TRENDS (26 May 2010)

Coastal areas still positive for paralytic shellfish poison

Based on the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) Shellfish Bulletin No. 11 of May 13, 2010, certain bodies of water continue to be contaminated with red tide toxin.

The coastal areas include Dumanquilas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; Matarino Bay in Eastern Samar; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; and coastal waters of Bolinao and Anda in Pangasinan. Thus, all kinds of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang which are collected from these areas are not safe for eating.

However, if fresh and cleanse thoroughly, fish, squids, shrimps and crabs can be consumed. Before cooking, the inside organs like the gills and intestines must be taken off.

Meanwhile, coastal waters of Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan is now free from red tide toxin. Other areas free from paralytic shellfish poison comprise Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; coastal waters of Alaminos in Pangasinan, Masinloc Bay in Zambales; coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and Honda Bay and Puerto Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Pontevedra, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Saplan in Capiz; coastal waters of E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victoria City, Bago City and San Enriquie in Negros Occidental; Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Cacigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran Province; Hinatuan and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; coastal waters of Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay, Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon. (Janinah Jimmin M. Molina-XU DevCom / PIA)


PDEA burns P234,414 dangerous drugs

Dangerous drugs and paraphernalia will be destroyed in Misamis Oriental.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency today, May 26, 2010, burned down an estimated 319.05 grams of dangerous drugs and paraphernalia to be held at the HOLCIM Philippines Manufacturing Corporation in Lugait town, in accordance with Section 21, Article II of Republic Act 9165, DDB Regulation No. 1, Series of 2002 and DDB Regulation No. 1 Series of 2007.

Based on the inventory report submitted to B/Gen Gilberto B Abanto Jr (Ret), Regional Director of PDEA in region 10, the total estimated value of the dangerous drugs and paraphernalia is Php 234,414.40 broken down as follows: Php 199,560.00 worth of Marijuana and Php 43,854.40 worth of shabu.

These combined volumes were seized by drug enforcement authorities from various drug cases filed and submitted to Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 25 and RTC Branch 40.

The activity were graced by Regional State Prosecutor Jaime L. Umpa, Judge Maria Corazon Gaite-Llanderal of RTC Branch 40 and Judge Arthur Abundiente of RTC Branch 25, Lugait town officials, Misamis Oriental officials and other members of the law enforcement agencies, government and non-government organizations and media witnessed the burning of the dangerous substances and paraphernalia. (PDEA)


In commemoration of Nat’l Flag Day

Oro dad urges public to display flag

Mayor Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula today urged all sectors of society in Cagayan de Oro City to display the Philippine Flag starting on Friday, May 28, 2010 in observance of the commemoration of the National Flag Day.

The public appeal to display the country’s color was contained in Mayor Jaraula’s letter sent to all heads and regional directors of national line government agencies; barangay chairmen; presidents of universities, colleges and schools; presidents of civic and service clubs, societies and organizations; private offices; business establishments and City Hall department heads and chiefs of office.

“In unity with the rest of the country paying tribute to the Philippine Flag as part of the observance of the 112th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 2010, I encourage you to display our flag in your respective offices and establishments beginning May 28 until June 12,” the City Chief Executive said.

The City Mayor however emphasized to observe the proper manner of displaying the flag and make certain that no tattered or faded flag is used in their respective jurisdictions.

Mayor Jaraula also called on barangay leaders to display at least 10 flags along main thoroughfares in their jurisdictions for the duration of the commemoration.

In a related development, the committee tasked to organize the joint celebration of the 112th Philippine Independence Day on June 12 and 60th City Charter Day on June 15 met this morning to map out plans and carry out a simple but fitting program of activities for the joint celebration.

The body created by Mayor Jaraula by virtue of Executive Order No. 2010CGJ-27 is headed by City Treasurer Lino Daral as Chairman with Acting City Administrator Griscelda Joson as Vice Chairperson.

