DENR-7 hosts a nat’l management conference in Negros Oriental
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, August 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) through the Environment Management Bureau (EMB-7) hosted a four-day national management conference on July 24-27 in Bulak, Dauin, Negros Oriental.
The national management conference is a quarterly activity conducted to provide a venue for sharing successful strategies, present the strengths and weaknesses in program implementation and provide opportunity to discuss environmental and natural resources (ENR) issues, insights and experiences.
The conference was attended by nearly 90 participants representing 15 DENR regional offices and EMB officials including regional directors and division chiefs in every region.
“Our mandate is to hasten the delivery of various services and programs anchored on the principles of sustainable development by satisfying the needs our clients or the public,” DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo said.
With this management conference we would be able to gain knowledge on the different learning points from other regions and implement for better delivery of services, he added.
EMB 7 Regional Director Fernando Quililan Sr. gave emphasis on the importance of conducting quarterly assessment on the status and accomplishment of the different EMB plans and programs.
The conference accentuated the significance of the full implementation of the R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, R.A. 6969 or the Toxic, Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Act, RA 9275 or the Clean Water Act and the Adopt-an-Estero Program. (mbcn/HFG/DENR-7-PIA7)
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60 participate MGB forum in Cebu
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Aug 3 (PIA) -- Nearly 60 participants from the non-government organizations, academe, and other stakeholders attended the forum led by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in the region (MBG-7) held at the Legislative building, Cebu City on July 24.
MGB-7 Regional Director Loreto Alburo presented the specific provisions of Executive Order (EO) 79 or the new mining policy.
The forum was jointly organized by Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), University of Cebu-College of Law, Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc (PEJCI), and Sangguniang Panglungsod of the City of Cebu through the office of Councilor Nida Cabrera.
Alburo said EO 79 institutionalizes and implements reforms in the country’s mining sector and considers both economic growth and the environment in its provisions.
“It is a balanced law as it allows an extractive industry for national development without sacrificing the environment and it shows that we can go for ecological conservation without stifling economic growth,” he said.
National Economic and Development Authority -7 assistant regional director Efren Carreon, Gloria Estenzo-Ramos of PEJCI, Glen Green of the University of San Carlos, and Michael P. Enriquez of FDC were the reactors in a four-hour forum.
Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Randy Navarro gave the welcome remarks in behalf of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
Meanwhile, Alburo added in his message that EO 79 reinforces environmental protection measures, promotes responsible mining, provides a more equitable revenue-sharing scheme and provides coordinative mechanisms among stakeholders including local government units.
“We now have a new policy that fortifies the existing mining act of 1995 that demands more transparency and accountability in every step towards acquiring a mining right and even beyond the acquisition through provisions of social component of the project,” he said.
The EO also supports the move of Department of Energy and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje on the suspension of issuance of new mining permits as it awaits a legislation rationalizing the revenue sharing schemes and mechanisms. (RMN/HFG/DENR-7-PIA7)
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NNC hosts 8th Regional Nutrition Congress, Grand Awards
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Aug 3 (PIA) -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) hosted today the 8th Regional Nutrition Action Officers’ (NAO) Congress and 2012 Grand Nutrition Awards (GNA) at the City Sports Club Cebu, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City.
Dr. Parolita Mission, nutrition program coordinator of NNC Region 7, said the regional congress which is now on its 8th year is held simultaneously with the regional nutrition awarding ceremony.
The activity aims to convene all the NAO from the provincial, city, municipal down to the barangay level. It also seeks to impart useable information to the attending NAO with regards to better management and understanding of themselves and the nutrition program, she added.
About 400 NAOs from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor attended the annual event in the region.
The guest of honor during the event is Rep. Teddy Casiño Jr. of Bayan Muna Partylist who is the proponent of House Bill 6311 which seeks to institutionalize “meatless Monday” and promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyle among Filipinos.
Meatless Monday is an international campaign that encourages people to not eat meat on Mondays to improve their health and the health of the planet. Going meatless once a week may reduce your risk of chronic non-communicable and preventable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity and mitigate the effects of global warming.
Newly-elected Nutrition Action Officers of the Philippines Association – Central Visayas (NAOPA–CV) President Dr. Ma. Elizabeth Sedillo gave the opening remarks while Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) Chair and Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-7 Regional Director Asuncion M. Anden delivered the keynote address.
The 2012 GNA will cap the whole-day event. This awarding activity aims to recognize exemplary performing local government units with regards to nutrition program implementation, distinguish good nutrition projects/practices by local government units in the region and bestows the regional outstanding barangay Nutrition Scholars trophy and honor the unsung heroes of nutrition.
This 8th Regional NAO Congress and 2012 GNA serves as the culminating events of the month-long observance of the 38th Nutrition Month this July 2012.
This year’s event was organized by NNC 7 and the RNC in partnership with the NAOPA–CV. (RMN/HFG-PIA7)
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One Cebu Expo 2012 showcases over 100 locally-made, DTI-supported goods
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, August 3 (PIA) -- Over 100 Cebu-made products supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu under its ‘One Town, One Product’ (OTOP) Program are on showcase starting today with the launching of the One Cebu Expo 2012.
Gov. Gwen Garcia led local officials and exhibitors in the ribbon-cutting late this morning to signal the launching of the event that will run for 11 days from August 3 to 11 at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.
Around 450 exhibitors are participating in the annual event as the expo features Cebu products including furniture, delicacies, toys, fashion accessories, houseware and local tourism attractions.
Nelia Navarro, provincial director of DTI Cebu, said with the over 100 OTOP goods on display, more than 50 of these products are supported by their respective local government units.
“There are more than 100 OTOP goods that are showcased here today. And more than 50 of these products are under the OTOP of local government units in Cebu,” said Navarro.
Navarro said the expo is one of the venues where LGUs and other micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can display their OTOP goods and other products including those of export-quality.
One Cebu Expo, which is an initiative of Gov. Garcia, began five years ago or in 2008 with only about 188 exhibitors on its first trade fair. Last year, it had 360 exhibitors which this year grew to 450 exhibitors participating in the yearly event.
“This year has the biggest number of LGus joining the expo,” which Navarro claimed has helped MSMEs and LGUs significantly promote their popular products and local tourism sites.
This year’s event also boasted of its “three firsts” which were the participation of the Portrait Artist Society of the Philippines and the different universities and chambers of commerce as well as the free film showing of Visayan movies.
Among the LGUs that joined the event were the municipalities of Borbon which showcased their ‘Takyong’ delicacy, edible bush ‘snails’ in corn oil; Bantayan Island’s dried fish and squid; Liloan’s rosquillos; and Dalaguete’s aqua attractions.
The One Cebu Expo is just one of the major highlights of the 443rd anniversary of Cebu Province on August 6. (PIA-Cebu)