MAYOR REVEALS NEW CITY'S RALLYING CALL

STA. ROSA CITY – "Take the lead, stay ahead." This is now the rallying call of this bustling city as it celebrated its fourth year anniversary last July 10, 2008.
In her State of the City Report at the City Hall, City Mayor Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno cited the tremendous growth the City of Santa Rosa has gained over the last four years. With an income that breached the PhP 1 billion mark, she said the revenue is unparalleled and will continue to increase as the City Government completes its computerization project that integrates real property tax and business tax administration system that is assisted by geographical information system.
The Santa Rosa City Computerization Project is considered by the Bureau of Local Government Finance-Department of Finance as a first of its kind in Luzon. It is a tax mapping project under the Logofind grant program of the Department of Finance with the assistance of the World Bank.
Mayor Arcillas-Nazareno also enumerated the accomplishments the City Government has achieved over the last year, saying that the City of Santa Rosa is now among the most admirable city because of its rapid growth
Santa Rosa is now among the next wave of cities of the Philippines and is ranked among the top 10 cities by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It was recently named the ICT Hub of Laguna and is expected to be the center of the business process outsource industry in Calabarzon as many IT-related companies are looking to locate to the city.
"As business and employment climate stea-dily develop, the City Government is tasked with a bigger responsibility to sustain the influx of investors," Mayor Arcillas-Nazareno said. On this note, she called on the city's civil service "to bring genuine development to the City and provide all the necessary services to our people."
She said that with a clear vision and solid accomplishments the City has the opportunity to take the lead and stay ahead in our region and even in the entire country. She enumerated the goals of the City for its children under the banner ANAK SANTA ROSA. With this, she said the all programs and projects of the City Government will all be geared to making the city "Angat at Nangunguna." (ARIES ZAPANTA/City Information Office)

NERBAC CALABARZON LAUNCHED

CALAMBA CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry launched NERBAC CALABARZON during the Regional Development Council Meeting last June 11, 2008 at the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, DENR, Forestry Campus, UP Los Baños, Laguna.
The launch featured the signing of a declaration of commitment among national government agencies and the leagues of cities and municipalities in the Philippines.
NERBAC CALABARZON, or the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center in Calabarzon, is a virtual one-stop-shop business registration office that rationalizes current systems in the processing of applications for starting up businesses.
The center's main feature will be an online business registration facility which is a collaboration of national and local government agencies to help streamline business registration procedures in the country.
Businesses registration including applications for license and permits could be filed in a single online application form - a single data-entry which automatically flows to concerned agencies thus eliminating repetitive submission of the same business information consequently reducing time, cost and red tape.
Created under Republic Act 470, NERBAC Calabarzon will also serve as a regional bank of information relevant to trade and investments vital to business start-up and a central venue for the promotion and facilitation of trade & investments in the CALABARZON Region as well.
NERBAC CALABARZON will rely on the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) as a main facility to simplify processes by streamlining registration requirements in an environment enhanced by convergence and information technology, although there would still be physical presence of major partner agencies at least once per week to do the frontline service.
At its initial stage, the PBR will serve as a database of business entities including small and medium enterprises and will allow access and sharing of data to and from other relevant agencies like the BIR, SSS, and SEC. In addition, the PBR will host entity-based data and functions as a knowledge management base for statistical and analytical requirements.
NERBAC CALABARZON's partners includes the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Regional Development Council IV-A, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, DENR, Department of Foreign Affairs, DILG, Department of Health, Department Of Labor and Employment, Department of Tourism, League of Cities of The Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, PagIbig Fund, and PhilHealth. (CHARLIE S. DAJAO/Department of Trade and Industry Region IV-A)

LAGUNA HOSTS PRESIDENT ARROYO’S SIGNING OF CHEAPER MEDICINE LAW

STA. CRUZ - The province of Laguna headed by Gov. Teresita "Ningning" S. Lazaro is now in the annals of history as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signs this morning (June 6, 2008; around 10:30 am) a new law that will curb down the price of medicines. This is through the encouragement of more competition in the local market through parallel importation of affordable but quality drugs.
The historic event took place at the Laguna Provincial Hospital Compound which is just beside the Laguna Provincial Capitol in the capital town Sta. Cruz. Prior to this, Mrs. Arroyo together with her entourage toured the adjacent and newly renovated Laguna Chest Center. This P5M high-tech facility was funded by the national government to cater the respiratory ailments of the Lagunenses particularly patients suffering from tuberculosis. The President was assisted and accompanied by Laguna officials led by Gov. Lazaro. Other visitors and guests who graced the occasion were Senators Edgardo Angara, Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, and Mar Roxas, the law’s principal author. Mrs. Arroyo later on turned-over Philhealth cards to the underprivileged before boarding her chopper to visit Amherst Laboratories, Inc., a pharmaceutical facility in Mamplasan, Biñan, Laguna.
With the enactment of Republic Act 9502, or the "Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008," the national government will now have a chance to help the local generics industry by amending the Intellectual Property Code. This will then strengthen the regulatory powers of the Bureau of Food and Drugs against substandard medicines. "With the signing of the cheaper meds bill we have completed our legislative reforms. We all know about the importance of the Generics Law before but it was incomplete, and now with the cheaper medicines and quality bill we have completed, I believe, our legislative reforms will bring affordable medicines to the people." the President said.
President Arroyo also said that the measure was part of the government’s efforts to make medicines affordable to the people, especially to the poor who are already burdened by high prices of oil, electricity, and food. She then directed the Department of Health to come up with the implementing rules and regulations within 120 days. The agency, for its part, said the new law would allow it to expand a program to deliver affordable medicines to the grassroots.
With the new law, any individual or organization registered with the Bureau of Food and Drugs may import medicines and sell them cheap to the public.
Other salient features of the new law include:
• Prohibition of the grant of new patents based only on newly-discovered uses of a known drug substance;
• Allowing local generics firms to test, produce and register their generic versions of patented drugs, so these can be sold right upon patent expiry ("early working principle");
• Allowing the government use of patented drugs when the public interest is at stake;
• Giving the President the power to put price ceilings on various drugs, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health. These drugs include those for chronic illnesses, for prevention of diseases, and those on the Philippine National Drug Formulary (PNDF) Essential Drug List;
• Strengthening the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration so that it could ensure the safety of medicines, by allowing it to retain its revenues for upgrading of its facilities, equipment and human resources; and
• Ensuring the availability of affordable medicines by requiring drug outlets to carry a variety of brands for each drug, including those sourced from "parallel importation," to give the consumer more choices. (LAGUNA PROVINCIAL PIO)

SANTA ROSA CITY'S ANNUAL INCOME REACHES P1 BILLION

SANTA ROSA CITY– This city has breached the P1 billion mark in terms of income as the City Treasury reported a gross revenue of P1,0666,672,325.15 for the fiscal year 2007. Of the total revenue, P933,743,599.70 is allocated for the General Fund, while P132,928,725.45 was intended for the Special Education fund.
The 2007 income represented a modest 6.89% increase from the P997,875,637.01 total income generated in 2006. The increase is almost double the income P625,180,794.88 the local government unit generated in 2004, the year that Santa Rosa was converted into a city.
According to the City Treasury, 42% or P446,373,449.37 of the total revenue collection came from business license tax. Among the top business tax payers for 2007 were Toyota Motor Phils. Corp., Honda Cars Phils., Inc., Ford Group Phils., Panasonic Industrial Asia PTE Ltd., Phil. Branch, Monde Nissin Corp., Nissan Motor Phils., Metro Manila Shopping Mecca Corp., Supervalue Inc., San Miguel Foods, Inc., and SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
Real property tax collection, on the other hand, totaled P272,477,117.74 or 26% of the total annual collection. The top real property tax payers were Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc., Pilipinas Nissan, Inc., Toyota Motor Phils., Inc., Monde Nissin Corp., Aichi Forging Co. of Asia, Inc., SM Prime Holdings, Inc., Honda Cars, Phils. Inc., Amtrust Holdings, Inc., Panasonic Manufacturing Phil. Corp., and Greenfield Development Corp.
The remaining collection came from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) which amounted to P248,893,123.00 (23%) and other sources which totaled P98,928,635.04 (9%).
City Treasurer Laura Sy attributed the revenue increase to the diligence of the City Business and Licensing Office (BPLO) and the City Assessor’s Office. She also cited the cooperation of the businesses and real property owners in paying their dues to the City Government.
Mayor Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno, meanwhile, is optimistic that the steady increase in the City’s revenue will be a continuing trend. She said that with the implementation of the Local Government Finance and Development Project or Logofind, revenue collection will be more efficient which will result in better social services and infrastructure for the city’s 266,943 population.
Santa Rosa City is the fastest rising investment center in South Luzon with three large-scale PEZA accredited economic zones. It is now the center of the country’s automotive industry and is host to the assembly plants of four car manufacturers. The City is also projected to be among the major ICT hub in the country with major players, in the business process outsource industry, including Teletec and Convergys, opting to relocate in the city.
World class master-planned communities such as Greenfield City, Nuvali of the Ayala Group and Eton City of the Lucio Tan Group are currently under development and are expected to attract more investors. (STA. ROSA CIO)

LAGUNA JOINS THE NATION IN THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 110th INDEPENDENCE DAY

STA. CRUZ - The province of Laguna headed by Gov. Teresita "Ningning" S. Lazaro joins all Filipinos worldwide as the Philippines celebrate its 110th Independence Day this June 12, 2008.
Themed "REPUBLIC SERVICE, tungo sa ganap na KALAYAAN AT KAUNLARAN", the commemoration was held at the Town Plaza of Sta. Cruz, Laguna’s capital town. This was also attended by Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Jose L. Atienza, Jr., the guest of honor during the celebration. Also in attendance are Laguna Board Members Neil Andrew Nocon, Bong Palacol, Rolly Bagnes, Johnny Unico, and Floro Esguerra; and other national and regional officials. The Laguna mayors and other local officials were represented by Sta. Cruz Mayor Ariel T. Magcalas, and Rizal Mayor Rolen Urriquia, the Laguna Mayors League acting President. Also present aside from the visitors and guests were the Lagunense World War II veterans and their families, the senior citizens of the province, the Lagunense youth, and the residents of Sta. Cruz and nearby municipalities.
Although the centerpiece of the celebration was held at the Rizal Park in Manila where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the nationwide celebration, Laguna is already part of the country’s rich history being among the first eight provinces that revolted against colonial rule. In fact the catalyst of Philippine Revolution was Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the country’s national hero who is a Lagunense himself.
The activity started in the morning with a flag raising ceremony that was graced by the officials and employees of the Provincial Government of Laguna, the Municipal Government of Sta. Cruz, DENR Regional Office IV-A, Laguna Provincial Police Office, Philippine Army, Department of Education - Laguna, and Commission on Higher Education. This was immediately followed by the wreath-laying ceremony to the heroes’ monuments at the plaza, followed by the dispersal of around 40,000 fish-fingerlings to the adjacent Sta. Cruz River, and the planting of bamboo shoots along the river’s banks.
The latter part being an advocacy of the DENR is in line with Gov. Lazaro’s Sulong Kapaligiran program, a pillar under her flagship 7-Point Agenda. With this, it is expected that the environment will be taken cared of, particularly the dying Laguna Lake since this will instill respect and love for the environment. This will then strengthen the drive to preserve and conserve the natural resources that is currently being depleted at a fast rate. (LAGUNA PROVINCIAL PIO)

