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SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2017
Jimbo Gulle, Editor
Roger Garcia, Issue Editor
LGUs
mslocalgov@gmail.com
BACOLOD SEES BRIGHT FUTURE WITH ASEAN INTEGRATION
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ITH 1,000 children singing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Theme and Hymn, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia expressed confidence that Bacolod will have brighter prospects with the Asean integration into one large regional economy.
“The integration of our country, together with nine other nations, will mean that our horizons will widen, the playing field will be expanded, and we will have a new political and economic order,” Leonardia said at the Asean Landmark Lighting Ceremony at the Bacolod City Government Center on Aug. 8. The BCGC was one of the Asean Landmarks chosen by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to be lighted during the simultaneous nationwide Landmark Lighting Ceremonies, in celebration of the Asean ’s 50th Founding Anniversary. “I believe the Asean will expand our territories, and will enhance our culture, customs and traditions. That, for sure, will bring about opportunities, as well as challenges for everyone,” Leonardia said. “So while we prepare our city for the future, and as we join the rest of the nation, we would like to see to it that the massive information and education campaign is launched in our city,” he said. “We will see to it that our consciousness of
One thousand schoolchildren sing the Asean Theme and Hymn during the lighting ceremony for the Bacolod City Government Center as one of the AseanN Landmarks in the country, during the nationwide simultaneous landmark lighting ceremonies in celebration of the Asean’s 50th Founding Anniversary on Aug. 8. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia (inset) later delivers an inspirational message.
our participation in the Asean is heightened,” he added. Bacolod was one of the 74 local government units chosen by the DILG to participate in the Asean Landmark Lighting Ceremonies. The ceremony also featured the 1,000-voice choir composed of young children from the city’s public elementary and high schools. The children were dressed in white and carried 1,000 helium balloons with LED lights. The ceremony was capped with a fireworks display and a street party. About 5,000 people witnessed the event. Leonardia said the reason they chose the children to perform is that they represent the future of Bacolod. “Most likely they are the ones who will experience what it would be like when the Asean is totally integrated,” he said. “Perhaps, our generation will pave the way for them, but in the end, they are going to reap the benefits of the Asean integration and that is why we believe their presence here today will
prepare them for the future,” Leonardia said. Leonardia said Bacolod is proud and honored to participate in this historic event, more so that the Department of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged that it was the first LGU to declare interest on Asean integration. "We must position Bacolod to prepare for Asean integration which means a new economic order that could provide us opportunities as well as new challenges. Our people must be made conscious and ready for new realities," the mayor stressed. Meanwhile, Leonardia said they are glad the BCGC is now considered as a landmark of the Philippines. The mayor said they are proud of the BCGC, which incidentally celebrate its 9th year of existence on Tuesday, after having been officially completed on Aug. 8, 2008. Leonardia added that the BCGC is now the most popular landmark in Bacolod and the most photographed City Hall in the country.
ACD MAKES SOLAR LAMPS FOR BOHOL FAMILIES ENERGY Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and other energy officials attending the ongoing Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Panglao, Bohol assembled 100 solar-powered lamps under the guidance of local grade schoolers and donated them to Boholano families on Tuesday. The lamps were given to 100 families in the islands of Balicasag, Pamilacan and mainland Panglao, including the families of 34 students from Lourdes Elementary School in Panglao as beneficiaries. The 34 Grades 5 and 6 students, along with 12 chosen Technology and Livelihood Education teachers around Bohol, were earlier taught how to convert the kerosene lamps into solar and battery-powered lamps, and shared what they learned to delegates as part of the ACD's “Liter of Light: Solar Build Workshop” held at the Be Grand Hotel in Panglao Island. Cusi, as head of delegation of the host country, soldered and assembled the electronic parts of the solar lamp with guidance from Grade VI student Christopher Abellana and Grade V student Honey Lee Mijares together with Liter
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi (seated) raises the solar lamp that Grade 6 student Christopher Abellana (second from right) and Grade 5 student Honey Lee Mijares (right) helped solder and assemble the electronic parts as Liter of Light founder Illac Diaz (left) and TLE Teacher Gil Adame of La Hacienda High School in Alicia, Bohol observe.
of Light founder Illac Diaz and TLE Teacher Gil Adame of La Hacienda High School in Alicia, Bohol. “What we are doing here among the kids is
creating consciousness on the importance of energy for our economic growth,” Cusi said during the workshop. “The Liter of Light has done several projects already and now we are collaborating with them to promote alternative energy technologies so we can share these options to other communities nationwide. There are other initiatives that are being undertaken, hindi lang itong Liter of Light, but this is the most viable option we're looking at," said Cusi. The workshop served as a great venue for the students to learn and explore new things that they can share to their families, peers and community, according to the DoE secretary. He added that the workshop served to give the people and the youth “Power of Choice” in using energy efficiently and effectively. The lamps also symbolized the giving of light or hope for the realization of dreams and for coping with outage during disasters that affect energy supply. “With these kinds of projects, the power is already within their hands,” said Cusi.
