Laguna News

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Province of Laguna - Archived News
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Laguna

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UP open university launches eUP

LOS BANOS, Laguna- Officials of the University of the Philippines (UP) System, heads of member agencies of the Los Banos Science Community Foundation, Inc., and project partners gathered today to launch the eUP Project at the CCDL Auditorium Open University Headquarters in this municipality.

eUP, the flagship project of UP President Alfredo Pascual, is a five-year plan that aims to integrate, interconnect, and ensure interoperability of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems and infrastructure across all UP campuses.

UP Vice President for Development Elvira Zamora said eUP is the University’s response to its lack of a comprehensive ICT plan. She said that through the project, UP can now take advantage of the benefits of ICT to support its teaching, research, and public service functions.

Furthermore, Zamora said that as a National University, UP has been given the important role to spur creativity and initiate innovations, adding that eUP is the instrument through which the University can be modernized to better serve the needs of the Filipino people. The project is part of UP Strategic Plan 2011-2017: The Path to Greatness.

As one of the plan’s key initiatives, eUP is envisioned to position the University as one of the top-ranking institutions in the Asia-Pacific region and take a leadership role in the development of a globally-competitive Philippines.

2011 Nutrition survey: Filipino children suffer from stunting, wasting

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna- A third of children in 12 regions in the Visayas and Mindanao suffer from stunting, Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, director of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), revealed during the recent Nutrition Summit held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

Findings made by the Nutrition institute are contained in the Nutritional Status of Filipino Children and Selected Population Groups Survey: 2011 report. The survey was conducted between May and December 2011 covering all 17 regions and 79 provinces of the country using the 2003 National Statistics Office Master Sample. Growth parameters were measured using the global indicators and techniques of measurement being used by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Infants aged 6-11 months were observed to suffer from wasting. Children of three years were the most affected by stunting while children aged 4-5 years were most prone to low weight.

On the other hand, 1 in every 4 pregnant women was nutritionally-at-risk. The highest proportions were noted among pregnant women in their first trimester and pregnant adolescents.

Mothers who breastfeed their children (aged 0-23 months) showed improvement when compared with previous surveys. The number of children 0-23 months who were exclusively breastfed or breastfed with complementary foods increased from 9 to 12 percent and 30 to 45 percent, respectively, between 2008 and 2011.

Furthermore, the number of children on formula milk, alone or in combination with foods, decreased from 55 to 39 percent between the two survey periods.

The survey also noted the great response of children and their mothers in joining government initiated programs. Participation was observed from 80 to 96 percent of mothers and their children to programs such as Expanded Immunization Program (EPI); Operation Timbang, Growth Monitoring Program, Day Care Program, Orally-Fit Child Program, and Supplementary Feeding Program.

The components of Garantisadong Pambata program such as Vitamin A supplementation and de-worming were also widely received.

Calamba, readying activities for Rizal’s 151st birth anniversary in June

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna-The city government of Calamba is preparing for a week-long activities in observance of the 151st birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

Activities tentatively scheduled include: opening of photo and Dr. Jose P. Rizal relics exhibit and Rizal Quiz spearheaded by the Department of Education (DepEd) on the occasion of the Philippines Independence day on June 12.

Other activities are: Rizal Quiz elimination round up June 13-19; eye cataract clinic, June 14; SM-sponsored Rizal Day activity, June 15; job fair dubbed “Trabaho para sa aking mga kababata”, June 16; fun run dubbed “Takbo para kay Pepe,” June 17; presentation of the ballet Crisostomo Ibarra by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and awarding of Rizal Quiz winners, June 18; and June 19, simultaneous floral offering at 7 am, program at Rizal Shrine, civic military parade at 12 noon and San Miguel Corp. sponsored activity dubbed “Handog sa Kaarawan ni Jose P. Rizal.”

Meanwhile, a committee was created composed of the Department of Education (DepEd), City College of Calamba and city planning and development office (CPDO) to formulate the theme for the 151st birth anniversary celebration of our national hero, according to city public employment and services office (PESO) chair Peter Capitan.

Municipalities in Laguna receive free hospital services

SANTA CRUZ, Laguna- The provincial government of Laguna (PGL) through the Laguna Chest Center (LCC) conducted free medical and dental missions at Barangay Longos in Kalayaan; Barangay Saimsim in Calamba City; and at the municipal office of Mabitac last April 24, 28, and 30, respectively.

About 1,899 patients were given appropriate medicines while 853 were given diagnostic work-ups; 189 underwent random blood sugar tests (FBS and RBS); 451 underwent dental check-ups; 37 took urinalysis; 126 were circumcised and 100 persons received free haircut. Over-all, 2,752 patients were served.

The free medical and dental missions were made possible through the support of Governor Jeorge “E.R.” Ejercito Estregan, and LCC Head Dr. Ramon B. Carlos.