SR. BOARD MEMBER ATTY. KAREN AGAPAY GANAP NANG ABOGADO

STA CRUZ, LAGUNA – Ganap nang abogado si Senior Board Member Katherine “Karen” Cartabio Agapay ng Ikatlong Distrito ng Laguna matapos itong payagang makapanumpa sa April 29, 2008 Mass Oathtaking ng mga pumasa sa 2007 Bar Exams. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng isang En Banc resolusyon ng Korte Suprema na may petsang April 22, 2008 kung saan binigyan pansin ang Bar Matter No. 1880 na rekomendado naman ng Office of the Bar Confidant. Sa pagpirma niyang ito ay kabilang na siya sa Roll of Attorneys ng Pilipinas mula May 5, 2008.
Bagamat pumasa si Agapay sa naturang Bar Exams, pansamantalang ipinagpaliban ng Office of the Bar Confidant ang kanyang panunumpa at pagpirma sa Roll of Attorneys dahil sa inihaing kaso noong January 5, 2005 sa Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon nina Artemio C. Banzuela, Jr. at Ireneo D. Maranan. Kinasuhan si Agapay na noon ay Konsehal pa lamang ng Lungsod ng San Pablo kasama sina City Mayor Vicente Amante, Vice Mayor Lauro Vidal, pitong konsehal, at apat na Department Heads ng Pamahalaang Panglunsod hinggil sa kaugnayan nila sa pagbili ng lupa kung saan nakatayo ang kasalukuyang San Pablo Science High School. Nangyari ang nabanggit bago pa man kumuha si Agapay ng Bar Exams noong September 2005.
Sa isang Joint Resolution na may petsang September 8, 2006 bagama’t napagtibay lamang noong November 13, 2007, pinawalang-bisa (dismissed) o ibinasura ng Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon ang naturang kaso. Nabigyan naman si Agapay ng Clearance noong February 13, 2008 na nagtulak sa kanya upang naghain naman ng Petisyon sa Korte Suprema noong February 22, 2008 (Bar Matter No. 1880).
Nang tanungin si Atty. Karen Agapay hinggil sa dalawang (2) taon na pagkaantala ng kanyang panunumpa, ngumiti lamang siya at sinabing “Sadyang ganoon. The law may be harsh, but it is still the law. Ang importante, hindi naging hadlang ito upang patuloy akong tumulong sa mga tao. Sa panahon ng kagipitan, doon mo makikilala ang mga tunay mong kaibigan.” (Laguna Provincial PIO)

PAGSANJAN ACADEMY CLASS ‘58 NAGDAOS NG GOLDEN JUBILEE

PAGSANJAN - Nagdaos ng ika 50 Anibersaryo ang Pagsanjan Academy Class 58 noong ika 12 ng Abril 2008 sa Francisco Benitez Memorial School sa bayang ito sa pangunguna ng kanilang Pangulo na si Rafael Lava.
Maayos at masiglang naidaos ang nasabing okasyon dahil sa masisipag na mga miyembro ng working committees at mga kaklase ng class 58.
Nagsimula ang parada buhat sa Pagsanjan Academy sa ganap na ikawalo ng umaga, umikot sa bayan at nagtuloy at nagtuloy sa inner covered court ng FBMS kung saan sumunod na ang kamustahan, kuwentuhan at mga palaro hanggang tanghalian. Pagkatapos ng masaganang pagsalo-salo ay nagsimula ang ikalawang bahagi ng programa hanggang hapon.
Dahil sa kapit-bisig na pagtataguyod ng mga magka-kaklase ay meron pa silang natirang pondo na pinagkasunduan na ibabahagi sa mga mahihirap sa iba’t ibang barangay ng Pagsanjan, na tinatawag na tourists capital ng Laguna dahil sa bantog na Pagsanjan Falls na maabot lamang sa pamamagitan ng banca na maglalakbay sa pagsalunga sa agos ng bantog na talon.

Ang working committees ng 50th Anniversary Reunion ay ang mga sumusunod:
Overall Chairman: Rafael C. Lava

Committee on Finance
Chairman: Susie Gallardo Sanchez
Members:

Jaime Rabi,

Ramon Lava Jr.
Committee on Food and
Accommodation :
Chairman: Guia Villanueva Tinampay
Members:

Nora Zaguirre Subang,

Fortunato Espera,

Gervacio Lavarez,

Zorayda Velasco Diaz,

Zosimo Cabreza
Committee on Invitation and Program:
Chairman: Carolina Villanueva
Members:

Antonio Gomez,

Corazon Liwagon Olazo,

Rosalina Pailan Ranes,

Celia Velasco Estrosa,

Carmencita Payumo Maceda,

Leticia Cabrega Domondon.

(ULAT NI: ED SACOPLA)

PGMA TOLD RP ON WAY TO RICE SELF-SUFFICIENCY

LOS BAÑOS – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was assured here today that the Philippines is well on the way to regaining self-sufficiency in rice.
The assurance was made by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Dr. Robert Ziegler, director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), during her visit to the IRRI to witness the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and IRRI entitled "Accelerating Rice Production in the Philippines" at the University of the Philippines (UP) here.
Yap pointed out that Filipino farmers produce more rice per hectare than their Thai counterparts. Thailand is the world’s biggest exporter of the cereal. He pointed out that the world is experiencing decreasing rice inventory due to raising global demand, climate change and reduced spending on research and infrastructure.
"The UN-FAO (United Nations-Food and Agricultural Organization) has listed 36 countries, Madame Presi-dent, this year that will need assistance for being food insecure. Nine in Asia alone but the Philippines, being able to produce about 90 percent of our rice needs, is not on, this list," Yap said.
For a time in the early 1970s, the Philippines was self-sufficient in the staple food. Under the agreement, the DA and IRRI will undertake joint efforts to increase rice production in the Philippines starting this wet planting season by developing new high-yielding varieties and hybrids.
The two agencies will also assess and increase the output of the current rice growing areas, as well develop new areas using geographic information system, remote sensing, crop and climate modeling and other modern farming techniques.
Zeigler noted that despite the present high yield of palay per hectare in the Philippines, many Filipino farm scientists are working on new farming methods and technologies to further increase production of the cereal.
"The much higher yield that the Philippines had com-pared to the yields of the world’s largest exporter, Thailand, is testament to the ingenuity, hard work and effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture’s performance," Ziegler said.
Despite geographical and natural challenges such as typhoons and lack of river deltas, the IRRI said Filipino farmers generally use less pesticides than other Southeast Asian rice farmers and are harvesting almost a ton per hectare, which is higher than the production of their Thai counterparts, he added.
Under the agreement, IRRI and the DA are targeting an average rice harvest of five tons per hectare, which would make Filipino farmers the most productive in Southeast Asia, ahead of Vietnam and Indonesia.
Before the signing ceremony, President Arroyo inspected new rice varieties at the IRRI experimental station and presented to three farmer representatives the one-page fertilizer management guide that would help farmers maximize the use of expensive fertilizers and at the same time produce higher yields. (DOLY LEDESMA-PIA)

DTI TO CARRY OUT TIGHT WATCH ON PRICES

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is strictly monitoring the retail market, especially in the following weeks in order to forestall any unjustified increase in prices of basic commodities, particularly canned products.
This, as the Tin Can Makers Association of the Philippines, Inc. announced that 202 by 306-milimeter tin cans used for canned sardines and corned beef has gone up by P0.35-P0.40 per piece to a range of P3.35 to P3.40 this month.
Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila stated, "We assure the public that the Price Act will be strictly enforced during the course of our monitoring activities. We want to prevent unscrupulous retailers from raising their prices out of mere speculation so that the consumers do not have to pay more than what is due them."
DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Cuison Maglaya added that aside from monitoring the price situation in the metropolis, the DTI has also mobilized market monitoring teams in other parts of the country as well through its regional and provincial offices, as well as tap the assistance of local government units to avert any undue increase in the price of goods.
Secretary Favila warned that retailers tend to jack up their prices higher than the projected levels and do so immediately in spite of having an existing inventory that should be sold at current values.
Only canned sardines manufacturers in Zamboanga has announced intentions to increase the price of their 155-gram products by P0.50 - P1 in the coming weeks due to rising tin plate prices in the world market. Imported tin plates comprise 70 percent of tin can production costs.
Tin can costs make up about 20-45 percent of the total retail price of canned goods, varied depending on the type of commodity.
DTI’s latest price report reveal that a 155-gram can of sardines costs between P10-11, while a 165-gram can of luncheon meat is sold at P23 to 26.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary Maglaya reminded consumers to practice wise buying to get the best value for their hard-earned peso. "One of the ways is to practice comparing prices. With so many brands to choose from with varying range of prices, the consumers can exercise their right to choose and buy one which suits their budget best."
She also urged the public to report complaints in price and/ or quality, NFA rice diversion, hoarding and profiteering activities to DTI Direct 751-3330 open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm or call the nearest DTI Regional and Provincial offices. Complaint may also be sent by keying in DTI message and send to 2920 for both Globe and Smart subscribers. (CHARLIE S. DAJAO-DTI IVI-A Regional Office/ARJAY SALGADO)

