Wellness in Environment Update: Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines” on June 25 in commemoration of Philippine Environment Month & World Environment Day

Run 2 Plant set - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos: "Putting its GREENIN Philippines program’s advocacies into action, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) will hold “Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines” on June 25 in commemoration of the Philippine Environment Month and World Environment Day in June.

The run and plant event is organized in collaboration with the Cebu provincial government’s Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures (eGWEN) Our Cebu program, local government units (LGUs), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), various government institutions and corporate groups.

Neil Papas, program coordinator of GREENIN Philippines, said “the event has two segments, the running and the planting. This event is an approach to promote health among people by running and health of the environment by planting native tree species.”

The central event will be held in a 30-hectare forestland in barangay Jaclupan, Talisay City. The area, which is within the Mananga watershed, will be developed into a forest model by the DENR, Cebu provincial government, Talisay City government, Metro Cebu Water District and RAFI."

Peace Update: Islamic militants admit alliance with leftist group | Sun.Star

Islamic militants admit alliance with leftist group | Sun.Star: "As early as 2000, the MILF and the NDFP have already made public the tactical alliance that both fronts had, but today, the MILF emphatically declared: 'We have not forged just a tactical alliance with the NDF but a political alliance -- including the rejectionist group.'

Also in 2000, MILF chair Ibrahim Murad described the tactical alliance to be working very well among field combatants who mutually support each other militarily or logistically as demanded by the situation on the ground.

The NDFP described itself in its website at www.nfdp.net as the revolutionary united front organization of the Filipino people fighting for national independence and for the democratic rights of the people.

Since 1992, the NDFP has been holding peace talks with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to address the roots of the armed conflict.

MILF, on the other hand, is the largest and now most influential Islamic movement in the southern islands of Philippines. It has embarked on peace negotiation with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines with the facilitation of the Government of Malaysia since 2001.

It is a religious and political organization made up of Islamists engaged in liberation struggle based in their traditional homeland embracing Mindanao, its adjacent islands, and the Sulu archipelago."

PDI wins big in Red Cross Humanitarian awards - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

PDI wins big in Red Cross Humanitarian awards - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos: "MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Daily Inquirer bagged two major prizes in the first Red Cross Award for Humanitarian Reporting 2011.

Frinston Lim, correspondent of the Inquirer's Mindanao bureau, clinched the top prize in the print category with his article 'Women grieve over land mine deaths,' while Fernando del Mundo, chief of the PDI’s investigative team, won third place for his three-part series “New Centurions.”

Lim’s human interest story, which focused on the death of three civilians from a landmine as they were onboard a military truck in Compostela Valley, gained the nod of the judges as it provided a deeper look into the humanitarian consequences of armed conflict.

Del Mundo’s stories, meanwhile, highlighted the work of a Philippine-based NGO in helping impoverished areas in Mindanao cope with the insurgency through education, counseling, food aid and other projects.

The second place for print went to Stella Estremera, editor-in-chief of Sun.Star Davao, for her story “New legs, new life.”

Three other PDI correspondents—Desiree Caluza, Nash Maulana and Ryan Rosauro—were finalists in the same category."

Women's Causes Update: Female Migrant Domestic Workers: A Sad Story Largely Unknown

Female Migrant Domestic Workers: A Sad Story Largely Unknown. - IPS ipsnews.net: "At its 100th Session this June, the ILO Conference thus has a historic opportunity to create global standards and guidance as a timely and needed reference for on-going and future initiatives at the national level,' Oelz concluded. The Philippine’s Magna Carta, a great accomplishment?

After languishing for a decade, the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in the Philippines has finally been signed in 2008, under the name of the Magna Carta of Women, thus underlining the solemnity of the act.

During the panel on 'Good Practices', Emmeline Verzosa, executive director of the Philippine Commission on Women, pointed out how the Magna Carta of Women asks every employer to establish a contract with the employee, guaranteeing minimum wage, day-offs, social security, etc. Agreements, protecting migrant workers, between the Philippines and the host countries have flourished too.

But according to Gina Esguerra, Secretary-General of Migrante International - an active defender of the rights and welfare of Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFWs)-, 'policies and agreements help but by experience host countries tend to violate and disregard the agreement.'"

JCI Phil Update: Search on for outstanding NBI personnel

Search on for outstanding NBI personnel | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online: "The Junior Chamber International-Manila (JCI-Manila) chapter and the Basilio Group signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the NBI on Monday to officially start the search for top bureau personnel who did something exceptional in their fields.

