Military celebrates Int'l Day of Peace
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Sept 26 (PIA) -- Military personnel from different units under Central Command (Centcom) converged to celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21.
Almost 550 officers joined the activity in celebration of the World Peace Day to show their commitment in “Winning the Peace” in the Visayas region.
A mass was officiated by Rev. Fr. Bart Sagadal, chaplain of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Region 7.
After his homily, soldiers were requested to recite the “Pledge of Peace” inside the St. Jude Chapel in Camp Lapulapu.
Candle were lit after the signing of the Pledge in front of the chapel.
Acting Centcom Commander Major General Jose Mabanta Jr. emphasized that with its campaign plan “Bayanihan,” the winning of peace is more than just a mission but a commitment of every military personnel.
In 2004, the government issued Proclamation No. 675 declaring September of every year as National Peace Consciousness Month to instill greater awareness among Filipinos on the comprehensive peace process and to promote a culture of peace based on nonviolence, respect for fundamental rights and freedom, tolerance, understanding and solidarity.
This year’s theme: “Ako. Ikaw. Tayo. Magkakaiba, Nagkakaisa sa Kapayapaan” emphasizes the importance of unity despite diversity and the individual participation of each Filipino in moving the peace process forward.
Now on its ninth year, the annual festivity continues its aims of harnessing a culture of peace among different sectors and inspiring them to play their part in achieving a just and lasting peace for the country. (RMN/HFG-PIA 7, CentCom)
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DENR-7 awards stakeholders in discovery of endemic bird species in Cebu
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Sept 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) awarded Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PBCFI) and biologists Lisa Paguntalan and Godfrey Jakosalem after their latest discovery of another endemic bird species in Cebu.
DENR-7 Executive Director Isabelo Montejo said the newly discovered Cebu Hawk Owl (Ninox rumseyi) could be found in the remaining forest patches in Alcoy, Cebu, and Tabunan in Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL).
The awardees were given certificates of recognition for its laudable and meritorious efforts in conducting biodiversity studies.
PBCFI, together with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), officially launched the Cebu Hawk by unveiling its photo for the first time for public viewing last August 17 at Casino Español, Cebu City.
There are six new species and one new sub-specie within the Philippine Hawk Owl (Ninox philippensis) complex, each with different, unique and occurring on only one or more islands in the Philippines and nowhere else in the world.
Other Philippine Hawk Owl species that were discovered by biologists Paguntalan and Jakosalem include Camiguin Hawk Owl (Ninox leventisi), Mindoro Hawk Owl (Ninox mindorensis), Sulu Hawk Owl (Ninox reyi), Luzon Hawk Owl (Ninox philippensis) and Romblon Hawk Owl (Ninox spilonota).
With this latest discovery, this particular hawk owl is the third bird species endemic in Cebu, two others are the Black Shama or siloy (Copychus cebuensis) and Cebu Flowerpecker (Dicaeum quadricolor).
Montejo during the awarding, acknowledged the efforts and hard work of the PBCFI and pointed out the importance of discovering the existence of the new species in Cebu.
Biologist Lisa Paguntalan, director for Field Operations, received the award in behalf of the PBCFI and Jakosalem.
The awarding ceremony was led by Montejo with Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone and Management Services (PAWCZMS) Regional Technical Director Al O. Orolfo held at the DENR-7 Training Hall, Banilad, Mandaue City last September 24.
The activity was witnessed by more than 200 officials and employees of DENR-7.
“The challenge now among the several stakeholders, particularly the communities, is to sustain the protection and conservation of these newly found species as these contribute to the ecological balance and biodiversity,” Montejo said. (RMN/HFG-PIA7/DENR7)
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PhilHealth reminds members of payment deadline
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Sept 25 (PIA) -- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is reminding individual-paying members of the deadline for their premium payments covering the third quarter of this year.
Quarterly premium payments of individual-paying members are due every last day of the calendar quarter, for the July to September period, the deadline of payment is September 30.
If the 30th of September falls on a weekend or a holiday, payments at PhilHealth offices must be made on or before the last working day of the quarter.
However, PhilHealth-accredited collecting agents such as banks, LBC branches and Bayad Centers or SM City-Cebu may accept PhilHealth premium payments during weekends and holidays.
Individual-paying members with an average monthly income of more than P25,000 pay a premium of P900 per quarter. Those with a P25,000 and below income only pay a premium of P300 per quarter. However, this lower rate is set to increase to P600 per quarter on October 1, this year.
PhilHealth continues to encourage members currently paying the lower rate to lock-in their coverage until 2013 and avail of a discounted premium rate.
Members who lock-in will have a computed premium rate of P300 per quarter only, instead of P600. Members can lock-in by paying their premium in advance for the rest of 2012 and for the entire 2013. Advance payments must be made on or before October 2012.
In a health insurance fund, an updated premium payment is essential to continuous coverage. To avoid suspension of benefit entitlement, PhilHealth reminds members to regularly pay their premiums. (RMN/HFG-PIA7/PhilHealth)