By Hazel Gloria
CEBU CITY, November 29 (PIA) --- Some ten (10) urban poor leaders nationwide will receive an Award for Exemplary Service as the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) celebrates its 25th Anniversary on December 8, 2011.
Two (2) of the awardees are from the Visayas region, particularly from Lapu-Lapu City and Tacloban City, namely: Concordio D. Austero of the Ibabao Marigondon Urban Poor Association, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City and Danilo M. Naputo of Brgy. 103 Palanog Homeowners Association, Inc., Brgy. 103, Tacloban City.
The other awardees are from the National Capital Region, Mindanao and Luzon areas.
Said award acknowledges the exemplary contribution and good deeds of the urban poor leaders in uplifting the sectors’ lives and dignity.
Nominees were endorsed by the urban poor organizations and were chosen according to the service they have rendered to the urban poor sector.
President Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to grant the award on December 9, 2011 at the Heroes’ Hall, Malacañang, Manila.
The anniversary’s theme is, “25 years of Exemplary Service: United and Helping the Urban Poor.” (PIA-7/HFG/RMN/PCUP)
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ES Ochoa to keynote 1st int’l underwater photography contest in Cebu tomorrow
By Fayette C. Rinen
CEBU CITY, November 29 (PIA) – Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.will be in Cebu tomorrow to keynote the awarding ceremony of the five-day “1st Asian Underwater Federation Photography Championships” that kicked off last November 26.
Almost 150 international underwater photographers from 143 participating countries are in Cebu to compete in this event, which affords participating individuals an opportunity to capture a diverse marine environment.
Tourism Sec. Ramon Jimenez will also be present to underline the significance of such an event in enhancing the country’s attractiveness as a tourism destination for underwater photographers as it showcases the country’s beautiful underwater imagery.
Organized by the Philippine Association on Underwater Activities (PAUA), the event aims to further promote and raise the level of awareness on the importance of the safety and protection of the undersea system.
Cebu on the other hand, is popularly known for its white sand beaches and beautiful diving spots.
With the event, this again further strengthens Cebu’s image as a tourism haven for foreign tourists as the international delegates will be given a tour of various historical and cultural sites as well as tourist spots to witness, enjoy and experience the Filipino distinct culture.
The participants were treated to a showcase of cultural dances and musical festival distinct of Cebu during the welcome dinner hosted by the Cebu Provincial Government last Saturday.
There is also an ongoing exhibit at the Radisson Blu Hotel that showcases underwater images taken by local underwater photographers.
The event is supported by the Department of Tourism, Cebu Provincial Government and the City of Lapulapu. (PIA-Cebu)
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More PDAF to aid individuals in crisis
By: Hazel Gloria and JB Binghay
CEBU CITY, November 29 (PIA) --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Fourth District Congressional Representative, Benhur Salimbangon, recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the use of latter’s 3 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation to aid individuals and families from Cebu’s northern towns who are in crisis situation.
Indigent individuals and families from the 4th district can now start availing the funds which will cover expenses for medical treatment, medicine, laboratories, diagnostic procedures and other health requirements pertaining to their presented problems.
Rep. Salimbangon said this concern has been conceived to help alleviate the laboratory and diagnostic expenses incurred by his constituents especially those who really cannot afford to cope with high cost medical treatment and meet their medical requirements.
Further, the representative, clarified that maximum assistance given to a client is P25,000.00 and confinement in private hospitals are not allowed unless there’s a certification from government hospitals that they are full and could not anymore accept the patient.
Laboratory examinations in private hospitals and/or testing centers are not allowed too unless government hospitals and clinics will certify that such procedure is not available.
Salimbangon also added that the challenges the DSWD is facing in helping the poor is no doubt a demonstration of the government’s move to make a difference.
Health has repeatedly been identified by survey as one of the top concerns of the Filipinos at all levels and the problem of inequity in access to health services of high quality is already a crisis proportion for the country’s poor populace.
The price of medicine including medical facilities are beyond their reach, Salimbangon said. (PIA-7/hfg & DSWD)
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10 urban poor leaders receive an 'Exemplary Service Award'
By: Hazel Gloria
CEBU CITY, November 29 (PIA) --- Ten urban poor leaders nationwide will receive an Award for Exemplary Service as the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) celebrates its 25th Anniversary on December 8, 2011.
Two (2) of these awardees are from the Visayas region, particularly from Lapu-Lapu City and Tacloban City. These awardees are Mr. Concordio D. Austero of the Ibabao Marigondon Urban Poor Association, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City and Mr. Danilo M. Naputo of the Brgy. 103 Palanog Homeowners Association, Inc., Brgy. 103, Tacloban City.
The other awardees are from the National Capital Region, Mindanao and Luzon areas.
The award acknowledges the exemplary contribution and good deeds of the urban poor leaders in uplifting the sectors’ lives and dignity. Nominees were endorsed by the urban poor organizations. They were chosen according to the service they have rendered to the urban poor sector.
His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III will give the award on December 9, 2011 at the Heroes’ Hall, Malacañang, Manila.