The members are: City Accountant Wilma Polley-Rugay, City Secretary Arturo de San Miguel, City Planning and Development Coordinator Estrella Sagaral, City Engineer Jorie Bingona, Acting City Police Director Benedicto Lopez, Roads and Traffic Administration Executive Overseer Antonio Montalba, City Health Officer Dr. Jerie Calingasan, City Public Services Officer Engr. Mario Batar, Acting City Information Officer Ian Fuentes and Acting City Tourism Officer Imma Rae Gatuslao. The City Council’s Executive Committee Division acts as the Secretariat. (City Information Office)


NCDA, JICA to implement NHE Project in Opol

The municipality of Opol in Misamis Oriental has been chosen as one of the pioneering sites for the realization of the “Non-Handicapping Environment (NHE)” project for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in rural areas.

The project is an initiative of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It will last for a period of four (4) years and will end up on the year 2012.

“Opol is a very lucky municipality in the Philippines because it’s the only one in Mindanao which was included as one of the pioneering sites of this very special project aside from New Lucena in Iloilo,” said Rizalio R. Sanchez, Chief of IEC Division of NCDA in a media forum held at Apple Tree Resort and Hotel on May 25, 2010.

Sanchez gave a brief introduction of the NHE Project and its implementation in Opol. "It started in 1970, by a group of Japanese volunteers who identified themselves as the RAINBOW group. They came from different sectors in Japan," he stated.

He also included that the project was conceptualized based on the needs of the persons with disabilities, particularly those who are basically disabled persons.

PWDs accordingly are confined to four (4) major barriers in the society. He cited such as the physical environment, regulations and systems, prejudices and attitudes and information and communication.

Thus, the NHE project aims to establish a barrier-free society for PWDs to augment their involvement with the community through activities which intend to give awareness and strengthening the role of members in the community in providing accessibility.

Specifically, the NHE project shall remove the so-called barriers by implementing mechanism, profiling, capacity development, advocacy and networking.

The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) spearheaded by Arch. Richard Tan contributed to the project through assigning departments within their organization to handle seminars for the disabled nationwide.

In addition, Purita H. Santa, Chief of the Technical Assistance Division of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office in region 10 expressed her enthusiasm towards the NHE Project. She declared, “We are very much willing to extend technical assistance for the smooth implementation of the project.”

However, Santa added, “We requested the local social welfare office to conduct social preparation activities because we cannot just provide funding support if the sector themselves are not yet ready to engage in such activity.”

“We are also conducting policy advocacies on the magna carta for PWDs regarding the implementation of these laws of the different local government units (LGUs) nationwide. We also see to it that the LGUs have enough budgets,” she added.

Meanwhile, Joseph R. Rabanes, Vice President of the Opol Federation of Differently-Abled Persons, appealed to the media for help on disseminating information about the NHE Project. He also discouraged the public to give alms to PWDs.

Arch. Raul C. Trinidad of the Maintenance Division of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in region 10, Chizarina Mabulay-Ortigoza, newly-elected Vice Mayor of Opol and Dexter Yasay, newly-elected Mayor of Opol also participated during the media forum. (Janinah Jimmin M. Molina-XU DevCom / PIA)


Feature: A door of provision for PWDs

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens...”

That said by a popular deaf blind American author Helen Keller. Like any other persons with disability (PWDs), being a physically challenged person was also a struggle for her. In same case, she was ensnared in physical and attitudinal barriers of the society. Yet she believed there was always hope – open doors after closed ones – became the first deaf blind to achieve a Bachelor of Arts degree, published 12 books, and beloved.

Helen Keller was just one triumphant among millions of PWDs.

In each corner of this world, there are people who suffer from disability: deafness, blindness, crippled etc. In the Philippines, there are 942,098 PWDs or 1.23 percent of the population, according to the result of 2000 Census of Population and Housing that was released in 2005 by National Statistics Office (NSO). Though more than half of them are employed, the reality cannot be neglected that we see handicapped persons in the streets begging for alms.

