Ferrer nihulga nga mokiha ni de Lima

Si Commission on Elections Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer nagkanayong nga siya nagplano sa pagpasaka og kaso nga may kalabot sa kalapasan sa Anti-Graft law batok ni Commission on Human Rights Chair Leila de Lima tungod sa pagamit sa iyang posisyon aron pagpanghadlok sa ubang tao.

Kinit tungod sa imbestigasyon sa CHR tungod sa alegasyon sa dili ensaktong tratamentong batok sa duha ka whistleblowers sa niaging semana.

Matod pa ni Commissioner Ferrer, “If you use your office, your official function, to harrass persons, that’s a violation of the anti-graft law.”

Ang Comelec nidapit sa niaging semana ka Arwin Serrano usa ka miyembro sa Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting ug Melchor Magdamo, kanhi election lawyer kinsa nag expose sa alegasyon sa irregularidad sa planong pagpamalit ug P700 milyones nga kantidad ug ballot secrecy folders gikan sa QTC Paper Supply nga nag kantidad ug P380 ang matag buok. Panahon sa tigum, usa ka sininggitay tali ang nahitabo ni Serrano ug ni Ferrer.

Matud pa, si Ferrer nitudlo ngadto kang Serrano ug nitawag niining bakakon. Si Ferrer usab nibawos pag alegar nga matod pa siya gipatiran sa lingkoranan nga iyang gipanghimaka. Siya ang nag ingon nga iyang plano nga mopasaka ug libel cases batok ni Serrano ug posibleng apil niini si de Lima.

Iyang gihagit si de Lima nga mopasakag kaso batok kaniya.

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Inabanga sets up local Monitoring board on HR

PEACE advocates here found new recruits in the members of half of Inabanga’s 50 barangays as the government and civil society organized human rights (HR) violations watchgroup here.

In its recent efforts to enlarge the peace ripples here, the municipal peace and order council (MPOC) along with barangay captains warmly welcomed the Bohol Local Monitoring Board in launching the local human rights complaint receiving body in the town and its neighboring areas.

The LMB in Bohol was set up to help monitor compliance by the agents of the state and the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front on the Comprehensive Agreements on the Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

CARHRIHL is one of the key agreements entered into by both conflicting parties in the 35 year old struggle to find peace in the country.

In Inabanga, 25 of its 50 barangays with prevalent cases of human rights violations got into the LMB orientation given by Bohol LMB.

Bohol LMB coordinator Romeo Teruel led the board composed of government and civil society agents in giving the proper orientation to the community.

The orientation cascades the roles and responsibilities of the members of the local LMB, which has been institutionalized by an executive order issued by Governor Erico Aumentado.

By the same executive order, Bohol can now set up around six local LMBs, two per district. Aside from Inabanga, District 2 also has an LMB set up in Talibon while District 1 has Catigbian and Loon and District 3 has Mabini and Carmen.

Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy said he welcomed the development even as he aggressively campaigns for cottage industries translating to more jobs and better hopes for his people who have shown excellence in crafts over time.

Peace, he said is not just the absence of war but having the capability to make out for their lives and living with the means to cover their basic needs.

Historically the hometown of a local hero Francisco Dagohoy, Inabanga has eloquently shouted that the town is home to freedom and peace fighters.

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Barangay Kapitan, gitipi — Politika, hayan maoy hinungdan sa pagpatay

Gipusil-patay ang usa ka barangay kapitan sa wala mailhing mga mamumuno samtang natulog tapad sa iyang asawa ug duha ka mga anak didto sa ilang pinuy-anan sa barangay Abihid, Dimiao, Bohol niadtong Dominggo sa kaadlawon.

Ang biktima nailhan nga si Alexander Bascunas, 38-anyos, minyo. Naigo ang biktima sa walang bahin sa iyang likod ug gi deklarang patay sa dihang nadangat sa Dimiao Municipal Infirmary.

Nasayran sa taho nga samtang ang biktima nahinanok sa pagkatulog sud sa iyang kwarto uban sa iyang pamilya mga alas 4 sa kabuntagon dihang ang wala mailhing mga suspetsado nikatkat sa bintana gamit ka usa ka 2×6 nga tabla dayong tangtang sa usa ka bildo nga jalousie ug gipusil ang maong biktima.

Si PO2 Aniceto Lacierda sa Dimiao Police Station nibutyag sa Bohol Balita nga ilang gitan-aw nga pulitika ang usa sa mga hinungdan sa pagpusil.

