by magnolia_eic | Jul 2, 2011 | Announcements, Headlines, National News
Green groups launched the Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan 2011, an awards event aiming to seek out and recognize seven Philippine heroes/ heroines of the environment– nameless individuals, organizations, or communities who have selflessly spearheaded or helped lead significant environmental struggles and the protection of basic rights.
The Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan (GBK) 2011 is open to all Filipino individuals, organizations and institutions who have demonstrated extraordinary ability and effort to uphold the environment and people’s welfare, whether in the form of advocacy, campaigns, education, research, technology development, community services, mass media or cultural work.
Seven GBK awardees (three awards for Individuals and Organizations and one Most Distinguished Award) will be chosen by an independent Board of Judges. Acceptance of nominations for the GBK is open until midnight of July 15, 2011.
Seven GBK awardees (three awards for Individuals and Organizations and one Most Distinguished Award) will be chosen by an independent Board of Judges:
- Most Distinguished Awards Awarded to an individual or organization in recognition of his/her/their being an inspiration and example to the Filipino people for offering time and talents for the defense of the environment and advancement of the people’s welfare.
- Individual Awards Awarded to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary ability and effort to uphold the environment and people’s welfare, whether in the form of advocacy, campaigns, education, research, technology development, community services, mass media, or cultural work.
- Organizational Awards Awarded to people’s and community organizations and institutions that have demonstrated unity in upholding the welfare of the people and of the environment by exemplary actions and advocacy, campaigns, education, research, technology development, community services, mass media, or cultural work.
Acceptance of nominations for the GBK is open until midnight of July 15, 2011. Guidelines, awards requirements and nominations forms are available for download at www.cecphils.org.
The Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan 2011 is organized by Center for Environmental Concerns, in cooperation with Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan Awards Committee, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Foundation for the Philippine Environment, Agham-Advocates of Science and Technology for the People, Haribon Foundation, Ecowaste Coalition, Panalipdan Mindanao and Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc.
The first GBK kicked off in 2009 naming the late anti-mining activist Eliezer “Boy” Billanes as the recipient of the Most Distinguished Awardee. The GBK Individual Awardees were the Ata-Manobo leader Datu Guibang Apoga, Manny Calonzo of the Ecowaste Coalition and the dean of University of the Philippines Tacloban Margarita dela Torre- dela Cruz. The winners of the GBK Awards for Organizations were grassroots- based organizations Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA), the Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc. (Fidec) and Seamancor Eco-Developers Inc. of Sorsogon.
For inquiries, contact:
Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan Secretariat Committee
26 Matulungin Street, Bgy. Central, Quezon City, Philippines 1100
Telefax: 02 920 9099
gawad.bayani.ng.kalikasan@gmail.com
by magnolia_eic | Jun 17, 2011 | Announcements, Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has declared June 20 as a Special Non-working Holiday to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. According to Proclamation No. 154 which was signed by Aquino on April 26th, this would allow “all Filipinos the opportunity to commemorate Rizal’s patriotic deeds and sacrifices forthe country, rekindle their admiration and respect for him, and to celebrate this milestone with appropriate ceremonies”.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) requested that Monday, June 20, 2011, be declared as special non-working holiday instead of Rizal’s birthday on June 19,2011, which falls on a Sunday. Dr. Jose Rizal is the Philippine National Hero who died through firing squad because of hisloyalty and love to the country without any shadow of turning back. Luneta located at theheart of City of Manila City was named after him. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 10, 2011 | Announcements, Headlines, Health and Medicine
THE health department reminded parents of students to be more cautious as school starts because it is also the start of the rainy season. The Department of Health (DOH) said cough, colds, flu and the deadly leptospirosis are
illnesses associated with the wet season.
DOH Secretary Enrique Ona said that cases of dengue fever increase during rainy season. He advised the students to wear long sleeves and leggings to prevent catching the illness. DOH continues to remind parents to equip their children with raincoats and umbrellas.
Students are also reminded to avoid wading through floodwaters, to prevent illnesses such as
leptospirosis. (DOH/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 8, 2011 | Announcements, Features, Headlines, National News, Tourism
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III urged all Filipinos here and abroad to vote and support the country’s pride, the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR), as one of the finalists inthe global search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The President made the pitch right after he signed the proclamation order urging all nationalgovernment agencies, local government units, students and even overseas Filipino workersto join hands in the aggressive voting campaign thru internet and SMS (short messaging system).
In his speech, the President said if the 80 million Filipino cellular phone users participate in the campaign the PPUR has a big chance to win in the competition that would help spur the country’s tourism and create thousands of job opportunities to the people.
“As of now, the country has no less than 80 million Filipino cellular phone users. All we need is 1 billion votes,” President said as he cited the almost 2 million texts recorded by the leading telecommunication companies in their daily operations.
As more Filipinos are now actively using internet as another tool in communication, thePresident urged them to vote the Philippine environment at www.new7wondersofnature orsimply text PPUR15 to 2861.
During the program, Bernard Webber, president and founder of the New 7 Wonder of Nature,officially designated Puerto Princesa as one of the 28 finalists for the new 7 wonder of naturecategory. Renowned as the world’s longest underground river, Puerto Princesa Underground River features a stunning limestone karst mountain landscape, impressive cave systems,impressive stalactites and stalagmites formations, lush old growth tropical rain forest and interesting wildlife. The subterranean river spans 8.2 kilometers long and flows beneathstalactites and stalagmites formation.
