by admin | Nov 28, 2015 | Local News / Bohol Balita
CABAYUGAN, Calape – The seven puroks in this hinterland barangay of Calape were the recent beneficiaries of healthy female carabaos which the farmer-beneficiaries greatly welcomed to support their livelihood thru farming.
The carabao dispersal was made possible thru the Countryside Development Program-Purok Power Movement (CDP-PPM) of the provincial government of Bohol. Gov. Edgar Chatto personally turned over the seven carabaos to the barangay officials then to the purok leaders-beneficiaries during the recent mini agri-HEAT caravan, medical and dental outreach at said barangay.
Brgy Capt. Juanita Carajay was profuse in her thanks to the governor for the PPM’s presence in her barangay saying that a lot has improved in their area since the PPM came. And this caravan and outreach is just one tangible proof of the promise of the provincial government that services and development will be brought to the front yard of every barangay to help the constituents achieve the socio-economic development, which is also the main thrust of the CDP-PPM.
But one long-term support the PPM brought to the barangay are the capacity development for its constituents down to the purok and sitios that empowers them to be better leaders through the purok sectoral working committees (SWCs).
Gov. Chatto, in his message said that one clear proof that a purok or sitio is capacitated and empowered and is united is just by looking at its purok centers. The structure may be modest but if it is strong and not reclining or tilting, clean and not unkempt and with bulletin or information boards present, it means the people in the purok gets to meet often and discuss about programs, even at their own level, that would improve their life. That the purok may not necessarily depend or wait for the barangay or the municipal officials to provide for all its needs. This is the essence of the CDP-PPM.
Though the governor admitted that unlike the rain that pours down from the heavens simultaneously, the implementation of the PPM in the barangays in the province is done by batches since the Prosperity Team (ProTeam) that will go and stay with the barangays will still have to capacitate the community through the capacity development trainings and creation of purok SWCs.
Aside from the carabaos, the residents also received 30 heads of native chicken, 100 bags of organic fertilizers, assorted vegetable seeds, rice seeds, coconut seedlings, free haircut and tuli from the 302nd Brigade and 47th Infantry Battalion, free dental services from the Provincial Health Office (PHO), free animal consultation and medicines from Office of Provincial Veterinarian (OPV), free consultation and medicines from the Medical Outreach Unit of the Office of the Governor.
Liza Quirog, chair of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the CDP-PPM is grateful that the barangay officials and residents alike of Cabayugan appreciated and have benefited from the programs of the provincial government particularly the CDP-PPM.
CDP-PPM is a multi-sectoral socio-economic development program of the province being implemented in about 85 barangays in the province and is growing with the numerous requests from other barangays hoping CDP-PPM will also be implemented in their barangays. Being multi-sectoral, other government agencies that are members of the TWG handles the response of the request of the barangays depending on where the program is being anchored. For instance, for request on agricultural and livelihood assistance, the OPA handles this request and the OPV for the request on native chicken and carabaos.
When asked whether she is ready to be the subject of another issue due to the procurement of these carabaos and native chicken, Quirog said that she has always been confident in all procurements of the provincial government, such as that of the PPM since all procurements of the Capitol, including that of the carabaos are aboveboard since it underwent the usual bidding and procurement processes as required by law. Besides, it is the office concerned who handles the procurement processes of these.
For the carabao procurement, Quirog said that Johnny Samson of the OPV, who is also the provincial artificial insemination coordinator of the province, validated the capacity of the procured carabaos specifically for breeding purposes. Samson said that taken into consideration upon inspection were “the physical characteristic/external features such as body confirmation, structural soundness, health, hereditary defects, good mammary teats and no crooked tails. I also give importance to appearance, temperament, utero-genital and mammary system, feeding capacity and vigor. Besides, the physical characteristics, to check the reproductive system of animals, I conducted rectal palpation which is the most accurate examination of the utero-reproductive organ. For the animals I inspected, I even rejected three carabaos, there were either smaller and bigger in size, which I considered unfit for breeding,” Samson said. Those rejected by Samson were then replaced by the supplier with carabaos that passed the scrutinizing eyes of Samson based on national and international standards.