Matud ni Lacierda nga niadtong nakalabay nga semana nagpahigayon ug usa ka rally ang pundok ni mayoralty candidateJimmy Balbon sa Nacionalista Party didto sa maong lugar ug giingon nga gilimitahan sa oras sa biktima ang nahisgutang kalihukan. “Dunay gikasungi ang biktima sa usa sa mga supporter ni Balbon,” asoy pa ni Lacierda.

Source: Boholnewsdaily

Magtiayon patay human nabangga ang motor sa bus

Tubigon — Patay ang usa ka mag tiayon, ang asawa buntis, human ang motorsiklo nga ilang gisakyan aksidenteng nibangga sa usa ka de pasaheroang bus nga naka-parking sa karsada didto sa barangay Ilijan Norte, Tubigon, Bohol niadtong Dominggo sa gabii. Ang mga biktima nailhan nga sila Ryan Jumamil, 28 anyos, minyo ug ang buntis niyang asawa nga si Feliza Jumamil, 26-anyos, nagpuyo sa barangay Calunasan, Calape, Bohol. Naka angkon ang duha ug grabeng samad sa ulo ug ubang bahion sa ilang lawas ug gidiklarang patay na sa dihang nadangat sa Tubigon Community Hospital.

Nasayran sa taho nga samtang ang isa ka Titi Transport Bus nga may body number 258 ug plaka numero GVL-419 nga gipanag-iyahan ni Jesus Veloso, taga Catagbacan Sur, Loon, Bohol ug gimanehoan ni Tito Corbeta, 57-anyos, minyo ug nagpuyo sa samang dapit gikan sa Tubigon ug samtang nagparking ang maong sakyanan sa tuong bahin sa kalsada mga 6:35 sa gabii aron mo-drop ug pasahero, kalit na mibangga ang usa ka Honda XRM kolor itom nga motorsiklo nga dunay plaka MC6493KH ug gimanehuan ni Jumamil didto sa sampot sa bus.

Matus sa taho nga gumikan sa kakusog sa bangga, napasok ang motorsiklo sa ilalom sa maong bus ug nangalagpot ang magtiayon didto sa karsada.

Sigun sa taho nga si Jumamil walay lisensya sa pagmaneho ug waala nagsul-ob ug crash helmet sama sa iyang asawa.

Naguba ang motorsiklo sa biktima samtang ang driver sa natumbok nga bus gikustodiya na sa Tubigon Police Station. (Andy Nalzaro)

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Tawong nasubrahan sa inom namatay

Namatay ang usa ka lalaki human nasobrahan sa ilimnong makahubog didto sa basketball court didto sa barangay Malinao East, Lila, Bohol niadtong Sabado.

Biktima nailhan nga si Teodomiro Raut, 48-anyos, minyo, ug nagpuyo sa maong lugar.

Nasayran sa taho nga sa wala pa ,ahitabo ang insidente, nakit-an ang biktima nga nakigtagay sa iyang mga higala gikan ala-una sa hapon niadtong Biyernes ug naabtan ang ilang panag inom hangtud alas 11:3- sa gabii.

Katapusang makit-an nga buhi ang maong biktima sa naasoy nga oras ug pagka-alas 5 sa buntag sa Sabado, naplagan ang patay’ng lawas niini nag buy-od na sa basketbol court sa maong dapit.

Sigun sa pakisusi sa municipal health officer, nga namatay ang maong biktima gumikan sa sobrang inom ug walay tinunto nga nagpaluyo sa kamatayon niini. (Andy Nalzaro)

Source: Boholnewsdaily

All set for June 30 inauguration

PRESIDENT-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s transition team has already smoothed out kinks in the inauguration on June 30, an event that will be made meaningful by several traditions shelved during the Martial Law years.

The inauguration, which will revolve around the theme “Tagumpay ng Taumbayan, Panata sa Pagbabago,” is expected to be observed by millions around the world.

According to Aquino’s camp, there will be a prayer services at 6 in the morning at the Aquino home in Times Street. At 9:45 a.m., Aquino will depart for Malacañang to fetch Arroyo. Arroyo and Aquino’s arrival at Quirino Grandstand will be at 10:45 a.m. Arroyo will be honored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines upon arriving at the venue. She will then exit “gracefully” while her successor moves up the stage.

The  formal inaugural ceremony is expected to start at exactly 11:00 a.m. with the singing of the national anthem. At around 1:00 p.m., Aquino will finally head to Malacañang.