DTS AT BRGY. PACIANO NAGPULONG

CALAMBA CITY - Nagpu-long kamakailan ang Dimple Towing Services (DTS) sa pagmamay-ari ni Alfredo Pujeda at ang Brgy. Paciano Rizal sa lungsod sa pamumuno ni Kgg. Angie Atienza hinggil sa legalidad ng operasyon ng nasabing towing service. Tumayo bilang taga-pamagitan sa nasabing usapin ang Editor-In-Chief ng SULONG Newspaper na si Arthur Landicho upang mabigyan ng linaw ang mga lumabas na isyu na diumano’y paghingi ng barangay sa DTS ng Sampung Libong Piso (Php 10,000.oo) kada linggo sa DTS at ilang mga bagay tungkol sa nasabing operasyon ng towing service pati ang pagpapatigil ng Permits & License Office ng City Hall sa DTS.
Lumabas sa isinagawang panayam ng SULONG na may natatanggap na mga balita si Atienza na diumano’y nanghihingi ang kanilang barangay sa DTS ng Sampung Libong Piso (Php 10,000.oo) linggo-linggo. "Wala akong alam diyan" ani Atienza, "kaya nga galit na galit ako dun sa taong nagsabi noon. Wala akong hinihinging pabor sa DTS." Sa pag-iimbistiga ng SULONG News Team at ni Atienza, lumabas na ang may-ari ng lupang kinalalagyan ng DTS na si Arthur Suero ang si-yang humihingi sa DTS ng pabor, kung kaya pinaimbitahan si Suero sa barangay upang magbigay ng linaw at paliwanag. "To be very very accurate," ani Suero, "walang kinalaman ang opisina ng barangay, at kahit si Kapitana, hindi alam na ako’y humingi ng tulong para man lang sa pang-kape at biscuit ng mga tanod." idinagdag pa niya na hindi sampung libong piso kada linggo ang kanyang inihinging tulong sa DTS kundi Php 5,000.oo kada buwan lamang. Dinagdaag pa ni Suero na Iminungkahi niya noon sa Operations Manager ng DTS na puwede namang hindi cash kundi Asukal, Kape, at Biscuit na lang ang ibigay sa mga Tanod. Aniya, ang kanyang ginawang tulong na lingid sa kaalaman ni Atienza ay para sa ikatatahimik ng kanilang lugar at bilang pakonsuwelo sa mga Tanod na gabi-gabing nagbabantay sa nasabing lugar.
Nauna dito, nagpahatid ang Permits and License Office ng City Hall sa pamumuno ni Bars Encarnacion ng Cease and Desist Order sa pamunuan ng DTS upang ipatigil ang operasyon ng nasabing towing service sa kahilingan na din ni Atienza. "Wala silang maipakitang papeles sa akin tulad ng Contract of Lease at ng Mayor’s Business Permit, kaya ko kinausap si Bars," ani Atienza, "ang akin lamang ay ipinatutupad ko ang batas."
Napag-alaman din ng SULONG na isa sa mga da-hilan kung bakit hindi mabigyan agad ng Brgy. Permit ang DTS ay dahil sa isang katerbang mga reklamo laban sa nasabing towing service ang natatanggap ng nasabing barangay. "Ginawa ko noon," paliwanag ni Atienza, "sumulat ako kay Engineer Uri, kay Dennis Lazaro, at kay Bokal Nocon." sinabi ni Atienza na binanggit niya sa liham ang ilang mga problemang nakararating sa kanilang tanggapan hinggil sa operasyon ng DTS, dahil nagtataka siya kung bakit madami ang nagrereklamong mga drivers at isinasang-kalan malimit ang ilang mga matataas na opisyal ng gub-yerno. "Pati tuloy pangalan ko, nakakaladkad." himutok ni Atienza.
Samantalng, hinggil sa mga permits ng DTS, ayon sa pamunuan ng nasabing towing service, meron silang existing na bagong MOA mula sa Kapitolyo ng Laguna dahil anila’y sila ang nanalo sa bidding na isinagawa ng Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) at in-process naman ang City Licenses at iba pang kaukulang dokumentong hinihingi ng barangay. Isa sa mga dokumentong hinihingi ni Atienza ay ang Contract of Lease ng DTS sa may-ari ng lupang kinalalagyan ng kanilang mga sasakyan at opisina. Binigyan din ito ng linaw ni Suero na kung saan
ipinaliwanag nito na ang pag-papagamit niya ng walang bayad sa kanyang bakanteng lote para sa operasyon ng towing service. Ang kanilang kasunduan ng pamunuan ng DTS ay kung sakaling kailanganin na niya ang lupa ay walang pasubaling lilisanin ng nasabing towing service ang lugar. Kung kaya walang maipakitang Contract of Lease ang DTS.
Sa pamamagitan naman ng pag-mediate ni Landicho ng SULONG, nagkasundo si Atienza at Pujeda na aayusin ng DTS ang lahat ng kaukulang dokumento para mabigyan na ng Brgy. Permit at sisikapin ng pamunuan ng nasabing towing service na makatulong sa Brgy. Paciano Rizal sa anumang bagay tulad pagbibigay ng discount sa mga residente ng nasabing barangay kung sakaling magkakaroon ng problema kailanganin ang serbisyo ng DTS. (ARJAY SALGADO/ JO BUSAYONG)

CONTINUING LABOR & EMPLOYMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM (CLEEP) AT PRODUCTIVITY OLYMPICS PINASIMULAN

CALAMBA CITY - Ginanap kamakailan ang Continuing Labor & Employment Education Program (CLEEP) at ang Productivity Olympics 2008 sa Splash Mountain Conference Hall, Brgy. Lalakay, Los Banos, Laguna. Ang nasabing programa ay sa pagsisikap ng DOLE R-IVA, National Wages and Productivity Commission Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board Region IV-A, at ng Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council ng CALABARZON.
Dumalo sa nasabing programa sina USec. Romeo C. Lagman ng DOLE - Labor Relations Cluster; USec. Lourdes M. Trasmonte ng DOLE - ExeCom-CLEEP; Ricardo S. Martinez, Jr., Regional Director ng DOLE R-IVA; Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III, Exec. Director ng NWPC, Eduardo R. Nicolas, Vice-Chairman for Management ng Toyota Motors Phils., Corp.; at tumayong representante ni Kgg. Teresita S. Lazaro, Gubernadora ng Laguna ay si Junji Guidote.
Naroon din ang mga representante mula sa iba’t-ibang kumpanya, ilang government offices tulad ng PESO na kung saan naroon ang National President ng PESO Philippines na si Peter Capitan, PESO Manager ng Calamba City, at ilan pang mga concerned sectors.
Tinalakay doon ang kahalagahan ng CLEEP para sa lalong mas mapaunlad ang ekonomiya ng bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng pagkaka-unawaan at pagtutulungan sa pagitan ng Employer-Management-Labor. Tinalakay din ang mga programa at mga pag-aaral na gaganapin sa darating na mga buwan. Ang mga minamataang makikinabang sa nasabing mga pag-aaral ay ang mga nasa Management Group, Labor Group, Employers, mga magiging empleyado, at mga bagong graduates.
Pinasimulan din ang Productivity olympics kung saan ang bawat industriya ay magkakaroon ng partisipasyon na lumahok sa iba’t-ibang mga kategorya. Sila din pumili ng mga katangi-tanging industriya na papasa ayon sa nakasaad sa criteria ng nasabing olympics. Layunin ng nasabing olympics ay mas lalong mapalawak ang kamalayan sa kahalagahan ng pagpapahusay sa Global Competitiveness, pasiglahin ang kompetisyon ng bawat industriya, at ipakita at kilalanin ang husay ng manggagawa at ng kagalingan ng kanilang industriya.
Bago matapos ang nasabing programa, nagkaroon ng Signing of Multi-Sectoral Declaration of Commitment and Support for Continuous Learning and Actualization Towards Higher Productivity and Competitiveness. Na sinundan naman ng pagtalakay sa R.A. 9184. (JO BUSAYONG/ARJAY SALGADO)

PAGBAKLAS SA MGA ILLEGAL FISHPEN PINAYAGAN NA NG CA

AP - Pinayagan na ng Court of Appeals (CA) ang Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) na baklasin ang lahat ng illegal fishpens sa lawa ng Laguna, kasama na rin dito ang mga fishpens ng mga operators na hindi nakapagbabayad ng upa.
Iniangat na ng CA ang preliminary injunction na iginawad ng Manila Regional Trial Court habang inaasikaso nito ang apila ng Federation of Fishpens and Fishcages Operators Association of Laguna de Bay Inc. na kinukuwestiyon ang P6,000.00 per-hectare annual rent na sinisingil sa kanila ng LLDA dahil diumano’y walang naganap na hearing at approval mula kay Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo.
Ayon sa pederasyon,　umabot sa higit kumulang P750 million upang maipatayo ang mga nasabing fishpens, at hiniling na pansamantalang itigil ang anumang paniningil ng upa mula sa LLDA habang binabawi pa ng mga miyembro nito ang naging kalugihan sa pagkasira ng kanilang mga fishpens dulot ng mga bagyong Reming at Milenyo.
Sa desisyon noong Marso 28, taong kasalukuyan na pumapabor sa LLDA, ani ng CA, nabigong magpakita ang pederasyon ng katibayan na sila’y nararapat katigan sa kanilang petisyon at sinabi pa ng CA na ang mga miyembro nito ay nagbabayad noon pa man ng mga pagtaas sa upa kahit walang kapahintulutan at pagsang-ayon ng Punong Ehekutibo. "The President’s prior approval is not always needed in the first place," dagdag pa ng CA it added.

Ang Executive Order No. 927, kung saan nakasaad ang kapangyarihan at katungkulan ng LLDA, ay pinahihintulutan ang nasabing ahensiya upang magpataw at maningil ng upa sa pag-gamit ng lawa. "Consequently, there is nothing more to hinder LLDA from declaring illegal, and from demolishing, the fishpens/fishcages of the delinquent operators of Laguna de Bay," ani ng CA.
Dinagdag pa ng CA na walang nakasaad sa probisyon na kinakailangan pa ng LLDA na dumaan sa hearing and anumang pagtataas sa pa-upa. (ARJAY SALGADO)

SAPAT ANG BIGAS NG LUNGSOD

CALAMBA CITY - "Sapat ang supply ng bigas ng siyudad." Ito ang sinabi ni Aurea Alcasabas, Officer–in-Charge ng City Agriculture Department. Sa panayam ng isinagawa ng SULONG, nabanggit ni Alcasabas na sinabihan niya si Mayor Joaquin Chipeco Jr. na "Di ako nangangamba na magugutom tayo dahil sapat ang ating suplay ng pagkain." ani Alcabasa.
Ipinahayag pa ni Alcasabas ang kanyang pananalig sa Maylikha nang banggitin niya ng isang talata sa bibliya na mababasa sa Joel 2:26 "You will have plenty to eat , until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God who works wonders for you…" Ito ang pinaniniwalaan ni Alcasabas na mangyayari sa mga Calambeño na nananalig sa Diyos. Napag-alaman pa ng SULONG na ang Calamba ay may stock ng bigas na umaabot sa 9,178 metric tons o 183,000 cavans, sapat sa dalawang buwang konsumo ng 409,248 populasyon nito. Lumalabas na may .3 kilong konsumo ng bigas ang isang tao bawat araw.
Sa ngayon ay nanatili sa Php 18.25 ang presyo ng NFA rice mababa di hamak sa commercial rice na umaabot sa 30 hanggang 40 pesos bawat kilo. May labing-limang (15) tindahan ng NFA rice sa syudad na matatagpuan sa Trade Center, Canlubang, Calamba Shopping Mall at maraming pang nasa paligid ng siyudad. Inaangkat daw ng mga rice trader ang mga binibentang bigas sa mga karatig bayan tulad ng Nueva Ecija, Bulacan at mga probinsya ng MIMAROPA. Mayroon din naman mga lokal na nag-aani ng palay tulad ng Calamba Rice Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative na nagtitinda ng mas mababang halaga na bigas. Umaabot sa ngayon ang halaga sa Php 1,800.oo bawat sako ng bigas, ngunit Php 1,550.oo lang diumano ang halaga sa CRGMPC.
Napag-alaman pa ng SULONG na mayrong 805.26 ektarya ang irrigated rice land at 76.8 ektarya ang upland na taniman ng palay at mayron pang 1,600 ektaryang taniman ng mais at mga gulay ang Calamba.
Magbubuo diumano ang syudad ng TASK Force para sa bigas at humihiling ang tanggapan ng City Agriculture na magkaroon ng mga NFA Rolling Stores sa siyudad. (JOJO BUSAYONG)

