by magnolia_eic | Jan 15, 2010 | Features, Local News / Bohol Balita
ENVIRONMENTAL safeguards are in place, assures Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera over the ambitious plan to reclaim 450 hectares off a sea where environmentalists say is critical to the Bohol marine ecosystem.
The Herrera statement also come a few days before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan green-lighted by authorizing Governor Erico Aumentado to enter into an agreement with project proponents, Oasis Leisure Islands and Development Incorporated. (OLIDI).
In authorizing the governor, the provincial junta under Herrera also nailed a condition that would force the governor to operate only on the narrow principle of the Bohol environmental policy as a guiding principle.
In a press meeting while presenting the SP accomplishments weeks ago, Herrera reiterated the provincial government thrust for economic growth and development while keeping a balance on environment and resource protection and conservation.
The junta authorization would now allow the governor to enter into a joint venture agreement with the project proponents, but the vice governor assured that Bohol’s environment would be a primary concern.
The project, proposed to be a string of themed artificial islets along the south western coasts of Panglao island would make use of the shallow waters as the site for artificial islets created by landfill.
The junta head admitted his nod to the project is also biased on his strong conviction of the governor’s competence and wisdom to balance development and the environment.
Even then, Herrera also told the media that the SP authorization for the governor to enter into an agreement is filled with conditionalities that would assure that the project would not be pushed through if any of the conditions are unmet.
While he did not elaborate on the conditions inserted in the SP authorization, he personally admitted that the Bohol Environment Code, the Bohol Investment Code and the Bohol Tourism Code would be largely be considered as a beacon for the project. (PIA)
PRESS RELEASE
REY ANTHONY CHIU
Philippine Information Agency
Tagbilaran City Information Center
411 2292 / 0920 954 5482 / 501 8554 email: piabohol171@yahoo.com
by magnolia_eic | Jan 14, 2010 | Features, Local News / Bohol Balita
IN the continuing fight to dialyze renal illness into a no-threat in the country, the government is now resorting to the powerful broadcast media to widen the advocacy.
Engaging the broadcast media and turning broadcasters into their newest converts in the war against renal disease which ends up fatal in its end stage, the government’s Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) manned by the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) of the Department of Health hopes to widen the information education communication campaign against the disease.
While broadcasters may not be the most able professionals talking about renal disease on the airlanes, the REDCOP has come up with an easy to follow broadcasters manual for the purpose, says program manager Dr. Remedios de Belen-Uriarte.
Speaking to keynote the Orientation-Briefing on the Broadcaster’s Manual for the Prevention of Kidney Diseases in Davao City, Dr. Uriarte pointed out that the government hopes to develop more advocates on the prevention of kidney disease.
To intensify the Information, Education and Communication as well as the advocacy on the prevention campaign, the gathering of selected broadcast practitioners from the four pilot regions in the country allowed the radio men to peep into the complex problem of renal disease and its issues, she added.
The DOH rated renal or kidney disease as one of the leading causes of death in the country in its 1997-2002 survey and monitoring data.
Kidneys perform vital life-maintaining functions as monitors and regulators of body fluids. They excrete excess body fluids and retains substances needed for the body’s continuing functions.
A non-functioning or diseased kidney causes imbalance in body fluids and can degenerate into multiple organ failures leading to death.
A bleaker scenario is even presented In its regional monitoring report which presents the disease in the sixth or seventh place.
In an annual report in 2008, the Philippine Renal Disease Registry noted 7,589 new patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who started dialysis. 82 patients have started pre-emptive transplants.
Dr. Uriarte said most patients with ESRD could not afford a restorative renal transplant, which can cost as high as half a million to a million excluding laboratory and medical expenses.
Even a palliative dialysis can be very restrictive, she pointed out.
Dialysis range from P2,500 in government subsidized to P7,000 in private hospitals, she said. (PIA)
PRESS RELEASE
by: REY ANTHONY CHIU
Philippine Information Agency
Tagbilaran City Information Center
411 2292 / 0920 954 5482 / 501 8554 email: piabohol171@yahoo.com
by anyajulia | Dec 29, 2009 | Features, Headlines
According to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, most Filipinos welcome the New Year with hope rather than fear.
Eighty-nine percent of those interviewed by the SWS from Decembr 5 to December 10 expressed hope for 2010, while 11 percent said they harbored fear for the coming year.