HPV IMMUNIZATION LAUNCHED IN MANDALUYONG SCHOOL
Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita Abalos (second from left), Mandaluyong Rep. Queenie Gonzales (third from left), and Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo (kneeling, second from right) led the ceremonial vaccination of 180 Grade 4 female students at Addition Hills Integrated School.
THE Department of Health has launched its school-based Human Papillomavirus or HPV Immunization in an inaugural vaccination at the Addition Hills Integrated School in Mandaluyong City. In collaboration with the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, over 180 Grade 4 female students with consent from their parents were vaccinated with the quadrivalent HPV during the event. “Shifting the HPV vaccination from a community-based to a school-based approach enables us to provide vaccination services to a ‘catch’ population. We will be able to reach high coverage and dropout rate will be
minimized,” Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said. “School health settings will provide good opportunities to integrate vaccine delivery with other health interventions like health information and warnings against tobacco and drug use,” Ubial added. “Making modern healthcare solutions more readily available for people has always been one of the foremost thrust of our local government, especially when it comes to preventing unnecessary suffering. Hence, we fully support the HPV vaccination program,” noted Mandaluyong Mayor Carmelita Abalos. Mandaluyong Rep. Queenie Gonzales further underscored
Local Gov’t Units
the significance of vaccination in upholding health and quality of life for the family. “Women have always been at the heart of the Filipino family and society. They are our mothers, sisters, and daughters. We must ensure their protection against diseases such as cervical cancer. Bringing the vaccines in schools, where the target beneficiaries are gathered, helps in intensifying the effort,” Gonzales said. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In the Philippines, more than 6,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed every year. HPV infection causes more than 99 percent of cervical cancer cases among women.
VIZCAYA PICKS 15 SCHOLARS FOR NVSU BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— The provincial government here has picked 15 secondary graduates to avail of its four-year course scholarship program for poor youths. The scholars, who passed the test at the Nueva Vizcaya State University, were Pentelicus Fajerdo of Barangay Lublub in Alfonso Castañeda town, Marie Joy Calacala of Barangay Bone North in Aritao, Rogelio Magpali Jr. of Barangay Ibung in Villaverde, Rodalyn Balingon of Barangay Yaway in Aritao, Novelyn Sunshine Buccahan of Barangay Magsaysay in Bayombong, and Romel Javier of Barangay Vista Alegre in Bayombong. Others were Gerladine Oliveros of Barangay Indiana in Bambang, Jonne Coseph of Barangay Carolotan in Dupax del Sur, Marie Lei Sey-ang of Barangay Lantap in Bagabag, Orlando Berras Jr. of Barangay Vista Alegre in Bayombong, Jonnabelle Huliganga of Barangay Kirang in Aritao, Dave Dungallo of Barangay Paniki in Bagabag, Nathaniel Khyrs Vicente of Barangay San Pedro in Bagabag, Frances Edjena Capayan of Barangay Vista Alegre in Bayombong, and Clarissa Daus Soriano of Barangay Maasin in Quezon. The “Pamana” (Heritage) Scholarship Program or PSP is a scholarship for the agroindustrialization of Nueva Vizcaya, which covers the students’ tuition fee for the duration of the courses required, such as Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Bachelor of Science in Home Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology through the Nueva Vizcaya State University. The PSP targets 30 scholars this year and the same number in 2018. They would receive free school uniforms, a laptop, P1,000 in monthly allowances, and a P5,000 monthly stipend. Ben Moses Ebreo
SMART RENEWS VOW TO PROTECT MARIKINA WATERSHED SMART Communications and PLDT-Smart Foundation have renewed their commitment to the Marikina Watershed Initiative by expanding their livelihood assistance to the communities working to rehabilitate the protected area. Smart, the wireless unit of PLDT, and PSF recently provided funding in support of the Tayabasang Umuusad ng Pangkatutubong Asosasyon ior TUPAI community and FOREST Families project, which gives incentives to families for their efforts to protect forest areas, addressing livelihood challenges and environmental degradation within the watershed. The two organizations are committed to protecting 13 hectares of remaining forest and restoration of five hectares within the high conservation areas of the Marikina watershed for a period of five years. “PSF has been supporting the Marikina watershed initiative for many years now. Efforts to rehabilitate the watershed goes beyond just planting trees; we also have to address the livelihood concerns of the communities within the conservation areas,” said Esther O. Santos, president of PLDT-Smart Foundation. “We’ve seen the effects of (typhoon) 'Ondoy,' and we realize how nurturing the environment can help us avoid this situation. By giving livelihood to the communities who live near the remaining forest area of the watershed, we not only help them earn income but also encourage them to help mitigate flooding,” said Ramon R. Isberto, PLDT and Smart public affairs head.