BUS OPERATORS NAGPAHAYAG NG SENTIMIENTO SA LTMO

CALAMBA CITY - Naglabas ng kanilang mga sentimiento ang Bus Operators sa Laguna dahil sa hindi sistematiko at maayos na pagkakalagay ng ilang mga signages pang-trapiko tulad ng No Parking, Towing Zone Area, at No Unloading/Loading Signs sa mga national roads at highways. Inireklamo din nila ang mabilis at walang pasabing panghihila ng Dimple Towing Services (DTS) sa kanilang mga sasakyan. Ang nasabing pag-papahayag ng kanilang mga reklamo ay isinabay sa ginanap na LTMO-Bus Operators Forum kamakailan sa RSM Restaurant sa siyudad na ito.
Ayon sa pamunuan ng Laguna Traffic Management Office (LTMO), may ipinapatupad batas trapiko sa lalawigan na kapag lumagpas ng 15 minuto ang sasakyan na nakatigil sa anumang designated towing area, may hurisdiksiyon at kapangyarihan ang DTS na agad itong hilahin at dalhin sa impounding area. Idinagdag pa ng mga Bus Operators na sobra kung maningil ang DTS. Sinangayunan naman ni P/CInsp. Nestor dela Cueva, Hepe ng Calamba PNP Station ang mga nasabing hinaing at binanggit na madami na silang natatanggap na reklamo hinggil sa nasabing taas ng singil sa panghihila. Ayon naman kay P/Supt. Fausto Manzanilla, siya mismo ay naging biktima ng over-pricing ng Dimple Towing. Aniya, nasiraan diumano ang kanyang sasakyan at nag-offer ang mga tauhan ng Dimple na siya’y tulungan. Matapos siyang tulungan at hinila ito sa impounding area ay siningil siya ng Php 4,000.oo.
Dinipensahan naman ni Eng’r Maximo Uri, Chief for Administration ng LTMO ang nasabing reklamo hinggil sa DTS, aniya nasa regulasyon ng DTS at aprubado ito ng Kapitolyo ang nasabing paniningil sa paghila ng mga sasakyang nakahimpil sa mga ipinagbabawal na lugar. Aniya, pinaiiral ngayon ang Php 800.oo minimum at maximum na Php 3,000.oo na multa para sa mga light vehicles. At mas mahal sa heavy vehicle. Idinagdag pa ni Uri, na kung mayroon man mga reklamo hinggil sa panghihila sa mga sasakyan ay agad na ipagbigay alam sa kanya. Ngunit sa pagka-kataon na iyon sa pagpupulong agad na ipinaalala ni dela Cueva kay Uri na matagal na sila nagpadala ng mga liham at pagsumite ng mga reklamo sa tanggapan ng LTMO at sa katunayan aniya (dela Cueva) ay napagpulungan na nila at ng Kapitolyo ang nasabing mga reklamo. Ani ni dela Cueva, dapat ay ginagampanan ni Uri ang kaniyang tungkulin na iregulate at ipaalala sa DTS ang mga guidelines sa panghihila sa mga sasakyan.
Samantalang pinagpulungan din ang mga suliranin sa trapiko particular na sa Una at Ikalawang Distrito ng Laguna. Tinala-kay ni P/Supt. Rogelio Lego, Chief for Operations ng LTMO mga bottle-neck areas tulad ng Brgy. Turbina, Intersection sa Brgy. Halang, Lianas sa Brgy. Parian, Checkpoint sa Brgy. Paciano Rizal, Walter-mart sa Brgy. Real sa siyudad na ito. Junction sa Los Baños, Brgy. Mamatid Highway, Brgy. Pulo sa Cabuyao, Golden City sa Sta. Rosa City, Stoplight sa Biñan at sa Pacita Complex sa San Pedro.
Ayon kay Lego, may mga nakatalagang PNP Personnels at mga Traffic Enforcers ng LTMO sa mga nasabing area. At sinisikap ng kanilang mga Enforcers na hanap at pag-aralan ang iba pang mga bagay na maaaring makatulong o makabawas sa problema sa trapiko. Pinayuhan din niya ang mga Bus Operators na makipagtulungan sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng pag-galang sa mga traffic laws na umiiral sa mga langsangang pang-nasyunal upang maka-iwas sa aberya at madamay ang ibang mga bumibiyaheng sasakyan. (JOJO BUSAYONG)

TRANSCO CONDUCTS SUCCESSIVE REGIONAL ELF-EMF FORUM

NASUGBU, BATANGAS - The National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) addressed the issues concerning extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) through a successive regional ELF-EMF forum and was finally conducted in South Luzon region last April 11 this year at Chateau Royale Resort, Nasugbu, Batangas.
This forum aims to provide information about ELF field emanating from power transmission lines, the possible effects of field exposure and probable impacts on health within traversed communities and workplace (substations).
Mr. Lambert M. Gacuya, District 1 SLOM Manager, pointed out that any health consequences need to be clearly identified and appropriate mitigation steps must be carried out cautiously.
Controversies on possible health risks from exposure to electromagnetic fields from power lines bring us all to the question, “What level of exposure may be considered low so as not to pose significant health risks?”
Dr. Apolinario D. Nazarea, Biophysicist, urged that such issues can be resolved by taking appropriate measurements of such fields by a team composed of all the sectors concerned under close supervision of multidisciplinary team of experts and scientists. The results of such measurements may then be compared with the ICNIRP guidelines which are acceptable by all countries of the world.
“However, the epidemiological evidence is not strong enough to justify a firm conclusion that [power-frequency magnetic] fields cause leukemia in children." Dr. Nazarea said, "There is little evidence to suggest that cancer risks of other types, in children and adults, might arise from exposure to [power-frequency magnetic] fields. The results of epidemiological studies, taken individually or as collectively reviewed by expert groups, cannot be used as basis for derivation of quantitative restriction on exposure to [power-frequency magnetic] fields,” he added.
Ms. Agnette P. Peralta, Director of the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology of the Department of Health (DOH), also emphasized the vital role of the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) in which she is a member of the ICNIRP Main Commission (2004-2008).
Despite the fact that ELF field levels around transmission and distribution lines are not considered a health risk, citing decisions are often required to take into account aesthetics and public sensibilities. Open communication and discussion between the electric power utility and the public during the planning stages can help create public understanding and greater acceptance of a new facility.
On this account, Mr. Vincent Cordero, President of Batangas Industry Group, said, “This forum is very informative and should be regarded with greater priority and so I suggest that EMF on health issues should also be part of the academic curriculum in engineering courses for more comprehensive studies.”
“ELF-EMF face-off forum is an effective health information communication among scientists, governments, industry and public which disseminates general awareness dealing with exposure to ELF fields. Such meetings help remove any mistrusts and fears among humans and their niches,” concluded Mr. Jesusito Sulit, Sr. Vice President, TransCo. (ANNA KATRINA NAVA)

CITY GOV'T CITES TOYOTA AUTO PARTS' SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL-BASED SWM

SANTA ROSA CITY – The Local Government kicks off its Earth Week celebrations by citing the efforts of its long-time partner, Toyota Auto Parts (TAP), in implementing the Ecological Solid Waste Management (SWM) Act in schools.
Mayor Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno handed TAP President Yasuro Takeuchi a plaque of recognition during City Hall's flag raising ceremonies today.
A year ago, TAP launched a school-based SWM program for select high schools which had the aim of supporting SWM initiatives until it develops into a level of sustainability.
Two school-recipients from Santa Rosa, St. Peter the Apostle Academy and Canossa School ranked third and first, respectively, among TAP's adapted schools. Lumil National High School from Silang, Cavite meanwhile won second rank. Yasuro also announced that in the spirit of corporate social responsibility TAP targets to adopt 15 Santa Rosa schools this year, which shall reach 64 schools in three years time.
The Santa Rosa City Government under Arcillas-Nazareno has been involved on a number of pilot environmental management programs. Recently, Santa Rosa launched the first ecological sanitation toilet in the region, done in partnership with the local government of Enkoping Kommun in Sweden. It is also among the four selected cities chosen as members of the Philippine Sanitation Alliance, a partnership between local government units, private sector companies and non-government organizations that aims to provide 900,000 Filipinos with access to sanitation services to lessen public health risks. The city is also a recipient of the Carbonshed Project under the World Bank that employs composting technology to reduce carbon emissions from household wastes.
Arcillas-Nazareno affirmed her administration's commitment to sustainable environmental management. "Santa Rosa faces the challenge of balancing its rapid economic development and population boom against environmental degradation. Taking care of the environment is not anymore an option, its now an imperative for survival. And for as long as I am mayor, Santa Rosa shall be active in this imperative," she said. (AYA JALLORINA/LAWRENCE RAMOS City Information Office)

Photo Caption: Mayor Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno poses to congratulate Toyota Auto Parts President Yasuro Takeuchi upon receiving a plaque of recognition from the Santa Rosa City Government for his company's consistent support for sustainable environmental practices in the city.

