by admin | Feb 18, 2017 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, Sports
TAGBILARAN CITY, February 18 (PIA)—Bohol lost steam and sizzled as it slid to fourth among 13 sports delegations towards the closing days of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVRAA) meet held February 12-17, 2017 at the Teodoro Mendiola Sr Oval in Naga City.
On the second day of competitions, Bohol took a commanding second place, its athletes achievements even earning precious newspaper spaces all over Central Visayas but could not hold on to its edge.
Medal powerhouse Cebu City kept its 2016 lead and cemented a 25th straight winning streak for the CVRAA crown with 144 gold medals, 64 silvers and 77 bronze medals.
Observers always pick Cebu City as favorite, being the host of most schools with well-defined sports programs.
Cebu Province, which finished fourth overall in 2016 improved its position by skipping over two positions to trample then third placer Bohol and second placer Mandaue City to claim a spot as the region’s next delegation with the most medals.
Cebu Province nailed 37 gold medals, 41 silvers and 47 bronze medals to sidle in between Cebu City and next bigger contender Mandaue City.
On day three of the sports competitions, Bohol could not keep up with the gold harvest and settled for third, a position it continues to lose grip to Mandaue City, which had also a terrible showing in 2017.
Mandaue City finished off the sports hostilities emerging with 29 gold medals, 49 silver medals and 47 bronze medals to earn the third spot in the region’s pre qualifier to the Palarong Pambansa.
Bohol, which ranked third last year could only muster 25 gold medals, 38 silvers and 75 bronze medals to claim the fourth place.
Lapulapu City maintained its fifth place finish in 2016, with 23 gold medals35 silvers and 35 bronze medals.
Like Cebu Province, Tagbilaran City pulled out a stunning show and performed two notches better earning sixth place after five days of events.
Tagbilaran City bagged home 21 gold medals, 20 silver medals and 25 bronze medals in 2017, as against its 8th place finish in 2016 with only 8 gold medals, 20 silvers and 20 bronze medals then.
Tagbilaran City in 2017 overtook Danao City which has clung to the 7th place position it claimed in 2016.
Danao City could only make 17 gold medal finishes, 30 silver medals and 25 bronze medals this year.
From 9th rank in 2016, host City of Naga improved its standing to eight when its athletes finished off the games with 7 gold medals, 9 silver medals and 19 bronzes.
Then ranked 6th in 2016, Talisay City slumped to ninth position in 2017 earning 6 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 14 bronze finishes at the capping day of the tournaments.
The City of Bogo showed promise this year as from being last in 2016, the delegation improved its position massively; jumping over three notches to claim the 10th berth of the CVRAA 2017.
The City of Bogo posted 6 gold, 4 silver and 10 bronze slate after the 2017 hostilities.
Toledo City, which was occupying the 12th spot in 2016 jumped up to 11th and beat next contender Siquijor Province by one gold medal more.
Toledo City capped the days with 3 top finishes, 5 silver finishes and 4 bronze finishes.
On the other hand, Siquijor, which used to claim the 10th space in 2016 also slid off to 12th with only 2 golds, 4 silvers and a single bronze.
Carcar City, which used to have the 11th place in 2016 could only muster a silver and 4 bronze medals to settle at the tail end of the CVRAA 2017 roster.
The results are based on the final official medal tally on regular sports certified by Records and Results Chief Alberto L. Mangaron, Co-chief Mario Garcia and recorder Jonas Ledesma. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
Bohol secondary basketball team proved it can be a group to contend with after emerging with the silver finish in the recently completed CVRAA 2017. (photo grabbed from DepED Lope Hubac’s facebook)
by admin | Feb 16, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
The Department of Trade and Industry sees sustained growth for exports in 2017 as Philippine exported goods yielded a 4.5% growth in December 2016 with a total of $4.71 billion in export revenues from $4.660 billion in the same period in 2015.
