by anyajulia | May 30, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
69 flags unfurled in the light morning breeze at the Plaza Rizal here Monday, as Bohol Provincial Government spearheads the National Flag Day activity Monday, May 25, 2008.
The 69 flags, all raised on poles bordering the Plaza del Principe was simultaneously raised by representatives of the Provincial Government Offices and National Government Agencies, to signal beginning of the 111th Philippine Independence Day celebrations as directed by the Interior department.
The Bohol flag raising activity also came four days ahead of the national simultaneous event.
The flag raising also opened up parallel activities coordinated by all local government units all throughout the province.
In fact, the tricolors, now interspaced with the Bohol Provincial flag were also hoisted along the access route to the Chocolate Hills, in Carmen town here.
In the country, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo designated Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza to lead the national Flag Day celebration, him being the country’s flag czar.
According to Sec. Atienza, the government spreads the “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” flag theme and puts stress on “pagbibigay respeto at pagmamahal sa ating bansa.”
“Pilipinas Kong Mahal” the Flag Advocacy message is a good reminder for all in the midst of materialism and new technologies, now more than ever we need to enhance good citizenship practices by putting up our flags at home, giving value to the beauty of our natural resources, showing care for a clean and green environment and other practices, Atienza elaborated.
“This year’s theme echoes President Arroyo’s resolve to foster unity among Filipinos under a national symbol telling of an extraordinary country blessed by God,” Atienza said.
On the other hand, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said, respect and pride in the Philippine Flag are the core messages of Flag Day activities where all government agencies, units, schools, universities, embassies/consular offices abroad including private establishments are to display the Philippine tricolor in proper ceremonies.
Sec. Roque, the national organizing committee chairman reported that DepEd has issued circulars to pursue its campaign to educate the public especially in public and private schools to educate them on the proper use and display of the Philippine National Flag.
Similar directives from the Interior Office were sent to government heads to display the flag, streamers in all government buildings, schools, universities, hospitals, public restaurants, hotels, malls and banks. (rachiu/PIA)
by anyajulia | May 30, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
STAKEHOLDERS sharing the resources Bohol Marine Triangle (BMT) resources now want to dialog with concerned agencies over issues and concerns that the three towns could not cooperatively address.
In fact, residents living in the cluster towns of Panglao, Dauis and Baclayon sharing the waters bounded by these islands have joined hands to address issues that would ascertain resource sustainability, as the recent consolidation workshop on the Local Regional Economic Development (LRED) for the three towns show.
Some issues however, like zoning, municipal water boundaries, environment code implementation and other related concerns are beyond the cluster level, admit sources during their recent cluster workshop here.
This too came as stakeholders engage in separate intensive private sector enterprise development delving on social capitalization for the BMT cluster towns to spur up local progress, admits Dr. Volker Steigerwald, program manager for the Private Sector Promotion, Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program fo the German Development Corporation (GTZ).
During the BMT Cluster LRED Consolidation Workshop, which opened at the Metrocenter May 26, 2009, Dr. Steigerwald also insisted the government should stick to its role as facilitator of development and regulator of all policies to equalize development and environment.
Towns sharing the triangle of sea each have crafted their own LRED plans which have involved massive community mobilizations to sustain the marine triangle threatened by tourism and commercial fishing over-use while enjoying the resource.
BMT, Bohol’s main tourist hub boasting of the best beaches, wealthy marine biodiversity, world class dive sites is also the home of communities strongly reliant on the resource while fast becoming a shared resource by investors whose tourism capitalization pose overuse issues threatening sustainability.
GTZ has been partnering with the government in private-public sector cooperation in capacitating communities bolstering their social capital by identifying and working on each strength and weaknesses while keeping the teeming marine triangle resources, said Bohol Trade Director Ma. Elena Arbon, while reorienting LRED to workshop participants on the LRED.
Clustering has been a method adopted to work on the strength of participation, expanding mindsets and opening up ares for teamwork between and among towns, Arbon explained, adding that there is a tendency to go parochial when a unit tackles issues alone.
Competing against many places in the country, BMT towns have agreed that their only way to edge out is to keep the teeming resource sustainable by judicious use, insists workshop facilitator Linda Paredes. (rachiu/PIA)
by anyajulia | May 28, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Health (DOH) is using all its efforts to trace down persons who may have been in contact with Influenza A/(H1N1)confirmed cases.
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 13 year old boy has fully recovered while the rest are still coughing.
The infected children had history of traveling to Hongkong and the United States which are known affected countries while the adults made contacts with the mother and daughter who tested positive upon their return to Taiwan.
DOH ures anyone who have travelled to an affected country 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 for LUZON: (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002 ; VISAYAS : (032) 418-7636 and (032) 255-1591; and in the MINDANAO: (082) 227-2731. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | May 28, 2009 | Headlines, Major Events
Today is the start of the national observance to the Philippine National Flag which will run until June 12, 2009 dubbed as Flag Days under RA 8491 where everyone is enjoined to display the Philippine Flag outside private and government offices, commercial establishments, learning institutions and private residences.
The flag theme “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” placed emphasis on “pagbibigay respeto at pagmamahal sa ating bansa,” with the advocacy message serving as a good reminder to each Filipino to love and honor one’s country and be nationalistic in the midst of materialism in today’s modern era.
Preparations are also underway to hold the upcoming ‘Kalayaan 2009′ celebration to commemorate the 111th anniversary of our Philippine Independence Day on June 12 under the theme “Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan.” (PIA/FCR)
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by anyajulia | May 28, 2009 | Headlines, National News
About 730 elders benefited from the distribution of “Katas ng VAT – Tulong Para kay Lolo at Lola”, a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) one-time financial assitance.
The program aims to provide financial assistance to 70 years old and above who have no pension from SSS (Social Security System), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the like, and are living with families who live within the poverty threshold. (PIA)
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