The Underground River beat 440 other contenders to be one of the 28 finalists for the New 7Wonders of Nature Campaign. The voting period will end on November 10 and winners will be announced on the following day (November 11). (PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | May 28, 2011 | Announcements, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
HOUSE helpers should only be working as much.
This summary came after labor authorities note that business employers may circumvent the law and hire house-helps to
tend their business enterprises, a practice that is illegal.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Bohol said since house helpers: maids cooks, handy men, yayas, drivers
and those doing odd jobs in exchange for roof over their heads are not covered by the existing labor laws, business
employers use this ploy to evade from giving these people the righteous wages.
House helps rates are usually determined by personal agreements, some helps do haggle for just rates but those who
do not have the voice to strike deals are bound to slavery that gets them to jobs from 4:00 am to past 10:00, sans any
medical or health benefits, 13th month pay and other perks.
In fact, according to DOLE information Officer German Guidaben, a law enacted in early 1990s which pegs a house
helper’s pay needs an amendment, fast.
Republic Act 7655, enacted August 19, 1993 mandates that house helps be paid P800.00 a month for househelpers in
Manila and in highly urbanized cities; P650.00 a month for those in other chartered cities and first class municipalities;
and Five hundred fifty pesos (P550.00) a month for those in other municipalities.
At this rate and with a minimum wage set at P255 per day in Bohol, employers into business may hire house-helps
but whose tasks include tending stores or other business venture, DOLE’s Chief Wilson Cenas explained at last week’s
Kapihan sa PIA.
In Bohol, the going rate for house helps is P1,500 to P2,500 per month, a pay that entitles them to a free board and
lodging, water, light payments and snacks.
Even with agreeably lax implementation of labor laws in Bohol, with the minimum set at P255, a house help’s net take
home pay is undeniably lower compared to other industry workers.
Apply that to a house help who needs to be up at 4:00 and would have to stay until 10:00 or until everyone in the house
has rested, the pay even shrinks to the state of being undignified.
The worst thing is when, other than these already backbreaking task, some of them would have to tend stores, or are
involved in the operation of a business and do not get a pay out of it, Cenas detailed.
House help really deserve honorable wages and working conditions with dignity. They should be treated humanely and
afforded all the benefits of an employed individual. We trust them with our homes, our children and our lives and that is
almost priceless. While they live with us to work, they are not “family” and their service is as laborious as any good day’s
work, so they must be treated right.
Even with a law filed and needing the urgent certification by President Benigno Simeon Aquino, not much has been done
to improve the house helps’ lot, most workers agree.
House helps who feel they are short changed in this manner can seek assistance from DOLE, Cenas urged. (Rey Anthony
Chiu)
by magnolia_eic | May 28, 2011 | Announcements, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
FOR school supplies and school item shoppers who are egging to eke out a few savings for the rainy days, try
shopping in major city stores on May 31 to June 2.
This as the Department of Trade and Industry in Bohol (DTI-Bohol), in partnership with local superstores bring
in an innovation in selling through the discounted rates via the Diskwento Caravan program on those dates.
The promotional sale is actually the national Diskwento Caravan: Presyong Panalo Para sa Mamimiling
Pilipino Program brought down with DTI and big-time stores: Alturas Group of Companies and Bohol Quality
Corporation.
Set for launching on May 31, 2011, the Diskwento Caravan is DTI’s efforts to present a visible answer to the
national governments call to implement non-wage benefit to employees, who are heavily burdened in these
during difficult times, says Lucille Autentico, DTI information officer.
DTI-Bohol Provincial Director Maria Elena C. Arbon said the project hopes to improve consumer’s access to
basic and prime commodities at lower prices through the partner companies carrying the products of Manila
based manufacturers to their towns if not to their door-steps.
In Bohol, the Diskwento Caravan comes in two types: the Store Based and the Roving Type.
Store based Diskwento are participated by Island City Mall, Alturas–Tagbilaran, Alturas–Talibon, Plaza Marcela;
all of Alturas Group of Companies and the Bohol Quality Superstore of Bohol Quality Corporation.
“These establishments, in partnership with the government, offers discounted or reduced prices of school
supplies, school items and basic and prime commodities during normal business hours on May 31 to June 2,
2011 at their respective stores here in Tagbilaran City and Talibon town, respectively.”
On the other hand, the Roving Diskwento Caravan will be jointly undertaken by DTI and the Alturas Group of
Companies in the municipalities of Talibon, Trinidad and Ubay and Baclayon, Arbon said in a press material.
For the rolling store Caravan, the schedules are: Talibon-June 7 in the morning; Trinidad– June 7 in the
afternoon and Ubay– June 8 whole day.
A Diskwento Caravan also opens in Baclayon on June 10, 2011.
Boholano consumers are advised to take advantage of this opportunity to purchase their needs in time for the
opening of classes.
For more information, call DTI-Bohol at (038) 501-8260, 501-8828 and 411-3302. (Rey Anthony Chiu with
Lucille Autentico)
