by magnolia_eic | Jun 10, 2010 | Headlines, National News
THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised the alert level at Taal volcano from 1 to 2 due to the increasing frequency of volcanic earthquakes in the area.
Experts raised the second of a five-level alert on Taal Tuesday. The Phivolcs said volcanic quakes in the area have been occurring since April and the crater lake was heating up.
Allan Loza, officer-in-charge of Phivolcs Talisay said based on their monitoring, the volcanic earthquakes detected per day since April 26 have raised to 32 high frequency volcanic earthquakes and continuously increasing as of presstime.
Subsequently, the Phivolcs immediately released an advisory preventing the public to visit the crater area of Taal, specifically the Daang Kastila trail.
In addition, a low frequency type volcanic earthquake was also detected since June 2.
Taal, located 65 kilometers south of Manila, is one of the most unstable of the country’s 22 known active volcanoes with 33 recorded eruptions, the last one in 1977. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 8, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PUTTING UP palliative but sustainable solution to inefficient community garbage disposal, environment authorities here call on concerned individuals to join hands and plant mangroves.
Coming in as a major part in the activities drafted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the month-long observance of the Environment Month in June, mangrove planting teams from the DENR Penro and Cenro offices get to Tagbilaran, Dauis, Panglao on June 10 and in Clarin town on June 21 to do their share of mitigating the effects of humanity to the environment.
Aside from mangroves stopping soil erosion and spawning areas for a myriad of marine resources, mangrove ecosystems are also efficient sieves that screen off garbage and stop them from going out to pollute our seas, explains PENRO Canda, who is also an excellent forester.
Mangroves also protect coastal communities from erosion, storm surges and even tsunamis as the mangrove root system is excellent in dissipating wave energy, according to wikepedia.
Mangroves slow down tidal water enough that its sediment is deposited as the tide comes in, leaving all except fine particles when the tide ebbs, building their own environment, it continued.
by magnolia_eic | Jun 8, 2010 | Headlines, National News
WHILE some kids from the private schools trooped for the first day classes today, parents are also told to make sure the kids have enough protection from the rains as the weather bureau has officially declared the onset of the rainy season.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) at least five of their weather stations have recorder some 25 millimeters of rain in the past consecutive five days to officially push them to officially declare the rainy season.
PAG-ASA Administrator Prisco Nilo was quoted as saying that the 25 mm rains recorded in at least 5 weather stations across the country and the presence of the northwest monsoon or hanging habagat has been the main criteria to determine the onset of the rainy season.
With this, rains would be usually felt all over the country until September, when the season ends.
There are monsoon breaks however, Nilo said as he explained that there would be times without rain.
For the school kids however, there should be some provisions for the rain which may include raincoats, umbrellas, boots and extra pair of shirts. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 5, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Mona Valisno last Wednesday disclosed that reports from the various DepEd regional offices indicate that less than 10 percent of the private schools have applied for tuition increase. Thus, more than 90 percent have no tuition increase this school year.
“While there have been several applications for tuition increases by private schools, this represents a small portion of all private schools nationwide,” said Valisno.
Valisno noted that applicants for tuition increase declined this year compared to last year due to a steady decrease in the application for tuition increase by private elementary and secondary schools nationwide.
Since last year, the DepEd has been appealing to private school owners and operators to temper their application for school fee increases considering the financial condition of many Filipino families.
Valisno also stressed that under the Education Act of 1982, all applications for increase in tuition and other school fees are subject to the approval of DepEd. “Thus, private schools must comply with the applicable DepEd Orders on the matter before any increase may be imposed,” she said.
The DepEd has already directed all field offices to closely monitor any increase being proposed by private schools in order to protect the interests of parents, students, and the general public. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 5, 2010 | Headlines, National News
MALACAÑANG has urged people to show their patriotism and proudly display the national flag in their homes, schools, offices, and other establishments until June 12, the country’s 112th Independence Day.
Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza also encouraged the public to join the Independence Day celebrations on June 12 to celebrate “our fight for freedom and independence from want, from poverty, from ignorance.”
The country’s 112th Independence Day, which carries the theme “Kalayaan, Tagumpay ng Bayan,” was launched with the observance of the “Araw ng Watawat” last May 28. The P10-million Independence Day celebrations will include ceremonies promoting respect for the country’s flag as well as highlighting the achievements of President Arroyo in the last nine years.
On June 12, President Arroyo will lead the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park in Manila at 7 a.m. Simultaneous flag-raising rites will be held in key cities across the country.
Mrs. Arroyo is expected to deliver her Independence Day speech wherein she would likely make her final report to the nation, which includes her accomplishments as well as trials during her presidency that ends at 12 noon, June 30. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Jun 3, 2010 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Education (DepEd) should first hold a dialogue with bishops before including sex education in the curriculum of elementary and high school students this school year, a Palace official said on Wednesday.
The agency should consult and clear issues first with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) before implementing its plan to teach sex education in schools, Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said in a press briefing on Wednesday.
He added that the DepEd “has to address” the CBCP’s reservations on teaching sex education, especially to elementary pupils.
The CBCP on Tuesday renewed its opposition on the teaching of sex education in schools, saying that it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to teach this to their children.
However, Education Secretary Mona Valisno has consistently said that the DepEd is determined to include sex education in school’s basic curriculum, even down to the elementary level.
Mendoza advised Valisno to hear the opinion of all stakeholders before proceeding with the department’s plan. He added that Malacanang will “depend on issues to be presented” before it makes it stand on the matter. (PIA-Bohol)
