1,300 hectares of ricelands destroyed by dry spell in NE; P88-M potential loss seen

CUYAPO, Nueva Ecija - Some 1,300 hectares of ricelands in this town were destroyed by prolonged drought, affecting some 800 farmers, the Department of Agriculture reported.

          

             Dr. Andrew Villacorta, DA regional executive director for Central Luzon, said the affected farmlands are  rain-fed areas which neither receive irrigation from the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Systems that operate the Pantabangan Dam or the Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project or the Casecnan Dam.

          Villacorta said they started receiving reports of the dry spell 10 days ago. He said the affected areas produce up to four metric tons of P17 per kilo rice.

          He added that the potential loss could reach P68,000 per hectare or P88 million for the 1,300 hectares.

          However, Villacorta said losses could be reduced substantially if the affected farmers will replant, adding his office has set aside P30 million worth of seeds as calamity buffer stock.

          Villacorta clarified that the drought cannot yet be considered as the effect of the El Nino phenomenon which necessitates a declaration from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration for it to become official.

          The DA has allocated P20 million to mitigate El Nino in the region although it is still in the process of identifying the vulnerable areas. (Manny Galvez)

Legarda Hopes for Clear-Cut Agenda on Inclusive Growth, Climate Change in PNoy’s SONA

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that among the issues she hopes President Benigno Aquino III will mention in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) is a defined roadmap to address the effects of climate change and a clear path towards inclusive growth.

“President Aquino’s administration has already made headway in building a strong economy and we await more of his programs to ensure that these gains will be felt by every Filipino. We are also seeing significant improvement in areas covering our basic needs and rights such as education, healthcare, protection of workers’ rights, disaster preparedness, among others,” Legarda noted.

“I look forward to hearing how the 7.8 percent economic growth will translate to better support for the working middle class, more opportunities for the marginalized sectors, and better services for the poor,” she said.

 “Aside from these things, the administration must also address the threat of climate change. We are a nation greatly at risk to the effects of the warming climate and we need to address our vulnerability if we are to sustain recent economic gains,” she added.

Legarda noted that United States President Barack Obama has acknowledged the threats that climate change brings and will continue to bring if not addressed immediately. President Obama made it clear that he is determined to save the future of Americans by taking that needed push to cut down greenhouse gas emissions and increase investments on renewable energy.

The Senator said that she is aware of the various programs that the Aquino administration is undertaking to improve the state of the environment, but she stressed that President Aquino making a clear statement on what the government is planning to achieve and enjoining Filipinos to be environmental warriors will make a big difference.

“Our government has been working on improving air quality and has also been rehabilitating our forests through the National Greening Program. We also have programs on coastal and marine management as well as ecotourism development. These are among current programs that will help upgrade the state of our environment,” she said.

“We also need to engage in other initiatives that will mitigate climate change, such as generating green jobs and promoting green skills, building green and disaster-resilient infrastructure, and promoting a low carbon lifestyle,” she added.

Legarda will expound further on the state of the nation’s environment in a privilege speech she will deliver a day after the President’s SONA.

SME Roving Academy in Aurora to open on July 23

BALER, Aurora-Lectures on Skills Upgrading on Coconut & Pineapple-based food products, Skills Training on Bamboo Craft Making, Skills Training on Coco Coir-based Handicraft Making, and Skills Upgrading on Coffee Brewing & Packaging will highlight the opening of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Roving Academy in Aurora on July 23.

“SME Roving Academy is a continuous breeding ground for start-up enterprises and an institutionalized provision of business development services to the identified enterprises which will make them competitive in the domestic and export markets,” said DTI Provincial Director Edna Dizon.

The program will serve as a forum to discuss the problems encountered by SMEs at the provincial level such as lack of access to financial assistance and access to market.

At the same time, it will focus more on integration as it seeks to inform the people of the different interventions of various government agencies, as well as trickle down policies from the upper offices.

