2011 Search for Outstanding Volunteers

The Regional Selection Committee (RSC) recently picked the Balanga City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC) of Bataan as Central Luzon's sole bet to the 2011 Search for Outstanding Volunteers.

RSC chair Greg Pineda of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said "Balanga CFARMC was chosen because of its active involvement in the protection and rehabilitation of the environment."

The group, which has around 500 fishermen members, has been a vital partner of the city government in apprehending violators of section 88 of Republic Act 8550 otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code.

Such section of the law prohibits fishing using explosives, noxious or poisonous substances, and electricity.

The CFARMC likewise assists in the enforcement of City Ordinance No.133,Series of 2004 which mandates the registration of all fishing vessels operating within the water jurisdiction of Balanga.

Moreover, the group conducts clean up drives along the coastal barangays at least twice a week.

Balanga CFARMC is also responsible for the establishment of the mangrove nursery which currently serves as the seed bank for mangrove species that are needed for the rehabilitation of the coastal area. To date, 57 hectares had been planted with mangrove seedlings.

Pineda explained "Search for Outstanding Volunteers is an annual contest organized by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, an attached agency of NEDA, which aims to highlight and recognize the exemplary performance and dedication to service of Filipino volunteers in building strong communities across the country through volunteerism."

Officials of the Nueva Vizcaya State University

Officials of the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) will be conducting a fun-shoot competition for executives of the State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) in the region on December 14 to 15.

Dr. Leodevico Fronda, NVSU officer-in-charge and chair of the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA), presidents and vice presidents of SUCs in the region will participate in the shooting competition.

"We will be expecting around more than 20 participants from SUCs in the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan and Batanes," he said.

The fun-shoot will be held at the Vizcaya Gun Club (VGC) firing range in Brgy. Almaguer North in Bambang town in the afternoon of December 14.

According to Fronda, the competition will be composed of two stages. It aims to promote NVSU, its unique culture and people.

Flooding and Heavy Rain in Cagayan, Philippines

Flooding caused by the continuous heavy rains has left one dead and 1,503 families affected in the three municipalities in Cagayan.

DSWD Region 2 information officer Angely Lubo reported that 39 barangays of the municipalities of Abulug, Camalaniugan and Ballesteros were flooded and 7,084 persons were affected.

Pedro Oliva of Abulug town drowned as he attempted to save his carabao which was carried away by the overflowing river.

"We could give financial aid to the bereaved family of the casualty if they come to our office," Lubo said.

Meanwhile, the affected residents were immediately brought to evacuation centers.

Residents of Aurora and Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Residents of Aurora and Nueva Ecija, be ready for power interruption tomorrow, Thursday.

The power failure will be tomorrow, December 15 from 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) serves notice of the scheduled shutdown of some of its transmission facilities in the provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija.

According to NGCP, the cause of power interruption is due to the repair and maintenance along Cabanatuan-Talavera-Baler 69-kV line. Affected distribution utility are the Nueva Ecija Electric Cooperative, Inc (NEECO II Area I), Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NEECO II Area II, and Aurora Electric Cooperative (AURELCO).

Normal operations will immediately resume after work completion. Customers of NGCP and the general public are advised to take the necessary preparations and precautions for this scheduled interruption.

NGCP said specific cities and municipalities to be affected by the power interruption are determined by the abovementioned distribution utility (DU), unless the activity affects the entire franchise area. The DU allots the available power within its franchise area and implements the power interruption schedule among the end-users.

Agri-Pinoy Integrated and Diversified Program

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, together with private and government partners, signed on December 12, a memorandum of agreement on the Agri-Pinoy Integrated and Diversified Program for the Development of the Ormoc-Kananga (OK) Upland Range.

Straight from Las Navas, Northern Samar for the national launching of the Agrikulturang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino, Secretary Alcala proceeded via chopper to Tacloban City to lead the signing of the MOA which stipulated the pooling of efforts and resources to develop the OK Upland Range.

The program fosters a public-private partnership which endeavors to analyze the supply chains for the priority high value crops and livestock in Ormoc City and Kananga, Leyte upland range.

It also aims to improve the production and postproduction systems with emphasis on organic farming and good agricultural practices, establish consolidation centers to ensure product quality and market linkage, and enhance the capacity of stakeholders in managing competitive supply chains.