Inauguration spokesman Manuel “Manolo” L. Quezon III earlier said “the president-elect is not much of a traditionalist, but you realize that these rituals exist to make the transition more dignified for all concerned and you’re dealing with an office larger than any person.”

The inauguration will be a symbol of sorts, as this would be peppered with traditions that were abolished or replaced during former President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ time. The Aquino family was instrumental in overthrowing the dictatorship.

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Cops ready for Aquino inaugural

Cops ready for Aquino inauguralThe Philippine National Police (PNP) has finalized the security and public safety plan for the inaugural ceremony of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the 15th Philippine president on June 30, an event that thousands are expected to attend, an official said on Thursday.

The center of activity will be at the Quirino Grandstand, where Aquino will take his oath of office before Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa has approved an elaborate security and public safety plan in and around the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.

Verzosa said the PNP has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) declaring the airspace over the grandstand as a no-fly zone for the duration of the inaugural ceremony, except for television helicopters that were given special permission to take aerial footage.

The PNP will also issue a similar notice to Mariners to prohibit seacraft from coming too near the shoreline in the vicinity of the grandstand and the Ocean Park area.

PNP Task Force “Panunumpa,” head Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano said that the NCRPO will deploy at least 5,500 personnel for the inauguration.

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Merkado sa Lungsod sa Batuan nasunog

Mokabat ngadto sa napulo ka mga stalls sa Batuan Public Market ang nasunog gumikan lamang sa faulty electrical wiring niadtong nakalabay nga gabii. Nasayran sa taho nga nagsugod mga alas 11:55 sa gabii niadtong Martes didto sa usa ka Baguio Electrical Supplies nga gipanag-iyahan sa usa ka Dodong Baguio.

Si SPO2 Eduardo Ramara sa Batuan Police Station nibutyag nga dali ra ningkatap ang kalayo sa kasikbit nga mga stalls sa atubangan sa merkado nga naglinya padulong sa direksyon sa lungsod sa Bilar. Samtang ang direksyon sa lungsod sa Carmen wala malakip.

Matud ni Ramara nga ningkabat pa ngadto sa 20 ka minutos nga nakaabot ang firetruck gikan sa lungsod sa Carmen ug nisunod ang kabomberohan gikan sa Lungsod sa Balilihan, Loay, Trinidad, Ubay, Talibon, Valencia ug Dimiao.

Gibana banaang moabot ngadto sa P700mil ang inisyal nga danyos apan gilantaw kini nga modako pa kun matapos ang gihimo nga imbestigasyon. Dugang ni Ramara nga ilang gidudahan nga electrical short-circuit ang hinungdan sa maong sunog. (Andy Nalzaro with reports from Amado-Carmen correspondent)

Read more @ BoholNewsDaily

Motorsiklo nibangga sa van;drayber patay;backrider naangol

Namatay ang usa ka drayber sa motorsiklo samtang grabeng naangol ang iyang backrider human aksidenteng nibangga ang ilang gisakyang motorsiklo sa usa ka van for hire didto sa national highway sa barangay Upper dela Paz, Cortes, Bohol niadtong nakalabay nga gabii.

Biktima nailhan nga si Gerald Rempis, hamtong ang panuigon kinsa gikatahong lumad sa kaulohan ug temporaryong nagpuyo sa Capitol Site, Dakbayan sa Tagbilaran.

Nakaangkon ang biktima ug grabeng samad sa ulo ug ubang parte sa kalawasan ug namatay human nadangat sa Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital sa siyudad.

Samtang ang kauban sa biktima nailhan lamang nga usa ka Tata kinsa lumad sa dakbayan sa Sugbo gidala usab sa samang tambalanan ug anaa sa malisud nga kahimtang.

Nasayran sa taho nga samtang ang mga biktima sakay sa usa ka asul nga Yamaha STX nga motorsiklo na may plaka IJ 5310 nga gimanehuan ni Rempis nagdagan sa nasudnong dalan alas 7 sa gabii sa Dominggo dihang pag-abot sa nahisgutang dapit, ni overtake kini ug osa ka multicab ug nibangga sa usa ka GT Express Van for Hire Adian Topic Van nga may plaka GWM 873 nga gimanehuan ni Reynaldo Chavez, 49, taga – Lag-itan, Doljo, Panglao, Bohol.

Gumikan sa kakusog sa bangga, nangalagpot ug nabunal ang mga ulo sa biktima sa maong sakyanan ug nalabay sa kalsada.