The program is anchored on seven learning stages namely Start-Up & Capability Building, Market Awareness, Market Readiness, Export Readiness, Export Market Entry, Export Sustainability, and Export Expansion.

The first four is handled by the academy while the last three is available through Regional Interactive Platform for Philippine Exporters (RIPPLES). (Jojo S. Libranda)

Legarda Files FOI Bill Anew

MANILA-Acknowledging the importance of transparency and accountability in government service, Senator Loren Legarda has filed anew the proposed Freedom of Information (FOI) Act under Senate Bill No. 514.

Legarda said that the FOI Bill mandates all government agencies to disclose information on public interest transactions, documents or records, and provide other information as requested by the public.

Government agencies will be required to disclose, through posting in their respective bulletin boards and official websites, transactions such as contracts with the private sector, procurement contracts, loans, grants and other programs entered into by government agencies with other entities, private organizations or foreign institutions.

“Through this measure any person can access information concerning public interest from government agencies, provided that they make the appropriate request,” said Legarda.

“But there are certain information that must be kept confidential especially that which may compromise the nation’s security, jeopardize negotiations or diplomatic relations with other nations, and intrude on privacy or endanger the life and safety of an individual. Request for access or public disclosure of such information may be denied, but the agency concerned is required to make the appropriate explanation,” she added.

Legarda said that freedom of information is an essential prerequisite for a modern democracy.

“It is a key foundation to the effective exercise of cognate rights such as the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of expression, as well as the right of the people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political and economic decision-making,” she stressed.

“Transparency in the public sector enables our people to engage in meaningful participation, promotes accountability, and mitigates corruption, which has long been a major obstacle to our country’s development,” Legarda concluded.

Central Luzon PhilHealth soon to meet “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” target

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga-Ferdinand De Mesa, 34, from Betis in Guagua town, Pampanga works as a wood carver. Recently, his two-year old son Cyril was hospitalized due to bronchitis. But he didn’t have pay a single peso for medical fees as he is enrolled as a sponsored member of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“Luckly, I was enrolled to PhilHealth as our family is among the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of Department of Social Welfare and Development," De Mesa said. "Without this, I would not be able to pay the P7,000 hospital bill of my son.

To promote government's universal health program, the Department of Health along with its partners including PhilHealth coined “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (KP)” which envisions that all Filipino families, specifically the indigents, will be covered by PhilHealth by 2016.

“In Central Luzon, we are near in attaining the goal with 74 percent of our populace already enrolled,” said PhilHealth Vice President for Central Luzon Rodolfo Balog.

Pampanga has the biggest number of coverage with 86 percent of total residents followed by Bataan and Tarlac with 82 percent each, Zambales-78 percent, Bulacan-76 percent, Nueva Ecija-59 percent, and Aurora-55 percent.

PhilHealth is now targeting jeepney drivers, contractual employees, and vendors, where they could be enlisted under the organized group enrollment approach.

“Even students who are 21 years old could now be part of our insurance for at that age, they are not dependents of their parents who are members,” Balog added.

Data from PhilHealth reveal that there are now 490 facilities accredited by the agency in Central Luzon consisting of 193 hospitals, 136 rural health units, 115 maternity clinics, 19 TB-DOTS, 19 dialysis centers, and eight ambulatory hospitals.

There are also 4,115 accredited health care professionals composed of 2,500 doctors; 1,500 specialists; 34 dentists; and 81 midwives. (Joelyn G. Baluyut)

Legarda Wants Rainwater Catchment Facilities in Schools, Brgys

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that all schools and barangays in the country should have rainwater catchment facilities as part of efforts to reduce flooding and conserve water.

“These rainwater catchment systems can help address the country’s water shortage problem, particularly during the dry season, while making use of the excessive water brought by the rains during the wet season. These facilities can also contribute to reduce the occurrence of flooding,” said Legarda.