This will mean that the OK Upland Range, composed of the upland communities within the Leyte Geothermal Production Field, will become the center of attention for agricultural developments not only of one but of several service oriented agencies and organizations, Francis Rosaroso, DA-8 chief information officer, said.

The site is in the mountains of Tongonan between the municipality of Kananga and Ormoc City. It is considered the vegetable bowl of Ormoc and the place where the Energy Development Corporation's Leyte Geothermal Production Field (EDC-LGPF) is nestled. Interestingly, EDC-LGPF is the country's largest producer of geothermal energy covering a total of 107,625-hectares with a stored power capacity of more than 700 MW.

Samar municipalities absorbed in fishing and aqua marine resources

Allies of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are batting for the bureau to evolve into a department.

This was the idea offered by San Sebastian Mayor and SMB chairman Arnold Abalos of the South Maqueda Bay Fisheries Network (SMB FishNet) during its consultative meeting with national government agencies today at the BFAR provincial office.

"The Philippines has a very vast coastline and it is but necessary that a department must manage this," Abalos said.

According to records, the Philippines ranks 4th in the world in the length of its coastal area, as Canada is first.

Similarly, BFAR allies said that fishery is one big income contributor to the economy although the group failed to quantify this contribution.

To become a department stemmed from the recent visit of director Asis Perez in the municipality of Daram where he met mayors of Samar municipalities absorbed in fishing and aqua marine resources.

According to Abalos, Perez said that BFAR will support projects related to fishery and the more it can support if it becomes a department with more funds to be able to help the fishery sector.

Armed Forces of the Philippines on Christmas

The 5th Civil Relations Group (CRG) of the Civil Relations Service-Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRSAFP) extended its assistance to impoverished students in Pangantucan town in the province of Bukidnon, this Yuletide season.

"Every one of us is ecstatic about Christmas, we love to share and give gifts to our loved ones, family and friends. Christmas is sharing and sharing gives joy," said Col. Leopoldo R. Galon, Jr., Commanding General, 5th CRG, CRSAFP.

And to share that joy, various personnel of the 5th CRG, CSRAFP traveled 164 kilometers all the way from Davao City to Pangantucan, Bukidnon to conduct Bayanihan gift-giving which benefited 250 less affluent students of Pangantucan Central Elementary School, December 12.

The Bayanihan gift-giving event aims to extend happiness to the students this Christmas and with the strong partnership between the Eastern Mindanao Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines and its partner stakeholders: Operation Blessing Foundation Incorporated; Kiwanis International; regional Emergency Assistance Communications Team (REACT)-Panabo; Bikers Association of Pangantucan, Bukidnon; Ricardo Grijaldo and other civilian volunteers distributed 250 pieces ballpens, pencils, erasers, rulers, toothbrushes and toothpastes; 100 notebooks; 150 story books; 250 fresh ripe papaya fruits; and 20 "Youth for Peace" t-shirts and cash gifts.

Chicken arozcaldo with boiled eggs and papaya fruits were also served where both children and their parents enjoyed.

The army's 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion, meanwhile, offered free haircut to the boys of the said school where almost 100 students got their free haircut at the end of the day.

Iron fortified rice in the Philippines

A government agency promoting iron fortified rice held a feeding program for 550 kids last December at Don Venancio Alba Memorial School (DVAMS) in Barangay Bolo here.

Apart from children three to five years old, the activity dubbed "NFA – UNICEF I-Rice Feeding" also catered to malnourished pupils of DVAMS, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Participants to the activity were also made aware of prevailing price of I-Rice, and where these are being sold.

I-Rice, which is part of the government's program to fight malnutrition and vitamin deficiency, currently retails at P27 per kilo in various NFA accredited sellers provincewide.

Capiz Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Jaime Magbanua who authored a resolution "Encouraging the Utilization of Iron-Fortified Rice as a staple grains in the Province of Capiz" attended the activity along with other local and barangay officials.

The SP resolution was in accordance with Republic Act 8976, otherwise known as Food Fortification Act of 2000.

Recently, NFA has tied up with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to encourage communities and schools to use I-Rice in their daily consumptions.

Donating Blood in the Philippines

For the Provincial Blood Council, there is no deeper meaning of Christmas than sharing one's life to save other's lives through blood donation.

Provincial Health Officer Romulo Gaerlan, Co-chair of the Council, explained that human blood is indispensable and it cannot be bought at any store, except through willing hearts of individuals who care for the lives of other people.

