PBA Pre-season Games 2009 in Urdaneta, Pangasinan

The pre-season games, highlighted by simultaneous matches in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan and Concepcion, Tarlac, get the ball rolling for the 35th year of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The annual exhibition series held prior to the start of the season and involving all 10 teams, kicks off on Sept. 25 at the Astrodome when the rebuilt Coca-Cola Tigers test the mettle of last year's Philippine Cup runner-up Alaska Aces in the lone Friday game set at 6 p.m.

The Tigers are expected to parade new recruits Ken Bono, Larry Rodriguez, Jojo Duncil and the year's no. 3 overall pick in Chris Ross against the solid, veteran rotation of the Aces bannered by former league MVP Willie Miller, L.A. Tenorio, Joe DeVance and Sonny Thoss.  

The following day, the league takes its act to the provinces as Barangay Ginebra and defending Fiesta Cup champion San Miguel clash in Pangasinan in a rematch of last year's season-ending Finals.

The 4 p.m. match will see for the first time Arwind Santos and Denok Miranda suiting up for the Beermen following their off-sea-son acquisition from Burger King and Sta. Lucia, respectively.

The Kings on the other hand, are set to flaunt new faces Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, Paolo Bugia and Celino Cruz. The pre-season games may also be used by coach Jong Uichcio as perfect opportunity to slowly get back Mark Caguioa in shape after the prolific Ginebra scorer sat out the entire 34th season owing to an injury.

On the same time and date as the Ginebra-San Miguel game is the clash between Burger King and Purefoods in Tarlac. The Giants will have in their arsenal no. 2 d

Noynoy Aquino for Philippine President Movement in Bohol Island

The tsunami called "Noynoy for President" has hit Bohol shores.

On Sept. 21, multiple sectors of Boholanos will launch the MOVE (Movement of Volunteers to Elect) Noynoy, their local version of the many similar voluntary movements now sprouting around the country primarily to help elect Sen. Noynoy Aquino as the next Philippine President.

The movement launching will be held at the JJ's Seafood Village, K of C Drive this city at 3 p.m. It will be preceded by a motorcade along the city's major thoroughfares.  

In a meeting held last Monday at the Casa Reyfrancis Inn and Restaurant this city, the movement convenors finalized the plans for the launching which coincides with the declaration of the Marcos martial rule that effectively snuffed out democracy in the country almost 37 years ago, put the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino as the first martial law detainee and finally stamped out with the assumption of Cory Aquino (Ninoy's wife and Noynoy's mother) as president in 1986.

The group also mapped out strategies to bring the movement down to all the barangays and spread it among all the sectors in the province.

It maybe recalled that Bohol was among the first provinces where a signature campaign was initiated to convince Sen. Noynoy Aquino to run for the 2010 presidential elections.

The group was specifically buoyed with the latest SWS survey in Luzon where Sen. Aquino garnered 50% of those polled as their presidential choice with Sen. Manny Villar a far second with 14% and former Pres. Erap Estrada at third with 13%.

Cheaper Medicines and Drugs in Philippine Towns

Cheaper medicines are now also available in small town pharmacies across the country. 

This as the total implementation of the mandatory price cut of some medicines takes effect since September 15, or last Tuesday.

 

The mandatory price cut, now implemented in small drugstores in towns takes effect a month after the law ordered pharmacies with automated ordering systems to implement since August 15. 

Brought down by the government's implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Act and the voluntary offer by pharmaceutical companies, the move also makes easy public access to seven categorized drugs. 

Some of the categorized drugs are anti-hypertensives, anti-cholesterol, anti-thrombotic, anti-diabetics, anti-biotics and anti-cancer drugs. 

On this, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has directed the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to monitor the implementation of the law. 

Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Health Chair Cesar Tomas Lopez has called everyone in communities to help monitor the implementation of the law in as much as it should help alleviate the concerns of people taking maintenance drugs. 

Lopez, who is a physician by profession said any drugstore who does not properly implement the law should be reported right away.

Included in the price cut are anti-hypertensives Telmisartan's Micardis, Aprovel, Norvasc, Lipitor and Zithromax, Cytosar-U and Adriblastina.  

Also in are anti-thrombotics like Plavix and anti-diabetic Diamicron. 

Antibiotic Tacozin's Piperazillin, Ciprobay, Flagyl, Augmentin's are sold at half the price in pharmacies. 

The rest of the medicines with shaved prices are anti-cancer drugs Blenoxane, Paraplatin, Platinol, Cytoxan, Vepesid, Pirunethol and Zexate. (PIA)

September 21 Philippine Non-working Holiday

The Office of Muslim Affairs has determined September 21 as the start of the Muslim Ramadhan. 

