Peace Update: Peace process between Philippine gov't and NDF

"On Thursday, Luis Jalandoni, chief negotiator of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political front of the communist rebels, called for the postponement of the scheduled resumption this month of formal peace talks until his jailed comrades are freed.

In a letter dated June 2 to Health Undersecretary Alex Padilla, head of the government panel negotiating with the NDF, Jalandoni said that the talks should be suspended until such time that the Aquino government would release 17 of their jailed NDF consultants in compliance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG).

The JASIG, signed in 1995 by the government and communist peace panels, guarantees immunity from arrest to NDF members, consultants and staff who are part of the negotiating team.

Jalandoni warned that the continuing failure of the Aquino government to stand by its commitment for the immediate release of jailed rebel consultants in compliance with the JASIG 'seriously prejudices' the outcome of the peace talks.

Among the jailed communist leaders are Allan Jazmines and Tirso 'Ka Bart' Alcantara who, according to the military, are both members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)." click site for more info:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2011-06/03/c_13909688.htm

Peace Update: Palace prepares Spratlys incursions report - Nation - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News

Palace prepares Spratlys incursions report - Nation - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News:

“We are completing the data for the report to be presented to the PROC [People’s Republic of China], then to the UN,' deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a text message to GMA News Online.

She said the administration intends to bring the issue to the UN attention in relation to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. The Department of Foreign Affairs conveyed on Tuesday to the Chinese embassy's charge d'affaires its 'serious concerns' on the sightings of Chinese military vessels in Philippine waters.

Valte said the administration will push for a diplomatic solution to any conflict that will arise over the disputed Spratly Islands.

“We wish to stress that the way that we are approaching this incident is that we are fully committed to resolving it in the most diplomatic manner and in a peaceful manner,' she said."

Women's Causes Update: Protection of the Unborn Child Act, which seeks to ban contraceptives and provides mothers with healthcare.

Collision of RH, unborn child bills seen | Inquirer News:

Protection of the Unborn Child Act, which seeks to ban contraceptives and provides mothers with healthcare. "Enrile’s bill seeks to “extend the mantle of legal protection to the unborn child from the moment of conception.”

The proposed measure also aims to “enhance the health of the mother by avoiding any means that may adversely affect the viability of the unborn child in all stages of fetal development.”
The bill seeks to guard against abortifacients, which the bill defines as “any device, drug, formulation, substance, practice or procedure intended to damage, injure, interfere with the development, endanger or cause the death of the unborn child or otherwise induce abortion.”"

DTI Update: Groceries inspected for Taiwanese products | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Groceries inspected for Taiwanese products | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features:

"MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and personnel from the Manila City government conducted inspections this morning in various groceries and supermarkets to check on products imported from Taiwan believed contaminated by Di (ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)."

The inspection and monitoring team saw boxes of Treetop 100% Apple Juice and Grape Fruit Pomelo Juice, as well as boxes of Noyu Oolong Tea and Lychee, already in the supermarkets' warehouses ready to be returned to their suppliers. Though these items are not included in the list of products contaminated by DEHP furnished by Taiwan to the FDA, they still had to be recalled following the FDA advisory recalling all Taiwanese products.

The FDA found it prudent to do this to ensure consumers' safety. They also got some samples to test them for DEHP contamination.

The supermarket's management assured the team they immediately pulled out the recalled products from their shelves as soon as they received instructions from their head office.

DTI and FDA representatives also called the attention of the management about some products from China on their shelves whose labels have no English or Filipino translations. Victorio Dimagiba, DTI director for the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection, said this is against the Consumer Act.

Children's Causes Update: Children in China learn about PHL in 'Ni Hao' (Hello)

Children in China learn about PHL in 'Ni Hao' activity - Pinoy Abroad - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News:

"Children in China learned facts about the Philippines because of a 'Ni Hao' (Hello) activity hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Beijing.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the activity was held in Shenyang in Liaoning province on May 26 and 27.

Liaoning Province in Northeast China is host to hundreds of Filipino teachers, musicians and information technology specialists, the DFA said.

'Entitled 'Ni Hao, Philippines: Everything a Chinese Kid Should Know about the Philippines,' the event was attended by more than 400 students of Shenyang's No.2 Hunnanxinqu Elementary School and No.1 Chaoyang Primary School,' the DFA said in a news release posted on its website.

The activity was meant to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China.

The DFA said the activity aimed to teach children about the Philippines and the things that they have in common with Filipino children.

Embassy Chargé d' Affaires (CDA) Alex Chua said the event was part of the Embassy's series of people-to-people activities 'to create awareness of and appreciation for the Philippines among the Chinese public, including children.'"