“Despite the blemish caused by few individuals in the public service, there are still few who remain loyal and faithful to their vow as public servants,” NBI director Magtanggol Gatdula told reporters after the MoA signing in the bureau headquarters.

'Positive recognition works better than imposing punishment as a means of reforming government employees,' he said.

The agreement, which marked the beginning of the NBI Honorable, Outstanding, Patriotic, Exemplary (HOPE) awards, were signed by Gatdula together with JCI-Manila president Kenneth Dalbert Lim and Basilio Group representative Louie Basilio.

“Reputable organizations joined hands to honor heroes of the country, the men and women of the National Bureau of Investigation. The launch of HOPE awards formally marked the beginning of another extraordinary nation-building project, of JCI-Manila,” said Lim."

DTI Update: Sponsors briefing sessions on free trade agreements

PIA daily news in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Waray, Pangalatok from around the Philippines: "Iloilo City, May 8 (PIA6) - A second round of information sessions on Doing Business in Free Trade Areas (DBFTA) targeting specific sectors is currently being undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry in key cities of the country.
The seminar aims to increase nationwide awareness on the benefits of free trade agreements thru the conduct of information sessions. The project also hopes to engage the business sector to increase utilization of Philippine preferential trade agreements.
The first round of information sessions was successfully conducted in November and December last year, in 11 key cities in the country which included Metro Manila, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Davao, Cebu, Legaspi, Tagaytay, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio, General Santos and Clark in Pampanga.
According to Undersecretary for International Trade Adrian Cristobal Jr., the DTI has continued the DBFTA following the positive response of the business sector, with the common request from the attendees all over the country to conduct the Free Trade Areas seminar per industry for more focused discussions."

Children's Causes Update: Why children's TV is a rich training ground for broadcast beginners

Why children's TV is a rich training ground for broadcast beginners | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online: "With the generosity of Goethe Institut and Prix Jeunesse, Filipino children’s TV producers, writers and directors from various stations viewed and discussed for two days after Easter an assortment of programs for children from all over the world. They scrutinized what afflicts the Philippine TV landscape for kids and how to attract a wider, more enthusiastic audience.

The children’s TV group in the Philippines is often regarded as a ragtag bunch of heroes on local TV. They are known for their selflessness, zeal and devotion to the cause. After a senior graduates from Mass Communication, and lands a neophyte’s job at a station, he or she invariably gets posted at the children’s TV department, if there is such a section in the network. It is a worthy and ideal assignment. It is in children’s TV production that a beginner learns the ropes and discipline of the craft. After all, the most difficult and demanding audience to produce for are children."

DOT Update: "TURISTA-RA-NA" Shop till you drop in the Philippines

Shop till you drop in the Philippines - BUSINESS & LEISURE By Ray Butch Gamboa | The Philippine Star >> News >> Business: "Together with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI) and the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), they launched the TURISTA-RA-NA project in time for this summer where they hope to train the Filipino retailer on how to make shopping in this country a more pleasurable one. This includes what interesting buys to offer the tourist out to buy souvenirs, how to market their products effectively, even inventory management, and they are targeting the micro entrepreneurs for this training program which will they will bring all over the country – initially to Baguio, Boracay, Bohol.

Ms. Alegria Limjoco of PRA says they would like to bring the retail industry to the next level in the area of tourism, and the micro retailers include those stalls you find in the arrival area and the small roadside stores in holidays places like Baguio and Boracay. Samie Lim, president for Tourism of PCCI which has always been in the forefront of tourism efforts, says they noted in the recent World Conference of Retailers that the trend among our Asian neighbors particularly Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea is to promote shopping as an essential part of tourism."

DoLE Update: Fewer OFWs work as house helps in Saudi

Fewer OFWs work as house helps in Saudi » Pinoy Worldwide » Article: "MANILA, Philippines - Fewer Filipino women are leaving the country to work as household service workers (HSWs) in Saudi Arabia, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the deployment of HSWs in Saudi Arabia has dramatically dropped by about 80 percent since the Kingdom stopped the Philippine government’s mandatory verification of employment contracts.

“Based on preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the deployment of HSWs dropped by about 80 percent since March,” Baldoz said.

She attributed the significant decline to the fact that only returning workers are able to leave and work in the Kingdom.

“Since Saudi suspended the verification, the POEA has also stopped the processing of new hires which means only those returning to previous employers were allowed to go,” Baldoz said."

DOH Update: To screen cervical cancer using vinegar | The Philippine Star >> Business Features >> Science and Technology

DOH to screen cervical cancer using vinegar | The Philippine Star >> Business Features >> Science and Technology: "MANILA, Philippines - Using vinegar, the Department of Health (DOH) has embarked on a program to screen some 30,000 women for cervical cancer for free this month.