Over this, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared the day a regular holiday, to commemorate the Eid'l Fit'r. 

By virtue of Proclamation 1880, the president has propped up Republic Act 9177, which declared the regular observance of the Eid'l Fit'r as a regular holiday all throughout the country. 

The government's Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) has earlier determined the feast of the Ramadhan in accordance with the Islamic lunar calendar. 

The Muslim commemoration of the feast starts September 21, OMA said. 

According to the President, declaring the day also promotes cultural understanding and integration of the entire Filipino nation because it affords Christians the chance to join Muslim brothers in the observance of the feast. 

Moreover, in the proclamation, she said the declaration brings the religious and cultural significance of the Eid'l Fit'r to the fore of national consciousness. 

The proclamation has also lengthened to one more day the weekend, allowing domestic tourists enough time to experience the country's potentials. (PIA)

Philippine Election 2010: Advice for Noynoy Aquino

By Frony Fortich

Columnist, Sunday Post

As one who considers Noynoy Aquino to be my idol, I am going to bring a copy of this manuscript to the candidate, who lives a few minutes away from my apartment.

 Finally on the 40th day of death of President Cory Aquino, Noy Aquino finally declared himself as a candidate for President.

 There was excitement as Senator Noy Aquino ascended to the rostrum at Casino Filipino. As he delivered his speech, there was a stark difference between Senator Benigno Aquino and his son. Clearly, his type of speech was conversational, quite boring and was deadpan, to say the least.

 He hardly talked about the proposed changes, and the programs of government that he was going to implement to implement. To me he was an even prey to dirty politics. Already, word is spreading around that he is just riding on the legacy of Ninoy and Cory Aquino, his venerable parents.

 It is time, Noy needs a changeover. Firstly, he needs the services of a coach, to train him in public speaking putting more fire and emotion in his speeches. Filipinos always look for candidates who could deliver fiery speeches. Believe me a good speaker does not even have to promise falsehoods. He can still be a fiery speaker and still speak about the truth.

 For Noynoy Aquino's campaign to be successful, he must have a speech writer, the likes of Teddy Boy Locsin to prepare his speeches, and public pronouncements.

 He must also organize a writer's bureau one, to prepare information on his programs of government and other department, the press bureau to organize the TV and newspaper interviews.

 Another group must have to deal with Internet activities, establishing websites, facebook, Twitter,

 and other popular sites in  the internet. Sending emails to private individuals should also be done.

 Fund raising can also be done in the Internet. President Barack Obama credited his victory to a successful Internet campaign, this can be replicated in the Aquino campaign. A presidential candidate has already started a campaign encouraging people to establish facebook account using their laptop facilities.

 Noynoy Aquino, has millions of supporters who are not only willing to be volunteers but also willing to contribute. Firstly he should announce in the papers, account numbers where people can deposit

 their donations and those for the piso sa piso donations, boxes in malls and groceries where people can drop their money or donations.

 Organizations which can be authorized to raise money should be accredited for purposes of accounting otherwise some groups would take advantage of the eagerness of donors. That way every donation would be fairly accounted. And Noy should announce on a regular basis, how much amount has been raised and how the money was spent. Since this is a public concern Noynoy should assure the contributors that their money is well spent including using an auditing group. These acts would help raise the level of awareness on the part of the contributing public that Noynoy has a different and unique campaign. Noynoy has a league of volunteers and even that should be well managed para hindi kalat. Noynoy has an uncle who is smart when running a political campaign. He is Paul Aquino and Butz Aquino, they have expertise in running political campaigns. Lupita Kashiwara, Ninoy's sister can also be utilized, although she is presently with the administration of President Gloria Macapagal. 

 I hope that Noynoy can win and change the politics in this country. Of course, he should organize a council of leaders to chart the campaign drive so it can be well organized and potent and their advices can be listened to. 

Stray Dogs in the Philippines

By Joe Espiritu, Sunday Post

Some barangays, which are above Bunga Ilaya, particularly Laca and Buyog and farther beyond are scared of a pack of wild dogs roaming at night. People had called them lobo, which is supposed to be a Visayan version of wolf.  This roused our interest hoping that Angel Locsin might be one of them. This earned us dirty looks. It seems those guys were serious.

 Canine marauders wander at night attacking livestock from pigs, goats to carabaos. They had already caused damage, inflicting teeth marks on unprotected bellies and necks. Folks are afraid that they will ultimately attack little children roaming at night. This would pose danger to the populace if those animals contacted rabies.

 Since sources of those stories are barangay secretaries of Laca, Buyog and some citizens of Cantuyoc, their stories could be taken as true. Those dogs grew up in the garbage dump located in Bunga Ilaya. Some people owning land near the dump saw habitations of dogs around the garbage dump. Those are available. Garbage is usually source of something edible to those unfortunate animals.