Agreement signed by Phil Foreign Affairs Sec, Albert del Rosario & Princess Masna, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Brunei Darussalam

Brunei Darussalam, PH sign agreement on tourism cooperation | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features:

"President Benigno Aquino III and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam witnessed the signing of the agreement in a ceremony on Wednesday at the Istana Nurul Iman, here.

The areas of cooperation specified under the agreement will be on research and development, education and training, promotional programs, medical tourism, meetings and conventions, tourism investment, and aviation industry.

The agreement seeks to increase tourist arrivals for both countries, encourage wider distribution of visitors, as well as enhance visits to each other's country by their respective nationals. It also wants to encourage healthy growth of the tourism industry in both countries.

The agreement also contains protection of intellectual property rights, noting that it will not prejudice any existing or future bilateral or multilateral international agreement entered into by the two governments or their national laws relating to intellectual property rights."

DoLE Update: Livelihood aid - to provide livelihood assistance to the hundreds of distressed fishermen.

Livelihood aid | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online:

"MANILA, Philippines — Amid the recent mass fish kill in two Luzon provinces, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) will deploy it quick response team (QRT) to provide livelihood assistance to the hundreds of distressed fishermen.

Labor Communication Director Nicon Fameronag said that Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz met with Department on Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala to discuss assistance for the affected fishermen in Batangas and Pangasinan through DoLE’s QRT.

“Our quick response teams are already on the alert. We are only waiting for the report from the DA in the number of displaced workers before we could start extending our livelihood assistance to the affected fishermen.” (Samuel Medenilla)"

DOH Update: Public warned vs eating 'double-dead' fish | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Public warned vs eating 'double-dead' fish | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features:

"MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday warned the public against eating 'double dead' fish, following the massive fishkill that has struck Taal Lake.

Some people in Batangas province are reportedly eating double-dead fish instead of throwing them away.

The DOH said people who eat such fish, even if cooked, will cause illnesses or even death.

The department said symptoms of illnesses related to eating double-dead fish include vomiting, dizziness, and parts of the body becoming swollen.

Lawyer Benjamin Tabios of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said fish that have died and floated on lakes or seas contain harmful bacteria.

He added that such fish can cause food poisoning.

Fish that died from a fishkill can still be used as fertilizer, according to BFAR."

DILG Update: Police to remove illegal fish pens in Taal | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Police to remove illegal fish pens in Taal | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features:

"MANILA, Philippines – Illegal fish pens in Taal Lake were ordered to be dismantled by the Department of Interior and Local Government on Thursday, as these have been found to be the reason for the recent fish kill phenomenon.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the dismantling of illegal fish pens in the area is in line with the recommendation of the Protected Area Management Bureau in 2009 to reduce the number of fish pens from 14,000 to 6,000.

“Unfortunately, some followed while some disregarded the order and so, as a result, we have this recent phenomenon of fish kill,” Lacierda said.

“[So] today, DILG Secretary [Jesse] Robredo will order the Batangas PD [police department] to dismantle illegal fish cages in the municipalities surrounding Taal Lake,” he said.

Lacierda added that checkpoints will be put up by the PNP to prevent double-dead fish to penetrate wet markets."

Sports Update: Alcala rips Carlos, enters semifinals | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Alcala rips Carlos, enters semifinals | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online: "MANILA, Philippines — Malvinne Alcala mastered Bianca Carlos in a duel of fancied bets, fashioning out a 21-10, 21-9 romp to roll into the semifinal round of the Open ladies singles in the MVP Sports Foundation-Bingo Bonanza Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS) tournament at the Pohang Badminton Courts in Bacolod City Friday.

Alcala showed the form that won her the Li-ning Australia Juniors crown recently and outplayed Carlos throughout, dethroning the defending champion in 25 minutes while putting her on track of the crown in the premier division she missed while competing Down Under last March.

The 16-year-old national team mainstay – and the country’s leading player today – will face Danica Bolos for a berth in the finals after the latter stopped giant-killer Paula Filart, 21-13, 21-13, in the other Last 8 clash in the upper bracket of the tournament put up by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Rep. Albee Benitez and businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan and backed by official equipment sponsor Victor, exclusive"

Wellness in Science & Technology: "Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Fortunato dela Peña now chairs 15th Session of UNSCTD

PHL official elected UN science body chairman - Technology - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News:

"Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Fortunato dela Peña now chairs the 15th Session of the prestigious UNCSTD at its 14th Session in Geneva.

'Undersecretary Dela Peña's election serves as international recognition of the country's role and efforts in promoting science and technology and the use of information and communications technology for development,' the DFA said in a news release.

The UNCSTD is the agency tasked in promoting science and technology for development.

It was mandated by the Economic and Social Council to oversee the system-wide follow-up, including the review and assessment of progress made in implementing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

'Among others, the UNCSTD deals with issues pertaining to the problem of digital divide and internet governance. It also helps promote technologies that address global challenges,' the DFA said."

