of livelihood, with little guarantee of a relocation site due to the slow construction of housing projects,” studies have also shown the potential negative impacts of such an infrastructure project. Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo, an earth and environmental scientist, said not only will the 4-meterhigh wall be ineffective against a storm surge, “an infrastructure project of such proportion will also leave the areas even more vulnerable to earthquakes and other disasters.” The Aquino government approved and started the implementation of this project “despite the lack of consultation with affected residents and contrary scientific studies that the project might even enhance the risks posed to communities,” CYSP organizers said. The marchers have been trying to push the government of President Rodrigo Duterte to review the project and explore other possibly more effective, environment-friendly, and socially acceptable options in addressing the storm surge. DPWH Regional Director Edgar Tabacon announced last month that the tide embankment project will start construction this year, with a budget of P2.6 billion for its start.
‘Paskua Mi Ditoy’ festivities unwrap
TO OFFICIALLY open its annual Christmas celebration, “Paskua Mi Ditoy,” the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte will hold the Capitol light-up at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. “Paskua Mi Ditoy” is an Ilocano phrase that can be translated into “Our Christmas Here.” The Ilocos Norte Tourism Office launched it as the province’s Christmas tourism brand in 2011, and is a monthlong celebration underscoring customs and traditions of Ilocanos. Last year, the provincial government illuminated a 45-foot Christmas tree in front of the Capitol, accompanied by an Ilocano belen (outdoor nativity scene) backed by vibrant lights. The display featured “a very Filipino Christmas,” Ilocos Norte Tourism Officer Aianree B. Raquel said. It showcased indigenous materials aiming to bring back Ilocanos to the meaning of
Christmas and to uphold faith and resiliency as cultural values. “Paskua Mi Ditoy” is also highlighted by the Solid North Tupig Cook-Off, now on its sixth year, on Friday in the town of Dingras. Conceptualized in 2010, the onset of Gov. Imee R. Marcos’ administration, the event is a highlight of Ilocos Norte’s Christmas celebration. Excluding the year 2013, the cook-off has been held annually to bolster the market for tupig, Ilocandia’s famous Christmas rice cake, and to preserve this cultural heritage. In 2015, the contest was held at the San Agustin Church Complex in Paoay, featured three categories: non-professional and school, professional, and local government unit. The Divine Word College of Laoag, Marie Joy Sarrat Tupig Pride, and Laoag City bagged first place in their respective categories.
IN CELEBRATION of National Volunteer’s Month, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, the advisory body of the Department of Agriculture to ensure the success of its programs and activities, will hold its second Volunteers’ Day Celebration today in Clark, Pampanga. Part of the highlight of the Volunteers’ Day Celebration will be the awarding of the 2016 Outstanding Agriculture and Fishery Council Chairpersons and Coordinators. The AFCs are PCAF’s mechanism for private sector participation in the development processes of the DA at the regional, provincial and municipal levels. The annual event aims to recognize the contributions of the private sector partner-volunteers in the agriculture and fishery development processes. It also aspires to encourage the youth to participate in discussions on the issues
and concerns of the industry. “We need to shift the perspective of the youth. They need to realize that the problems in the agri and fishery sector are not only concerns of older people,” said PCAF Officer-in-Charge Sarah Gutierrez-Cayona. “We need to act double time and inspire the youth to be the new voice and bridge of the farmers, fisherfolks and other stakeholders.” The winners were selected through a deliberation led by the search’s Board of Judges and National Technical Committee based on evaluation criteria and how the nominees valued volunteerism and highlighted the impact of being volunteer-partners in their respective communities. Dr. Nelia Teodoro Gonzalez, one of the pillars of Philippine agriculture, heads the judges, which also include Gomer Tumbali of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations—a former Agriculture undersecretary for Operations —and Apolonio Bautista, executive director of the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council, now called the PCAF. Deputy National Statistician Romeo Recide of the Philippine Statistics Authority leads the technical committee, which consists of reputable personalities from the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, Department of the Interior and Local GovernmentBureau of Local Government Supervision, Philippine Information Agency, and National Dairy Authority. “I would like to commend PCAF and its validating team because this search is what we wanted to do long time ago. We dreamt of motivating everyone, especially the youth to be part of the government’s effort to strengthen the agriculture and
fishery sector,” said Dr. Gonzalez during the deliberation. The nationwide search aims to give due recognition to deserving incumbent AFC chairpersons and coordinators at the regional, provincial and municipal levels for their significant achievements. The criteria for evaluation focused on the significant contribution to the agriculture and fishery industry, performance and impact, leadership, sustained commitment and service to the AFC, creativity, innovativeness and resourcefulness, community involvement, and commitment to an involved family life. Aside from these, AFC chairpersons should have rendered the same position at least three continuous years of service, while coordinators should also be in their current position for at least five continuous years at the time of nomination to be qualified.
Connie Angeles, SM Foundation Executive Director for Wellness and Health Programs (center) and Pozzorubio Mayor Artemio Q. Chan cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the town’s refurbished health center. They are assisted by (from left) Dr. Ma. Lusiana Bautista, Savemore AVP Armando Llosa and Eduard Dimaliwat of SM Rosales. The center has a special area for nursing mothers and children (right photo).
Renovated Pozorrubio center turned over POZORRUBIO, Pangasinan— Mothers and children in this town received a Christmas gift of wellness as SM Foundation turned over its 30th refurbished and renovated Municipal Health Center to officials here. Beyond the standard medical services provided in a typical health center, this renovated center focuses on the special needs of mothers and children. “It is very timely to focus on mothers and children as the Christmas Season is about a mother who gave birth to a baby,” shared Connie Angeles, SM Foundation executive director for Health and Wellness Program. “The health and wellness of a child begins as early as conception. It starts with the physical health of the mother as well as her emotional and psychological well-being.”
The Center has complete facilities for pre- to post-natal care, as well as programs and amenities to address the needs of the child during its most critical stages of development. Its holistic program begins by providing family planning services, orienting couples on healthy child spacing and proper care and nutrition for expectant mothers. During pregnancy, expectant mothers can visit its 24-hour maternity clinic for any health concerns. Nursing mothers may also use the breastfeeding area. The center also houses the 122nd Felicidad Sy Wellness Center both for children and the elderly, providing therapeutic ambiance to help aid the healing experience. “So far, we are able to catch the mothers during their first trimester, which is a critical stage
of the pregnancy,” said Dr. Lusiana Bautista, Pozorrubio municipal health officer. “Since we are accredited by PhilHealth with the Maternity Care Package, we implement the no-billing policy for indigent patients. With this policy, expectant mothers have no reason not go to the health center.” Another component of this center is its improved Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC), which provides physical and occupational therapy programs for children with special conditions such as cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, autism spectrum and other post traumatic fractures among others. It can also refer patients to free psychiatric and neurological consultations and assessments. The center is also accredited as a four-in-one PhilHealth provider,
which includes primary care benefit, TB-DOTS package, maternity care package, and newborn care package. It is also licensed by the Department of Health for Primary Diagnostic Laboratory Services. Catering to 34 barangays with population of 71,302 individuals, the center can serve up to 250 patients a day. The health center operates 24 hours daily. Since the nearest government hospital is in Dagupan, which is a two-hour drive from Pozorrubio, the center serves as an emergency hospital for residents. “Our desire is to meet everyone’s health needs,” said Dr. Bautista. “We want everyone to be able to access us anytime, with no hindrance. And with the improvements provided for by SM Foundation, we are now better equipped to serve more.”