by anyajulia | Sep 22, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The National Statistics Office is currently conducting the 2009 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). This is done with the help of the Department of Health, World Health Organization, the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Research Triangle Institute International, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and and CDC Foundation.
GATS is a nationally representative household survey developed to systematically monitor adult tobacco use and track key tobacco control interventions. The conduct of GATS, is in response to the urgent requirement for baseline data that will show the growing problem brought about by smoking and to seek support for anti-tobacco laws, policies, and programs to prevent the adverse effects of tobacco use on both smokers and non-smokers.
NSO is already done with the enumeration of the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) and data from each provinces are now being processed. The FIES determines the sources of income and income distribution, levels of living and spending patterns and the degree of inequality among families. It also provides benchmark information to update weights in the estimation of Consumer Price Index (CPI) and provides inputs in the estimation of the country’s poverty threshold and incidence. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Sep 22, 2009 | Foreign Exchange, Headlines, National News
The Department of Health (DOH), together with 3 United Nations (UN) agencies — the United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Children’s Fund, and the World Health Organization — have joined forces and resources to undertake a joint program on rapidly reducing maternal and neonatal deaths in the country and meet the Millennium Development Goals.
Results from the 2006 Family Planning Survey showed that the Philippines is among the countries with a high percentage of maternal and neonatal deaths worldwide, the maternal mortality ratio pegged at 162 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
“This joint undertaking focuses on accelerating our efforts to attain the targets of MDG #5, which is the reduction of maternal mortality ratio by 75% and the universal access to reproductive health services by 2015, and MDG #4 which is the reduction of the neonatal mortality rate”, Duque declared adding that this initiative will also attain the results desired by the National Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health & Nutrition strategy.
The new project, with the support of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is divided into two significant phases: the Transition period (2009-2011) and the Full Operationalization Period covering the years 2011-2016.
To seal the partnerships of the three UN agencies, the DOH, and AusAID, a document was signed by the heads of the respective agencies. (DOH)
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by anyajulia | Sep 22, 2009 | Election 2010, Headlines, National News
The Department of Energy (DoE) denies issuing a warning on election cheating would be the result of “scheduled” power interruptions next year.
DoE Secretary Angelo Reyes said “I never said our (power) problem will lead to election cheating.”
In a memorandum submitted to the Office of the Press Secretary, Reyes clarified DoE’s warning on power interruptions was based on “simulation” from the agency’s Power Development Plan (PDP) 2008-2017.
Meanwhile, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the Cabinet “never discussed any power shortage situation because providing electricity to all sectors is a priority of the Arroyo administration.”
Fajardo said, “the DoE warning should be taken as a wake up call to accelerate reforms in the energy sector.” She said it is meant to prod all sectors to accelerate the build up of capacities and distribution of energy nationwide. It is Reyes’ job to come up with measures to ensure that energy will be sufficient, especially on election day. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Sep 22, 2009 | Headlines, National News
State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) reiterates its committed support to the Credit Surety Fund (CSF), one of the initiatives in the growth of micro SMEs.
DBP president & chief executive officer Reynaldo G. David explained that since Filipinos generally want to be employed than be employers, the CSF provides not just opportunities for micro SMEs but also for job seekers. “The CSF not just creates entrepreneurs, but it also creates employment.”
David also said DBP’s participation in the CSF program is part of its commitment to nurture the growth of small entrepreneurs in the country, citing that the Bank has committed more than P15-million for 8 CSFs.
He said DBP branches have been instructed to be more proactive in assisting small borrowers in areas where the CSF has been established. “We commit to serving you better and faster to the reduction and hopefully for the eradication of the usual bureaucratic maze so we can expand our micro SME portfolio.”
He also committed DBP’s assistance to train or coach cooperatives, particularly in capability-building. DBP’s assistance can be expanded in terms of loan evaluation, loan processing, and loan approval, based on our credit requirements, evaluation standards, accounting, and risk management, according to David. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Sep 18, 2009 | Headlines, TBTK
Despite all the threats: the A H1N1, the plummeting world economy, the mass lay-offs in workplaces abroad, still thousands of Boholanos abroad took all these lightly and packed for home last July 2009 to join the TBTK Global Homecoming. For them, it was real joy to spend their hard-earned dollars to be with their loved ones, to get involved in class reunions, to go to places to reminisce the good old days, and many more.