The procurements were done by the PGBh to respond to the requests of the barangays like the carabaos by virtue of resolutions it submitted to the province thru the PPM. (tltb)
TIARA BULILAN
Communicators Group
by admin | Nov 26, 2015 | National News
Prof. Ruben M. Gamala, Director of the Office of Student Affairs, University of the Philippines Visayas,
hands over the certificate to Aljohn T. Torreta, the first recipient of the Carmudi Philippines Scholarship Program.
Carmudi, the leading online vehicle platform in the Philippines, has selected the son of a fisherman and a vendor as the first sole recipient of its scholarship program. Aljohn Torreta, a senior student from the University of the Philippines Visayas taking up a BA in Communications and Media Studies, was chosen from a highly competitive batch of Cum Laude standing students from different universities who participated nationwide.
In his application letter Aljohn wrote, “I took the initiative to apply for this scholarship grant as a way of helping my parents through our financial crisis. We are six in the family and my parents do not have stable jobs to fulfil all of our financial needs. My father is a local fisherman while my mother is a low-scale fish vendor. I am the only one who is currently enrolled because my parents cannot afford to send all of us to school. I can really feel the pain in their struggle and that keeps my fire burning. I am inspired to at least perform well at university.”
Aljohn was chosen as Carmudi Philippines’ first ever scholar as his diligent and compassionate nature was evident from his good grades and attitude towards his circumstances.
Carmudi’s Scholarship Program was open to senior students who are academically excellent but poor financially and cannot finish their studies without sufficient aid or support from an external donor.
Subir Lohani, Carmudi Philippines Managing Director said, “Building people is the heart of our culture as an organization. Giving financial support and career opportunities to these deserving students is one way for us to extend our helping hand outside our company.”
The benefits of the scholarship program include18,000 Php for a semester, an opportunity to be mentored by the Managing Director of Camudi Philippines for one week and a guaranteed job interview after graduation.
Carmudi, which was launched in October 2013, is a part of the Rocket Internet portfolio which is also behind other online sites such as Lazada and Zalora.
####
For Media Inquiries kindly contact:
Kris C. Lim
Head – PR and Marketing
Carmudi Philippines
Unit 2901, Antel Global Tower, Julia Vargas Street,
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Mobile: 0917-4140607
Email: kris@carmudi.com.ph
Skype ID: krisclim
by admin | Nov 21, 2015 | Tech Talk
By Jerome Auza
In 2005, I purchased components to build one of the computers I used as a server at Auza.Net. This computer has served the company for more than 10 years. It finally refused to power up on November 21, 2015.
From all of the computers I have used, this was the longest operating computer ever. I haven’t replaced any component during this period. Most of the time it is running 24/7. At one point, the CPU fan stopped working so I had to put a USB powered external fan to cool the CPU.
In July 8, 2007, it powered the first ever real-time worldwide broadcast of DYRD-AM via its website www.dyrdam.com. Several months later, it also powered the data capture of the Textklamo service of the same station.
Dusty and crippled beyond repair, I removed the CPU from the server rack, gave it a final check before I hugged it goodbye. Well, I didn’t really hug it but it’s the thought that counts, right?
In its 10 years of operation, I hardly had to do any maintenance. It has streamed a few years worth of broadcast of DYRD-AM. It has processed thousands of TxtKlamo messages. It has drawn for me thousands of monitoring charts.
This is even more proof of the stability of the Linux operating system. The only times it would shutdown is when I am not able to run the generator in time before the UPS runs out of reserved power.
Goodbye computer with local IP address 192.168.15.23. You will be missed.
by admin | Nov 20, 2015 | National News
By: Ben Emata
One thing beautiful with the holding of the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is that all the 21 nations who attended were united in their fight against terrorism and poverty. The subject matter may not be the main issue during the meeting but because of the Paris incident, the same did not escape the pronouncement of world leaders to deal on the problem. Terrorism is a serious thing in a modern civilization that should not be ignored. No one knows when and where the terrorists will strike next until they hit the media with scores of lives lost. It is so much of treachery.
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The Philippines is third, repeat THIRD poorest country of the participants in the APEC meeting according to the World Bank. First is Vietnam closely followed by Papua, New Guinea. I cannot disagree on this finding but they should have searched that we have dozens of politicians who are super wealthy and owners of real estates in foreign lands. We simply call this thing hidden wealth or assets invested in foreign countries.