BOARD MEMBER NEIL NOCON BATS FOR TECHNOLOGY SAVVY ENTERPRISES IN TOURISM INDUSTRY

LOS BAÑOS - Putting Laguna on track to getting a larger share of the market for tourism and wellness products, to benefit its thriving village enterprises, was the thrust of the one-day marketing strategy conference called by 2nd District Board Member Neil Andrew Nocon of the Provincial Government of Laguna.
The event, with the theme “ICT and Tourism-based micro/small/medium enterprises: moving towards the Digital Economy”, was held at the ACTETSME (APEC Center for Technology Exchange and Training for SMEs) Complex, at the Science & Technology Park, University of the Philippines – Los Baños Campus, 15 April 2008.
Some seventy entrepreneurs from Laguna and neighboring provinces of Batangas and Cavite joined representatives of various government agencies and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experts from the private sector in getting a comprehensive view of how to position products and services in the tourism industry in the global marketplace. With the use of modern tools such as computers, e-commerce and networking, these enterprises are in the best position to widen their markets and extend their marketing reach.
Laguna Board Member Neil Nocon, in his keynote address, said that “Laguna’s SMEs could use modern technology such as computers, broadband internet and networking in gaining strong presence in the global marketplace, specially for its tourism services and products.”
“With the combined efforts of government, industry, academe and the community, working together as partners, Laguna’s SMEs stand to reap more benefits from the emerging tourism markets globally,” he said.
“Our natural advantage, in terms of skilled human resources, natural endowment from our pristine environment, technology savvy entrepreneurs and world-class services and products, should propel us to further frontiers of the global competition in our open, seamless one-world economy,” he said, also citing the proximity of Laguna to the innovation centers and research institutes at UPLB and to the institutions that support international trade.
He further stressed that, on the platform of the OTOP (one-town-one-product program) of the DTI, Laguna’s tourism industry could move as one team and carve a brand and a niche in the international market. (Office of BM Nocon, 2nd Dist. of Laguna)

Shown in photo are Board Member Neil Nocon (seated 5th from left) with Ms. Regina Austria, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer-Laguna (seated 3rd from left), Ms. Kat Luna- Abelarde- SME NATION Group Head, PLDT (seated, 4th from left) Dr. Sue Liza C. Saguiguit-Dean UPLB College of Human Ecology (seated 6th from left) and other resource persons from the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Smart Communications and officials of DTI-Laguna ACTETSME and participants from the Provincial Government of Laguna.

DTI: ENOUGH FLOUR SUPPLY IN THE COUNTRY

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila assured bakers that there is enough supply of flour in the market, thus, ensuring sufficient bread for consumers.
In a meeting with the Trade Chief, the Philippine Association of Flour Millers (PAFMIL) reported that there is enough supply of wheat and flour for the year.
Presently, PAFMIL has an inventory around 900 million metric tons of wheat and 1 million metric of flour in the country, which adds to around10 million metric tons of flour, PAFMIL Executive Director Ric Pinca said. “This inventory is even bigger that last year which stood at 8 million metric tons.”
In addition, PAFMIL expects a steady supply of wheat up to May next year. “We have committed booked shipments from the United States. We are not going to run out of wheat”
The Philippines yearly book shipments are from June to May 31 each year.
There is another reason to be optimistic as industry leaders are expecting a bountiful harvest of wheat worldwide this year.
Richard White, president of Manildra - a flour importer from Australia, is optimistic that international wheat prices will go down September this year.
For the meantime, Ric Pinca said we have to contend with the price adjustments that are happening worldwide.
In has been reported that international wheat prices have gone up in past few years due to the lean harvest in 2006 and the upsurge in wheat demand.
In the spring of 2006, a drought in the US Plains resulted in the short wheat crop. This was followed by harsh drought that cut Australian production. The wet fall in 2006 limited soft red winter (SRW) plantings; spring freeze and excessive rainfall slashed HRW yields. This was compounded by drought in North Africa and Canada.
The drought in 2006 resulted in the tight supply of wheat worldwide, thus, pushing international wheat prices upward.
“There is no need to panic. Consumers will just have to shell out of few more pesos to buy their bread,” Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya.
"We are hoping that the bumper harvests in 2008 will result to the softening of the wheat prices and that flour millers will make the necessary adjustments," Secretary Favila said. “We are counting on the flour industry players to make bread cheaper again once the 2008 bumper havest kicks in.”
Meanwhile, the government is looking for ways to make bread more affordable or less dependent on wheat flour by developing alternative sources of flour such as coconut, squash and cassava.
“We can source from other agricultural products and these raw materials are now being introduced in local and international markets. Hopefully, by increasing the production of these agricultural products we can produce enough inventories to supplement the needs of the industry,” Undersecretary Maglaya said. (CHARLIE S. DAJAO-DTI IVI-A Regional Office/ARJAY SALGADO)

PANSOL, SAFE PALIGUAN

CALAMBA CITY - Nais patunayan ng Barangay Pansol na ligtas ang tubig sa kanilang mga resort upang paliguan at pagpahingahan ng mga turistang tumatangkilik sa mainit na tubig dito. Nais din kilalanin sila bilang Wellness Capital of the Philippines dahil na din sa mainit na tubig (hot springs) at sa serbisyo ng "Hilot Pansol". Sa ngayon ay gumagawa na ng paraan ang Sangguniang Barangay katulong ang Pansol Tourism Council sa pamumuno naman ni Raffy Tabora kung paano manunumbalik ang dating sigla ng pagpasok ng mga turista sa naturang lugar. Nangumbida sila ng National Television coverage, inanyayahan din nila si Senator Dick Gordon, Governor Ningning Lazaro, Mayor Jun Chipeco at ilang pang mga opisyal ng bayan sa gagawing "Lublubang Bayan" upang ipakita na ligtas paliguan ang tubig dito. Gustong ipakita ng Pansol na hindi kontaminado ng Typhoid bacteria ang mga resort dito. Paliwanag ni Kapitana Sally Dela Cruz sa Sulong News, galing sa deep well ang mga tubig ng mga resort operators. Sa pag-iikot ng Sulong News Team sa Pansol, iminungkahi ng ilang mga concern citizen na dapat magkaroon din daw ng inumang bayan kung saan iinom ang mga opisyal ng bayan ng tubig mula sa mga gripo sa mga resorts upang ipakita na ligtas ang tubig na iniinom sa loob ng mga resorts. Naapektuhan daw ang turismo ng Pansol gawa nga ng Typhoid Outbreak pero di ang pagpaligo sa mga resort ang pangunahing problema kungdi ang Typhoid. Ayon kay Kagawad Danny Cuevas "Nais namin ipakita na ang tubig sa Pansol ay di nakaka apekto bagkus nakakagaling pa."
Natiyempuhan naman si dating kagawad Bong Ibuna sa kanilang resort at nalungkot din siya sa paghina ng negosyo sa Pansol, "Walang ngang trapik, wala ding costumer, malaki ang inilugi sa negosyo namin." aniya.
Sa kaugnay na balita, malakas sa kabuuan ang pagpasok ng turismo sa lalawigan ng Laguna. Ito ang sinabi ni Bokal Karen Agapay ng ikatlong Distrito ng lalawigan. Maliban sa Pagsanjan Falls. Tinatangkilik ng mga turista ang Tourist spot sa mga lugar ng Cavinti at Majayjay. Ang mga bayang nabanggit ay may mga magagandang pasyalan, Falls at white water rafting. Itinatampok ni Agapay sa kanyang Cable TV segment program ang mga tourist spot ng lalawigan. Umaasa naman si Agapay na manunumbalik muli ang sigla ng turismo sa Calamba, partikular sa Brgy. Pansol kung saan naroon ang napakaraming mga resorts. Marami namang mga turistang lokal na naniniwalang hindi apektado ang mga tubig sa mga resorts dahil aniya’y mga hot springs ito, sa init daw ng tubig na bumubukal mula sa ilalim ng lupa at hindi mabubuhay ang anumang bacteria dito. Karamihan kasi aniya ay halos sa mga hot springs galing ang tubig ng nasa malalaking resorts pati na ang mga private pools. (SULONG NEWS TEAM)

LWUA AT CWD IPINAKITANG SAFE INUMIN ANG TUBIG

CALAMBA CITY - Matapos ang isinagawang pagpupulong ng mga matataas na opisyales sa pagitan ng Local Water and Utilities Administration (LWUA) at ng Calamba Water District (CWD) na isinagawa sa tanggapan ng huli, ipinakita sa harap ng media ng pamunuan ng dalawang ahensiya na malinis at ligtas inumin ang tubig mula sa CWD. Ang nasabing pagpupulong at pagharap sa media ay naganap noong Abril 1, taong kasalukuyan.
Hiniling ng Chairman ng LWUA na si Proceso T. Domingo na dapat ipaalam ng CWD at ng Lokal Officials ng siyudad na ito sa publiko na ligtas at milinis ang nasabing tubig na sinu-supply ng una.
Ayon kay Engr. Alberto Cervancia, GM ng CWD, magkakaroon sila ng long-term plans para sa mas epektibo at mas malinis na pag-supply ng tubig sa buong siyudad sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng mga deep well sourcing o ang pagkuha ng tubig mula sa ilalim ng lupa na may lalim na 500 feet o mahigit. Aniya, ito’y upang mas masiguro ng kanilang tanggapan na hindi kontaminado ang tubig na pagkukunan nila. Ayon naman kay Atty. Emilio Capulong, isa sa mga Board of Directors ng CWD, patuloy pa din nagsasagawa ng testing at monitoring ang CWD sa isinu-supply na tubig.
Dinagdag pa niya, kung mayroon man reklamo laban sa CWD, dapat magkaroon muna ng matibay na batayan at ebidensiya.
Nagpahayag naman ang ilan sa mga opisyales ng LWUA na dapat ipakita din ng mga local officials ng siyudad na ito na nirerespeto nila ang resultang ipinalabas ng DOST sa isinagawang pagsusuri sa tubig kamakailan. Anila’y hindi puwedeng matapos mag-anunsyo ng outbreak noong isang buwan ay tahimik naman ngayon dahil tapos na ang epidemya at napatunayang hindi sa CWD nagmula ang nasabing bacteria. Uminom din sila ng tubig namin." ani ng isang opisyal. (SULONG NEWS TEAM)