The anniversary’s theme is, “25 years of Exemplary Service: United and Helping the Urban Poor.” (PIA-7/hfg&PCUP)
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MGB-7 conducts geohazard assessment and mapping in Northern Cebu
By Hazel Gloria
CEBU CITY, November 29 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-7 will conduct a geohazard assessment and mapping of 49 barangays in the municipalities of Bantayan, Sta. Fe, and Madridejos, all in Bantayan Island, Cebu from November 28 to December 9, 2011.
DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said the project is pursued to produce geohazard maps covering the critical areas and to show more details of the areas covered in the map.
A team of geologists composed of Jessica Lucero, Maria Elena S. Lupo, and Josephine T. Aleta will determine the vulnerability of each barangay to coastal erosion, storm surges, and coastal flooding.
Among the details that can be found in a 1:10,000-scale geohazard map include parameters or features in the area that may affect ground stability and the type of landslides that can possibly occur in the area.
“The survey team will then issue appropriate warnings and recommendations to local government units and the communities on the level of susceptibility to landslides and flooding so that they can start to initiate measures to lessen the potential impacts of these geological hazards,” MGB-7 regional director Loreto Alburo explained.
“The team will also undertake an intensive information and education support and training of the local officials and also local leaders and members of affected communities,” Alburo said.
“Given the abnormal rainfall or precipitation that we have been experiencing right now which is attributed to climate change, the MGB continues to conduct a geohazard assessment on critical areas as well,” he concluded.(PIA-7/hfg & DENR)
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DSWD, Cebu congressman ink MOA to give aid for individuals in crisis
By Hazel Gloria
CEBU CITY, November 28 (PIA) --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Fourth District Congressional Representative Benhur Salimbangon recently signed an agreement for the use of the latter’s P3-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation to aid individuals and families from Cebu’s northern towns who are in crisis situation.
Indigent individuals and families from said district can now avail of the funds to cover expenses for medical treatment, medicine, laboratories, diagnostic procedures and other health requirements.
Rep. Salimbangon said the move aims to help alleviate the laboratory and diagnostic fees incurred by his constituents, especially those who cannot afford to cope with the high costs of medical treatment.
The congressman explained that the maximum assistance given to a client is P25,000 and confinement in private hospitals are not allowed unless there’s a certification from government hospitals that they are full and could not anymore accept the patient.
Laboratory examinations in private hospitals and/or testing centers are also not allowed unless government hospitals and clinics will certify that such procedure is not available.
Health has repeatedly been identified by survey as one of the top concerns of Filipinos at all levels and the problem of inequity in access to quality health services is already a crisis for the country’s poor populace. (PIA-7/HFG/RMN/aDSWD with reports from and JB Binghay)
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Bohol's tarsiers now back to their natural habitat
By Hazel Gloria
CEBU CITY, November 28 (PIA) --- Following a series of consultations between wildlife stakeholders in Bohol, the Tarsiers or Tarsius syrichtawhich were once held captive and some even ill-treated, are now back to their natural habitat in the towns of Corella and Sikatuna in Bohol.
This developed after a report from the Tarsius Project of the Czech Republic pointed out how the shy, nocturnal animals that thrive in Bohol island are allegedly abused and cruelly mishandled.
Said report was submitted to Environment Secretary Ramon JP Paje who promptly ordered a moratorium on the issuance of wildlife farm permits (WFP) late last year.
The island’s tarsiers are now housed at the 167-hectare Tarsier Conservation in Bohol.
Findings of the Tarsius Project report, which started its research and conservation efforts on the Philippine tarsier back in 2009, indicate how the tarsiers were living in appalling conditions with no space to hide and rest, poorly planted, noisy and open, and the behavioral rules on the proper handling and care of the animals were not followed.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 (DENR) Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said the tarsiers are subjected to stress since many visitors or tourists want to interact with them by day, disrupting their nocturnal lifestyle.
This contact alters their biological processes making them weak and vulnerable to diseases, he said.
“Tarsiers are classified as “near threatened” in the International Union on the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) List of Threatened Species, requiring adequate protection and conservation,” Dichoso added.
Prohibited acts include hunting, killing, wounding, collecting or possessing of Tarsier for commercial purposes and the destruction of its habitat.
“However, possession of the same for educational, scientific or conservation research may be allowed with DENR clearance or approval,” he said.
Dichoso, together with DENR-7’s Protected Area, Wildlife Conservation Zone and Management Services Ruth Tawantawan, conducted several meetings and dialogues with concerned stakeholders which led to the transfer of tarsiers to a conservation site.
The Philippine Tarsier's habitat is the second growth, secondary forest, and primary forest from sea level to 700 m (2,300 ft).
Its habitat also includes tropical rainforest with dense vegetation and trees that offer it protection like tall grasses, bushes and bamboo shoots.
Tarsiers prefers dense, low-level vegetation in secondary forests, with perching sites averaging 2 meters above the ground.
It is the smallest primate in the world and can be found in Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.
Meanwhile, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between DENR-7 represented by Dichoso and the Wings of Serenity, Inc. on November 21, 2011, for the establishment of a Tarsier breeding and research center in Bilar, Bohol.
Cemex Philippines and Conservation International also signed a MOA with DENR-7 to conduct research on Tarsiers within and outside Bohol.
With the transfer of Tarsiers, the conservation area has been collecting a daily income of PhP50,000.00 per day and tourists are now limited to observing and taking pictures.(PIA-7/HFG/RMN/DENR-7)