WHO UPDATE: World Heart Day 29 Sept 2014: Salt Reduction Saves Lives. Target 30% salt reduction by 2015.

25 SEPTEMBER 2014 ¦ GENEVA - On World Heart Day, held 29 September, WHO is calling on countries to take action on the overuse of salt by implementing WHO’s sodium reduction recommendations to cut the number of people experiencing heart disease and stroke, and, in turn, save lives. Target: 30% salt reduction by 2025 Noncommunicable diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the leading causes of premature death in the 21st century. WHO is supporting governments to implement the "Global action plan to reduce noncommunicable diseases" that comprises nine global targets, including one to reduce global salt intake by a relative 30% by 2025. “If the target to reduce salt by 30% globally by 2025 is achieved, millions of lives can be saved from heart disease, stroke and related conditions,” says Dr Oleg Chestnov, WHO Assistant Director-General for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health. The main source of sodium in our diet is salt. It can come from sodium glutamate and sodium chloride, and is used as a condiment in many parts of the world. In many countries, 80% of salt intake comes from processed foods such as bread, cheese, bottled sauces, cured meats and ready-made meals. Increased risk of hypertension/high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke risks Consuming too much salt can lead (or contribute) to hypertension, or high blood pressure, and greatly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. On average, people consume around 10 grams of salt per day. This is around double WHO’s recommended level from all sources, including processed foods, ready-made meals and food prepared at home (less than 5 grams or under one teaspoon per day). WHO recommends that children aged 2 to 15 years consume even less salt than this, adjusted to their energy requirements for growth. “Salt is in almost everything we eat, either because high levels of salt are found in most processed and prepared foods, or because we are adding salt when we prepare food at home,” adds Dr Chestnov. Dr Chestnov said that reducing salt intake is one of the most effective ways for countries to improve population health, and urged the food industry to work closely with WHO and national governments to incrementally reduce the level of salt in food products. Strategies to reduce salt consumption WHO’s evidence-based strategies to reduce salt consumption include: regulations and policies to ensure that food manufacturers and retailers reduce the levels of salt in food and beverage products; agreements with the industry to ensure that manufacturers and retailers make healthy food (with low salt) available and affordable; fostering healthy eating environments (that promote salt reduction) in public places such as schools, hospitals, workplaces and public institutions; ensuring clear food labelling so consumers can easily understand the level of salt in products; implementing WHO’s recommendations on the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children. Strategies for individuals and families to reduce salt intake include: reading food labels when buying processed food to check salt levels; asking for products with less salt when buying prepared food; removing salt dispensers and bottled sauces from dining tables; limiting the amount of salt added in cooking to a total maximum amount a fifth of a teaspoon over the course of a day; limiting frequent consumption of high salt products; guiding children’s taste buds through a diet of mostly unprocessed foods without adding salt. Editors note on iodized salt In countries where iodine deficiency needs to be addressed, all salts should be iodized. Even consuming small amounts of adequately iodized salt will still provide the additional health benefits associated with iodine, ensuring proper cognitive development in children. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2014/salt-reduction/en/

PEACE UPDATE: Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace Panels Discuss and Formalize Bodies and Mechanisms that will Roll Out Normalization Process