OPISYALES NG SAMAHAN NG MGA "SEASONED CITIZENS" NAGPULONG

CALAMBA CITY - Pinulong ng Office of Senior Citizen Association (OSCA) Head na si Dr. Rodolfo Yu at Kgg. Ruth Hernandez, City Councilor at Chair ng Committee on Senior Citizens o "Seasoned Citizens" ang ilang pangulo ng mga Chapters ng samahan ng nakatatanda ng iba’t ibang barangay na nabibilang sa minorya ng mas malaking bahagi sa pamumuno ni G. Josefino B. Melgar, Sr. noong ika-4 ng Abril, taong kasalukuyan sa City Hall. Paksa sa nasabing pagpupulong ay tungkol sa honorarya o lalong dapat tawagin na insentibo o biyaya para sa kanila.
Subali’t, simula pa lamang ng pagpupulong ay malinaw na pinupuna ang pagkakahalal ng pamunuan ng Calamba City Federation of Senior Citizens Asso., Inc. (CALCIFESCA) sa pamumuno ni Josefino B. Melgar, Sr. si Hernandez at Yu at ipinahayag ang pangangailangan ng bagong eleksyon para mapagisa ang CALCIFESCA at ilang “factions” umiiral kabilang din iyong direktang nakikipagugnayan sa OSCA Head katulad ng Chapter ng Mayapa sa pamumuno ni Benjamin Aldaba. Aniya'y sa pamamagitan nito mabibigyan daan ang pagtatatag ng Council of Elders at ang mamumuno ay OSCA Head ang at pangalawang pangulo ay ang pangulo ng pederasyon.
Lumilitaw sa pagpupulong na nakakaligtaan ang tunay na katayuan ng samahan ng Senior Citizens ay isang non-government organization (NGO) na umiiral sa demokratikong ideyolohiya na kumikilala sa kapangyarihan ng nakararami at binibigyang pagkakataon ang minorya sa pagpuna at pakikilahok sa talakayan at palitan ng kuro-kuro.
Si Enrique Pons, nahalal na pangalawang pangulo, sa pagtatanggol sa samahan ay nagsalaysay na ang eleksyon ay naganap at pinagkasunduan ng iba’t-ibang “factions” na ang napiling Pangulo ay si Melgar sa paraan viva voce o taasan ng mga kamay at hindi secret balloting. Ang panawagan para sa muling eleksyon ay pinanukala ni Hernandez at Yu.
Samantalang dumalo din si Atty. Fernando Alonzo, City Legal Officer at sinumulan ang pagtalakay tungkol sa honorarya para sa mga opisyales at ipinaliwanag ang legalidad nito at pangagailangan ng pagsasaayos nito ng naayon sa batas. Ani ng isang kasapi ng samahan "mabuti at karapatdapat pagusapan ang mga biyaya ng mga opisyales pero paano ang mga miyembro" habang kapulong ang SULONG News Team, "ano naman ang para sa kanila. Dapat ang lahat na kasapi ay may bahagi din sapagka’t dito lamang mapagtatanto na mahal sila ng mga taong nasa pamahalaan." dagdag nito. Sa kabilang dako, binanggit naman ni Hernandez kung ano ang magagawa ng samahan para sa paamayanan. (ED SACOPLA)

DTI STRENGTHENS MEASURES TO ADDRESS SUPPLY AND PRICE CONCERNS

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues its tight watch on the price and supply situation of basic goods and prime commodities in the market with Secretary Peter B. Favila assuring the public that the government remains on top of the situation.
“We are fervently working on our petition to China’s Trade Ministry for at least 150,000MT flour allocation to the Philippines. As soon as the allocation is granted we will fast track testing for immediate release to markets in order to ease the price situation.”
Studies are also underway on the possibility of coconut flour as substitute to wheat flour. “We will be meeting with coconut growers and flour millers soon to come up with the best way to develop this new venture,” said Favila.
On the other hand, the Trade Secretary announced that aside from the 2.2 million metric tons of rice that the National Food Authority (NFA) was authorized to import, the government is also expecting domestic yield to increase by seven percent this year to boost supply, thus ease the price, which is a good news to the public.
In addition, intensified monitoring and strict enforcement against the diversion of NFA rice is also in earnest with Favila issuing a warning to hoarders and profiteers. “The government will not just issue warnings or notices. We will make sure that arrests are made and appropriate charges are filed.”
Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Cuison Maglaya advised consumers to always refer to DTI Price Billboards in determining the latest prevailing prices of processed commodities such as canned fish and meat, instant noodles, powdered milk and coffee; and agricultural products such as rice, meat, poultry, fish and vegetables.
“We have coordinated with market masters to daily update the DTI Price Billboards to make sure that they register the correct prevailing prices, and ordered local DTI representatives to verify the accuracy of data posted. Moreover, we will be publishing price guides in newspapers to inform consumers where prices are low so that they can exercise their right to choose and buy products that suit budget the best,” shared the Undersecretary.
Currently, a total of 216 price billboards have already been set up by DTI; 53 of these were allocated to Metro Manila, 26 to Region III, and 21 to Region IV-A. DTI’s regional and provincial offices, with the support of local government units (LGUs) in their respective areas, were able to install 142 price billboards comprising of 79 in Region I, and 63 in Regions II, V, VI, VIII, X, XI, XII and CAR.
Furthermore, DTI continues to protect consumers by increasing market visibility to check on retailers refusing to place price tags on their products and assist LGU officials in the crackdown versus faulty weighing scales.
Undersecretary Maglaya said that consumers deserve to get the value of their hard-earned money and that short-weighing goods are a violation of the Consumer Act’s provisions on weights and measures. She urged the public to make use of the Timbangan ng Bayan to ensure that weighing scales in the market are properly calibrated.
The Trade department has enjoined the assistance of consumer advocates, civil society groups, NGOs/labor unions, among others to participate in the intensified monitoring and enforcement activities. The agency has also activated hotlines and consumer complaints desks in various government agencies and LGUs to act on complaints.
The DTI also encourages the public to report complaints in price and/ or quality, NFA rice diversion, hoarding and profiteering activities to DTI Direct 751-3330 open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm or call the nearest DTI Regional and Provincial offices. Complaint may also be sent by keying in DTImessage and send to 2920 for both Globe and Smart subscribers. (Charlie S. Dajao DTI Region IV-A PIO)

NEW OWWA REGIONAL FEDERATION OFFICERS

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Regional Welfare Office IV-A conducted its Regional Federation Meeting on March 14, 2008 at Samaral Restaurant in Halang, Calamba City with the election of new set of regional federation officers. From top: left to right: Board of Director from Cavite Aida Juniller; Auditor Gemma Agranum; Treasurer Tess Lapitan; OWWA RWO IV-A, OIC Julia F. Fabian; Secretary Louie Lobredo; Board of Director of Quezon Siony Canota; Vice President Sonia Andal; Board of Director Marapi Agustin (Batangas).
Bottom: right to left: Board of Director Bart Perey of Cavite; President Reynaldo del Mundo; and Board of Director (Rizal) Claudio de Ungria.

ALING CERIA, PUMANAW NA

CALAMBA CITY - Pumanaw na sa edad na 80 si Gliceria Mujer Salgado, o mas kilala sa tawag na Aling Ceria o Ate Ceria. Inihatid ang kanyang mga labi sa Calamba Public Cemetery noong Marso 30, taong kasalukuyan.
Pinanganak noong Hunyo 15, 1927, at binuhay ang mga anak kaagapay ang kanyang asawang si Ernesto Salgado sa pamamagitan ng magaling na pagninigosyo. Mas nakilala siya dahil sa panindang isda na nakapuwesto noon sa nasunog na dating palengke ng Calamba. Laking Calamba, at ang mga kaanak ay matatagpuan sa mga Barangay ng Lingga, Palingon sa may Aplaya.
Noong panahon ng kalakasan ng kalakal sa pagbebenta ng isda, kung saan ilan sa mga ngayo’y kilala’t malalaking resetaurants sa siyudad na ito ay minsan din naging mga suki at kalimitang binibili sa kanya ay lapu-lapu at, sugpo, at mga naglalakihang alimango at alimasag.
Isang malaking kawalan si Aling Ceria lalo na sa mga kamag-anak nito sa partido ng mga Mujer. Tiningan siya bilang isang mabuting kapatid, tiyahin, lola, at kaibigan. Ani ng isang lalakeng nagpakilalang pamangkin siya ng yumao, "Sampu kaming magkakapatid," habang nasa harap ng mga dumalo sa huling araw ng burol, "at nang magkadiperensiya ang tatay ko siya (Aling Ceria) ang tumulong sa amin."
Naging isang modelong ina sa karamihan at sa kanyang pagpanaw ay marami ang mangungulila sa kanyang kabutihan at kababawan ng kalooban.
Ipinakita niyang hindi sagabal ang kahirapan basta’t nagkakaisa at nagdadamayan ang buong pamilya. Ani nga ng paring nagbigay ng huling basbas kay Aling Ceria, "Dalawang bagay ang iniwan sa atin ng ating kapatid na si Gleceria. Una ay alaala at ang pangalawa ay paalala." Ipinaliwanag ng pari na ang mga kabutihan at kagandahang asal na ipinakita at ipinadama ni Aling Ceria sa mga taong naging bahagi ng buhay niya ay siyang magsisilbing alaala sa mga naiwan. Habang ang paalala ng kanyang pagpanaw ay isang palaala "tayong lahat ay doon din ang patutunguhan, sa kaharian ng Diyos. Kung kaya ang paalala sa bawat isa sa atin na nandito ay kung anumang kabutihan at tulong na maibibigay natin para sa ikabubuti ng ating kapwa ay gawin na natin ngayon pa lang."
Habang inilalakad si Aling Ceria patungong simenteryo, maraming sa mga nakamasid ay nagulat nang makita nilang si Aling Cercia ang inihahatid sa huling hantungan. Sa dalawang naulila ni Aling Ceria na anak na babae, tanging nais nila’y manatiling buhay sa puso at isipan ng bawat taong naging bahagi ng buhay ng kanilang ina at ipamalas sa iba ang mga katangiang ipinakita at ipinaramdam ni Aling Ceria sa kanila. (ARJAY SALGADO).