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In North Korea, three women who merely watched a TV show of South Korea were executed. In the same country, three young college students were also killed because they watched pornography on TV. I wish the North Korean leaders watch live show of sex exhibitions in Pasay City and elsewhere for a cheap amount for entrance. Oh yeah I remember an uncle of its president was executed because he differed in opinions with the ruler. If only our drug lords live in that country, I can see we will have no problem with addictions and crimes connected therewith.
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There seems to be a double standard of justice in our country. In Jolo, the Abbu Sayaf beheads their kidnapped victims who could not meet the ransom money worth millions in a certain period. Proof to this, a Malaysian-Chinese who was kidnapped a while ago was reunited with his head hours later after he was beheaded. To the kidnappers’ law, it is death sentence. But since our government does not have the death penalty, we embrace the criminals and crimes the reason why so many of the underworld characters like to be behind bars. For instance a suspect rapes a girl and murder her later only get the maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Surely it is a mockery of justice or if not, what is it?
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Demonstrators during the APEC meet have become so violent they fought the policemen. Many were injured but the problm some of them just did not know what they were doing of, and for whom? Demonstrations or rallies are becoming wild and uncontrollable, a thing we must ponder what to do to prevent similar incidents in the future. While we honor the exercise of freedom, we certainly hit abuses committed in doing it.
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Now that the Court of Appeals has ordered that Mayor Oscar Moreno is the city mayor of Cagayan de Oro, I urge the residents and other politicians to set aside bickering and intrigues and let the city government function well. If we really enjoy politics in action, let us wait for next year’s election and see how things go on legally. Supporters of politicians who left their homes to participate in the actions better go home now and rest.
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I wish our TV program producers try to improve their shows/dramas because these items reach the American continent and other places via the modern technologies and cable in Europe and Canada where they meet stiff competitions. Some of these programs ended in heavy criticisms. You know how some Filipinos open their mouths when they despise something. BEN EMATA Bennex News Service
by admin | Nov 20, 2015 | Opinion
By: Ben Emata
After several decades of observing hundreds of rallies and/or demonstrations in our country, I still could hardly comprehend how are things go around among the people who are quick to come into groups in a very short notice. They come from nowhere, from within the cities, from the markets, from the hills or somewhere from the rainbows. There are no truckloads of people much less ships, trains or planes that could take them to one point to form a large crowd angrily shouting slogan and battle cry like “get out Americans”, “Ibagsak”, “to hell”, “Resign so and so”, everything under the sun, etc. etc.
When the government law enforcers kill the kidnapper/murderers, they come to the streets and shout “violation of human rights” and “murder”. When our soldiers kill the rebels, again they are grouped instantly and they denounce the killings but when our soldiers are killed by the dozens, they are quiet and nowhere to be found – – maybe laughing. Certainly, I am not saying this is unfair to our military but if it is not, then a better term should be in hand for such incident. I even suspect these same rally professionals were the same groups that caused the driving out of the American military bases in Subic and Clarkfields. Now China is threatening us on the matter of the disputed seas in the Spratleys and we start to miss the strength of America.
I am truly astonished beyond imagination how these rallyists could come out in so short a time to denounce or condemn things that are good for the general public at times. The APEC summit now in our country which could bring benefits for us had been subjected to negative rallies, condemnation or whatever. Some of these people just do not assess or evaluate the situation and blindly go into actions. This result to unfairness and plain ignorance if not stupidity.
It sometimes appear that our, country is governed by demonstrations as it listens to its demands or anything they could forcefully ask. Of course, I understand that rallies are allowed in our Constitution as a way to express ourselves or show our grievance against the system but sometimes it is irritating because of its frequency that result in excessive monotony. The worse things is some of the participants in the mass action destroy public property, plants and ornaments in public places and other things that make us sorry. Further, some of these rallies are organized not for public interest but for the purpose of putting up nothing but just disturbance. No positive result just negative undertaking.
As far as I can remember, there were no rallies in our country many years ago. This was unknown and unheard until the matter took place in America on the issue of racism which was tolerable and acceptable. Today, I could hardly hear of rallies in the continent and elsewhere in European states as well as in Canada and other places. It was quickly copied by our compatriots but the sad thing is we do it almost every week and without good reason. To many people, it is a nuisance. Mendiola Street near Malacanang has become the permanent site of actions. Sometimes I think there is business behind some of these rallies – – I mean some institutions or foreign interests spend for the purpose.