“As we implement new strategies in diversifying our markets and upscaling our products and services amidst the slowdown in global trade, we hope that our exports will continue to improve in the next quarters” said DTI Industry Promotion Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.
In a report released by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), increase in the top five (5) major export commodities contributed to the growth which include coconut oil (crude and refined; 146.5%), other mineral products (104.5%), metal components (66.4%), chemicals (42.1%), and other manufactures (35.8%).
While electronic products experienced a 2.8% decrease in total receipts as compared to 2015 data, these remained to be the top export product of the country with total receipts of $2.451 billion, accounting for 50.3% of the total exports revenue in December 2016. Other Manufactures ranked second with 7.2% share to the total export receipts. It recorded an increase of 35.8% from December 2015 value of $257.32 million. It is followed by Machinery and Transport Equipment with export revenue of $227.05 million, Woodcrafts and Furniture with total sales of $202.14 million, and Ignition Wiring Set and Other Wiring Sets Used in Vehicles, Aircraft and Ships with $153.72 million export sales.
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Notable 67.5% increase in the exports of our Agro-Based Products in December 2016 is a good indication that our agrisector will be up in the coming months. We hope to see more of this trend to fully boost our exports,” added DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen M. Perlada.
Agro-based products shared 7.7 % of the total exports in December 2016 which amounted to $377.30 million.
Total exported goods to East Asia increased compared to other top Philippine exports destination such as ASEAN member countries, USA, and European Union member countries. Merchandise exports to East Asia increased by 9.4% with total revenue of $2.556 billion million from $2.337 billion recorded in the same month in 2015. Japan remained to be the country’s top export destination, with revenue amounting to $946.28 million, comprising 19.4 percent share of the total exports.
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Feb 15, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
Philippines, through the Department of Trade and Industry, unveils business programs that champion the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), youth and women entrepreneurship at the ASEAN 2017 Business and Investment Program (ABIP) Launch at the at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall in Malacañang last month.
The development of MSMEs is among the priority areas in terms of ASEAN’s policy focus and resources. ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2025 Pillar 4 (“Resilient, Inclusive, People-Oriented, and People-Centered ASEAN”) reinforces the MSME-oriented mandate and supports the significant work of ASEAN in providing an enabling environment for MSME development and internationalization.
“Philippines, through DTI, wants to highlight business programs and events that will complement the ASEAN efforts to champion the inclusion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the international trade, and the strengthened promotion of youth and women entrepreneurship,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
During the ASEAN Business and Investment Program launch, DTI Secretary Lopez shared programs developed which provides the business component of the priority themes and policies that the Philippines is advocating under the AEC pillar with an ASEAN perspective.
The following programs were developed by DTI as chair for the ASEAN 2017 Committee on Business and Investment Promotion:
- ASEAN MSMEs-Mentors Conference 2017;
- ASEAN Creative Cities Forum and Exhibit ;
- ASEAN at International Food Exposition Philippines 2017;
- ASEAN Women’s Business Conference;
- Inclusive Business Summit;
- 2nd ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival;
- Creative Marketplace;
- Slingshot ASEAN; and
- ASEAN MSME Summit.
Further to this, through the priority agenda of “inclusive, innovation-led growth”, the Philippines is poised to champion the MSME mandate in the ASEAN through the following strategic measures: (1) increasing trade and investment; (2) integrating MSMEs in the digital economy; and (3) developing an innovation-driven economy.
High on Philippines’ hosting agenda for the economic pillar are deliverables geared toward instituting an enabling environment that allows MSMEs to develop and internationalize through policies that ease the cost of doing business and through support activities that nurture their continuous growth.
“As ASEAN, we are highly aware in the need to increase participation from all sectors to ensure that the benefits of integration are fully realized and shared by everyone in the region,” added Secretary Lopez.
DTI as chair for ASEAN 2017 Committee on Business and Investment Promotion, an inter-agency committee established by the Philippines’ 2017 ASEAN National Organizing Committee (ASEAN NOC). CBIP is responsible in engaging the international business community, government, and other parties; and as well as in organizing business and investment-related activities.