Wellness in Business: Business steps in to end Spratlys row | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Business steps in to end Spratlys row | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features:

"MANILA, Philippines - Filipino businessmen will take the initiative to help finally put an end to the decades-long Spratlys dispute among claimants, including the Philippines and China, by gathering all the business chambers of the different countries that have interests on the islands to a meeting where they will draw up economic, rather than political, solutions to the conflict.

This came as Beijing said on Thursday that it is not violating an existing accord with the presence of its marine research ships in the disputed islands of Spratlys in South China Sea that angered claimant countries to the territory, including the Philippines."

Francis Chua, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said approaching the issue from an economic perspective with all the six claimants benefiting evenly is the key to the Spratlys resolution.

“The PCCI will call all the business organizations of these countries to a meeting. We will start with the private institutions. We will come up with the economic solution and then pressure our governments to toe the line,” Chua, also a former president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and special trade envoy to China, told the BusinessMirror.

The Philippines, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia are the six claimants over the oil-rich Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Wellness in Education: 'We're ready!' — DepEd, ChEd | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

'We're ready!' — DepEd, ChEd | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online:

"In a media forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Quezon City on Monday, DepEd—despite the existing shortages in classrooms, teachers, textbooks, and sanitary facilities this school year—assured that public schools are ready to accommodate all the incoming elementary and high school students nationwide.

Data from DepEd showed that a total of 22.5 million students—14.25 million in the elementary level, 5.85 million in high school, 1.93 million in the kindergarten as well as 205,000 in the Alternative Learning System or ALS—are expected to troop to the 55,230 public schools. Almost four million students are also expected to enroll in various pre-school, elementary and high schools nationwide.

With the culmination of the Brigada Eskwela, an annual nationwide effort for teachers, parents, students, community members and other organizations to do minor repairs in nearby schools in preparation for the opening of the school year and with the on going Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE), a DepEd-initiated multi-sectoral program to prepare for the opening of school year, DepEd Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Tonisito Umali said that public schools are all set for the opening of classes on June 6. “Handang-handa na po kami. (We’re ready!)”"

Wellness in Arts & Culture: BusinessWorld Online Edition |‘Romanza’

BusinessWorld Online Edition |‘Romanza’:

"Beyond Brushstrokes -- By Marivic Rufino

‘Romanza’

In celebration of Mes Filipino, our National Hero Jose Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary and our Independence Day, this painter-writer will mount 'Romanza,' a solo exhibition presented by the Philippine Embassy and the Museo Nacional de Antropologia in Madrid on June 9th.
There will be a reading of short Filipino poems by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario (with translations by Marne L. Kilates) that match the paintings. These poems are in the traditional forms known as diyona, tanaga, and dalit. The Museo will show films by acclaimed Filipino directors on Jose Rizal’s life.
It is an honor to be a part of the Mes Filipino in Spain. A sentimental homecoming, I had attended high school there. It opened my mind to life beyond our shores -- to learn about other peoples, and art and culture in the old world. That enriching experience helped me appreciate our country’s history and our strong cultural ties with Spain."

Wellness in Environment: “Forests: Nature at Your Service”

PIA daily news in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Waray, Pangalatok from around the Philippines:

Philippine Environment Month and the World Environment Day on June 5..

The twin celebration focuses on forests and is anchored on the theme, “Forests: Nature at Your Service”. This reinforces the declaration of 2011 as the International Year of Forests by the United Nations.

Forest is an issue with essential links to livelihoods, addressing climate change and other present environmental challenges.

“In fact, the present National Greening Program (NGP) being implemented by the DENR is a government priority program to reduce poverty, promote food security, environmental stability and biodiversity conservation, and enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation,” RED Galinato said.

"The NGP specifically seeks to plant 1.5 billion seedlings in 1.5 million hectares of public lands nationwide in six years, from 2011 to 2016.
To create public awareness on the significance of celebrating World Environment Day and Philippine Environment Month, the DENR has lined up several activities which involves the participation of a cross sector of society.
Together with representatives of other national government agencies and some industries, DENR employees shall have a parade around the major thoroughfares of Tacloban City on June 6, capped with an environmental program and opening of exhibits at the DENR grounds.
The exhibits shall feature sale and display of products of some DENR partners to include an LGU, some industries and a people’s organization.
“We would like to invite the public to visit the DENR regional office, to view the exhibits and product displays which shall run from June 6 to 10,” says RED Galinato. Video presentations on environmental concerns shall likewise be featured on that day, he added.
Meanwhile, in celebration of its anniversary, the DENR shall have a Health and Wellness Day on June 10 which shall feature lectures on Health Care and other wellness concerns, and free medical examinations for its employees."

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