And because we look at them as an exercise of a freedom, we just leave them without even asking the groups their real intentions. It is detrimental to public safety, a nuisance and plain irritating. I urge the government to put up some kind of resistance and at least require the groups to explain their objectives and what good they can bring to the public before they grab a microphone and shout. Absolutely, freedom is beautiful if exercised well in accordance to law but if adulterated by dirty and bad motives, it becomes a non-sense action that must be prevented.
We don’t have to wake up someday to realize that some of those noises in the streets are prelude to catastrophe or devastation of our nation. That some of these supposed actions are designed to create confusion and divide the citizens that would eventually destroy our integrity and honor. These early, we should be alert and try to see through the hole of a needle what is behind around us. We should be aware that things have changed and some people far from us are out to disturb our sovereignty and honor by introducing things unknown to us. BEN EMATA Bennex News Service
by admin | Nov 19, 2015 | National News
The Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) stressed the importance of maintaining the quality and safety of food products exported by Philippine companies during an information session this year held under DTI-EMB’s Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP).
Maria Teresa C. Cerbolles of the Center for Food Regulation and Research under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explained, during an info session, the vital changes the FDA is making in supervising the safe manufacture and sale of locally made food products.
Cerbolles said that before a local company can market and export food products, it needs to apply for licenses and register its products with the FDA.
“It is necessary to do so to ensure public safety and the good reputation of the company and the Philippines in the field of international trade,” she said.
For his part, DTI-EMB Director Senen M. Perlada said that globalization and free trade regimes have opened up both vast opportunities as well as challenges for Philippine food exports.
“It’s no longer about protective tariffs, it’s more about meeting quality standards and compliance with market requirements,” Perlada emphasized in an interview.
“That is why the EMB is strongly advocating for the establishment of the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) which is among the major strategies in the Philippine Export Development Plan,” he added.
He also said that food exports remain a bright spot in Philippine trade with the rest of the world.
“While the prolonged and continuing drought has weighed down on supply of materials and the sector’s exports for the first six months of 2015, which may well spell a flat growth or even a decline for the entire year, it is nevertheless expected that the sector will continue on a growth trajectory over the long haul,” Perlada pointed out.
Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the Philippines’ total food exports in 2014 reached $4.178 billion, up 5.91 percent from the $3.945 billion exported in 2013. Of these, processed food accounted for $1.756 billion, or 42.04 percent of total food exports, up 11.49 percent from the $1.575 billion reported in 2013. Total beverage exports were recorded at $40.824 billion last year, 312.87 percent more than the $9.9 million exported in 2013. Fresh food exports amounted to $1.382 billion in 2014, 15.32 percent more than the 2013 exports of $1.209 billion in 2013. Only marine and aquaculture products showed a downtrend, from 2013’s $1.15 billion to last year’s $988.683 million or a change of 14.03 percent.
Cerbolles said the FDA was instituting changes in its supervision of food products marketed for both the domestic and international markets. The changes included raising its licensing and registration fees, and extending the validity of food licenses and registration from one year to three years.
Cerbolles added that aside from the need to comply with domestic regulations on food manufacturing, current exporters and would-be exporters of food products must also be aware of, and comply with, the specific country regulations governing the companies importing their products.
Meanwhile, Joanchris Preau, general manager of Bureau Veritas, a French company considered to be a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification services, including international trade, discussed Bureau Veritas’ experience in supervising international products that enter and leave the French market.
Preau specifically cited during an EMB organized info session the market regulations governing subjected products traded with select countries in the Middle East (Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia) and Africa (Ghana).
The Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP) was created to help local exporters develop their productivity, improve the quality of their products, and teach them to be innovative and competitive in their field of business.
Aside from exporters and would-be exporters, the PECP of the EMB aims to reach freight forwarders, customs brokers and other export stakeholders as well as business groups and members of the academe through regular info sessions.
A major focus of the information sessions are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that form the majority of domestic businesses operating in the country.
The PECP holds information sessions in both the DTI International Bldg. along Gil Puyat Ave. in Makati City and in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the provinces at the request of specific companies, government agencies including DTI regional and provincial offices, local government units, and business groups and federations.
For information on DTI services, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph/
by admin | Nov 19, 2015 | National News
The Philippines and Korea –two countries with strong copyright sectors and abound in talents— re-affirmed their partnership on copyright protection this year, says the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).
IPOPHL Deputy Director General Atty. Allan Gepty highlighted copyright as a tool for economic development during a copyright forum held in Manila, emphasizing that contrary to the common notion, enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) is not just about running after infringers; it is also empowering the people in availing of the IP system’s benefits by educating them.
Korean Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Jae Shin-Kim, during the same forum, took note of Korean Pop-culture’s popularity in the country which has been made more popular to the public via the internet.
The two countries have been joining forces since 2011 in promulgating copyright awareness and protection in both countries by organizing during this period five fora through the IPOPHL and the Korea Copyright Commission (KCC) with the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST).
“Copyright laws are vital in this age of information and we are thankful that the Philippine Government is active in the fight against piracy”, Jae Shin-Kim shares while also citing the country’s removal from the US Piracy Watchlist.
Copyright, the legal protection extended to the owner of the rights in an original work, is one of the Intellectual creations which is key to a successful business, says IPOPHL, since registered intellectual properties effectively allow its owner or creator recognition and control over the commercialization of the creation.
The IPOPHL is the lead agency under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) responsible for handling the registration and conflict resolution of intellectual property rights.
For information on IPOPHL services, log-on to http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/
by admin | Nov 18, 2015 | Local News / Bohol Balita
Walay bata nga atong tugotan nga mapasipad-an” – Gov. Edgar Chatto stated at the Provincial Children’s Congress today, advocating upholding laws that protect children and children’s rights. The governor also highlighted the importance of child rearing as foundation for shaping their future character as adults. Bohol joins national and international celebration of children’s month this November which underscores the protection of children and their rights. Children’s month is themed “Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magkaisa, Pang-aabuso sa Bata Wakasan Na”. The children’s congress features contests such as Draw and Tell, Singing, and Folk Dancing competitions.
by admin | Nov 17, 2015 | National News
Manila, November 16, 2015—The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued the final date of demonetizing old bank notes up until December 31, 2015 and in 2016 may only be exchanged in banks or at the BSP. They have already started demonetizing old bank notes series earlier this year, which means that old banknotes can still be used to pay for goods and services up until the said deadline. After which, the old bank notes will be rendered useless and will be stripped from the current values from the Philippine banks and establishments including malls, shops and markets.
In addition, The Bangko Sentral ng ilipinas will also provide briefings on demonetization program and information on how to detect counterfeit money for the staff of DOLE and its attached agencies. They can also be reached by their landline number 708-7140 and by fax at 708-7138 should you need additional information.
by admin | Nov 17, 2015 | Photo Story
Responsible journalism is essential! Say Gov. Edgar Chatto at the opening of the 2-day 2015 Press Conference organized by the Bohol Division DepEd. Over 500 student participants from across districts here will compete in the annual writing contest. This year’s press conference themed is the “Role of 21st century campus journalists in upholding Good Governance, Leadership and Transparency”
by admin | Nov 14, 2015 | Tech Talk
Google released its machine learning library called TensorFlow as open source software last week. The code may be downloaded from the website www.tensorflow.org.
TensorFlow is the company’s artificial intelligence engine currently in use now on may of Google’s customer facing services like search, Gmail and Google Photos. TensorFlow is used to automate detection of patterns and enabling the services to present options to users that are relevant to their data or usage patterns.
By releasing the source code to the open source community, Google hopes to accelerate development of machine learning or artificial intelligence as more developers and users can be involved in testing, experimenting and developing the machine learning library.
Open source development has been instrumental in producing software technologies that are widely used on the Internet today. The Linux operating system, the most popular open source operating system is being used not only on desktops and servers but also on mobile devices. The Android operating system for mobile devices is based on Linux.
40% of websites around the world runs on the Apache HTTP server which is open source software. 25% of all websites run on the open source content management system WordPress. Such is the impact of open source software development and Google hopes similar progress will be done on TensorFlow by making it open source.