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Feb 13, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has called for digital empowerment in the Philippines to continue fueling the development of the country’s digital commerce or e-commerce, a key priority in the current trade agenda.
“I urge our micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to welcome digital integration,” said Sec. Lopez, adding that now is the perfect timing to rally towards digital empowerment as the Philippine economy experiences strong macro-economic fundamentals, renewed investor confidence and good governance
During the recent office opening of Google in Taguig, the trade chief said that “digital integration is a great equalizer, as it allows MSMEs to gather product ideas and concepts, do market tests and do promotions and selling at practically no cost.”
He also said that MSMEs can make use of programs in partnership with companies like Google, so that the sector “can take advantage of opportunities that go with going digital.
With vast interest infused in the demography of the Philippines as the world’s social media capital and with 50 million Internet users, accounting for 50% of the country’s total population today, the Philippines can be a model country for digital empowerment, according to him.
“I hope that more effective web services, improved search experience and effective advertising platform will be delivered to all stakeholders. With Google officially in the country, we can only expect production of meaningful local contents,” he added.
Citing Statista, it is projected that by 2021, 81% of the country’s population will be Internet users. For the Southeast Asian region alone, the country has the fastest growing Internet audience at 22% growth rate, according to the 2014 Global Web Index, which also found Filipinos having the highest total screen time spent in social networking globally at 3.2 hours.
Sec. Lopez also hoped that digital companies can be more inclusive in its business operations and assured that DTI will support initiatives that proactively promote digital inclusion among Filipinos through digital literacy and digital accessibility.
“I urge tech companies to spearhead programs that will empower Filipino consumers with skills to harness the benefits of technology to improve their quality of life,” he said, adding that forging multi-stakeholder partnership among the government, the civil society, the private sector and the academe is an urgent need.
Google’s expansion in the Philippines also means creation of more jobs for Filipinos, as country manager Ken Lingan has promised to hire local talents. In addition, with the population getting more connected and easily more engaged, an ecosystem of startups can have more strategic venue, in view of Google’s commitment to grow small businesses online.
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Feb 5, 2017 | DOH Updates, Headlines, Health and Medicine, Infrastraktura, Local News / Bohol Balita
By JUNE S. BLANCO
INABANGA and Buenavista towns in northern Bohol stand to have their ports improved this year.
This after Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) inserted funds for the purpose in the 2017 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Aumentado said a new and bigger P50-million port will be built for Inabanga in barangay Uog. This will replace the existing one which is behind the public market in barangay Tungod.
The seawater off Uog is deeper. He said this augurs well for larger pump boats and motorized bancas. This will make regular the trips to Cebu and back. Many residents and store-owners buy provisions and stocks from Cebu rather than go on land trips to the capital Tagbilaran City.
The solon, however, vowed to secure additional funds for this port when he returns to Manila, as this is a new construction, not just an improvement.
On the other hand, also in the GAA is P40 million for the improvement of the Buenavista fishport.
Of the three congressional districts in Bohol, the 2nd District has the most islands and islets. This means islanders travel a lot by sea to buy from the mainland or from Cebu, their needs at home or in school, or to bring patients to hospitals.
Aumentado said the improved ports will also improve travelling conditions for the islanders and their cargoes.
Meanwhile, the medical team of the Faces of Tomorrow arrived yesterday morning for a week-long surgical mission to correct cleft lips and cleft palates as well as perform general dentistry.
Aumentado led the welcoming delegation at the Tagbilaran City Airport to meet the team headed by its director, Dr. Brian Rubinstein.
At 10:30 a.m. today, the team will start screening the shortlisted patients for operation on Feb. 6-7 for the first batch and Feb. 9-10 for the second batch. Feb. 8 will be for a break/rest day, to be capped with a dinner treat courtesy of the solon.
Feb. 11 is set for the recognition of the surgical team that will be departing from this city in the afternoon of Feb. 12.