TBTK Chairperson Betty Veloso Garcia did not count the cost of visiting Boholanos spread in various countries to remind them that their families they left behind are so excited to be with them no matter how briefly. Whether they registered or not was not so important as coming home to embrace an aged and ailing Nanay or Tatay – perhaps for the last time.
What everyone observed in the two-week TBTK celebration spoke of the pomp, pageantry, revelry in every social function. The fund-raising each group organized for its various purposes was more than enough to bring Balikbayans together and experience the great satisfaction that they have left something to our fellow Boholanos who are in need. Even those who did nothing but roamed the streets felt that money was in circulation. Vendors in our markets enjoyed the opportunity of earning much, much more than they did in ordinary days.
Not all may have noticed the tree planting, the medical missions, the recognition of Boholanos who excelled in their various professions, the organized tours to see what’s new in Bohol.
What was most touching was the visits made to their ailing classmates whom they will not see anymore because they died after they were back to their respective work areas. This reminded me of one who said, “Show that you care while one can still feel your love.”
But despite the beauty of the homecoming, those who simply folded their arms as they watched the activities unfold, they saw nothing but “faults”. Sometimes faults are there for a purpose – to satisfy those who come only to find faults.
With the election days just a few months away, some politicians make adverse comments to enhance their political ambitions. These critics even found their way to our community newspapers, to radio stations. This they did “in aid of legislation” and also to improve the next TBTK. This was baloney!
On the issue of public funds appropriated by the Provincial Government during the TBTK Medical Mission conducted at the Bohol Cultural Center, we deny that such funding was received by the TBTK. It would be best that they do some kind of research so that they can be sure where their money went.
While we appreciate the Medical Staff assistance provided by the Provincial Government, nevertheless, we assumed the cost of operation of the medical mission funded from our own contributions. The medical men who came to Bohol to extend free medical assistance to the Boholanos, brought their own equipment, medicines, etc. Furthermore, they spent their own plane fare, hotel billeting, and cost of everything during their stay in Bohol.
At this juncture, the TBTK organizers especially the Chairperson Betty Veloso Garcia would like to thank the many men and women who so generously gave of their time, effort and commitment towards making the TBTK a big success. We thank our many advertisers, benefactors and sponsors for their generosity, and their confidence and belief in this unique event. Last but not the least, to everyone who took part of this great reunion, we thank them for coming!
Let us talk about the Search for the Miss Bohol International Beauty Pageant. This activity has always been among the highlights of the Global Homecoming since its inception in 1999. Like any other Beauty Pageant, they were never without a Swimsuit Competition. What was indecent in their attire? The Boholanos are now used to wearing appropriate attire for swimming except perhaps the octogenarians who wear the “porontong.” May we address this to the critics, “Why did you miss to see the appropriateness ( ? ) of the swimsuits worn in the Sandugo Beauty Pageant sponsored by the City Government?
We call on our politicians not to meddle in future TBTK affairs. We just want to come home to where we belong. The City Mayor of Tagbilaran instead of welcoming us, he made things difficult for us : denied the TBTK with Mayor’s Permit for the venue of our activities, prohibited us from soliciting advertisements to promote the business of our local businessmen through our Souvenir Program. What a pity! Boholanos not welcome in their homeland.
We also urge our Vice Governor Julius Herrera and Board Member Aster Piollo not to engage in political grandstanding at the expense of Boholanos whom people call “unsung heroes”. These politicians are seeking a new mandate in the 2010 elections and they should look at the TBTK as a group who come home to bring cheer and material benefits to our people. Let us instead help one another because we love Bohol.
In 2012, God willing, we will be back for another homecoming under the same able leadership of Betty Veloso Garcia whose passion and love for Bohol knows no bounds.
Let us prepare now for the next homecoming. Let us pray and hope we will not be missing anyone. We say this because we do not have the promise of our tomorrows.