KUALA LUMPUR – As Congress tackles the Bangsamoro bill for swift passage into law, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels met Saturday in the Malaysian capital to discuss and formalize the bodies and mechanisms that will roll out the normalization process. "The normalization process will be implemented simultaneously with the political process," GPH chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said at the start of the three-day special meeting that is expected to end on Monday, Sept. 29. According to the chief negotiator, the Parties welcomed the three foreign experts who will sit in the International Decommissioning Body (IDB) which shall oversee the process of decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons. These are Major Muhammad Aiman Syazwi Bin Haji Abdul Rahim from Brunei, Ambassador Haydar Berk from Turkey, and Jan Erik Wilhemsen from Norway. The Panels are expected to jointly nominate four local experts to complete the seven-member body. "‎We thank the governments of Brunei, Turkey and Norway for providing us with the valuable services of their respective experts. Decommissioning is a delicate and difficult component of any peace settlement. It must be done effectively and sensitively. It is an affirmative support to the normalization process and will contribute to advancing collective security in the future Bangsamoro region and the country as a whole,”‎ Coronel-Ferrer said.‎ The IDB shall perform functions that include the conduct of inventory, verification and validation of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) members, arms and weapons; develop and implement a schedule of decommissioning of BIAF forces; plan, design, and implement techniques and technologies for weapons collection or retrieval, transport, and storage and putting weapons beyond use in accordance with the ‎agreement of the Parties; and report on the progress of its work and submit its report to the GPH and MILF Panels. ‎Aside from the IDB, the two other bodies integral to the normalization process include the Joint Normalization Committee which will coordinate the different normalization processes and mechanisms; and the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) which will undertake a study and recommend to the panels the appropriate mechanisms for transitional justice and reconciliation. ‎The JNC is co-chaired by Undersecretary Zenonida F. Brosas for the GPH and Muhammad Nassif for the MILF. GPH members include MGen. Ariel B. Bernardo (Ret) and MGen. Leo Cresente M. Ferrer (Ret) while MILF members include ‎Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo and Atty. Blo Adiong.‎ Dir Susan Guadalupe Marcaida and Toks Ebrahim will co-head the Secretariat of the JNC. Meanwhile, the TJRC was officially convened on the first day of the meeting. The Swiss Government upon request of the Panels provided the international expert, Madame Mo Bleeker, who will serve as chair of the TJRC. For the GPH, the TJRC representative is Atty Cecilia Jimenez, while for the MILF, the TJRC representative is Atty Ishak Mastura. The TJRC is preparing to hold two events in early October in Cotabato City and in Manila to introduce the TJRC to the public and begin the process of consultations. The TJRC is tasked to study and recommend to the Panels the appropriate mechanisms to address legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people, historical injustices, and human rights violations and marginalization towards healing and reconciliation. - See more at: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/gph-milf-formalize-normalization-bodies#sthash.uqhO4Dsg.dpuf

WELLNESS IN TOURISM: DOT Sponsored 7th World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress in Washington D.C.

“The Philippine Department of Tourism sees the forum as a platform to meet and negotiate, build relationships and to gain insight of the emerging trends in the medical tourism industry through face-to-face meetings and conference sessions,” said Ramon Jimenez, Philippine tourism secretary. “We perceive this as an avenue to introduce the Philippines as a medical tourism destination.” Jimenez said the Philippines is targeting some 6.8 million foreign travelers – some two million from the wellness sector as well as 200,000 retirees seeking long-term healthcare -- this year, building on 2,433,428 who visited the sovereign island republic in Southeast Asia in 2013. Renée-Marie Stephano, president of the Medical Tourism Association®, said medical tourism patients have long sought traditional Filipino healers for alternative medicine. “The Philippines has a deep pool of competent physicians operating in well-staffed local hospitals like St. Luke’s Medical Center, the Medical City and Chong Hua Hospital, which have all received accreditation from the Joint Commission International, the ‘most prestigious recognition of high-quality care worldwide,” she said. “Specialty clinics in the Philippines have also been serving medical tourism patients from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Australia, who come for dental and eye care, plastic surgery and bariatric procedures.” The World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress attracts some 3,000 key stakeholders – hospital administrators, doctors and clinicians, employers, government policy makers, insurance executives, facilitators, and hospitality and tourism interests – from across the globe to share their experiences and identify and solve issues that bear significantly on the industry. For a preliminary list of speakers, go to: http://www.medicaltourismcongress.com/speakers_year/2014-speakers/ The Congress agenda features the 5th Ministerial Summit, Global, the 3rd Medical Directors Summit, the 2nd Global Women’s Leadership Summit, regional and industry forums, and educational workshops included among more than 1,000 networking meetings for up to 200 qualified buyers of healthcare. Participants, sponsors and invited speakers can keep abreast of Congress updates at www.MedicalTourismCongress.com or make an impact today on the Congress networking platform at http://www2.mtcongress.com/wmtc-networking/ About the Medical Tourism Association® The Medical Tourism Association® is the first membership-based international nonprofit trade organization for the medical tourism and healthcare industry made up of top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliates committed to promoting the highest level of quality healthcare to patients in a global environment. www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com Contact Information Medical Tourism Association Joseph Harkins 1.561.791.2000, ext. 803 Contact www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com http://www.pr.com/press-release/577387