The operations – the second surgical mission in Bohol by the Faces of Tomorrow, in cooperation with the Abounding with Love Foundation – will be performed at the Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services or the Bohol Cooperative Hospital in Dampas District, this city.
. Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (standing, center) led in welcoming the members of the Faces of Tomorrow surgical and dental team headed by Dr. Brian Rubinstein (standing directly behind Aumentado) at the city airport yesterday morning. A delegation from the Medical Mission Group (MMG) Coop Hospital (left) and some lady Jaycees (right) joined the welcoming fete. FOTO: Aris Aumentado’s Facebook Account
by admin | Feb 4, 2017 | Headlines, Kontra Droga, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, February 4, (PIA)—Joint Councils of Bohol Peace and Order (PPOC) and Anti-Drug Abuse (PADAC) approved a resolution en masse, adopting a community based drug rehabilitation program suited for drug users with light to moderate affectation.
At a joint meeting held inside the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Mansion January 31, both councils headed by Governor Edgar Chatto formalized the adoption of the Community Based Drug Rehabilitation Without Walls (CBDRWW).
By the approval, the councils also green lighted the adoption of the program to all towns as the official drug rehab program for all drug users who opt to undergo the process.
CBDRWW is an adoption with minor modifications, of the Talibon Drug Rehabilitation Program without Walls, Argao Drug Rehab center program and best practices, explained the governor.
Then episcopal vicar of Talibon Diocese and among the program implementers since September 2016, now Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy said the program “works on poverty, demands no experts because we have no psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors.”
As the name suggests, the program uses no confinement in a medical or correctional facility for treatment, and rather looks on to the physical, emotional, psychological, economic and spiritual needs of the drug victims end encourages them to stop alcohol, smoking, gambling and most especially the use of illegal drugs, bishop Uy explained.
Envisioned and attuned to the philosophy of human dignity and value, the program delves on the personality of an individual, and his relation to the community in as much as reintegration to the mainstream would demand that the victim needs all the help to work, pray and play along with his family and the community.
A collaborative concept of the local government, the Diocese of Talibon, its inter-faith communities and sectors, the program acknowledges that it will do its share of the drug problem by offering an alternative rehabilitation program to invite more drug dependents who still refused to surrender due to the uncertainty of getting a good rehabilitation program.
In his executive order, creating the technical working group drafting the Talibon Drug Rehab program, Mayor Restituto Auxtero acknowledges the need for a clear drug rehabilitation program to further invite those still refuse to surrender, while entertaining the thought that without a program, those who showed goodwill in surrendering would return to their illegal and harmful trade.
CBDRWW gives new hope for drug surrenderers to be treated from their addiction and renew their lives through worship and prayer, community service, group value formation and spiritual enrichment, through psychosocial counseling and family education, healing of family relations and engaging in livelihood grants, stresses bishop Uy during the meeting.
At the same meeting approving the use of the rehab program, Governor Chatto also called on the national government agencies, non government organizations and interest groups offering livelihood opportunities to help Bohol set up a menu of choices for those who complete the 3 to 5 months rehabilitation program.
The program however, only works for drug surrenderers who voluntarily signify to undergo the program which commits them to follow the policies of the rehabilitation.
In Bohol, authorities implemented the community based Center for Drug Education and Counseling (CDEC) where among the most critical processes include getting drug surrenderers into a World Health Organization approved Alcohol, Smoking, Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) Brief Intervention (BI).
The test determined the level of substance abuse and categorizes drug dependents according to their levels of affectation to determine the levels of intervention, clarifies Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez, CDEC executive officer.
Those who are severely affected are referred to a facility based medical treatment and drug rehabilitation center, we do not have the expertise for them, he noted.
Only those who are slightly and moderately affected individuals are eligible to the CBDRWW, Dr. Lopez added.
But, for the drug rehab without walls, authorities stress that it only works for those who are willing to get help, that is voluntary. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