Hope for the New Year among Filipinos reached its highest at 95 percent in December 2002 and posted its lowest at 81 percent in December 2004, according to the SWS.
Hope for the New Year remained high in all areas in the country: 90 percent in Luzon outside Manila, 88 percent in the Visayas, and 87 percent in both Metro Manila and Mindanao. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
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by anyajulia | Nov 14, 2009 | Features, Headlines
For the love of the game of Ping Pong, a group of around 20 players gathered at the K of C Recreation Center last Sunday, to play a friendly competition between the “oldies and young ones”. The minor tournament was organized by ‘old timer’ Reuel “Opong” Causin from Calceta. Many of the players in Bohol participated. The notably good players were made up of the young and the old members of the Capitol Heights Organization of Pingpongers. Champions like “Bitoy” brother of Opong, Deo Butawan, ‘Mao Mao’ senior and his 16 year old son ‘Mao Mao’ junior, and Peter Namata and Onyol Sajonia from the town of Duero, Riju Cuizon and the likes of “Filay” Godinez took part.
That afternoon, a good display of high standard table tennis in Bohol was made. It was an open competition (regardless of category) by elimination and in the thrilling end, the two finalists fought it out between ‘oldies’ Opong against the ‘young ones’ Filay Godinez, with the crowd backing the old timer. Opong displayed good skill and experience to outwit the younger and more energetic Filay. A fitting end for a friendly competition was accomplished with good food, friends and more talk of future get togethers.
The food was sponsored by Philippe Chew, who is back from a 2 year absence with his wife Marianne. Philippe, an accomplished chef provided Thai Lemon Chicken and Chop Suey to all the participants. He is also a ‘die hard’ ping pong player and an enthusiast ever since his school days.
Table tennis is a wonderful sport for reaching out which provides good exercise, coordination and skills improvement for every player. It transcends across all ages from the young to the old (age 6 years to 80 years) and knows no boundaries as it is played in Bohol as well as in Cagayan De’Oro and Singapore or the USA. This sport allows good friendship amongst players and cements long term relationships across the world. No wonder it was used as a tool for diplomacy during the years when USA and China were fostering better relations in the 70’s. This game helps the young to develop good leadership qualities in team spirit building, individual coordinating skills and mental dexterity in reading the game and playing with counter articulated skills.
It is encouraged that table tennis be played in every town to keep the youth off the streets and getting into the menace of drugs and other vices. This sport is not costly and it does not require a huge court or playing field to get started. All it needs is a table and two bats and a ping pong ball. So lets all play ping pong make new friends and create a healthy lifestyle for all.
by anyajulia | Oct 6, 2009 | Features, Headlines
A student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) won the the grand prize in the photography category of the 2009 ASEAN-Korea Multimedia Competition. The said student is Jophel Botero Ybiosa whose entries were “The Guide”, “Festive Day” and “Reflection of a Culture.” All of these pieces featured the Higantes Festival of Angono, Rizal and Aliwan Festival in Manila.
The contest, which carries the theme “Cultural Diversity and Harmony,” was divided in two categories namely, video/multimedia and photography, and was participated in by over 350 ASEAN and Korean university and graduate students.
Ybiosa was previously honored as one of the finalists in the print category of 2009 Bangkok International Print and Drawing Competition. Last June 26, 2009, he won the Championship title in the Interschool Extemporaneous Speech Contest held in Aldaba Hall of University of the Philippines, Diliman. He was also the Top 7 and Top 10 Winner 2009 Photoworld Cup-June Edition organized by Federation of Philippine Photographer’s Foundation.
Ybiosa is also one of the semi-finalists in the Oil Painting Category of this year’s Metrobank Art and Design Excellence National Competition. On October 20, 2009, he is going to be awarded as one of the Finalists of 2009 Shell National Student Art Competition in Ayala Museum. (Sining Pilipinas)
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by anyajulia | Sep 17, 2009 | Features, Headlines
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo proceeds to the United Kingdom then Saudi Arabia from Turkey in her three country swing visit to promote the Philippines as an attractive investment destination.
The trip, a much-needed one in this time or economic would also hope to engage overseas Filipino workers and look after their welfare.
The president also hopes to strengthen bilateral relations with said countries as well as strengthen diplomatic relations.
President Arroyo left the country early dawn today Wednesday for an official visit to Turkey upon the invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gul. (PIA)