Instead of the usual fun and merry making for Christmas, Gaerlan said they will have another activity that supports life under the mandate of the council.

Established with the prime objective to coordinate efforts for blood donation, the council enjoins all potential blood donors to the whole day in-house blood letting on Dec. 15 at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital conference hall.

The project would add to the blood services of the province which used to answer blood needs especially during emergencies.

Invited as major blood donors are enlisted men of the Philippine Army and police personnel in the province.

Blood units to be collected shall be kept at the provincial hospital blood station after undergoing the usual blood tests at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

Proper ways of raising swine

Recipients who will receive 80 high breed swine underwent an orientation.

Conducted by the City Agriculture Office and the Committee on Agriculture and Food of the council, this city, the orientation aimed to guide the beneficiaries on the proper ways of raising swine and what to do when the animals get sick or die.

The orientation was led by City Councilor Pisyong Larrazabal, Chairman of the concerned committee and City Agriculturist Octavius Molo.

It was also clarified to the beneficiaries during the orientation to raise the swine and breed them as their alternative source of livelihood.

Further, the beneficiaries were directed to share two piglets to the city once these become productive. This is done so that swine could also be distributed to others.

Civil Service Exam Successful Passers

Only 329 out of 3,839 examinees passed the Civil Service Examinations held on October 16, 2011.

This was contained in a press release given by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) today to PIA-Samar.

Three hundred one passed the Professional Level while 28 others passed the sub-professional level, chief of the Examination Service Rosalie Taon said.

The passers, according to regional director David Cabanag Jr will be conferred the Career Service Eligibility in fitting rites after the Orientation on Government Personnel recruitment and Selection (OGPRS) and Verification and Identification Process (VIP) scheduled on December 28, 2011 at the Leyte Normal University Student Center in Tacloban City.

Schedule for Maasin City will be announced later. After the conferment, the new eligibles will be permanently appointed to positions in the government not covered by the Bar, Board, or other special laws, provided they meet the other requirement required of the position, said Cabanag.

Cabanag added that the new eligibles are required to bring one passport size colored picture with name tag (computer generated and digitally enhanced pictures are not accepted) and one valid identification card.

They are also advised to wear appropriate attire.

As to the new schedule of CSC exams, Cabanag said that the first day of filing of application is on February 27, 2012 and the last day is April 12, 2012 for the exams on May 27, 2012.

Meanwhile, applicants for examinations scheduled on October 21, 2012 may file their applications from May 28, 2012 to September 6, 2012.

Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ)

Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) intensified its security in far-flung schools in the city after the foiled kidnapping of three teachers of Limaong Elementary School, east of the city, last week.

Task Force Chief Col. Buenaventura Pascual said they have added more troops to prevent another kidnapping attempt on teachers assigned in the city's outskirts and island barangays.

Pascual revealed that it was the second attempt to kidnap teachers of the said school.

"Actually, it was the second attempt on the teachers of that school", he said, adding that the first attempt was just three months ago.

"Last September 15, alert CAFGU and CVO members seized the suspects pump boats but they were able to escape using another boat", Pascual furthered.

Earlier, Zamboanga City Division Schools Superintendent Pedro Melchor Natividad suspended classes in the said school until security measures are put in place.

Col. Pascual immediately met with Natividad and informed him of the actions taken to ensure the safety of the teachers.

Task Force Zamboanga is still investigating the incident to pinpoint the suspects. Pascual, however, believes the suspects may be from the area.

"We are still trying to investigate and identify who are these abductors. I believe they are residents of the area as they cover their faces with bonnets to avoid being identified", Pascual pointed.

Col. Pascual also informed Superintendent Natividad of the intensified security measures in the islands of Pangapuyan, Sacol and Manalipa, all vulnerable to kidnappers and bandits.

Fire Incident in Zamboanga, Philippines

25 family-victims of fire incidents that occurred in October and November received their cash aid from the city Monday.

"The city government released on Monday the total amount of P90,500.00 in cash assistance to 25 families whose houses and other personal belongings had been razed by fires that broke out in the different barangays of this city in the months of October and November, this year," said Vic Larato of the City Information Office.

Larato said the cash incentives were personally handed to the victims by Mayor Celso Lobregat himself in a simple ceremony held at the City Hall conference room.