WELLNESS IN TRADE & INDUSTRY: PHL Industrial Peace with Strong Macroeconomic Fundamentals, Successive Upgrades in Credit Ratings and Regional Developments

“THE Philippines is in a sweet spot,” Adrian Cristobal Jr., undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy of the Department of Trade and Industry, said referring to the robust economic growth and the positive results of the country’s efforts to compete. Cristobal who was the keynote speaker of the recently concluded Mindanao Food Congress held in the city last week presented the position of the country from the national level in the upcoming Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. “We have strong macroeconomic fundamentals, successive upgrades in credit ratings and regional developments,” he added. Cristobal also said the country has industrial peace, something that other countries do not have which has been taken for granted and the population dividend that must be used to our advantage Cooperation and collaboration Cristobal emphasized that AEC is about making trade and investments flow freely such as goods, services, investment, etc. thus, creating an enabling environment for businesses to prosper by seizing opportunities in the global market. With this, he urged everyone to participate and in return reap the benefits in the development process. As chairman for the committee for the AEC, Cristobal presented the game plan for AEC, the 4Cs: competitiveness, compliance, collaboration and communication. “We need to enhance competitiveness, improve compliance, promote collaboration and intensify communication,” he added. Cristobal stressed on collaboration, which consists of strengthening relationships between countries, public and private, inter-agencies, and the regions of the Philippines. “The AEC is cooperation and collaboration, not a competition. Competition among ASEAN member states will be there, however, the approach should be more on cooperation and collaboration to be certain of the Philippines not being left behind in the globalization. There is nothing to fear if we follow the gameplan,” he furthered. Organized by the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Oro Chamber) and partner sectors, the Mindanao Food Congress 2014 carrying the theme: “Aligning Mindanao Food Security in the ASEAN market” closed on Friday, September 26. The congress also featured the annual Oro Best Expo." By Lenesse Marie Libres Monday, September 29, 2014 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2014/09/29/cooperation-collaboration-phl-asean-economic-community-gameplan-3

WELLNESS IN BUSINESS: Big Foreign Bank Wants to Globalize Peso: Shows Renewed Trust and Confidence in PHL Economy by International Community

President Benigno Aquino III said a huge bank catering to the entire world suggested to him the idea of globalizing the Philippine peso. The President said the suggestion of the foreign bank shows the international community's renewed trust and confidence in the Philippines and its economy. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 "Ganoon kaganda na o kabango ang Pilipinas na meron nang maglalagay ng kanilang puhunan sa ating salapi dahil may tiwala sa atin, may katatagan 'yung ating ekonomiya, 'yung ating bansa, 'yung ating pananalapi," Aquino said. Aquino's two-day visit in France is the third stop of his four-nation European tour. He went to Spain and Belgium earlier in the week where he talked to high-ranking officials including those from the European Union. In his speeches during these trips, Aquino trumpeted the country's economic gains due to his reforms for good governance. Aquino met with French President Francois Hollande at Elysee Palace and said that the Philippines is now more open for business. With an economic growth of 7.2 percent, Aquino said the Philippines was one of the fastest growing economies in Asia in 2013. He said the Philippine economy is expected to grow between 6.5 to 7.5 percent this year, and 7 to 8 percent in 2015. "The Philippines is determined to capitalize on the significant gains we have made in just four years—from the resurgence of our economy, to the restoration of trust and confidence from businesses, as well as the empowerment of our people and workforce. We believe France can contribute even more as we tread the straight and righteous path to greater progress," Aquino said after his meeting with Hollande. Aquino will hold bilateral talks and meetings with leading French businessmen, heads of major French companies and Prime Minister Manuel Valls. The President will also deliver a policy speech at a forum organized by the French Institute for International Relations.