The Senator made the statement in support of the program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to put up more rainwater collection systems in public schools and state facilities in the country.

The DPWH has allotted P78 million on rainwater catchment facilities in the past two years and for 2013, it is setting aside an additional P50 million. The agency has already built 513 rainwater collection systems nationwide.

The DPWH has also partnered with the Department of Education to include rainwater collection systems in the standard design of public schools.

“I urge private schools as well as local government units, particularly in the barangays, to also put up rainwater harvesting facilities to help conserve water and lessen our dependence on commercially available water,” said Legarda.

“We also continue to promote the building of green infrastructure such as green campuses that will have forest parks, vegetable gardens, and waste segregation system,” she added.

Probe to scrutinize govt’s traffic plan Senate called in to step into worsening traffic problem

MANILA-The Senate is being called to step into the worsening traffic mess and scrutinize the soundness of the government’s traffic panacea that would solve decongestion in major thoroughfares and intersections.

Sen. Ralph G. Recto today urged the Senate Committee on Public Services to inquire into the supposed comprehensive traffic program of the government aimed at loosening the traffic gridlocks in major urban centers.

Recto stressed the monstrous traffic jams have reached critical level that precious man-hours and resources are being wasted every minute that the metropolis stood still because of logjams.

“The Senate inquiry would determine if such traffic management plan would actually ease congestion in major urban centers and speed up the safe and efficient movement of people and goods,” Recto said in filing Senate Resolution No. 5.

He said he was alarmed to learn that the economy loses about $3.6 billion or P153 billion a year because of traffic congestion, particularly in Metro Manila.

It was noted that of the $3.6 billion, $1 billion is lost in wasted gasoline, electricity, man-hours and hiring of traffic aides, while the remaining $2.6 billion represents losses from reduced sales and investment disincentives.

Recto stressed the traffic solution should factor in the increase in numbers of vehicles on the road, the kilometers of new roads and bridges that were built and the burgeoning population.

“There is now one motor vehicle for every 14 Filipinos with 7 million roaring machines cramming our streets. And every hour, about one kilometer of road must be built or repaved to accommodate the 47 new vehicles, which are registered during the same hour,” he said.

He said the recurrence of traffic gridlocks in Metro Manila and even in other major cities are transforming “our streets into chaos, making the movement of people and goods constricted, inefficient and unsafe.”

“The traffic bottlenecks are becoming a travel bane that adversely impact on the economy and also on the general well-being of Filipinos,” the senator stressed.

Recto said traffic experts even differ on approaching the problem since some favor constructing more roads and flyovers while others recommend raising the prices of motor vehicles to stop their metal -kind from multiplying on the road.

He said the latest traffic solution being profounded is by tweaking the current number coding scheme where motor vehicles would be totally barred from plying EDSA at least once during the week.

“There is a need to draft a traffic decongestion roadmap that would outline a comprehensive solution to the traffic mess at least until 2016,” he said.

Recto said the inquiry should “focus on the capacity of concerned agencies to execute the roadmap and devise ways for its successful implementation and ensure the efficient, safe and fast transport of people and products from one destination to another.”

He stressed without a sound traffic management plan, major roads such as EDSA would become giant parking lot where not a single machine and flesh would move.

Recto filed the resolution after the rest of Metro Manila and other urban centers were plunged into total “zero-movement” because of daily logjams that have reached nightmarish level during the month of June.

Legarda Bats for Regional Museums for Cultural Preservation

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda has formalized her proposal to have folk art museums in every region in the country through a bill she filed amending the National Museum Act.

Legarda said that the establishment of museums in the country will ensure the transmission of valuable traditional knowledge to the younger generation.

“For years, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has taken the lead in facilitating the conservation and transfer of cultural heritage—expressed through the country’s various traditional folk arts, via its Manlilikha ng Bayan and Schools of Living Tradition (SLT) program. This bill seeks to complement the efforts of the NCCA by explicitly requiring the National Museum through its regional museums to serve as venues in ensuring the conservation and preservation of the country’s traditional folk arts,” she said.

The Senator said that under the bill, regional museums should also display traditional folk arts collection aside from the local archeological finds, objects of art, and other local cultural treasures.

Furthermore, the regional museums should lead the conservation, preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of the SLTs found within their localities.

“With these regional museums showcasing traditional folk arts we hope to start a cultural revolution through an immersion in the Philippine art from the ordinary folks of old. We also hope that these museums will help develop craftsmanship and industry, national identity and pride, and will help unite Filipinos,” Legarda concluded.

Zambales PESO to hold Special Recruitment Activity for registered nurses

IBA, Zambales-Zambales Public Employment Service Office (PESO) invites all registered nurses who are seeking employment abroad specifically in the Middle East to troop to the Special Recruitment Activity (SRA) that is slated on July 17 at the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba town and July 18 at the San Marcelino District Hospital from 9AM to 4PM.

 

“The SRA, which is being done in partnership with LBS Recruitment Solutions Corporation, is looking to fill up positions for Staff Nurse I, Staff Nurse II, and Staff Nurse III, for possible deployment in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia as well as King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital also in Jeddah,” said Vice Governor and PESO Manager Ramon Lacbain II.

 

“Staff Nurse I is for those aged 24-40 years old with four to five years of solid experience in specialty area without gap of six months in a hospital setting, Staff Nurse II requires three to four years of solid experience, and Staff Nurse I is for those with a least two years of experience,” Lacbain added.

 

Moreover, Middle East bound allied medical positions shall also be offered during the SRA.

 

It is open to 22-40 year olds with bachelor’s degree on area of specialty, holder of a valid professional license (if applicable), and preferably with two to three years of solid experience in specialty area without gap of six months in a hospital setting. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

Legarda: Early Action Will Save Us From Disasters

Senator Loren Legarda today said early warning and early action should be at the center of disaster preparedness efforts in order to build resilient communities.

Legarda renewed her call for improved disaster risk reduction efforts as the nation observes the National Disaster Consciousness Month.

“Disaster prevention starts long before a typhoon makes landfall, before an earthquake happens or before a volcano erupts. Early warning and early action should be at the very heart of our efforts. Everyone should understand the risks we face and equip ourselves with preventive measures to lessen the impact of disasters,” she said.

Legarda said that research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that nations are likely to experience more typhoons that are stronger in the next century as a result of the warming climate.

The research showed that increasing greenhouse gas emissions could result to a 10 to 40 percent increase in the frequency of tropical cyclones by the year 2100. These typhoons could be 45 percent more intense.

“Presented with such facts, the logical step would be to put in place proactive measures to reduce our risk to disasters. We cannot be complacent and wait for another strong typhoon to occur before we to start doing what we ought to have done many years ago. The policy framework is in place. What we need is to make the laws work at the community level,” Legarda said.

Soon, the Senator will launch the instructional video on disaster preparedness, “Ligtas”, which will present basic information and measures to ensure preparedness when natural hazards such as typhoons, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis occur.

“We must be ready to face all kinds of natural hazards and build our resilience to disasters today, as well as our resilience to climate change in the future, for a much safer environment,” Legarda concluded.

Senator Loren Legarda at PEMSEA's 20th Anniversary Celebration

Senator Loren Legarda, the UN Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, receives a plaque of appreciation from Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Council Chair of the Executive Committee of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), during the celebration of PEMSEA's 20th anniversary where the Senator was the Guest Speaker. 

Senator Loren Legarda gives malunggay seedling and a copy of the Redefining Development book, theMessage of Our Times book, and the Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Handbook to Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Council Chair of the Executive Committee of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), and Mr. Stephen Adrian Ross, Acting Executive Director of PEMSEA Resource Facility, during the celebration of PEMSEA's 20th anniversary where the Senator was the Guest Speaker.

Senator Loren Legarda, the UN Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, stresses the role of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) in pushing for countries to adopt the integrated coastal management (ICM) concept for the sustainable use of the world's oceans and marine resources during the celebration of PEMSEA's 20th anniversary where the Senator was the Guest Speaker.

JINGGOY SEEKS HIGHER PAY, MORE BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY OFFICIALS

In recognition of their function as direct providers of public service to the citizens, Acting Senate President Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is seeking an increase of monthly monetary compensation for barangay officials.

 

Sen. Estrada filed Senate Bill 134 to further amend Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 to provide additional support and afford higher honorarium for barangay officials, including barangay tanods, appointed barangay officers, Sangguniang Barangay members, and Lupong Tagapamayapa.

 

Section 393 (a) of RA 7160 defines the benefits of barangay officials and prescribes that they shall receive honoraria, allowances, and such other emoluments as may be authorized by law or barangay, municipal or city ordinance, but in no case shall it be less than:

a)    P1,000 per month for the Punong Barangay

b)   P600 per month for the Sangguniang Barangay members, barangay treasurer and barangay secretary

 

In introducing Senate Bill 134 as part of his priority measures, Sen. Estrada moves to increase the prescribed minimum compensation to 8,000 pesos for Punong Barangay, 7,000 pesos for the Sangguniang Barangay members, 6,000 pesos for barangay treasurer and secretary, 5,000 pesos for the barangay tanod and Lupong Tagapamayapa.

 

“Barangay officials are considered to be the guardians and frontliners in the implementation of policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community. The Barangay Chairman is the only official in the country that performs a tripartite task of being the executive, legislative and the judiciary, notwithstanding the help of his kagawads. As for the Barangay Tanods, they are considered to be frontliners of the Philippine National Police in its campaign against criminalities,” Jinggoy points out.

 

The proposed legislation likewise seeks to create a position of a barangay health worker as part of the barangay office setup. The said health worker shall be appointed by the Punong Barangay and shall receive the same remuneration as a barangay tanod.

 

Moreover, SB 134 seeks to extend the benefits such as Christmas bonus, insurance coverage, free medical care (including medicines and medical attendance in government hospitals), and exemption from payment of tuition and matriculation fees of their children, provided to the Punong Barangay and Sangguniang Barangay members to include barangay tanods, Lupong Tagapamayapa and barangay health workers.

 

Lastly, Sen. Estrada bats for increased limit for health subsidy from nearest private clinic or hospital from 5,000 pesos to 10,000 pesos in case of extreme urgency where there is no available government hospital.

 

“I believe it is time to update the meager remuneration received by our barangay officials for their important services to the community. The rates have remained unchanged for 22 years since 1991,” Sen. Estrada explains.

 

“During the previous 15^th Congress, I have also proposed that our barangay tanod brigades be given hazard pay in the amount of 1,000 per month, and our barangay officials be made salaried government employees thus making them eligible for membership and loan and retirement benefits from the GSIS. I am also planning to re-file these measures in this 16^th Congress,” Jinggoy adds.

CHIZ WANTS BUILDING AND REPAIR OF MADRASAHS

Senator Chiz Escudero said Muslim public schools or madrasahs in the country should have better structures that conform to the basic infrastructural standards.

Escudero, who spoke at the First Assembly of Imam Leaders of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in Cagayan de Oro City, said he will allocate in his Priority Development Assistance Fund for the construction and repair of madrasahs.

"We also want to legislate a law that will push for the construction and repair of madrasah or schools wherein the funds will be given to the local government units."

Escudero said in his various visits to madrasahs, he has yet to see a decent structure of a classroom as most of these were just built with hollow blocks as walls and dirt floor. "It should not be the case that only schools and school buildings owned by the government and the department of Education get the funds and repairs. How can we teach and learn, provide a good education, when our madrasahs do not have an environment conducive for learning?" Escudero stressed.

While the senator's funds in his first term were invested in the construction, repair and rehabilitation of public markets and in medical funding in all regional and specialty hospitals in the country, his second senate term will prioritize improving the quality of the education system in the country.

"Money should be invested in education through the construction, repair and rehabilitation of more school buildings and increasing the pay and allowances of our teachers."

He also said there should be a structured support for the Muslim scholars and elderly Imams for a Hajj, a pilgrimage or religious duty of Muslims to do at least once in his or her lifetime.

"We want to try in the following year to create a system where we can send and sponsor to a Hajj some of our Filipino brothers, especially the Imams who teach, read, and impart words from the Quran. We know that a considerable amount of money is needed for this. Though there is a separation of government and religion, we want to help Imams who do not have enough means to finance this to benefit from the experience and learning that they will impart in madrasahs."

"Education is the great equalizer in society. It is the best way to guarantee that all Filipinos, regardless of station in life, get an equal opportunity to a better life," Escudero said.

Legarda Renews Call for Protection of Oceans and Marine Resources

Senator Loren Legarda today reiterated her support to policies that will protect oceans and marine resources as she underscored the important role of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) in the sustainable development of coastal areas in the country.

Speaking at the 20^th anniversary celebration of PEMSEA, Legarda said that the Philippines, being an archipelago, benefits from the abundance of marine resources but also faces the increasing threats of climate change such as sea level rise and weather in extremes.

“This challenge should be addressed with the legislative and executive branches’ partnership in finding ways to protect and conserve the country’s marine resources and prevent illegal activities that destroy the ecosystem,” she said.

Legarda also said that the worsening state of the country’s marine ecosystems, including the restoration of the damaged portion of the Tubbataha Reef, should be immediately addressed, noting that only five percent of the country’s coral reefs remain in good condition according to the UP Marine Science Institute.

Furthermore, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines a typical square kilometer of healthy coral reef can produce up to 40 metric tons of seafood every year. The Tubbataha Reef generates over 200 metric tons of seafood annually.

“The Philippines is located within the Coral Triangle, home to 76 percent of the world’s coral species and over 2,000 marine species. The destruction of our marine ecosystems will not only lead to the extinction of thousands of species but will also be detrimental to tourism, food supply, and sustenance and livelihood of our fisherfolk. This makes our responsibility over protecting our oceans even greater,” said Legarda.

“PEMSEA has been actively pushing for countries in East Asia to adopt the integrated coastal management (ICM) concept. We aim to develop a national ICM program through legislation,” she added.

Among the priority bills filed by Legarda at the start of the 16th Congress is the Integrated Coastal Management Act, which will develop a national ICM program that shall provide direction, support, and guidance to the local government units in the development of their respective programs in effectively managing coastal resources.

“The degradation of our coastal areas has long ceased to be merely an environmental issue as it pushes poverty deeper in the coastal communities through loss of livelihood, vulnerability to natural hazards, hunger and even health problems,” said Legarda.

“Through a national ICM program and a systematic and comprehensive approach in implementing the same, we will be able to realize our country’s goal of achieving food security, sustainable livelihood, poverty alleviation, and resilience to natural hazards while preserving ecological integrity,” she stressed.

Drilon says government committed to bring down smoking incidence in the country

Saying that efforts to reduce smoking incidence in the country need to be sustained, Sen. Franklin M. Drilon, an anti-smoking advocate, vowed to look into every possible means to discourage Filipinos from smoking, which will include a legislation that will require that cigarette packages carry a large graphic warning label depicting the dangers of smoking.

Drilon has filed Senate Bill No. 499 that will mandate tobacco companies to show picture-based health warnings on cigarette packages “in order to strengthen the government’s efforts to discourage smoking.”

The proposed “Picture-Based Health Warning Act of 2013” is aimed at increasing the awareness of the cigarette consumers on the harmful effects of smoking,” said Drilon, who was instrumental in the passage of the controversial Sin Tax Reform Act.

Drilon was recently awarded the Medal of Honor by the World Health Organization-Western Pacific Regional Office for his role in the passage of the said Act.

“Studies indicate that textual health warnings are not effective. While present smokers understand that tobacco use is harmful, studies point that most are not completely aware of its true risk,” said Drilon.

“Other studies however have shown that the use of graphic images on packets have a significantly wider reach than mere text warnings, as images produce effects not just on the smoker, but on the people around him,” explained Drilon, “it has also been apparent that these images have a significant effect on those who have difficulty in reading and writing.”

He notes, for instance, a study by the Center For Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, showed that from 2008 to 2010, more than 25 percent of people in the 14 countries surveyed were affected by warning labels, while the use of prominent pictorial warnings was considered to be the most effective medium in communicating the health hazards associated with smoking.

“By strategically placing meaningful graphic images along with text warnings to cigarette cartons and other tobacco products, we hope to effectively deter smoking in the same way that other countries where this system have been set in place were able to reduce the incidence of smoking in their respective jurisdictions,” stressed Drilon.

Under the bill, the graphic warning shall have a measurement of not less than 2475 square millimeters regardless of the type of tobacco package and it be printed on at least 60 percent of the principal display surfaces of any tobacco package and shall be located at the upper portions of the cigarette pack.

The bill also requires that a minimum of eight variations of graphic warnings be printed simultaneously. They shall be rotated periodically, not just for each brand family but also for each brand within the family for each package size.

The text warning, written in both English and Filipino on the front and back panels, that accompanies the graphic must be written in such a manner that an ordinary layman will understand what the picture is all about and what are the ill-effects of smoking.

No cigarette packs or other tobacco product packages shall contain information that may imply that one variant or brand is safer than the other, such as, but not limited to, statements indicating that the tobacco product contains “reduced levels” of contents, substances, and emissions, the bill said.

Failure to follow the provisions of the Act will result in a fine ranging from P1 million to P20 million and/or imprisonment of not more than five years.

Drilon reiterated that Philippine registers one of the highest smoking incidences in the Western Pacific Region. Citing various studies including the 2009 Philippine Global Adult Tobacco Survey, Drilon emphasized that more than 17 million of the population aged 15 years and above currently smoke, on the average, 10.7 sticks of cigarettes a day.

Legarda Pushes for Improved Magna Carta for Public School Teachers

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that Filipino teachers should receive remuneration and benefits commensurate to the demands of their job.

Legarda filed anew the proposed amendments to the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers stressing that public school teachers are among the lowest paid government workers considering the nature and importance of the services they render.

“Aside from educating our children, teachers are constantly called to assist in various civic activities which contribute to the welfare of the community and the country, most notable of which is when they perform their functions as members of the Board of Election Inspectors during election period, and when they assist the National Statistics Office in gathering data from households in all parts of the country. Despite these duties, our public school teachers do not receive sufficient salary. This has resulted in an exodus of our competent teachers who find higher paying jobs and better terms of employment abroad,” she said.

Legarda has filed Senate Bill No. 8 to provide for security of tenure to teachers, payment of the salaries of both teaching and non-teaching personnel on a monthly basis regardless of semestral or summer vacations, annual salary increase or adjustment to mitigate the effects of inflation, among other measures that will protect the rights and promote the welfare of public school teachers.

The proposed measure will also provide for gratuity benefit for teachers and non-teaching personnel who choose to retire before reaching the compulsory retirement age of 60 and have rendered not less than two years service; guarantee the right to self-organization, collective bargaining and to negotiate directly with school owners and administrators.

“To attract the most competent and efficient to the teaching profession, it is imperative for the government to provide compensation and benefits commensurate to the work that teachers perform and the contribution they make to the society. Furthermore, the State owes absolute fidelity to the protection of the rights and promotion of welfare of teachers,” Legarda concluded.