Remedios Niola, DOH program manager for the Cervical Cancer Control and Prevention Program, said cervix is the second leading site for cancer among women.

In 2010, the prevalence rate for cervical cancer was 11.7 percent per 100,000 population. It is estimated that some 12 women die of this illness every day.

Niola said early diagnosis of cancer is important to combat the disease. In 2005, the DOH issued an administrative order, establishing cancer-screening facilities in its hospitals.

In line with the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month this May, the DOH will provide free screening using “visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) or vinegar” in selected DOH-retained hospitals.

Dr. Rey de los Reyes, vice president of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society Inc., said cervical cancer is highly preventable through vaccination if only diagnosed early."

DILG Update: Robredo: Laperal compound unsafe | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Robredo: Laperal compound unsafe | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online: "MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Wednesday urged informal settlers to no longer to return to the Laperal Compound in Makati City after it was razed during a fire since the area is no longer safe.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo agreed with the city government that the informal settlers should not return to the area since it would be very risky for them.

“It is clear that the property is a danger zone and, as such, is not safe for settlement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Robredo clarified allegations made by some quarters that he was interfering in the issue regarding the Laperal compound where at least 19 people, including two news reporters, were injured as violence escalated during the clearing operations conducted by the team from the city government."

Sports Update: Dapitan City Opens Palarong Pambansa

The Mindanao Examiner: "Some 30,000 athletes and spectators flocked to the Jose Rizal Mindanao State University Sports Complex and were greeted by wild cheers from local well-wishers and organizers of the event as they paraded their colors representing various regions in the Philippines.

Philippine Army parachutists led by Colonel Eliglen Villaflor also showed their talents and skills and added more colors to the already colorful sports competition which coincided with the month-long Hudyaka Festival which is one of the most awaited tourism events in the whole of Mindanao.

The opening ceremony was graced by Vice President Jejomar Binay, who was the keynote speaker, and local and provincial officials headed by Dapitan Mayor Dominador Jalosjos, Governors Rolando Yebes, of Zamboanga del Norte; Rommel Jalosjos, of Zamboanga Sibugay, Education officials Teofila Villanueva, of Region 3 and Walter Albos, of Region 9.

Local Councilor Apple Marie Agolong, who heads the event promotions, said thousands more are expected to arrive in Dapitan for the twin event."

Wellness in Science & Technology Update: engineering firm ink MoA to boost science, technology

Ateneo de Manila, engineering firm ink MoA to boost science, technology - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos: "MANILA, Philippines – A leading international engineering measurement firm has partnered with one of the country’s premier universities to promote science and engineering technology in the local academic community.

US-based National Instruments (NI) last week inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the School of Science and Engineering of the Ateneo de Manila University in launching the first Systems Design and Training Laboratory in the country as part of the Planet NI initiative.

Planet NI was, according to NI Southeast Asia Managing Director Chandran Nair, an initiative that envisioned to provide access to technology and education to engineers and students of engineering in developing countries. The joint effort, he said, was made possible by a US $ 57,000 grant split between NI (US $45,000) and AdMU (US $12,000).

Powered with the latest in graphical programming software and computer-based measurement hardware, the laboratory was “designed to enhance the learning experience of the students through projects-based and experiential hands-on learning,” stated Dr. Celso Co, faculty of the Department of Electronics, Communications and Computer Engineering under the School of Science and Engineering of AdMU."

Wellness in Business Update: Online process for registering corporations in the next five years

BusinessWorld Online Edition |SEC to implement online business registration: "THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) is looking to implement an online process for registering corporations in the next five years alongside plans to revive express lane counters and beef up internal data sharing, its new chairman said late last week.
“We really would like to focus on adoption of technological changes to speed up things and make us effective as a regulatory agency,” SEC Chairman Teresita J. Herbosa said in a press briefing.

“The registration should be fully online,” Ms. Herbosa said.

So far, transactions that can be done online only include the verification of the availability of a desired business name, the reservation of such a name and the downloading of SEC forms.

But all applications still have to be submitted at SEC offices.

Audited financial statements and special audit reports that must be certified by an independent certified public accountant, also have to be handed in via hard copies.

Registering a business is one of the indicators the World Bank and the International Finance Corp. monitor for their annual ranking of countries based on the ease of government processes. The Philippines ranked 148th out of 183 economies in the “2011 Doing Business Report,” two places down from its earlier standing."