WELLNESS IN EDUCATION: North Cotabato: 1,000 Students Attended 6th Division Supreme Children and Advisers Leadership Training

Held at Pigcawayan Central Elementary School here, the three-day event was headed by the North Cotabato Division Supreme Pupil Government Advisers Federation (NCDSPGAF) in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the provincial government. Speaking before the pupils during the opening of the event, Governor Emmylou Mendoza urged the children to become vigilant and service-oriented as they will become the future leaders. “As student leaders, you must be aware of your potentials and always do your best to lead and serve the community,” Mendoza added. Meanwhile, the governor lauded the Department of Education-Cotabato Schools Division for coming up with a constructive training which will mold the children to become model citizens in the future. (PIA)http://www.mb.com.ph/1000-pupils-join-leadership-training/

WELLNESS IN ENVIRONMENT: PHL set New World Record for The Most Trees Planted in an Hour: 3.2 million seedlings!

Philippine officials said Saturday they had set a new world record for the most trees planted in an hour, with 3.2 million seedlings sown as part of a national forestation programme. Official certification from Guinness World Records will still take weeks but government officers expressed confidence they had broken the old record of 1.9 million trees planted in India on August 15, 2011. The trees were planted in six different areas on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao by an army of 160,000 people including government employees, students and volunteers, said the regional environment director Marc Fragada. "Our official count is about 3.2 million trees in one hour. But we are still getting reports. We still have to prepare the packaging of documentary evidence (for Guinness)," he told AFP. The trees planted were a mix of forest varieties as well as commercial crops like cacao, coffee and rubber trees, he said. "They were chosen by the planters in hopes that the local people will take good care of them because it will be part of their livelihood," he said. The organisers had originally targeted 4.6 million trees to be planted in one hour, said Environment Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio.https://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippines-breaks-world-tree-planting-record-190103626.html

PEACE UPDATE: Pres Aquino proposed to give Muslims in the south the ability to run their own government under their own flag as part of peace plan to end conflict

The draft law submitted by President Benigno Aquino III to Congress fleshes out a peace deal signed in March by the country's largest Muslim insurgent group, the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The autonomous region in the southern island of Mindanao, to be called Bangsamoro, would get its own 60-member parliament that would wield exclusive power over such areas as agriculture, trade, tourism and education. Under the proposal, Islamic Shariah law would apply to Muslims in the region, but the country's justice system would continue to apply to non-Muslims. The Moro group has renounced the terrorist acts of extremist groups, including the Islamic State, which seeks to impose a harsh version of Shariah law in areas under its control in Syria and Iraq. But at least three smaller Muslim rebel groups oppose the autonomy deal and have vowed to fight it. The autonomous zone, which generally covers five provinces, would replace an existing one, seen as a dismal failure. The new plan grants much more autonomy to the region, and Aquino's government also has promised to pour 17 billion pesos ($389 million) in special development funds over the next five years into the region, which has been stunted economically due to the conflict.

HEALTH UPDATE: Dengue cases down 61% so far this year.