LAGUNA UNVEILS AGRICULTURAL TRADING CENTER

STA. CRUZ - The Provincial Government of Laguna headed by Governor Teresita “Ningning” S. Lazaro through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist led by Mr. Marlon P. Tobias has unveiled the Laguna Agricultural Trading Center (LATC) located at Brgy. Lamot II in Calauan, Laguna. This was recently launched last March 9, 2008 in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-A.
The LATC will serve as the drop-off point for all the harvested fruits and vegetables from the different cities and municipalities in the whole province. Through the trading post, farmers will now have a chance to market and sell their produce thereby increasing their profits.
The opening was warmly welcomed by the farmers and guests who were filled with enthusiasm the moment the trading post was inaugurated. In support of the LATC, the farmers even brought their yield to the venue. Also present during the affair were the representatives from the DA – Technology Generation; Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service; and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, - all partners of the Provincial Agriculturist. They were instrumental in inviting the buyers and consumers from Metro Manila and nearby provinces. This is also to inform them that Laguna has now a trading center for agricultural products. Aside from the DA representatives, guests from institutionalized buyers like Dizon Farms, Guaranfood Corporation, and other vegetable suppliers also arrived as they bought some products they will transport to Metro Manila. Also present during the affair were the officers and members of the Laguna Vegetable Industry, the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council, the Municipal Agriculturist, the Technicians from the different local government units, and the Municipal officials of Calauan.
“Through this facility, Laguna will now be known for its agricultural products which are affordable yet high in quality. This will paved the way for our province bid to be the regions’ food basket. Indeed, the Provincial Government’s Sulong Agrikultura program is bearing fruits since the objectives in achieving food sustainability are now being realized,” Gov. Lazaro stressed. (LAGUNA PROVINCIAL PIO/CHRIS SANJI)

RESCUE TRAINING SEMINAR IDINAOS

Los Baños – Idinaos ang kauna-unahang Rescue Training Seminar noong ika-27 ng Marso taong kasalukuyan Brgy. Baybayin, Los Baños Laguna na dunaluhan ng kanilang mga residenteng may pusong matulungin at handang magserbisyo sa kanilang kapwa. Si Ginoong Aristeo Rallos, Municipal Disaster Coordinator at Volunteer nag Philippine National Red Cross Rescue Team ang kanilang naging taga-pagturo. Layunin ng seminar na ito ang pagtuturo ng tamang pagbibigay nag paunang lunas sa mga naging biktima ng anumang uri ng aksidente. Ayon kay G. Rallos ang training seminar na ito ay iikot sa bawat barangay na nasasakupan ng Los Baños bunsod sa kahilingan at kagustuhan ni Hon.Mayor Ceasar Perez. Naisakatuparan ang proyektong ito sa pamamagitan ni Kgg. Albert A. Cornejo, Kapitan ng nabanggit na barangay at mga konsehales na sina Kgg. Toalfrael "Kakay" Consulta, Kgg. Josephus U. Baes, Kgg. Joseph Malayabas, Kgg. Angeline Silva, Kgg. Arthur M. Ebron, Kgg. Amelia M. Biscante, Kgg. Eric P. Ebron at SK Chairman Niel P. Soriano. (ROY DIMASACA / LLOYD ANJAIL)

SULONG NEWSPAPER NASA INTERNET NA

CALAMBA CITY - Ikinagalak ng maraming mga taga-subaybay at tumatangkilik sa pahayagang SULONG ng ihayag ng pamunuan nito ang pagbubukas ng kanilang Web Site sa Internet, ang SULONG News Online kung saan mababasa na ang mga pinakahuling kaganapan sa Laguna.
Sa ngayon, araw-araw ay updated ang mga balita lalo na sa balitang pulis na kung saan ang PNP PRO-4A PIO ay halos araw-araw nagpapadala ng mga balita mula sa kanilang tanggapan. Umaasa naman ang pamunuan ng SULONG na maging aktibo din ang ilang mga munisipalidad at siyudad na magpadala ng kanilang mga nais iulat sa mga taga-Laguna.
Ang SULONG Online ay pinalolooban ng mga sariwang balita na masugid na kinakalap ng News Team nito, habang nakalathala din ang mga inaabangang mga artikulo mula sa mga kolumnista. Mas lalong ginawang interactive ang pahayagang SULONG dahil may Online na Suggestion Box dito kung saan puwedeng magbigay ang isang mambabasa ng kanyang suhestiyon, opinyon, puna, o di kaya’y pagbati sa pamamagitan ng Email o direkta mula sa SULONG Online.
Sinamahan pa ng Chat Box kung saan, online at realtime puwedeng makipag-palitan ng kuro-kuro ang mga mambabasa. Meron din mapagkakalibangan na mga video clip mula sa YouTube, at inuumpisahan na din ang paglalagay ng Online Music/MP3 Player upang mas makapaghatid kasiyahan sa lahat ng mga bibisita at tumatangkilik sa pahayagang SULONG.
Ito na marahil ang isa sa mga pinaka-ambisyosong balak ng SULONG News Team. Ang makapagawa ng isang Medium na kung saan magiging accessible hindi lang sa mga taga-Laguna, pati na rin sa buong Pilipinas at kasama na din ang mga Pilipinong nasa ibayong dagat.
Sa kasalukuyan ay nasa development stage pa ang nasabing Web Site ng SULONG sa pamamagitan ni Arjay Salgado, na siyang nagkunsepto at nagbuo ng nasabing proyekto. "We are trying to set a benchmark in local media," ani ni Salgado, "especially sa print, kung saan mas maraming medium na ganito ang nandito sa Laguna." Buong pagmamalaki niyang sinabi na tanging ang SULONG sa ngayon ang may ganitong uri ng pamamahayag. "it’s not just letting the readers read the news, nais namin silang ma-entertain at the same time maging interactive ang aming pahayagan." dagdag nito.
Inaashan naman na matatapos ang kabuuan nito ngayong buwan ng Abril. Samantalang umani na ng paunang paghanga sa nasabing pahayag sa internet ang ilan sa mga matataas na opisyales ng gubyerno, maging sa lokal at sa nasyunal. Pahayag nga ng isang manager ng isang telecommunication company "Your newspaper has gone a long way, it’s looking better. keep it up." Umaasa na din ang pamunuan ng SULONG Newspaper na sa pamamagitan ng Online Version ng kanilang pahayagan ay mas lalong makapaghahatid ng impormasyon sa mas maraming tao at higit sa lahat ay mas makakatulong ng malaki sa mga negosyo sa pamamagitan ng promotions sa mas malawak at makabagong aspeto ng pamamahayag. (SULONG News Team)

HALAL NA BARANGAY OPISYAL, NAG-SEMINAR

CALAMBA CITY - Nagsagawa ang Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Office ng isang pagsasanay na pinamagatang " Enhancing the Proficiency of Barangay Newly Elected Officials (NEO) in Barangay Governance ." para sa mga Barangay ng Calamba noong Marso 11-12,13-14 at 25-26, taong kasalukuyan sa Montevista Resort , Pansol, dito sa naturang lunsod.Pinangunahan ito nina Kgg.Turrne Lajara, Liga ng mga Barangay President; Melody M. Barairo, DILG Cabuyao; Myra Carmina Q. Arcelo, Team Approach on Coordinated Task (TACT) 2 Operation Center Officer II; Teodorica G. Viscara, DILG Provincial Director; Loida V. Vista, Officer II ng DILG Provincial Office Officer II; Raysen Banasihan Estabillo, DILG TACT Laguna Operation Center Officer II; Tirso Laviña, DILG-Calamba; Lorilyn V. Marique DILG- Bay ang pagtalakay sa mga pangunahing isyu ng Pamahalaang Pambarangay. Kasama na dito ang Barangay under Local Government Code of 1991, Development Planning, Basic of Barangay Legislation at Barangay Finance. Dinaluhan ito ng mga Barangay sa cluster 1 tulad ng Banlic, Barandal, Batino, Canlubang, Halang, Lingga, Looc, Makiling, Mapagong, Masili, Mayapa, Pansol, Tulo, Barangay 1, San Cristobal at Paciano Rizal. Cluster 2 ay mga Barangay ng Bagong Kalsada, Bucal, Bunggo, Camaligan, Hornalan, La Mesa, Mabato, Majada Labas, Palo Alto, Prinza, Punta , Sirang Lupa at Brgy. IV. Sa cluster 3 ay mga Barangay ng Banadero, Bubuyan, Burol, Kay-Anlog, Laguera, Lawa, Lecheria, Maunong, Palingon, Parian, Puting Lupa, Real, Saimsim, Sampiruhan, San Jose, San Juan, Sucol, Turbina, Ulango, Uwisan, Brgy. II, III, V, VI, at VII. Ayon kay Kagawad Hermognes B. Molinyawe ng Brgy.V "Maganda ang pamaraan, yun talaga ang dapat gawin pero dapat i-shoulder ng city government ang gastos, kailan lalabas ang budget kapag ba panahon lang ng election?"
"Ayos naman at patuloy na lumalaganap ang aming kaalaman" ayon naman kay Kagawad Jaime Justo ng BRGY. VII. Si Molenyawe na Committee Chairman ng Peace and Order sa kanilang barangay ay isinusulong ang katahimikan sa pamamagitan ng pag-iilaw sa mga poste, paghiling sa Police visibility at koordinasyon sa ilang mga Barangay para masawata ang kanilang problema sa snatching incidents. Ang seminar ng cluster 3 ay dinaluhan ng mahigit 200 na mga halal at appointed na opisyales ng barangay. (JO BUSAYONG)

TRANSCO SLOM BREAKS IN BARANGAY GENDER BIASES

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies...Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Proverbs 31:10, 31.
Fresh from the recently held Gender and Development (GAD) trainer’s training in Bagac, Bataan, the SLOM budding trainers conducted a basic Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) among rural women of Barangay Haligue Silangan, Batangas City last March 11-14, 2008.
The GST inspired the 31 rural women and served as their driving force as they learn and participate in the two-day livelihood training on making Dehydrated Fruits/Vegetables and Can-dies sponsored by TransCo SLOM and in partnership with Nego-Skwela.
This type of training was specifically requested by the members of Kapit-Bisig Women’s Organization (KWO) that was immediately responded by TransCo SLOM Corp. Communication Group (CCG). Having this purpose, CCG coordinated with Ba-tangas DSWD for endorsement of KWO to support the organization with financial assistance in putting up a sustainable small-scale business enterprise after the training.
TransCo believes that when people are enlightened and became open, what was once unimaginable suddenly becomes possible. This is the power of learning and information awareness - what people do not know deprives them access to power. People move when they know what to do with someone teaching them the right way to do and where to go through. (Anna Kathrina Nava)

SEN. GORDON PINALAKAS ANG LOOB NG MGA LAGUNENSE

STA. CRUZ - Sa kabila ng pangyayaring typhoid outbreak sa Calamba City, nagbigay ng isang magandang mensahe para sa mga Lagunense si Senador Richard J. Gordon ng siya ay dumalo sa pagdiriwang ng Anilag Festival na ginanap kamakailan sa Capitol Compound sa bayang ito. "When we had SARS, we visited Baguio together with my wife to prove to the world that our summer capital was SARS free. Since the outbreak of typhoid in Laguna, we have visited it more than once and continue visiting it until we prove that it has overcome a serious threat to it’s tourism industry. We are fully confident that with the Provincial Government’s speedy action, continued vigilance, and effective remedial efforts, Laguna will beat typhoid and reassert itself as the country’s premiere resort and spa capital" wika ni Sen. Gordon ang kanyang mensaheng ito ay nagpalakas ang loob ng mga Lagunense upang mapagtagumpayang harapin ang mga problema at pagsubok na dinanas.
Ang Philippine National Red Cross sa pamumuno ni Gordon ay nagpaabot nag tulong sa mga apektadong barangay katulong ang mga provincial authorities sa pamumuno naman ni Gov. Teresita "Ningning" S. Lazaro. Sa pag-iikot ng senador nakita niya ang hirap na kalagayan ng mga pasyente dahil sa kakulangan ng mapapaglagyan ng mga may karamdaman, agad nitong ipinag-utos ang paglalagay ng 100 bed capacity tent na mula sa Red Cross sa pakikipagtulungan ng mga Army Reserve, the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine National Police. Nakipagtulungan ang mga kawani ng PNRC sa loob ng 24 oras at naglaan din sila ng 20 bag ng dugo sa JP Rizal Hospital. Naglaan din sila ng ambulansya upang magamit para sa pagdadala ng pasyente sa mga hospital. (Iryn Panisan / ROY M. DIMASACA)