Nahibaw-an sa mga imbestigador sa Cortes Police Station nga lango sa alak ang duha ka biktima ug walay gisul-ob nga crash helmet atol sa naasoy nga insidente. (Andy Nalzaro)

Read more @ BoholNewsDaily

House body to probe Alleged poll irregularity

THE House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms would meet anytime this week to conduct probes on allegations of poll irregularity, reports confirmed.

Speaking for Speaker Prospero Nograles, Representative Teodoro Locsin Jr. invited committee members to investigate and clarify the alleged anomalies of the May 10 automated polls, same quoted reports bared.

The move also earned the support of election watch-dogs who gathered reports of irregularities and anomalies.

Locsin added that the committee would hold its sessions and would not take a break until June 30.

Meanwhile, many people have agreed that the recent automated elections went generally well and eliminated the processes where possible electoral fraud could be done. (PIA-Bohol)

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Comelec proclaims last three senators

The Commission on Elections en banc convening as the National Board of Canvassers proclaimed Senators Sergio Osmena III, Lito Lapid and Teofisto Guingona III as the last of the twelve senators to serve until 2016.

Earlier last Saturday, Comelec has proclaimed Ramon Revilla Jr, Jose Estrada, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Franklin Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Ralph Recto and Vicente Sotto III.

Osmena garnered 11,583,854 votes, Lapid earned 10,971,045 while Guingona had 10,200,293 votes.

According to reports, the Comelec tally was based on 121 of the 274 certificates of canvass processed by the board of canvassers.

Comelec Chairman Jose Melo however reportedly believes the remaining canvass will not materially affect the votes of the 10th to 12th ranking of winning senators. (PIA-Bohol)

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Baclayon’s “kirial” subject in launched heritage book

BACLAYON’s rare sacred manuscripts for choral music formally called Kirial de esta Yglesia de Baclayon Año de 1826 is the subject of a heritage benchmark book launched recently by the Intramuros Administration.

Written by UST Professor and Musicologist Maria Alexandra Iñigo-Chua, the book discusses the Kirial, which contains mass cycle compositions used in the liturgical service of the Catholic Church in Baclayon during the late 18th to early 19th century.

The rare find, one that remained hidden in the musty cabinets of the 1595 church came out to the open after Inigo-Chua was introduced to it by now Boholano heritage scholar Fr. Milan Ted Torralba sometime in 1997.

Intriguingly enough, the music found in the Baclayon choir books was written in a now-obsolete mensural notation using neumes, characteristic of the Gregorian chanting.

As such, it had to be translated into contemporary notation, if it were to be rendered comprehensible to the modern musician, she admitted to reporters during the launch.

Unfortunately for Chua, she found no reference books to turn to for the task. She had to find her own way of translating the music into a readable score.

With persistence and insight, she eventually found a way to translate the pieces and indeed to perform them.

First heard again during the 400th jubilee of the church years ago, the Chua notations was sang by the famous Loboc Children’s Choir and was accompanied by a Benedictine priest who has to read the score from another songbook providentially uncovered in the archives of nearby Dimiao church.

“Anyone who has felt queasy about singing at Mass the pop version of the “Our Father” would probably wonder what church music used to be like.” Chua narrates.

“Today, a churchgoer is likely to walk into a liturgy where music is accompanied by Casio organs and minus one tapes, along with karaokes, guitars, microphones, and speakers. In the early 19th century, was church music as informal?” she asks.

The music scholar describes the 19th century Baclayon church music as “simple and conservative,” reflective of the kind of plainsong and chant favored in Spain at that time.

She notes, however, that while the melodies were simple and monophonic, like that of typical Philippine folksongs, the choir was accompanied by the majestic pipe organ.

It is a clear and unique evidence of the wealth of our Filipino-Spanish encounter and heritage, says culture worker and baclayon parishioner Lutgardo Labad, when he heard the music interpretation the choir.

In 1999, after probably more than a hundred years, the kirial’s Misa Baclayana was performed by the Loboc Children’s Choir under the baton of Alma Taldo and accompanied on the organ by Fr. Maramba.

With tears in their eyes, the audience sat rapt as the melodies unfolded from the choir, wafted, and soared through the entire church, resonating with a musical modality which is both Western and native, so spiritual, so original, and yet so deeply anchored in local soil, Labad recalls.

Meanwhile, Fr. Torralba said “it is important that an ordinary Boholano can read this book …because the Boholano must not only identify with this work, but must first claim Misa Baclayana and the entire cantorales as his or her own: that the Boholano must say that he or she belongs to these and these are resources that belong to Bohol’s cultural heritage treasury worth preserving, restoring, and perpetuating.”

