Cagayan Valley, Philippines

Tuguegarao City (27 May) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) region 02 has launched the Productivity Olympics 2008, a national competition of good productivity practices focused on people development and business excellence of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).

Regional Director Grace Ursua said the Olympics aims to intensify awareness on the importance of productivity improvement in global competition, stimulate competitive spirit and showcase good practices on people development and business excellence.

The productivity Olympics is open to all MSMEs in the private sector who are duly registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Local Government Units (LGUs).

The MSMEs must be in operation for at least three years starting October 1, 2007 and a beneficiary of the ISTIV Productivity Awareness Program of the NWPC/RTWPBs or has in place productivity improvement program.

Interested MSMEs may secure the application forms from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) R02.

Ursua said the application form must be accompanied with a photocopy of business registrations, certification from owner/manager on average employment in the last two years, and description of the Productivity Improvement Programs.

Regional winners will be endorsed to the National Screening Committee. Winners will receive a productivity trophy, plaque of recognition, priority endorsement to training programs and cash awards to be determined by the RTWPBs.

Deadline for the submission of application will be not later than July 31, 2008.

The theme for this year’s Olympics is “Improving Philippine Productivity for Competitiveness.” (PIA Cagayan)

Tuguegarao City (27 May) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the national government agencies to celebrate the country’s 110th Independence Day by augmenting the traditional flag raising and wreath - laying activities with government programs.

Among the government programs mentioned are healthcare programs, livelihood assistance projects, housing programs, feeding programs for school children, food security, distribution of conditional Cash Transfer Cards, education programs, care for the environment, energy independence thrusts and other pro-poor services.

For healthcare programs, the Department of Health - Center for Health Development 02 in coordination with the Philhealth, Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC), POPCOM and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) planned to undertake the following - distribution of Philhealth Cards in Aparri, Cagayan, setting up of Botika ng Barangay (BnB) replica at the CVMC compound which will be handled by the Barangay Cataggaman BnB with stocks to be augmented by DOH.

They would also display and sell herbal products courtesy of the Regional Herbal Center, extend free therapeutic massage thru the physical therapists from the CVMC Rehabilitation Center and also therapeutic massage by the persons with disabilities (PWDs) with minimal fees.

The team would also conduct a health program quizzbee for 4th year nursing students from St. Paul University, University of Saint Louis, Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao and Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines.

Another undertaking will be a demonstration and lecture on CPR and First Aid by the CVMC.

The Health Service Package will be a one-stop-shop activity in commitment to Sentro K3 (Kaisahan, Kagalingan at Kalayaan) to be held at the CVMC grounds on June 12. (PIA Cagayan)

Tuguegarao City (27 May) — The employees association of the Department of Agrarian Reform, Region 02, recently called the attention of President and General Manager of the Government Service Insurance System to look into the situation that has been plaguing the GSIS before going into his plans to buy the Lopez shares in Meralco.

In a letter signed by Luthgarda S. Sibbaluca, DAR Employees Association president and all the officers and members of the association, they alleged that they are experiencing difficulties with the GSIS Tuguegarao City Branch.

“Although we can avail of the GSIS services, the net proceeds of our loans and benefits are inadequate due to the ’systems failure’ in the computerization program of the company,” the employees stated.

The employees also expressed dismay over the delayed posting of monthly premiums and loan amortization of their loans.

“We are prompt and accurate in our payments since these are automatically deducted from our salaries but we are wondering why your system cannot upload these payments in time,” the employees said.

“What’s wrong with your system, or is there something fishy going on?” they asked.

The DAREA members insisted that they should not be denied of the services of the GSIS since they are not remiss in paying their dues. (PIA Cagayan)

Tuguegarao City (27 May) — The Provincial Government of Cagayan through the Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office (PNREO) will conduct an ‘Environment Summit’ to address the issue on global warming and climate change on June 3-4 here.

Forester Robert E. Adap, PNREO Officer, said the environment summit will be the highlight of the Environment Month celebration this June.

Adap said all sectors of society the LGUs, NGOs, Public Organizations, Religious Organizations, academe, fisherfolks, foresters, farmers sector, students and many others will be involved in the summit.

DENR Secretary LitoAtienza and Sec. Heherson Alvarez, Presidential Adviser on Mining and other officials will be the speakers during the summit.

Aside from lectures, the film entitled “An Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore which was translated in ‘Tagalog’ will be shown during the summit. This film talks about the reasons, effects and impact of climate change in the whole world.

Adap said hundreds of participants are expected to join the first ever environment summit and said it is important to discuss climate change among Cagayanos to support the preservation of the Sierra Madre Natural Park which plays a big role in mitigating global warming.

Alvarez also said he will initiate a study on how to put up an alternative electric system like the wind mill in the coastal areas of the region to do away from using gadgets that diffuse carbon dioxide which causes global warming.

He will also discuss proper waste disposal as one factor of mitigating global warming. (PIA Cagayan)

Tuguegarao City (27 May) — Mayor Delfin T. Ting signed Executive Order # 09 Creating and Organizing the Tuguegarao City Literacy Coordinating Council in support to the government’s call to adapt measures to eradicate illiteracy.

Administrative Order No. 324 signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo mandates all government agencies and local government units to come up with Literacy Coordinating Council-Blueprint for Action (LCC-BPA) as a framework or guideline in developing policies and implementation programs and projects related to literacy.

Mayor Ting said the council will serve as the over-all advisory and coordinating body that will provide policies and programs as well as recommend strategies for a campaign to total eradicate illiteracy in the city and formulate measures on the establishment and maintenance of a city bank and information exchange dissemination system to support the literacy efforts.

The council is composed of the City Mayor as Chairman, Vice Mayor as Vice Chair, City Planning and Development Officer as the secretariat, and co-members are the Chairman of the Committee on Education-SP, Chairman of the Committee on Barangay Affairs-SP, City Schools Division Superintendent, CILG, PIA Region 2, NEDA Region 2, CSWD, CPDO, NGOs, and the Rotary Club of Tuguegarao.

EO #09 likewise mandates the council to look for ways on how to raise funds to support the literacy programs, projects and activities; identify successful management schemes of literacy programs and strengthen support structures for literacy at the city level.

Mayor Ting believes that through the newly created council, problems on the city’s illiteracy rate can be resolved. (PIA Cagayan)