TAGUMPAY NG SAN PABLO SA ANILAG 2008

SAN PABLO CITY - Masayang iniulat ni Gng. Nercy Sahagun Amante, Unang Ginang ng Lunsod, at Chairperson ng Executive Committee sa paglahok ng lunsod sa pagdiriwang, na muling umani ng tagumpay ang Lunsod ng San Pablo sa katatapos na ANILAG Festival 2008 na itinaguyod ng Pangasiwaang Panglalawigan ng Laguna.
Ayon sa Unang Ginang, tinanghal na Binibining Laguna 2008 si Bb. Rodhalyn Pessina ng Barangay Sto. Niño, samantalang 2nd Runner-up si Bb. Francheska Mica Villapando ng Barangay San Vicente.
Nakuha ni Bb. Lea Maria Hernandez ang unang karangalan sa Amateur Singing Contest (Open Division). Natamo rin ng mga kinatawan ng lunsod ang ikalawa at ikatlong karangalan sa Dance Showdown Competition. Ang nagwagi ay ang Exclusive Terrorranger at ang Philippine Pirates Dance Groups, gaya ng pagkakasunod.
Sa Booth and Star Quest Competitions ay parehong nakamit ng San Pablo City ang ikatlong pwesto o ang pagiging second runner-up.
Sa Best Tourism Establishments Category, ay natamo ang mga sumusunod: Total Gas Service Station sa Barangay San Rafael , Best Gas Service Station; Maria Paz Resort sa Barangay Sta. Filomena, Best Resort; at Coco Palace Hotel sa Barangay San Francisco, Special Recognition.
Kinilala rin si G. Blairwin Ortega bilang Outstanding Youth of Laguna at si G. Alex Cortez bilang Outstanding Artist ng Laguna.
Lubos ang naging kasiyahan nina Mayor Vicente B. Amante at Unang Ginang Nercy Sahagun Amante, dahil sa muling napatunayan na ang Lunsod ng San Pablo ay hindi pahuhuli sa anumang larangan ng paligsahan na umaalinsunod sa itinatagubilin ng batas na nagsusulong ng pagpapaunlad sa larangan ng sining at kultura na iniaatas ng Batas Republika Bilang 7356. Gaya ng laging namumutawi sa mga labi ni Mayor Vicente B. Amante "San Pablo City Laging Umaa-bante!" (San Pablo CIO-Jonathan S. Aningalan)

121,409 TRABAHO AT PHP 70.715M KITA NAITALA

CALAMBA CITY - Iniulat kamakailan ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)sa Calabarzon na ang mga small, at medium enterprises (MSME) sa nasabing rehiyon ay nakapagtala ng Php 14.896 billion sa domestic investments, Php 70.715 million sa domestic sales, $2.369 million sa exports, at nakapagbigay sa 121,409 katao ng hanap-buhay noong taong 2007.
Ang DTI ang nakatulong ng Php 50.478 million MSME na puhunan sa pamamagitan ng business matching, loan facilitation at financing forums. Karagdagan dito, Php 14.845 billion na puhunan ay naitala sa business registration records, na sa ngayo’y umaabot na sa Php 14.896 billion ang domestic investments sa rehiyon noong 2007.
Sa pagkakaroon ng pinahusay na mga produkto kasama na ang pinagan-dang packaging, ang DTI ay nagsaayos ng product, packaging and labeling design at development clinics, at ang pinaka-mahalaga ay ang pagbubuo at pagsasa-ayos ng mga trade fairs, selling missions, market & business matching activities na siyang lalong nagpakilala sa mga entreprenyur na maging exposed sa mas malawak na merkado, na nagresulta ng Php 70.715 million sa domestic sales. Ang pinaka-mabenta sa mga isinagawang trade fairs ay ang mga processed foods, furniture, mga pang-regalo, housewares at holiday decors. Gifts, housewares and holiday decors (GHHD), handmade paper, lambanog, at mga productong mula sa niyog (virgin coconut oil, coco jam) na nakapag-bigay sa Calabarzon ng kita sa export sales na $2.369 million, kung saan ang USA at Japan ang naging pangu-nahing merkado.
Samantalang, iniulat din ng DTI na 4,545 na bagong trabaho ang nabuo sa ilalim ng SME Development Program habang ang mga business name registration records ay nagtala ng 116,864 trabaho an umabot sa kabuuang bilang na 121,409. Ani Marilou Quinco-Toledo, Regional Director ng DTI sa CALABARZON na ang iba’t-bang mga programa, proyekto, at gawain ng Provincial at Regional Offices ay nakatuon sa pagsusulong at pag-papalawig sa sektor ng Micro, Small at Medium Enterprise (MSME).
Batay sa 1999 National Statistics Office (NSO) data, ang sektor ng MSME ay bumubuo sa 99% ng pangkalahatang bilang ng mga ne-gosyong nagi-empleyo ng 70% mga manggagawa sa buong bansa at kabilang sa 60% ng exporter sector, kung kaya tinitingnan ito bilang mahalagang contributor ng economic development ng bansa.
"Ang One Town, One Product (OTOP) Program sa pakikiisa sa ahensiya ng gubyerno, LGU at ng business community ay ang pangunahing programa ng DTI upang paunlarin at palakasin ang sektor ng MSME partikular na sa community-based enterprises na nakakapag-sulong ng economic activities sa mga probinsya" ani Toledo.
Idinagdag pa ni Toledo na ang OTOP ay pangunahing programa ni H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo upang makapag-bunga ng karagdagang hanap-buhay at maiahon ang bawat Pilipino sa kahirapan. Ang OTOP ay itinulad ng Pilipinas sa One Village, One Product Movement ng bansang Hapon na siyang nagpasigla sa ekonomiya ng mga rehiyon ng Oita Prefecture at ng Kyushu. (Charlie S. Dajao/Information Officer DTI RIV-A/ARJAY SALGADO)

PINAKAMALAKING UBE HALAYA ITINAMPOK SA ANILAG

STA. CRUZ - Muli na namang naitampok ang lalawigan ng Laguna sa pamumuno ni Gob. Teresita S. Lazaro nang ilunsad nitong Marso 14, 2008 ang Pinaka-malaking Ube Halaya sa Kapitolyong Panlalawigan sa bayang ito, na tinaguriang kabisera ng lalawigan. Ang nabanggit ay isa sa mga highlights ng isang-linggong AniLag Festival na ginanap noong Marso 9 hanggang 16, taong kasalukuyan. Ang AniLag Festival ay nasa ika-apat na taon na nagawaran din ito ng parangal ng Kagawaran ng Turismo bilang Philippines’ Best Tourism Event sa Provincial Category.

Ipinalabas ang nabanggit sa GMA network sa morning program nito na Unang Hirit sa pangunguna ng TV hosts na sina Eagle Riggs at Drew Arellano. Umabot naman sa 1,000 kg ang dessert na ipinakita sa publiko. Ang korteng tilapia na ube na may sukat na 2 hanggang 4 na pulgada na inilagay sa mesa na may sukat na 24 by 16 ft. Ang mga sangkap na ginamit ay ang mga sumu-sunod; 698 kgs ng ube, 358 kgs ng gabi, 26 kgs ng cassava, 719 kgs ng puting asukal, 374 lata ng condensed milk, 174 lata ng evaporated milk, 39 pcs ng butter, at 45 pcs ng dairy cream. Ipinamigay naman at ibinahagi ito sa mga manonood pagkatapos maiprisinta sa publiko.
Kabilang sa mga dessert makers na nagtulong-tulong upang magawa ang malaking delicacy ay ang 4 Angels Special Ube Halaya ng Calamba City; D’Becina Ube Halaya, Tentay and Idang Ube Halaya, at Ro-malyns Special Ube ng San Pablo City; Miña Ube Special, Glo-Mars Food Pro-ducts, at Edna’s Special Ube ng Nagcarlan; at Ludy’s Sweet Products ng Siniloan. (LAGUNA PIO)

“SEASONED CITIZENS” PASISIGLAHIN

CALAMBA CITY - Nagagalak na ibinahagi ni Josefino B. Melgar Sr., pinuno ng Calamba City Federation of Senior Citizens Association, Inc. (CALCIFESCA) ang mga programa ng nasabing samahan para sa mga "Seasoned Citizens" sa taong ito.
Sinabi ni Melgar na ang mga programang inihanay ng samahan ay naglalayong bigyan pagkakaabalahan ang mga "Seasoned Citizens" sa siyudad na ito.
Ang pagkakaroon at pagtatayo ng kooperatiba "multi-purpose cooperative" ay isa lamang sa mga programang nais pasimulan sa taong ito."
Sa pamamagitan ng kooperatiba ay may matatakbuhan ang mga "Seasoned Citizens" o "Senior Citizens" sa kanilang pangangailangan sa murang halaga. Isa din sa pakinabang na maidudulot ng nasabing proyekto ay ang makukuhang kita ng bawat miyembro mula sa interes sa tinubo ng mga pinagbentahan.
Isa pa sa mga programa ng samahan ay maglalayong pasiglahin ang panglipunang aspeto o "social life" ng mga "Seasoned Citizens" ay sa pamamagitan naman ng pagkakaroon ng "leisure, at entertainment activities" tulad ng billard at bowling tournaments. Gayon din ang mga gawaing kultural at medical and dental missions.
Tunay nga ang mga nabatid na mga programa ay makatutulong ng malaki sa ating "Seasoned Citizens" upang patuloy pa nilang mapaunlad ang kanilang mga sarili sa lahat ng aspeto ng kanilang buhay.
Ang lalo niyang binigyan diin ay ang pagpapatibay sa buklod ng samahan na inaasahan na makapagdu-dulot ng lalong biyaya na buhat sa iba’t ibang sector ng lipunan at gayon din ng mapagkalingang pamahalaan ng Lungsod ng Calamba.
Ang mga proyektong may kaugnayan sa paligsahan ay pasisimulan sa madaling panahon kung kaya’t bini-linan ang lahat ng mga pangulo ng mga Chapter sa Lungsod na magsipaghanda para sa mga nasabing programa. (ED SACOPLA)