PWDs face not just the physical barrier but also the social acceptance. Worst of all, it has been observed in our country that access to basic services remains to be one of the major problems among Filipinos. With limited developments and resources, PWDs are trapped with the physical obstacles brought about by inaccessible establishments and transport facilities. In effect of all these, they gain limited access to education, healthcare, and employment.

New door opens

In October of 2008, the National Council on Disability Affairs and Japan International Cooperation Agency launched the 4-year collaboration project dubbed as “Non-Handicapping Environment (NHE) project” for the welfare of the PWDs. They have chosen two pioneering municipalities in the country to be the beneficiaries of the project. One of which is the New Lucen, Iloilo in Region V and the other is Opol, Misamis Oriental in Region X.

The NHE projects originally started in Sendai City, Japan where a group called Rainbow noticed the negligence to PWDs in terms of basic services. In the Philippines, there are laws that mandate the aid for the welfare of the PWDs. One is the Accessibility Law (BP 344) signed on 1982, an act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments, and public utilities to install facilities and other devices. Another is the Republic Act No. 7277, the Magna Carta for persons with disabilities and Republic Act 9442 as its amendment. These laws back the NHE project for its goal’s attainability.

The NHE project aims to create a barrier-free environment in these two rural communities while enhancing the physical and social accessibility for PWDs. This project realizes the provision of at least five minimum requirements such as ramps, washroom and toilets, non-skid flooring, signage and parking areas in public places to be accessible for the PWDs.

Removing these barriers requires lots resources and supervision. It includes the process of implementing mechanism, profiling, capacity development, advocacy and networking. Together with the NCDA and JICA, the local government units and agencies also participate in the implementation procedures. Other network of resources being lined-up and mobilized to support the NHE project are Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Non-government Organization, like the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), also aids on the project design for the building planning to ensure that there are areas and facilities accessible for the PWDs.

Mid-phase update

During the hosting of media forum on May 25, 2010, as the mid-phase update of NHE Project for the Municipality of Opol, there have been positive feedbacks. “We aim to be a model city helping these persons with disabilities,” said newly elected Mayor Dexter Yasay.

As of the project implementation, there were reported establishments that acted accordingly with the projects call. In addition, the municipal hall of the area has started to comply by constructing handrails.

Meanwhile, Joseph R. Rabanes, President of Opol Federation of Differently-Abled Persons (DAP), calls on the participation of the PWDs in the locality. “Amo kana silang gi-awhag nga dili magsigi ug panago...mas mayo pa ug mugawas sila kay taliwala paman nga aduna silay katilingban sa panglawas apan may gasa pa kana sila sa Ginoo, wala lang nila gamita kay nagpasulabi ang ilang kaulaw.” (We are encouraging them to participate...and they should because although they are disabled, God has bestowed them blessing, that they did not use due to the frustration of their disability).

In 14 barangays of Opol, there are 528 PWDs recorded based from the profiling conducted. However, only 156 active are active members of DAP. But what’s good news of the Opol community is that one hundred percent of the PWDs are able to find decent living. “Naay mga manglilimos pero dili kana taga-Opol,” (There are beggars but not from Opol), guaranteed Rabanes.

By 2012

Although the collaboration project of NCDA and JICA would end by 2012, the project will sustain as long as it is put in the priority list, said Rizalio R. Sanchez, NCDA Chief, IEC Division. Moreover, what the NCDA look up is the replication of the project in other areas of the Philippines. He mentioned that there will be funding of at least one percent from internal revenue allotment of local government units that will help in the project developments although without the major funding from the Japanese. Government agencies would also help in accord to their jurisdiction.

Overall, the NHE project is not just a newly opened door of happiness for PWDs, but also of hope, justice and service for them to live a decent life like normal people do. (Rhyl Mark Terence T. Daraman - DevCom Intern / PIA-10)