Larato said the mayor distributed "cash assistance at P5,000 for each owner of totally damaged houses, P3,000 for each owner of partially damaged houses, P3,000 for each house sharer and renter, and P1,500 for each boarder."

"Of the total recipients, 13 families received P5,000 each for a total of P65,000; 9 received P3,000 each for a total of P27,000 and 3 received P1,500 each for a total of P4,500," Larato specified.

It can be recalled, a fire broke out on October 18 in Barangay Tetuan (Lustre), leaving 5 families homeless. Two of them had their houses totally damaged, 1 partially damaged and 2 boarders.

Larato narrated "on October 23, another fire incident was reported in Camino Nuevo with three families affected. The following day, a house was gutted down by fire in Upper Calarian. And still a day later, Ocober. 25, a fire engulfed 11 closely-knit houses in Canelar: 6 totally damaged, 2 partially damaged with 3 boarders."

PAG-IBIG Fund Office in Pagadian City

by Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY, Dec. 14 (PIA) -- Aptly describing the name for which it stands, the theme for Pag-ibig Fund's 31st Anniversary celebration symbolizes the epitome of quality service through the years - - "Makabuluhan, Matatag at Maaasahan."

In a press conference held at the Roxan Hotel yesterday, Mr. Ibrahim N. Lajarato, Branch Manager of the Home Development Mutual Fund, Pagadian Branch enlightened the media by saying, "Makabuluhan because we have made ourselves relevant to members who availed of our housing loan program. We made their dreams come true and now they own a house. At the same time, we made savings an important part of any worker's life. Savings are important especially for future use. That is why Pag-ibig Fund is called a provident fund, it is a provision for the future."

Matatag in the sense that they have been meeting a lot of challenges and threats in its 31 years of existence, implementing crucial strategies and hitting the P300 billion asset mark to date. "So Pag-ibig Fund is now a P300B company," Lajarato modestly explained.

Maaasahan because in times of calamities, through difficult times of our lives Pag-ibig is there to cushion the impact of devastation by providing short term benefits to its members. At the height of the typhoons that hit Metro Manila and the rest of the country, Lajarato said, "while other offices were closed, we were open to serve our members. So we made ourselves reliable when you need some money for your expenses, always there ready to serve you."

Briefly citing the notable accomplishments of Pagadian Branch, Lajarato said that as of November, 2011, membership level stood at 69,000 reaching a collection of P1.082 billion broken down into the following : Members' contribution – P194.46M; STL collections getting the bulk at P663.96M and housing loan collections - P223.93M.

On the other hand, total fund disbursements amounted to P1.011.98B: housing loans – P328.84M; STL - P608.14M and claims - P74.98M.

The excess of over P70 million goes to show that Pagadian branch can sustain its operations by just collecting and at the same time disbursing its funds, without necessarily needing any funds from head office.

Waste segregation scheme in the barangays

The environment and natural resources and agriculture offices of this city are now conducting pre-evaluation activities for the ecological, health-friendly search in preparation for the upcoming national evaluation.

City environment and natural resources officer Orlando Tesoro said the city is a contender to the search on independent component city category, along with 15 other cities in the country.

Tesoro said they are supervising all the 37 barangays of the city to ensure that the cleanliness, waste segregation, recycling, vegetation, gardening, and other ecological-friendly activities are properly implemented.

Tesoro said their office concentrates on the waste segregation scheme in the barangays by educating the residents on how to turn recyclable wastes into income-generating projects.

On the part of the agriculture office, agricultural technicians of the city are visiting schools and households and distributing vegetable seeds to be planted inside the schools and in household backyards.

AFPSLAI Donates Firetruck

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Savings and Loan Association Incorporated (AFPSLAI) donated a firetruck to the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army in simple ceremonies today.

Major General Mario Chan, commanding general personally received the symbolic key from AFSLAI manager Carolyn de Villa.

The firetruck was bathed in champagne by Chan assisted by information officer Jun Diaz.

Chan thanked the AFPSLAI management for consistently donating to the army.

Last year, Chan said the company donated some 12 hospital beds and an ambulance.

"I urge you to patronize AFPSLAI, medyo mataas ang interest but ang balik ay malaki rin sa atin bilang organisasyon," Chan told the soldiers who witnessed the hand-over rites.

He also urged them to invest in AFPSLAI in the form of insurance, this statement was seconded by the manager who replied 'welcome' to Chan's profuse thanks.

"I also thanked the 8th ID soldiers for their continuous support to AFPSLAI," de Villa concluded her speech.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO)

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) here said today that all confiscated logs and lumbers are deposited to the provincial capitol particularly at the capitol gymnasium here.

PENRO officer William Savella said all logs and lumbers that are confiscated by the Isabela Environment Protection Task Force are all impounded at the capitol gymnasium near the provincial capitol.

Savella also said that PENRO is not the official depository place or area for all confiscated forest products.

He said the provincial government has the jurisdiction and power to enforce the anti-illegal logging activities in the province, in close coordination with the PENRO, to stop the depletion of forest resources of the province.

PAG-IBIG Office in Cagayan de Oro City

The Pag-IBIG Fund is celebrating its 31st anniversary, this month.

Corporate-wide convocation was organized, December 1, as a kick-off to Pag-IBIG Fund's month-long celebration.

As its corporate social responsibility, the officers and employees of the Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro Branch simultaneously conducted outreach activities, December 3, where 180 beneficiaries were given meals and gift items.

The outreach activity transpired at the following areas: Tahanan sa Kabataan, Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City; St. Joseph's Golden Home Foundation, Inc., Dolores-Hayes St., Cagayan de Oro City; Calabrian Children's Foundation, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City; Alternative Learning Center of (Landfill) Dagong, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City; Children of Barangay 9, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Since Pag-IBIG Fund values good health, a physical fitness activity cum "Hataw" was also set and participated by the Cagayan de Oro Branch workforce, December 10, at Pelaez Sports Complex, this city.

To solemnly commemorate Pag-IBIG Fund's 31 years of steadfast pledge in providing excellent and professional service to all its members, a Eucharistic celebration will be held at the Pag-IBIG Fund Training Room, December 14.

On the same day, Pag-IBIG Fund will sponsor a Bloodletting service, conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross. The Cagayan de Oro Branch has been practicing this activity for more than a decade as its way of supporting the nation's call for more blood donors in order to save lives.

Furthermore, a forum with the officers and members of the Fund Coordinators Club and several employers in Northern Mindanao will convene on December 15 at a local restaurant in Cagayan de Oro City.

Comprehensive environmental program

The city government will be pursuing a more comprehensive environmental program to protect and preserve the city's remaining natural resources.

City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Patricia Abibico said that with the assurance of the city internal revenue allotment next year, their department is looking forward to the realization of several proposed projects that were not implemented due to limited funds.

Among these major projects include the conversion of Barangay Dilag dumping site into an eco-park which would require comprehensive planning and ground works. The city government she said also envisions the park to be a tourist spot showcasing a good waste management system.

In partnership with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC), the City ENRO also plans to conduct tree planting activities in various private lands. She reasoned that this scheme would ensure better survival rate for the planted trees since it is assured that the land owners would take care of the trees.

"It is hard to recover the original forest covers just by tree planting activities without proper sustainability plans that comes with it," she said noting that past tree planting activities are rarely successful based on the percentage of the number of trees that survive.

Abibico shared that the city government under the leadership of City mayor Ferdinand Tubban targets to recover the lost forests of the city especially in the upland barangays where most of the water sources and potential eco-tourist attractions are found and to also ensure better protection from calamities.

Unliquidated Cash Advance at Tagbilaran City Hall

Published by the Bohol CHRONICLE - The Commission on Audit (COA) released last Monday the "missing" supporting document in the 2007 Audit Report which contains the names and figures involving the P6.4 million unliquidated cash advances of city hall officials.

Chairman Reynaldo A.Villar of the COA central offices in Quezon City through his regional office ordered City Auditor Tereista Irig to release the said document after he was informed that the city auditor denied to release a copy of which to Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso who since November 25, 2008 already wrote the city treasurer and City accountant Kurt Bongabong regarding the list of unliquidated cash advances, but to no avail.

The office of the city mayor holds the bulk of the unlquidated cash advances.

City Mayor Dan Lim, P3,000,000.00; Exeucitve Assistant Arlene Karaan, P722,643.41 and City Administrator Walter Toston, P235,715.00 topped in the list released by COA. The total is P6,478,903.46 as of Dec. 31, 2007 .

