LGUs urged to designate common areas for fireworks
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Dec. 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 is urging local chief executives (LCEs) to designate common areas where fireworks can be lighted for the forthcoming New Year celebration to lessen the harmful effects on the people’s health and the environment.
DENR 7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said, “by trying to identify a communal place for setting off fireworks and other pyrotechnics displays, this would put off potential damage or destruction to the communities as the amount of air pollutants from pyrotechnics, such as dust, sulfur and charcoal would complicate respiratory health problems”.
While Filipinos love to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s eve with a bang, Montejo discouraged the use of fireworks particularly those that will cause tremendous damage and even loss of lives.
Likewise, he reminded the communities to avoid burning tires, which produce carbon monoxide and other poisonous metals such as zinc which is harmful when inhaled.
These pollutants lead to the formation of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.
They also get trapped in smog that blankets the air afterwards, aggravated by the cold weather and rain expected from the occurrence of La Niña.
“This would also mean fewer occurrences of fires, injuries and even deaths,” he said.
Aside from designating common areas for fireworks, the DENR-7 chief also reminded the people to be environmentally-conscious by promoting responsible solid waste management by reducing, recycling and reusing.
According to Montejo, it is important that the public will now consider very seriously and critically reducing their garbage these coming holidays, especially those that are not recyclable and biodegradable, as it can be a major cause of flooding during heavy rains.
“We must be responsible enough to take care of our environment by thinking and acting “green” as we have been experiencing the brunt of our own actions towards the environment,” he added.
“It is expected that the volume of garbage would go up during these holidays and we want to convey a message to the public to at least minimize the use of plastics as many of them remain uncollected thereby clogging our waterways like esteros and rivers,” he said.(HFG/PIA-7/DENR-7)
===========
Government strengthens conditional cash transfer
By Ferliza C. Contratista
CEBU CITY, Dec 27 (PIA) -- Government is embarking in another immediate measure to augment the lives of the Filipino families, this time to those that are in need of protection.
Recently, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) forged a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT), this time covering families-in-need not covered by the original Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT).
According to DSWD, there will be over 3,000 families in need of special protection (FNSP) in the entire Central Visayas who can avail of more extensive services from government and conduit non-government organizations.
Families categorized as FNSP are those living on the streets and are homeless in pockets of poverty who are not beneficiaries of the regular CCT.
It also includes indigenous migrant families, families of children with disabilities, and families of child laborers.
Also covered are families displaced by natural and man-made disasters and other environmental factors.
DSWD 7 director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre said the main objective of MCCT is to take the children off the streets and place them in a more suitable, decent, and permanent homes reunited with their families.
“We will bring them back to schools and facilitate their regular attendance including access to Alternative Delivery Mode and other special learning modes, facilitate access to health and nutrition services through regular visits to the health center,” Macapobre said.
She said there will also be enhanced parenting roles through attendance in Family Development Sessions and mainstream families with children in need of special protection for normal psycho-social functioning.
“We want them to overcome their circumstances and mainstream them into the regular CCT while generating appropriate resources and services in the community,” Macapobre said.
The partners of MCCT are BIDLISIW, represented by Executive Director Lolit Ganapin; Forge International, represented by Orlando Carvajal, and Atty. Nina Valenzona for Share-A-Child.
A MOA was recently signed after a thorough screening of each NGO’s financial and legal capacity and social dedication.
The screening include updated permits, audited financial statements, staffing capacity and a good track record in handling FNSP clients for the last three or more years.
The NGO must also be registered and licensed or accredited with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“We have always been active partners of DSWD in terms of delivering social protection to disadvantage sectors and with the MCCT approach we are looking forward to be active partners of these program, with a prayer that social services would reach more families especially those in need of social protection,” said Atty. Valenzona of Share-A-Child. (rmn/FCC-PIA7)
============
LTO, DTI to hold final briefing for helmet law enforcers
By Juju Manubag-Empuerto
CEBU CITY, Dec 27 (PIA) -- The Land Transportation Office - Region 7 (LTO - 7) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI - 7) will hold a final briefing for enforcers on Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 at the Sacred Heart Center tomorrow, December 27.
This was disclosed by DTI-7 Information Officer, Jojesilia Villamor, in an interview with Philippine Information Agency- Cebu.
Congress promulgated Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 requires motorcycle riders, drivers, and back riders to wear the standard protective motorcycle helmet that bears the Philippine Standard (PS) license or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark at all times while driving long or short drives, in any road type and highway.
Villamor said beginning January 1, 2013, motorcycle drivers caught driving without a protective helmet bearing the ICC seal will be issued citation tickets and penalized as stated in Helmet Act of 2009.
“Only LTO-7 deputized traffic enforcers have the authority to enforce the Law,” Villamor said.
The Motorcycle Helmet Act is a law meant to minimize severe head injuries and lower the fatality rate caused by motorcycle accidents. (rmn/JSME-PIA 7, Cebu)