Heritage, you see, although it speaks of the past, belongs to the future. We in this “now,” in this present, are the stewards of heritage,” Fr. Torralba said. (PIA-Bohol)

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Palace urges healing, cooperation with incoming administration

Malacanang on Tuesday called on everyone to unite and cooperate with the incoming administration so the Philippines will continue to move forward and achieve further development.

In a press briefing Tuesday, Press Undersecretary Rogelio Peyuan said that since the election are over, it is best for everyone—winners and losers alike, to “unite and work together” with the new administration for a better Philippines.

Peyuan also said Malacanang is leaving it to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to decide on the alleged irregularities during the May 10 polls. He added that the first fully automated polls is part of President Arroyo’s legacy so let us leave it to the COMELEC to assess the level of satisfaction on Smartmatic’s delivery of what was expected of them.

Peyuan said the European community and China, among other nations, have congratulated the Philippines for the conduct of a peaceful elections.

He advised those questioning the credibility of the May 10 polls to go slow and “observe a certain level of decency” in any act they take. (PIA-Bohol)

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Calls for more school years resound at gab

CALLS to add at least two more years in the country’s basic educational echoed anew during the Commission on Filipinos Overseas sponsored conference here.

The call was based on the dire need to put up a system that allows Filipinos students the competitive skills to be at par with their counterparts across the globe.

In his keynote address during the CFO’s 9th Philippine Schools Overseas (PSO) Conference at the posh Bohol Beach Club Tuesday, CFO Secretary Dante Ang reiterate the need to uplift educational quality in the advent of sending Filipino skilled workers abroad.

While comparing the country’s educational system to leading industrialized countries, the former presidential adviser hinted that a fresh graduate in the country may not fare well in landing a competitive job when standing side by side with his foreign counterpart.

Most participants in the conference of key administrators principals and mentors form nine countries where the PSO has established schools for children of Filipino workers abroad agree that additional years in school curriculum is in order.

Many have noted that graduates in the country still needs the additional training.

Ang cited the Philippine nurses going through the National Council on the Licensure Examinations (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses before getting a job abroad, one that could be equated to the additional years in schools.

“Basic education in the United Kingdom and the US are at least 12-13 years, and now the government has realized the need to implement the 12 years basic education program, he said.

He issued the call just as the urged teachers and administrators to start convincing parents on the wisdom to change to the 12 years of school.

Moreover, the CFO big boss underline the need to launch a massive teacher training program that can be institutionalized in as much as he said “the quality of our students depend largely on the quality of our teachers.

Asked as to where the additional two years would be inserted, Department of Education Assistant Secretary Dr. Teresita Inciong pointed out that the formative years from three to six years old would be most ideal.

She cites a study that says a child that young develops 50% of his brains.

Ang however reiterates again that program, he cited that a nursing graduate in the country now still needs to go through at least a year of retraining in the US and UK to land into the nursing job abroad. (PIA-Bohol)

Source: BoholNewsDaily

DepEd deploys 75,000 teachers to conduct national census

Some 75,000 public school teachers have been deployed by the Department of Education (DepEd) to conduct the national census that is done every ten years to generate accurate demographic data essential in the government’s socio-economic planning.

Education Secretary Mona Valisno said the DepEd deployed 60,000 field enumerators or census takers, 12,000 team supervisors, and 3,000 census area supervisors for the decennial census that started last May 17 and would last until June 12, 2010.

“We ask our people to cooperate in giving our teachers accurate data on their households. This is very important because this census is part of a national aim to better plan the welfare of our citizenry in terms of health, education, jobs, and other critical social services,” Valisno said.

The census is being undertaken in partnership with the National Statistical Coordination Board-National Statistics Office (NSCB-NSO).

The government is allocating a compensation for the teachers participating in the census, in the amounts of P11,550; P13,050; and P15,175 one-time honorarium. The teachers are also entitled to transportation expenses and meal allowances.

The 2010 Census of Population and Housing will obtain a complete count of Philippine population, demographic characteristics (population density, ethnicity, education level, health, economic status), and  geographic distribution in the Philippines. (PIA-Bohol)

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Nantes, 5 others perish in helicopter crash

Manila, Philippines — Liberal Party National Treasurer and Quezon Governor Rafael Nantes plus five others died in a helicopter crash yesterday in a subdivision in Lucena City. AFP Southern Luzon Command spoekesman Col. Generoso Bolina said the chopper crashed at around 3:15 p.m. in Hael Subdivision in Barangay Iyam in Lucena City.