DOH spokesman Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said Monday there were many factors that may have led to the sharp decline in dengue cases this year. “Maybe our efforts are effective. The community, too, may have exerted extra effort [to eradicate] dengue.” Lee Suy told reporters that the absence of a new dengue serotype may have contributed to the decrease in the number of cases in the last eight months. “If there’s no new serotype, the exposure is also limited,” he explained. “But even if the numbers are low, we should not be complacent because it is still the rainy season. We should just carry on with our efforts to eliminate dengue in our communities,” he said. Records showed that majority of the dengue incidences were monitored in Northern Mindanao, accounting for 10.13 percent of the cases. The Davao region was next at 9.35 percent; Caraga, 9.81 percent; Soccsksargen, 8.82 percent; and Eastern Visayas, 8 percent. Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/636361/dengue-cases-down-61-so-far-this-year#ixzz3D5NLvwCc Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

WELLNESS IN BUSINESS: Phil gets another investment grading upgrade. This time from Korean firm, National Information and Credit Evaluation Ratings Inc

The credit rating raised the country’s long-term, foreign currency rating by a notch to BBB- with a positive outlook, which means further upgrade may be awarded in the short term. “The rating upgrade reflects improved fiscal profile and growth potential, robust stability in the financial market and the external sector, and the government’s continuing efforts to improve governance and infrastructure,” NICE said in a statement. The firm stressed that key factors considered for the rating included the strong economic growth of 7.2 percent achieved in 2013 although this is forecast to slow to six percent this year. NICE noted that the deceleration will be on the back of a “normal economic adjustment” as the growth momentum is seen being sustained. The credit rating agency also pointed out the stability of Philippine financial markets despite global sell-offs of emerging market assets since May last year.

WELLNESS IN CULTURE: "Gintong Parangal para sa Literatura" launched with Fortune Life, Philippine Graphics & DedEd

High school teachers in all 17 regions nationwide were invited to compete with essays in English to honor the teaching profession. Judges Alfred Yuson of Phil Star, Graphic Editor-in-Chief Joel Pablo Salud and Manila Standard columnist Jenny Ortuoste came up with the following winners: Ma. Melanie Mangulabnan of Baliuag, Bulacan for 1st prize; Jaquilyn T. Belagan of Makati City for 2nd prize, and Jasmin P. Mendoza of Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan for 3rd prize. Each of these winners received cash prizes and insurance cash cards worth P50,000 at Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central Office in Pasig City. The Gintong Parangal Awards are supported by Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua in line with his mission to spread the benefits of writing and literature.

WELLNESS IN EDUCATION: Filipino children in Sabah to benefit from greater access to education

The memorandum of understanding was signed last Aug. 26 by Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Eduardo Malaya, Commission on Filipinos Overseas Chair Imelda Nicolas, Education Undersecretary Mario Deriquito and representatives of the alternative learning centers. “DepEd (Department of Education) remains committed in ensuring that the most disadvantaged, vulnerable, and marginalized are given preferential attention, including our brothers and sisters in Sabah,” Deriquito said. The educational institutions that are parties to the agreement were Learning Translation and Review Centre, Persatuan Kebajikan Pendidikan Kanak-Kanak Miskin (The Society for Education of Underprivileged Children), Sekolah Sukarela Persatuan MAFIL-KOFA, Stairway to Hope Learning Center, Stairway to Success Learning Center, and Vision of Hope Learning Center. http://www.philstar.com/pinoy-worldwide/2014/09/10/1367554/filipino-children-sabah-benefit-greater-access-education

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Manila closed its doors after 38 years and will reopen in a new location by Year 2020

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Manila will reopen in 2020 in a new location, at the tip of Ayala Triangle Gardens nearby after the hotel management signed a partnership agreement with Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts in June. The 422-room hotel has, through the years, hosted a bevy of celebrities, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Tom Cruise, Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Andrea Bocelli, Jacky Chan and Miley Cyrus. Even if there was only one guest left, many continued to discharge their duties. There was Louise Lindres, front office manager and employee for 12 years. “I’m trying hard not to be emotional,” she said with a laugh, as her staff attended to the last guest. Frank Schuengel, a German expat living in Makati, checked in at one of the suites the night before with his girlfriend to mark their recent birthdays. “I thought if I could be the last person to check out, that would be something,” he said, before handing over his key at 1:30 p.m. Read more: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/171299/tears-souvenir-photos-as-mandarin-closes-shop#ixzz3D51p69dm Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook