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Munti selects 183 poor students as new scholars

The Muntinlupa City government has selected 183 poor students in the city as new beneficiaries of its Iskolar ng Bayan Scholarship Program.

The students are all studying at the city-run Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun).

“This program of the city government has tremendously helped the poor but deserving citizens of Muntinlupa,” said PLMun professor Teodorico Solema, officer in charge of the Office of Student Development and Services, in his letter to Mayor Aldrin San Pedro.

The scholars are composed of 98 second-year students, 50 third-year students and 35 fourth-year students at PLMun.

Mayor San Pedro said as scholars, the students received P3,000 allowance for the first semester and were exempted from paying the required tuition fee.

“The only requirement that they have to fulfill is to maintain their grades,” he said.

Mayor San Pedro said the city government will continue to provide scholarships to poor but bright students in the city.







HOG INDUSTRY PLAYERS, D.A. AGREE

TO SLASH PORK PRICES TO P140-P150 PER KILO



Major players in the hog industry from producers and meat processors down to wholesalers and retailers have agreed with agriculture officials to pull down the cost of prime pork cuts ahead of the Christmas season by agreeing on a “reference price” ranging from P140 to P150 per kilo of choice cuts like pigue, kasim and liempo.


In a meeting with Secretary Arthur Yap and other agriculture officials at the DA central office in Quezon City on Monday, over 30 stakeholders have agreed on this reference price band after reaching consensus on the reasonable profit margins for growers, wholesalers and retailers.


Market data discussed during the dialogue showed that while the farmgate price had gone down to P82.25 per kilo, the retail cost now average P140 a kilo for all cuts, with the price of liempo and other prime cuts reaching P145 to P170 in Metro Manila markets.


“Our purpose was to find a common ground among all industry players in order to come up with a fair reference price that will be beneficial for producers and traders, on one hand, and consumers, on the other,” Yap said. “Pulling down the retail cost of pork items will benefit not only consumers; producers and traders will also benefit because lower market prices will boost consumer demand and thereby mean greater profits for them.”


Among the industry players present during the DA dialogue were Albert Lim, president of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI); Rene Eleria, NFHFI chairman; Soledad Agbayani, president of the Philippine Association of Hog Raisers Inc. (PAHRI); Dan Gomez, chairman of the Meat Handler and Dealer Association of the Philippines (MHDAP); and Jess Cham, president of the Meat Importers and Trader Association (MITA).


Also present were Jerome Ong, vice president of the Philippine Association of Meat Processor Inc. (PAMPI); Emar Ozeata, marketing manager of Gemsun Marketing; Rico Geron of the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Corporation; and Rep. Nicanor Briones of the Lipa Multi-Purpose Cooperative Marketing Association (Limcoma).


Ramon Galicia, general manager of the Maypajo Market Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Ruben Tristan Avillanosa, market supervisor of Commonwealth Market; Lorna Valdez, market master of Pritil Market, and other retailer-representatives from different markets in Metro Manila also attended the meeting.


Aside from Yap , the other DA officials who attended the dialogue were Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup, Director Davinio Catbagan of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and Director Carlos Mendoza of the Livestock Development Council (LDC).


Prior to Monday’s dialogue, DA officials have already been meeting with hog industry leaders to discuss their concerns over certain issues saddling the livestock subsector, notably the big spread between the farmgate and retail prices of pork cuts.


DA officials have also denied reports of a government ban on meat imports to the Philippines .


Last week, Catbagan was instructed by Yap to directly establish linkages between hog producers and meat processors, to discuss, among other concerns about the domestic supply and pricing of pork items.


Salacup said that plans are being firmed up to link backyard hog growers with meat traders like PAMPI and MITA.


As for reports of a ban on meat imports, Catbagan made it clear last week that there was no such directive issued by the Secretary, adding that Yap had merely asked the DA’s regulatory agencies to review the issuance of import permits for agricultural products as part of the Department’s intensified efforts to curb smuggling.


“There is no ban,” Catbagan said. “The instruction of the Secretary is in view of the alleged rampant smuggling in the hog sector, he instructed the DA regulatory agencies such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Plant Industry and BAI to review the issuance of import permits to determine if there are lapses.”


He added that, “There was no instruction to suspend the issuance of import permits or authority for any particular agricultural product.”





Palace: Strong banking sector shielded RP from crisis





The Philippine financial system is not likely to crash like its American counterpart due to the conservative and prudent stance of local banks and monetary authorities, President Arroyo said yesterday.


Mrs. Arroyo though admitted the US financial crisis "appears deeper than most anticipated."

She said "any slowdown or even recession in the US is not good for the global economy."

In her speech at the opening ceremonies of the Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink 2008 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the President also announced her signing into law of the Credit Information System bill to further strengthen the country's financial system.

She said the global credit crunch has proven the country has a strong banking sector that can be exploited by businesses wanting to expand.

"The potential exposure of our banking sector to the asset deflation triggered by the subprime mortgage losses in the US accounts for less than one percent of their total system assets here in the Philippines," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"This exposure is fully reserved, our banks are well-capitalized, and the innate conser-vativism of our bankers is matched by the prudence of our regulators," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo added the government would increase its spending on infrastructure and social projects to keep the economy going amid a global economic crisis.

Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, on the other hand, said the government is ready to provide assistance to affected sectors in the country in the wake of the financial meltdown in the US.

Teves said that previous gains on the country's fiscal consolidation efforts have given the Philippines more room to assist other sectors.

Teves also said the Philippine economy has shown resilience in the face of global market uncertainties.

"While we are not completely insulated from these external shocks, we can withstand further pressures if we continue to be vigilant and maintain confidence in our country," he said.

The Fund Managers Association of the Philippines (FMAP) also expressed optimism that the Philippine banking system will survive the financial meltdown in the US.

FMAP, which has 44 member institutions and 100 investment professionals, urged the investment community to remain calm.

The group said the Philippines cannot be totally immune from the negative impact of the crisis but its possible effects on the country would be minimal.

"Though volatility may persist, we are confident of the sound macro fundamentals of the Philippine economy and the resiliency of the Philippine financial markets," FMAP said.







Palace: Strong banking sector shielded RP from crisis





The Philippine financial system is not likely to crash like its American counterpart due to the conservative and prudent stance of local banks and monetary authorities, President Arroyo said yesterday.


Mrs. Arroyo though admitted the US financial crisis "appears deeper than most anticipated."

She said "any slowdown or even recession in the US is not good for the global economy."

In her speech at the opening ceremonies of the Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink 2008 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the President also announced her signing into law of the Credit Information System bill to further strengthen the country's financial system.

She said the global credit crunch has proven the country has a strong banking sector that can be exploited by businesses wanting to expand.

"The potential exposure of our banking sector to the asset deflation triggered by the subprime mortgage losses in the US accounts for less than one percent of their total system assets here in the Philippines," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"This exposure is fully reserved, our banks are well-capitalized, and the innate conser-vativism of our bankers is matched by the prudence of our regulators," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo added the government would increase its spending on infrastructure and social projects to keep the economy going amid a global economic crisis.

Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, on the other hand, said the government is ready to provide assistance to affected sectors in the country in the wake of the financial meltdown in the US.

Teves said that previous gains on the country's fiscal consolidation efforts have given the Philippines more room to assist other sectors.

Teves also said the Philippine economy has shown resilience in the face of global market uncertainties.

"While we are not completely insulated from these external shocks, we can withstand further pressures if we continue to be vigilant and maintain confidence in our country," he said.

The Fund Managers Association of the Philippines (FMAP) also expressed optimism that the Philippine banking system will survive the financial meltdown in the US.

FMAP, which has 44 member institutions and 100 investment professionals, urged the investment community to remain calm.

The group said the Philippines cannot be totally immune from the negative impact of the crisis but its possible effects on the country would be minimal.

"Though volatility may persist, we are confident of the sound macro fundamentals of the Philippine economy and the resiliency of the Philippine financial markets," FMAP said.







Family Health Cards Para Sa Mamamayan ng Laguna


Nakatakdang ipamahagi ang mahigit sa 2,000 Family Health Cards sa October 10, 2008 sa City Market, Santa Rosa City, Laguna.
Kasama sa mga tatanggap ng nasabing IDs ay ang mga labor volunteers ng Santa Rosa City katulad ng mga street sweepers. Sa pamamagitan nito ay mabibigyan ng pangkaseguruhang pangkalusugan ang mga labor volunteers at ang pamilya nila. Dagdag benepisyo ito para sa kanila bilang mga masisipag na manggagawang tumutulong sa bayan ng Santa Rosa.
Ang pamimigay ng mga Family Health Cards ay pangungunahan ni Mayor Arlene Arcillas Nazareno ng Santa Rosa City at Arturo C. Ardiente, Chief Social Insurance Officer ng PhilHealth Calamba Service Office. Inimbitahan din dito si Dr. Edwin M. Oriña, OIC ng PhilHealth Regional Office IVA.
Inaasahan na magiging maayos ang pamamahagi ng mga Family Health Cards sa tulong ng Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Santa Rosa City.
Sa kasalukuyan ay umaabot sa 46,314 ang ipapamahaging Family Health Cards sa buong lalawigan ng Laguna sa ilalim ng sponsorship ni Gobernador Teresita ‘Ning-Ning’ Lazaro.
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Kampanya para sa Overseas Workers Program (OWP) ng PhilHealth, patuloy na pinaigting

Matapos ang tatlong taon ng pagkakalipat ng Medical Care Program ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), may humigit-kumulang na 28,345 na mga miyembro na ang naitala sa ilalim ng programang ito. Gayundin, may kabuuang P 3,029,445.50 ang nabayarang claims ng PhilHealth para sa mga OFWs at kanilang pamilya noong nakaraang buwan.

