Wellness in Governance: South Cotabato received Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) First Year Maintenance Award

"Dr. Ervin Luntao, chairman of the committee on health of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, in behalf of Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. and the province of South Cotabato received the award on October 25 from Health Secretary Enrique Ona, chairman of the governing board of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in a ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Uy announced prevalence rate among children below 6 years old in South Cotabato this year has gone down to 8.16 percent as compared to 9.66 percent in 2010 when it got its CROWN award.

Provincial Nutrition Officer Ma. Anna Uy said the province’s supplemental feeding program could not have achieved such success without the help of partners in the private sector. “Among the most active of these private partners are Dole Philippines, Mahintana Foundation, Rotary Clubs of Polomolok and Koronadal, cooperatives under the umbrella of Dolefil, the Philippine Association of Technologist and many other civic organizations,” she said."

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Peace Update: MILF rebels planning to hold a dialogue with three Catholic bishops

MILF rebels mull holding dialogue with critical Catholic bishops - Home » Other Sections » Breaking News: "Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat, said the MILF peace panel led by Mohagher Iqbal was seriously considering to invite Bishops Leonardo Medroso of Tagbilaran, Ilagan Bishop Elenito Galido and Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Colin Bagaforo, after they separately expressed critical views on the donation to the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute. "We will reach out to them first through a mutually acceptable go-in-between. We have very reliable line of communication with the Catholic Church," Mantawil said. The government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, handed down in August to the MILF the fund to assist the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute."

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Wellness in Education: Malacanang supports Department of Education’s activities in celebration of National Reading Month this November

“We fully support the Department of Education’s campaign to encourage school children to participate in the month-long reading activities, such as read-a-thons, storytelling sessions, shared readings, and reading camps,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement. The DepEd came up with its declaration on October 25 by virtue of Memorandum No. 244, making November of every year as National Reading Month and November 25, 2011 as Nationwide Araw ng Pagbasa. These particular events are anchored on the 10-point Basic Education Agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the institutionalization of the “Every Child a Reader” Program (ECARP) by the DepEd.
Quoting Secretary Armin Luistro, Valte said the DepEd is initiating programs that would: promote reading and literacy among the pupils and students; motivate our youth to learn from the lives and works of eminent Filipinos; uphold one’s heritage and values; and make reading a shared physical experience, specifically among the youth, thereby increasing its relevance amidst the growing reliance on the internet and inclination to on-line activities."
Philippines - Malacanang supports Department of Education’s activities in celebration of National Reading Month: "
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Wellness in Environment: Clean Air Month: PHL Local chief executives encouraged to issue resolutions or enact ordinances on air pollution control

November has been declared as the Clean Air Month through Presidential Proclamation No. 1101 issued in 1997. This brings to fore the issues and concerns and the solutions to the growing problem of air pollution in the country today, especially in the urban cities. Clean Air Month comes in a most opportune time as it provides the chance to strengthen advocacies particularly on the adjustment of fuel quality specifications on aromatics and benzene, on the mandatory emission testing prior to registration of vehicles, among others. The month-long celebration serves as a springboard for it is celebrated in the light of decision to be made on adjustment of fuel quality specifications on aromatics and benzene and issues of transport groups in the mandatory emission testing prior to registration, among others, which also served as springboard for a more intensive campaign against air pollution."

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Peace Update: P31-million for community development to finance projects that will enable former insurgents return to society

Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo, of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the P31 million allotted by the government to the largely Central Philippines' based Marxist-Leninist Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA) and the Alex Boncayao-Brigade (ABB), is not intended as a direct pay-out to rebels to lay down their arms, but rather intended to finance projects that will enable former insurgents return to society. Montalbo also clarified the project was not initiated during the current administration of President Benigno Aquino III, but was a hold over programme initiated during the presidency of Joseph Estrada in 2000.
"OPAPP is very transparent in its disbursement of funds. The PAMANA website clearly states that the P 31-million is for community development and livelihood projects for three peace and development community sites in Negros Island where there are members of the RPA-ABB," he said."
gulfnews : Funds allotted to Philippines communist group 'not payout': "
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Wellness in Arts: "DiplomART" Cultural Diplomacy through Philippine Visual Arts

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) with the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) launching a program dubbed DiplomART: Cultural Diplomacy through Philippine Visual Arts.

Art as ambassador | BusinessWorld Online Edition: "Under the MoU, MBFI will be lending pieces from its art collection -- winning entries to the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE) competition -- to Philippine embassies and diplomatic residences in other countries. The program will prioritize Beijing, China, a potentially huge market, and eventually cover the rest of the world."

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Peace Update: "Ceasefire Mechanism still in place to prevent violence between MILF & PHL gov't"

"Military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos said that despite the MILF's fears, a ceasefire mechanism was still in place that would prevent violence between the two sides. He also said upcoming informal talks between the MILF and the government in early-November would hopefully ease the tensions. "We will wait for the feedback from what happens in the peace talks in November," Burgos said. The 12,000-strong MILF are engaged in peace talks with the government and have a ceasefire in place. However the recent violent clashes have stoked popular anger against the rebel group, with growing calls for an "all-out war" against the rebels. Philippine President Benigno Aquino has said he remained committed to the peace process despite the recent violence."
AFP: Philippine Muslim rebels ready 'to fight' if attacked:
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