 Once they set up their dwellings, the mate and breed. Naturally, they consider intruders animals or humans as hostile. Once their numbers grow, food supply becomes scarce. This is a perfect proof of the Malthusian Theory. While food is abundant those animals proliferate. However, when food is scarce, they start to scavenge. When they hunt for prey, they become a threat.

 Not all native dogs are timid. Some are ferocious by nature. Even the most timid dog becomes dangerous when hungry. Untamed they may rely upon their feral instincts to survive. They may find small animals such as young goats and pigs easy prey. According to recent stories, they are now hunting in packs. It takes only one rabies-infected dog to spread the incurable disease.

 The law or rule against cruelty to animals must be temporarily; this dog pack will have to be eliminated. The first encounter with a wild dog was with an immature one. It is no different from the domesticated species. It does not respond to friendly advances. Someone we know brought home a cute puppy from the dump to raise. Even after a long time despite friendly advances and offers of food, the puppy remained wary. It petted, it will shy off and if cornered it will bare its teeth. It had not outgrown its fear of humans.

 We wonder why barangay authorities of those places did not raise an alarm. Perhaps the treat is not so serious but if one hears the stories of Kiling Bayron and Henyo Edubas, barangay secretaries of Laca and Buyog respectively, they would elicit concern. A fellow cannot doubt the word of Kiling Bayron; he cannot lie convincingly to catch a girlfriend. Neither would one doubt Henyo Edubas. He would not lie even if his  life dependson it. .

 Perhaps, the proper office to catch those dogs is the DA. They had been conducting campaigns against rabies. The problem is how to catch those dogs so that they can be immunized. We suggest is to assemble a safari of dog lovers, those who prefer the cooked variety. There would be many who would be interested.

Congressman should publish the projects funded by their pork barrel allocations

Congressman should publish the projects funded by their pork barrel allocations.

 This was the challenge aired by Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera to Boholano solons.

 "They should do this in the spirit of transparency," the vice-governor said.

 Every congressman is entitled to pork barrel allocation of P70 million annually.

 Herrera said that the people deserve to know how the solons distribute their allocations in their district.

 "There are many towns who felt left out in the sharing of allocations so they are now demanding to know how their congressmen spend their pork barrel," he added.

 The vice-governor said that congressmen have a responsibility to make a report even if the people do not ask for it.

 He added that this is important if they want to enjoy the trust and confidence of the people.

 "The best way to do this is to make public the projects that benefited from their pork barrel," he added.

 Herrera pointed out that a congressman who has served for three terms had a total of P630-M in his pork barrel allocation.

 If there are 14 towns in a district and the congressman decides to distribute his pork barrel equally, it will mean that every town will receive a share of P5-M.

 At the end of his three terms, a town should receive at least P45-M from its congressman.

 Herrera said that while there are towns which receive more than P5-M in one year, there are also others which received less than P1-M every year.

 The vice-governor pointed out that as taxpayers, the people deserve to know where and how the pork barrel funds are spent.

 "They have a right to know what are these projects, where they are located and how the people have benefited from them," he added.

 Herrera said that the people will surely appreciate it if they see that the projects serve the interest of the people.

 "Only those who have something to hide will not make a formal report to the people," he added.

 The vice-governor said that it is not the discretion of the congressman to release the list of projects but rather their responsibility and duty.

 He pointed out that many people are slowly losing faith in their public officials because of a lack of transparency.

 "If they refuse to heed the people's clamor to come out with an official list of their projects, they cannot prevent people from suspecting that there is something rotten going on," Herrera warned. - Sunday Post

Sustainable Markets for Philippine Farm

      In line with the government's long-term goal to ensure food security and raise farmers' income in the countryside, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is calling on food manufacturers to help build ready and sustainable markets for the country's farm and fishery produce.

      This will be through contract growing and other marketing arrangements with small producers.

       According to DA, this will make agriculture a more profitable investment for its small producers, as the department has been stepping up its efforts to bring farm produce directly to urban markets for better prices and identifying the appropriate hardware and infrastructure investments needed to modernize crop production.

      One key component of this initiative is the establishment of barangay bagsakan (village drop-off centers) and bagsakan centers around Metro Manila and in the regions.

      In Bohol, DA is set to put up bagsakan centers in the municipalities of Anda, Balilihan, Loboc, Corella and Sevilla. 

      Besides increasing production, small farmers and fisherfolk should also be provided assistance in opening markets for their produce and facilities to cut back their post-harvest losses.

      Under this concept, market-matching with buyers are being done for groups of crop growers or fisherfolk who are known for or are experts at producing specific commodities.

      The DA, through Secretary Arthur Yap, has always advocated the new thinking that agriculture is also a business endeavor. (DA/tots) 

 

Biggest Medical Mission in the World

TODAY, some two million patients get treated, and by any luck, one individual walks his way to the millionaires' row if he wins in the P75M richer tax-free lotto for this year's diamond anniversary draw of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). 

The PCSO offers the P75-million lotto, in time for the agency's 75th Anniversary today. 

"For the 75 years of continued support, we are giving away more than P100M pesos in our diamond anniversary traditional Sweepstakes Draw as our way of thanking Filipinos, says PCSO Visayas director William Medici during a press conference here.  

A huge part of the lotto proceeds get poured into the agency's social services programs.  

According to Dr. Larry Cedro, 30% of the PCSO lotto go to charity upon which some 163,940 individual patients across the country have benefited from the agency's medical assistance program.  

Health authorities revealed that an estimated 6,660 Boholano patients have benefited from the agency's charity funds and other services. 

From the proceeds, PCSO also maintains endowment accounts at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran and some municipal health facilities. 

Today, more than 100,000 doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, health workers, medical professionals and concerned citizens from government and private sector perform the record breaking biggest act of charity in the country. 

All of Bohol's 1109 barangays would be covered in the mission, says Capitol Health consultant Fancy Baluyot.  

The "100 Percent in One Day" project of the PCSO's entails nationwide medical, dental and information- gathering mission to cover all of the country's 41,995 barangays.  

The project is envisioned to be both the 75th Anniversary of PCSO and a window for marginalized Filipinos from all over the country to access medical care and organized charity assistance, says Rosario Uriarte, PCSO General Manager and Vice Chair.  

Four doctors, two dentists, four nurses and one pharmacist assisted by health professionals, army doctors and Barangay health workers and tanods set-up the mission areas and its security.  

Aside from general checkups, minor surgeries like the removal of cataracts and lumps, dental services, eye examinations, bone scan and ear check monitor will be available in selected medical mission sites located in government hospitals and rural clinics.

Feeding missions are also coordinated by church based groups to coincide with the missions, sources revealed. 

The mission also distributes free medicines to patients at the sites, mission coordinators in Bohol say. 

"PCSO has been doing monthly medical and dental missions for several years now," says Uriarte. "But this is the first time we'll hold it in large scale in one day, targeting more than two million patients." 

The feeding missions would be conducted in selected barangays, mostly in depressed areas, in coordination with church-based groups and civic organizations.  

The "One Hundred Percent in One Day" project, according to Uriarte, is envisioned to be an annual activity that will serve as a vehicle for spreading the "charity virus," and make organized and systematic sharing coupled with volunteerism as a way of life for Filipinos. (PIA)

Bohol Wants Tourism Spots Gun-free

BOHOL police officials do not just want gun-free tourism areas here. 

In a recent move presented to the Provincial Tourism Council, PSSupt. Edgardo Ingking bared the plan to transform tourism areas into "Discipline Zones" (DZ). 

"We want to help create an environment to sustain Bohol's tourism potential by strictly imposing order, maintain and sustain the law enforcement efforts by making sure basic laws are followed," he told council members. 

The police proposal also dovetails with the out-going tourism council chairman Peter Dejaresco who said Bohol's greatest challenge is to sustain its tourism momentum. 

"Unchecked incivility and disorder breeds crime," Ingking, who may have this as his last legacy to Bohol before he bows out as provincial commander here stressed. 

In designated pilot tourism areas, he explained, police would go for zero crime tolerance on basic laws in traffic, squatting, pollution, illegal vending, sanitation and applicable local ordinances. 

In these areas, anti-littering, smoking areas, traffic laws, environmental laws, discipline and some local ordinances like stakeholder uniforms may be strictly enforced to impose order. 

To be implemented in tandem with the business sector, police and the civil society, the "Discipline Zone" plan creates a formidable force against crimes, he assured. 

Set to be a three phased plan, the DZ would start its three month pilot implementation after the stakeholders shall have identified the areas. 

Stakeholders would be trained, craft strategies and formulate plans, propagate the communication plan to generate awareness, deploy personnel and asses the situation monthly. 

The overall aim is to have the Department of Tourism (DOT) accredit the place as Discipline Zone, the Camp Dagohoy based cop said. 

Ingking admitted that the plan was an offshoot of the Environmental Security on Tourism workshop hailed by DOT Undersecretary Salvador Sarabia a few months ago. 

Asked which tourism areas he want to pilot, the top cop said he mulled the [plan for Panglao Island or Loboc, well established tourism areas already. (PIA)