DOLE-10 pursues green workplace 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 8 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 10 Office, led by Regional Director Atty. Johnson G. Cañete, held a green summer program at the Midway Beach Resort in Initao, Misamis Oriental last June 1.

Cañete said creating awareness and active consciousness among DOLE officials and employees on the principles of green productivity in the workplace is one of the objectives of the green summer project.

He said the project will help the employees better understand their contribution for a healthy environment and improved public service.

During the simple program, Dovee Cherry I. Geollegue, technical officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the region shared inputs on climate change and how one can reduce its negative effects on the climate.

Cañete believes that this initiative is like hitting two birds with one stone. “Gaining insights on environment responsibility and reinvigorating one’s self for one’s work,” he emphasized.

The initiative is a pet project of the department under its Green Our DOLE Program (GODP).

GODP aims to transform DOLE workplaces and project sites into cleaner, safer, and carbon-free environment. DOLE officials also envision a happy and healthy workforce as a result of this greening program. (Mildred E. Dablio, DOLE-10/APB, PIA-10)


Bukidnon Med Center conducts free surgical mission 
By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, June 8 (PIA) -- A free surgical operation for cleft lip and cleft palate will give hope for poor children and young adults born with such facial deformities as surgery will be offered starting today until Sunday, at the Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center (BPMC), Casisang, Malaybalay City.

Dr. Mike Prantilla, Assistant Chief of Hospital, BPMC, said this mission consist of one full day of screening on June 8, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., requires each patient to pre-register at the out-patient department (OPD) of the BPMC in preparation for the scheduled surgical operation on June 9 and 10.

“Children and adults suffering from facial deformities such as 'bungi' (cleft lip) and 'nguho' (cleft palate) are encouraged to avail of these free medical services offered by Cagayan de Oro Agila Shriners (CDO-AS), teamed up with Don Camilo Osias Memorial Lodge No. 253 and Mt. Musuan Lodge No. 155,” Dr. Prantilla said.

Based on the latest data, commercial surgery for such kind of deformity would fetch around P70,000.00 without the necessary recovery expenses such as speech therapy and dental care.

Meanwhile, Dennis Metiam, chief coordinator of Don Camilo Osias Memorial Lodge No. 253 , said that the CDO Aguila Shriners and Mt. Musuan Lodge No. 155, teamed up with Bukidnon Provincial Government aim to help address the cleft palate and cleft lip problems in the province. It has provided reconstructive surgery to children and young adults in the different areas of the province.

“This surgical mission aims to help children who are suffering from unrepaired clefts. Aside from speech and health problems, most of them face difficult lives filled with shame and isolation. Sometimes, they become reclusive and shy away from people due to this deformity,” Metiam said.

He added that the project would assist the indigent beneficiaries and free them from the burden of expenses. (PIA10 Bukidnon)


DOE, DTI warn on risks of refilling cylinders with AutoLPG, recycling canisters 
By Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, June 8 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS) and the Department of Energy (DOE) recently warned the public on proliferation of illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and AutoLPG dispensing stations.

DOE Chief for the Oil Industry Management Bureau, Zenaida Monsada revealed, during the Mindanao LPG Summit held in General Santos City, Tuesday, that refilling of butane canisters with LPG gas is now becoming rampant in Davao and some parts of Region 12.

Atty. Genaro Jacob of DTI-BPS explained that butane canisters are disposable and designed for single-shot use only.

He said pressure requirement of both gasses differs. LPG is a mixture of propane and butane and would naturally demand higher pressure requirement.

“Butane canisters are now refilled at a cost of P30.00 to P40.00, affordable yet not economical,” Jacob noted.

Monsada, likewise, raise the alarm on the unauthorized refilling of household cylinders at AutoLPG dispensing stations, noting it is not fit for household use.

“Another risk for this, is that the cylinders will not anymore undergo the regular inspection for leakage as it normally does at the LPG refilling station,” she said.

Considering such issues, it was agreed during the summit for the DOE to release circulars that will serve as basis for the local government units in enacting local ordinances that declares ban on such practices. (PIA 10)


Lanao del Sur gears-up for 53rd founding anniversary 
By Apipa P. Bagumbaran 

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, June 8 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Lanao del Sur is stepping-up its preparations for the 53rd founding anniversary celebration of the province.

To be anchored on the theme “Lanao del Sur, My Home, Your Home,” the 53rd Araw ng Lanao del Sur will officially start on June 26 and will culminate on July 4.

Atty. Aminoden L. Macalandap, Provincial Chief-of-Staff, said they are now putting final touches on all the details relating the celebration.

He said this year’s celebration will be different from the previous celebrations because national line agencies (NGAs), non-government organizations, and civil society organizations will take part in the celebration.

Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. specifically gave instructions to invite NGAs, NGOs, and CSOs operating in the province and involve them in the different events.

Thus, series of coordination meetings with the heads of various line agencies and civil society are being conducted by the provincial government to drum-up their support and participation in the celebration.

Macalandap emphasized in one of the meetings that line agencies and the civil society are vital partners of the provincial government in advancing peace and development in the province.

Hence, the provincial government has slated July 1 as Line Agencies Day and July 2 as Solidarity Day, which are two of the highlights of the anniversary celebration, to recognize their important contributions to the province. (APB/PIA-10)