by anyajulia | Jun 2, 2009 | Headlines, National News
Malacanang has called on Congress to pass two pending legislative measures: he Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) extension and the Right to Reply bills before it adjourns on June 6.
The CARP, the land redistribution scheme mandated by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, or RA 6657, expired in December 2008.
The President certified the bill as urgent and was pushing for a 10-year extension of the CARP Law to 2018. This is to allow the government to fully cover the remaining two million hectares that will benefit an additional two million farmers nationwide.
The other bill—the Right to Reply, was passed on second reading by the House of Representatives last May 25. The Senate approved unanimously its version last December. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Jun 2, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Health (DOH) urged school administrators to remain vigilant and implement the recommended preventive measures for controlling the spread of Infuenza A (H1N1) among students.
DOH Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, re-oriented DepEd, CHED and TESDA officials and school administrators on the School Response Level System for A (H1N1) which outlines the criteria for suspending classes and the actions expected at different response levels particularly when cases of A (H1N1) are reported in schools and when there is already sustained community transmission.
Based on the DOH recommendations and assessment of local conditions, the suspension of classes within a school can be announced by the school administrators concerned if there is already one or more confirmed case of A (H1N1) (Level 3). At Level 4, where there is already community transmission, DepEd, CHED and TESDA officials can announce school closure of one or more schools in the affected area.
Meanwhile, DOH reported another five additional cases of A (H1N1) bringing the total number of positive cases in the country to 21. DOH can be reached through hotlines (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002. (PIA-MMIO)
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by anyajulia | Jun 1, 2009 | Headlines, National News
NOTHING on the health radar screen that should make Boholanos apprehensive about the dreaded influenza A H1N1, assured Dr. Greg Sodusta.
But for preparedness sake, local health authorities eye disease management trainings for rural health nurses and schools to arrest any eventuality of a disease infection spin-off, bares the assistant provincial health officer for Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot.
This is despite the continued efforts of the Department of Health to trace down persons who may have been in contact with the confirmed carriers in the country.
As of now, Bohol health authorities admit they are on the preparedness level just as Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital has opened its Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) isolation room for any reported swine flu case here, Dr. Sodusta bared.
On personnel, he said the Department of Health in Region 7 has updated its doctors in its rural health units on the management of infected cases.
We are planning, at our level to cascade the training the doctors had last week, to the rural health nurses and then to the schools which would be appropriate, we just await the funds, he said.
For Boholanos who may have come from affected countries and who noticed usual symptoms within the period of personal quarantine, the GCGMH can provide the necessary management, he added.
On Wednesday, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque announced that DOH confirmed four new A/H1N1 cases raising the confirmed numbers to six.
The new cases are two females, aged 1 year old and 26 years old, and 2 males, aged 13 years old and 55 years old.
The infected children had history of traveling to Hongkong and the United States, which are known affected countries. The adults accordingly were exposed to a mother and daughter who tested positive upon their return to Taiwan.
Since there is continuous international travel and the number of affected countries continues to increase, the DOH has in place the pandemic preparedness and response plan and expanded its referral hospitals to all DOH Regional Hospitals and Medical Centers.
Over this too, Duque urged anyone who have traveled to affected countries or have been exposed to a confirmed case of Influenza A(H1N1) and have fever, cough, sore throat or other flu-like symptoms, to consult a health facility immediately.
The DOH Hotline is (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002. People in the Visayas may use the DOH Hotline (032) 418-7636 and (032) 255-1591 while those in Mindanao may use the DOH Hotline (082) 227-2731. (rachiu/PIA)
by anyajulia | Jun 1, 2009 | Headlines, National News
PORING into the cash sales of oil companies is improper, rules the office of the Solicitor General (SoCGen), handling the government its first trip in the dash to prove alleged price manipulation among big oil companies.
The victory for oil companies was also a backslide for the Manila Trial Court who tasked government agencies to examine the books of giant oil firms accused of violations of the Oil Deregulation Law.
Citing provisions in the 1987 Constitution, the Administrative code and other relevant laws, Solicitor General Agnes Devenadera explained “the examination or audit of the books of oil firms is beyond the authorities conferred to the Commission on Audit (COA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Moreover, she argued that to demand compliance would be deemed improper and unjust.
This would then not bind the audit results of whatever the agencies find not legally binding, making the inquiry lame.
Last April, Manila RTC Branch 26 Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. ordered COA, BIR and BOC to form a panel that will look into the books of Pilipinas Shell, Chevron and Petron, which were accused of price manipulation, cartelization and other violations in the Oil Deregulation Law.
The companies denied all allegations.
Pampilo’s order covers the “opening and examination of the cash receipts, cash disbursement books, purchase orders on the petroleum products, delivery receipts, sales invoices and other related documents on the purchases of the petroleum products” from January 2003 to December 2003.
As for COA, Devenadera said its mandate is limited to the auditing of the government or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations in accordance with Section 2 (1) of Article IX (D) of the 1987 Constitution.
The examination in the court order, Devenadera said, is not in any way connected with the assessment and collection of taxes, fees and charges due to the government neither to the enforcement of all forfeitures, penalties, and fines, such examination is beyond the limits of the BIR’s mandate.
As for the BoC, an examination of the books of the oil companies, as importers, are provided and outlined in the Tariff and Customs Code, as amended by the Republic Act 9135.
If the court would compel the COA, BIR, and BoC to pursue the audit, Devenadera said that such action make the results of the audit legally non-binding. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Jun 1, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
CATIGBIANONS led by Mayor Roberto Salinas and their local officials witnessed a meaningful ceremony upheld and cherished tradition of the police force Monday, May 18.
In a ceremony solemnized by the blessing of the police badge by Rev. Fr. Joselito Masula, residents were also made to understand that the police badge, pinned during the Badge of Honor Ceremony invests in the police the authority as law enforcers.
The ceremony reminds cops of their sworn duty to serve and protect and to instill in them the pride and honor of being one officer as vested by the people, a police officer explained.
The PNP Badge pinned on an officer’s left breast or nearest to his heart, symbolizes legal authority, and should remind cops to be faithful and dedicated to duty expected of them as public servants.
Being entrusted with the badge as worthy of a police officer serving and protecting the people from whom they derived their power and authority to enforce the laws without fear or favor, police officers also are tasked to oversee general welfare, ensure that peace and order mindful of their role as the protector of the weak, defender of the innocent, and advocate of human rights.
Himself a retired government peace keeper, Mayor Salinas said he salutes SPO4 Florencio Ibarra for keeping the tradition of police honor to seep to his men in the field.
As officers, they must wear their badge with honor, Salinas said.
Duty and honor now bind you to be faithful to the trust bestowed upon you by the people. Your badge reminds you to maintain the dignity of our character at all times and to strenuously enforce by example, a steady obedience to the laws of the land, Mayor Salinas said as he exhorted his police officers.
THE BADGE
The police badge contains the PNP Seal held bravely by Lapulapu, the first Filipino to defend the country against foreign invaders despite being inferiorly equipped.
Inside the Seal are the virtues of service, honor and justice, which should remind cops to always render the highest form of public service for fellowmen.
As such, police officers are called to serve the citizenry with the commitment of sacrifice and willingness to die in service of God, country and people. (rachiu/PIA)