Vice Mayor Veloso who was persistent in his demand for the list to be released by COA said that out of the P6,478,903.46, some P3.9 million were spent by the office of the city mayor.

"This is the reason why the minority bloc of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) was denied a copy of said list by the city treasurer and city accountant," the vice mayor stressed.

The unliquidated cash advances list was dated as of Dec. 31, 2007 and duly signed by City Accountant Kurt Adolf Bungabong.          
City Kagawad Mariquit Oppus, chairman of the SP committee on accountability, during last Friday's session called for her committee and the committee on appropriations of Kag. Oscar Glovasa to meet this week to look into the multi-million unliquidated cash advances at the city hall.

For his part, Kagawad Bebiano Inting cited COA circular 97-002 which mandates that liquidation be done within 60 days upon return of a foreign travel and 30 days for local travel and all cash advances be liquidated at the end of the year. This is the same ruling as stated in the Civil Service Commission Res. No. 040676.

The two committees will formally ask the city accountant and the city auditor to release an updated of the unliquidated cash advances which cut-off date is Dec. 31, 2008 .

The updated list is necessary since the list released last Monday showed other cash advances which were presumed liquidated since the involved persons have already retired and were given clearances to retire such as former City Kagawad Alberta Torralba and Mario Llyod Guiterrez, former employee of the city mayor's office

Expansion of Kalahi-CIDSS in the Philippines

In line with the expansion of KALAHI-CIDSS to more Eastern Visayas towns, the DSWD Field Office 8 is currently conducting a series of trainings for the newly hired project staff.

The training for the first batch was held on November 14-20, at the Leyte Park Resort Hotel in Tacloban City. This was participated by the different Area Coordinating Teams (ACTs) and Municipal Coordinating Teams (MCTs) from the municipalities of Sto Niňo, Talalora, Motiong and San Jose de Buan, all of Samar province.

The training for the second batch took off on November 27 and will end on December 3, at the same venue. The participants come from Tagapul-an, Matuginao and San Sebastian in Samar, and Naval in Biliran.

The activity aims to develop the technical skills of the Area Coordinators, Deputy Area Coordinators, Municipal Financial Analysts, and Community Facilitators who compose the KALAHI-CIDSS Area Coordinating Teams, and of all of the team members of the Municipal Coordinating Teams, for them to be able to efficiently and effectively implement the project.

According to KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Training Officer Elvira Edillo, the said training will help the participants identify what sub-projects to prioritize and finance.

She added that this will also aid them to find out the issues and concerns affecting project implementation, and the corresponding solutions as well.

The training is a sequel to the one conducted in June of this year. The first part of the activity focuses on social preparation, project identification, selection and planning, and project proposal preparation.

Barangay Health Workers (BHW) Provincial Convention

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona will keynote the Barangay Health Workers (BHW) Provincial Convention today in Surigao City. i

Upon his arrival, he will be welcomed by Gov. Sol Matugas and other local officials of the province.

Gov. Matugas revealed that the summit is expected to bring together public health workers and health advocates in the entire province.

This year's convention carries the theme, "Empowered BHWs: Facing the Challenges in Attaining Millennium Development Goals thru Health initiatives."

Other officials who are expected to grace the event are 1st district Rep. Francisco Matugas and 2nd district Rep. Guillermo Romarate, Jr.

Filipinos Have Forgotten Patriotism?

By ODAN - Filipinos have become complacent and have forgotten about patriotism, belief in true principles and belief in the true Christian faith. They sing the National Anthem, but they won't fight for their rights. However, they love to watch Filipino TV channels, shout in excitement when they see the Wowowee show and cry when they view the telenovelas. They love to go to church but most are corrupt and cheat whenever they get a chance.

There is a funny story about Filipino soldiers stationed at one of the islets in the Spratly Islands. Their commander had a birthday in another island, so they all went to celebrate it. While they were gone, Vietnamese soldiers occupied their island. Also the Vietnamese sent prostitutes to the party to entertain the Filipino soldiers so that they will stay there. Days later when the Filipino soldiers returned, they were surprised to see Vietnamese solders building fortifications.

Up to now, the Filipinos could not take the islet back. What do you think it will take to give them courage to oust the Vietnamese? More prostitutes? Isn't this a shame? Yet these Filipino soldiers sing the National Anthem all the time. Lets ask Momar. Maybe he has some ideas for our poor compatriots back home.