Wellness in Education Update: zero tolerance for corruption and cheating in this year’s national schools’ games

Luistro to open Palarong Pambansa in Dapitan Sunday - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos: "MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education will emphasize values and sportsmanship and implement “zero tolerance” for corruption and cheating in this year’s national schools’ games, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said Saturday.

Luistro, who will lead Sunday’s opening ceremonies in host Dapitan City, said DepEd officials and organizers have put in place measures to prevent attempts to field unqualified athletes or to manipulate scores in this year’s Palarong Pambansa.

Such reports had marred previous games, the last in 2006, which resulted in the suspension of some participants. DepEd said teams caught cheating would lose points in their total scores or face suspension from next year’s games, Luistro said.

“Our program is to make sure that Palaro is focused on values, not just on athletes winning medals. We are focused on implementing zero tolerance for corruption and dishonesty,” Luistro said."

Wellness in Culture Update: 2011 Heritage Month focuses on José Rizal, Philippine national hero

2011 Heritage Month focuses on José Rizal - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos: "IN LINE with the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. José Rizal this year, the 2011 Heritage Month celebration this May will feature the life and works of the Philippine national hero.

Heritage Month was officially declared open May 1 at the National Museum grand staircase, Rizal Park.

The organizing committee is headed by Regalado Trota José, the new head of National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) Subcommission on Cultural Heritage, and archivist of the University of Santo Tomas Archives.

“[The goal is] to promote Philippine Heritage and to protect it,” José said. “We consider that heritage has two aspects: the tangible heritage, which are the buildings, the costumes, the artifacts; and the intangible heritage—the dances, the languages and the gestures. So we included both of these aspects in Heritage Month.”

Highlights of the month-long celebration include activities dedicated to Rizal. From April 27 to May 13, the National Library will undertake the restoration of the original editions of Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere” (1887), “El Filibusterismo” (1891), “Ultimo Adios” (1896) and “Guillermo Tell” (1886)."

Wellness in Arts Update: Recreating Amorsolo's light

One stitch at a time: Recreating Amorsolo's light - YELLOW LIGHT By Tara F.T. Sering | The Philippine Star >> Lifestyle Features >> Arts and Culture: "As a young woman growing up in her father’s shadow, Helen Amorsolo-Martinez had always slightly labored under a concern peculiar to offspring of celebrated art geniuses: she was her father’s daughter, so why didn’t she have the talent for painting?

Many years later, she now finds herself a vital part of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo’s artistic legacy, one that endures not in the least for its unparalleled depiction of an idyllic Philippine landscape, captured in a particular light.

Helen, along with sister Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo, were on hand at the recent opening of the exhibit dubbed “Fernando Amorsolo’s Art in DMC Cross-Stitch” at Galerie Y in Megamall (the show runs until May 12 at the fourth floor of SM Megamall A). A project of the Fernando C. Amorsolo Art Foundation and DMC, the global leader in high-quality threads (best known to my generation as the raw material for friendship bands, remember those?), the exhibit was a showcase of some of the maestro’s most famous works in cross-stitch, four of which were done by Helen."

Wellness in Environment Update: Council urged to conduct own energy audit | Sun.Star

Council urged to conduct own energy audit | Sun.Star: AN ENVIRONMENT group on Friday asked the Davao City Council to initiate an energy audit that is free of bias.

Julan Suazo, of the Foundation for Philippine Environment, said the local lawmaking body must come up with its own investigation to determine if there is really a power shortage in Mindanao, instead of relying information from the AboitizPower Corporation and the Department of Energy (DOE).

Suazo hurled the challenge during the third and final public hearing on the proposed P25-billion coal-fired plant by the AboitizPower Corp.

"Aboitiz claimed that Mindanao, specifically Davao City, is bound to suffer an energy crisis and that the only solution to the problem would be the coal plant.

But Suazo said Aboitiz failed to present facts that clearly state the exact power crisis in Mindanao.

Suazo said even if the third party researcher will reveal that there is actually a current and impending power crisis, this information will have some gray areas.

With this, Suazo asked the councilors to initiate the energy audit apart from the audit to be conducted by the DOE in order to avoid bias.

Suazo's suggestion, however, does not sit well with Davao City Councilor Melchor Quitain, who said that only the DOE has the power to conduct such audit.

But Suazo said they still have doubts with DOE's position on the matter, adding its report may be partial and unfair.

Aboitiz first vice president for Mindanao affairs Manuel Orig reiterated that there is an actual and impending power shortage in the region.

Orig also emphasized that the DOE is the one that should conduct energy audit as it is the agency mandated by law to do such audit."