Bilang tugon sa pangangailangang pangkalusugan ng ating mga OFW’s, pinalawak din ang out-patient benefit package para sa kanila. Kabilang na dito ang Consultation, Diagnostic Services, Visual Acuity Examination, Psychological Evaluation & Debriefing, Promotive/Preventive at iba pa.

Kaya naman upang makapagbigay ng mas maayos at mas mabilis na serbisyo ang PhilHealth, sa pamumuno ni Arturo C. Ardiente, nakipag-ugnayan ang Calamba Service Office sa POEA-Calamba upang makiisa sa lingguhang Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS). Sa pamamagitan nito, nabibigyan ng sapat na impormasyon ang mga OFW’s ukol sa mga programa at mga benepisyo ng PhilHealth bago pa man sila umalis ng bansa.

Gayundin, nagsasagawa din ang PhilHealth ng malawakang oryentasyon para sa mga OFWs at kanilang pamilya upang gabayan sa pagpapatala sa ilalim ng OWP at paggamit ng benepisyo bilang miyembro.
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PhilHealth Information Booth sa SM City Lucena, tagumpay

Binuksan nitong lunes Setyembre 22, 2008 ang PhilHealth Information Booth sa SM City Lucena alinsunod sa pagdiriwang ng Civil Service month. Layunin nito na makapagbigay serbisyo sa mga mamamayang may nais alamin ukol sa mga programa at polisiya ng PhilHealth. Gayundin, maaari din silang magsagawa ng ilang transaksyon sa PhilHealth tulad ng pagpapabago sa alin mang impormasyon na nakatala sa kanilang Members Data Record, pagpapatala ng kanilang bagong dependent at iba pa.

Naisakatuparan ito sa pangunguna nina Gng. Maria Teresa S. Alba, Head ng Lucena Service Office, PhilHealth Regional Office IVA at Bb. Sharyll M. Ortiz, Public Relations Officer III ng Public Affairs Unit ng PRO IVA at sa pakikipagtulungan ng SM City Lucena kung kaya’t nabigyan ng pagkakataon na mas mailapit ang serbisyo ng PhilHealth sa mga miyembro nito. Ito ay binigyan ng isang linggong pananatili malapit sa entertainment plaza, 3rd floor sa SM City Lucena.

Naglaan ang Lucena Service Office ng kanilang isang empleyado na siyang nakahandang sumagot sa mga tanong o mga nais linawin ng mga miyembrong magsasadya sa naturang booth. Gayundin, maari din silang humingi ng alin man sa PhilHealth forms doon upang kanilang gamitin sa kanilang mga susunod na transaksyon sa PhilHealth.

Masasabing isa na naman itong tagumpay para sa PhilHealth sapagkat mas nadagdagan ang kanilang paraan ng pagseserbisyo at mas nailapit ito sa mga miyembro nitong nangangailangan.





10,000 cancer naitala sa Philippine Cancer Registry


Mahigit sa 10,000 kaso ng breast cancer ang naiitala sa Philippine Cancer Registry taun taon, at 40% ng cancer patients ang namamatay. Habang wala pang gamot na naiibento para dito nananatiling ang maagapan ito at magamot kaagad ang pinakamabisang paraan upang maiwasan ang breast cancer.

Kaugnay nito ay inilunsad ng Avon na isang global beauty company ang Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer (KGBC) campaign. Layunin nito na maiangat ang kamalayan at kaalaman ng mga mamamayan partikular ay ng mga kababaihan ukol sa naturang sakit, at makalikom din ng pondo upang magamit sa kampanya. Sinusuportahan ng kampanyang ito ang PGH Breast Cancer Center.

Bilang commitment ng Avon sa mga kababaihan at pamilya mas malawak at malakas na kampanya ang ipinatutupad ng Avon sa taong ito. Kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng ika-30 Anibersaryo ng kumpanya ay ang muling pagsasagawa ng KGBC kung saan magkakaroon ng Alay Lakad sa ika-5 ng Oktubre sa 16 na syudad sa buong Pilipinas. Ito ay may temang I walk with 30,000 for a Healthier Tomorrow. Kaisa ang Batangas City sa proyektong ito.

Ang walk event ay mag-uumpisa at magtatapos sa Plaza Mabini. Makakasama dito ang opisyal ng barangay at women’s group sa lungsod.

Upang makalikom ng pondo, dalawang espesyal na produkto ng Avon ang ibinebenta, ang KGBC shirt na nagkakahalaga ng P149.00. Ang P30.00 ay pondo para sa mga programa laban sa breast cancer. Ito rin ang isusuot ng mga sasama sa paglalakad. Ang isa pa ay ang limited edition ng Skin-So-Soft Ultra Healing Lotion kung saan P5.00 mula sa halaga ng bawat isang lotion ay ibibigay sa PGH Breast cancer Center at sa iba pang provincial hospitals sa bansa. (Marie V. Lualhati, PIO Batangas City)