The other fatalities have been identified as Army Master Segeant Alfredo Dominguez and PO2 Randy Roperez, both security aides of Nantes. The other casualties include a pilot and two other civilians whose houses were hit by the chopper. The other civilian has been identified as Rowena Navales, 14.

According to the AFP spokesperson, the chopper exploded 300 meters after take off. Initial reports state that Nantes was about to go back to Manila when the crash happened. There were no survivors.

As of press time, the authorities are still finding out the cause of the incident.

Earlier newspaper reports have linked Nantes and the Liberal Party in protecting drug trafficking incidents in Quezon. This was due to a raid conducted by the PASG, and upon which an investigation was to follow. A few days later, this statement was denied by the PASG in an article in a separate daily newspaper.

The Liberal Party has extended their condolences.

Source: BoholNewsDaily

Q1 remittances from overseas workers rise 7% to $4.3-B

REMITTANCES from Filipinos working overseas rose by 7% in the first quarter to $4.3 billion, the central bank or the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Monday.

In March alone, money sent by Filipinos overseas went up by 5.6% from a year ago to $1.5 billion.

The central bank said money sent home in the first quarter grew on sustained and higher remittances by both land and sea-based workers.

The central bank said in a statement that prospects for global deployment of overseas Filipino workers remain positive, especially as employment opportunities are expected to rise along with clearer signs of global recovery.

Remittances, a major consumption driver, still come mostly from the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Italy and the United Arab Emirates.

The central bank had previously forecast remittances in 2010 to grow by 8%. In 2009, remittance inflows hit a record $17.3 billion. (PIA-Bohol)

Source: BoholNewsDaily

PGMA’s breastfeeding program ushers new direction

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s policies and programs increased the exclusive breastfeeding rate almost four times and ushered in a new direction for breastfeeding as an important part of public healthcare and national development.

Dra. Elvira Henares-Esguerra, founding president of Children for Breastfeeding Inc. (CfB), said the President’s compassion and political will saved breastfeeding from the brink of extinction, reversing 20 years of frustration from among its advocates.

The Chief Executive received last Monday a copy of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) promoting the importance of breastfeeding between the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) of the Department of Science and technology (DOST) and the Children for Breastfeeding Inc. (CfB). The MOU was presented to her by Esguerra and PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya in simple ceremonies last Monday morning at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall.

Esguerra said the MOU further promotes researches in breastfeeding that include the intake of virgin coconut oil for breastfeeding mothers to increase the anti-microbial properties of human breast milk.

In 2005, the President issued Presidential Proclamation No. 1113 promulgating the yearly celebration of World Breastfeeding Week every August 1-7. (PIA-Bohol)

Source: BoholNewsDaily

RP now has tech transfer law, DOST lauds passage

A proposed bill that seeks to roll out mature and potentially important technologies generated by government-funded researches to the market was finally enacted into law recently after almost three years into legislation.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 10055, otherwise known as “An Act Providing the Framework and Support System for the Ownership, Management, Use, and Commercialization of Intellectual Property Generated from Research and Development Funded by Government and for Other Purposes” or the “Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009” into a full fledged national statute on March 23 at the Malacañang Palace. The new law is expected to serve as the blueprint for a nationally coordinated technology transfer framework of government-funded researches.

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro said that the whole science community is overwhelmed with this development.

Sec. Alabastro said that this new law, a landmark policy on technology transfer will revolutionize the commercialization of technologies generated by researches funded by the taxpayer’s money. (PIA-Bohol)

Source: BoholNewsDaily

DoH cautions against gov’t. partnership with tobacco manufacturers

THE Department of Health (DOH) strongly urged all government agencies to refrain from establishing partnerships with and accepting donations from tobacco manufacturers as this goes against the country’s commitment to the World Health Organization (WHO)

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral explained that these donations and partnerships are packaged as corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs of the tobacco industry”,. She stressed that under Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, such CSR activities which involve the indiscriminate display of the tobacco manufacturer’s name or brand name may constitute a prohibited form of advertising.

She also reminded the public that RA 9211 also bans cigarette and tobacco companies from sponsoring any sport, concert, cultural or art event which will involve advertisements of their products. Despite these restrictions however, Secretary Cabral observed that it had not deterred the tobacco industry from advertising its deadly products, albeit through

alternative methods.

“A stricter implementation of RA 9211’s provisions on advertising and promotions which will plug the loopholes currently being used by the tobacco industry can help save a lot of lives in the future,” Cabral added. (PIA-Bohol)

Source: BoholNewsDaily