Calamba city gov’t provides housing to illegal settlers

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna- The city government here will provide housing units to 79 illegal settlers evicted through a court order from a private property in Barangay Parian, this city.

Engr. Erwin M. Pacada, head of the City Engineering Office (CEO), said the evicted illegal settlers will be relocated in a housing project located in Barangay Majada.

According to Pacada, the city government allotted P10 million for the housing project which started construction last month and expected to be completed in July this year.

“Each housing unit has a floor area of 20 square meters while the lot measures 31.95 square meters,” Pacada said.

Based on the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, under Section 2, “there must be a comprehensive and continuing urban development and housing program which shall: uplift the conditions of the underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban areas and in resettlement areas by making available to them decent housing at affordable cost, basic services, and employment opportunities.”

Take a deep breath in Laguna’s mountain towns

Sarap ng feeling probinsya! That’s the charm and the appeal of Banahaw towns. There’s a lot of old world naturalness, freshness and cleanliness in the air you breathe in Majayjay, Lucban and Liliw. These towns nestle at the foot of Mount Banahaw.

They are cold towns, with an all-day and all-night cool breeze blowing from mountains, chilly air after midnight and misty mornings. At times, the surrounding hills, meadows and forests are veiled in fog.

The rainfall is high. Seven months of rain and afternoon drizzle make the land fertile, its meadows, rainforests, hills and terraced rice paddies forever lush and green.

All towns have crystal clear mountain springs and babbling brooks running under old bridges. The streets are narrow and houses are close to each other.

Majayjay is rustic and laidback, retaining the slow and easy lifestyle of the past, its charming people ready to welcome you with a curious smile and the readiness to befriend and help.

Liliw’s main street is a marketplace crowded with out-of-town shoppers. The town folks are engaged in making beautiful leather footwear at incredibly affordable prices.

Lucban is the town for food and handicrafts. It’s famous for its festival featuring farm harvests called Pahiyas, which is celebrated every May 15.

‘Filipino-ness’

The “Filipino-ness” in hometown communities is evident in Lucban and Majayjay (my hometown), Liliw and Nagcarlan, including the lake towns of Lumban and Paete. These are all scenic towns bejeweled by Mother Nature: all forested, all fresh and all green connected by hills, gorges, valleys, lakes and plateaus magical to behold.

From big Mt. Banahaw gushes forth myriad virgin springs, rivulets of crystalline waters to form streams, brooks, river gorges, waterfalls and lagoons, all byways and enchanted patches of earth in the Laguna-Quezon border. Lake towns Lumban, Pagsanjan and Paete get their cold fresh air from the winds of Laguna Lake and the mountain ranges on the Pacific Ocean side.

The habitat breeds creativity like birthing rabbits. The wood sculptors and painters of Paete, the embroidery artists of Lumban. The agro-based house frontispiece decor of Lucban’s Pahiyas, the beautiful footwear and leather accessories of Liliw are creations of indigenous designers and craftsmen.

Mt. Banahaw and Laguna Bay old towns are excellent eco-tourism destinations nearest to Manila. Majayjay rain forest waterfalls and the rivers of Liliw and Nagcarlan are still in their pristine form. The more upwards to Mt. Banahaw the trek, the more pre-historic. Old churches still ring their big cast iron bells, and narrow streets provide the quaintness and patina of history.

The town folk are proud of their cuisine. Lucban is tops with their hardinera meat loaf, garlicky and vinegared longganisa, and the famous street food called by the way it’s eaten, pancit habhab. Majayjay’s tinutong laing and pako salad are to die for. Liliw’s uraro is a melt-in-the-mouth cookie. Nagcarlan’s wet market carries the best glutinous rice sweet delights. Newly harvested vegetables and fruits are raised by savvy farmers in the uplands of Mt. San Cristobal. Fish vendors hawk black tilapia from Kalibato Lake, which is the tastiest of all tilapia, with big and fat dalag excellent for luscious pesa broth.

Town celebrations are colorful and transcendent with the vibrancy of Christianity. They are crowd drawers and veritable pageantries: Pakil’s Birhen de Turumba’s jump for joy procession and the fluvial festivities of Lumban and Pagsanjan. The Flores de Mayo and Holy Week processions of Majayjay, Liliw, and Pagsanjan dramatize our Filipino culture and celebratory Catholicism.

Healing shrine

The dawn Easter Pasalubong procession in Paete is unique with rhyming couplet dialogue between the risen Jesus and his blessed mother. Lucban’s Kamay ni Hesus is a healing shrine on a hill where pilgrims go praying for cures.

I always go to these towns to savor their cuisine, gaze at their arts, pray in their old churches, revel in their festivities, at all times enjoying the love and care of relatives and friends living there.

From the peaceful, quiet, and family value-oriented communities 50 years ago, these towns have grown and created their own unique bustle. Main streets have become shopping and fine dining streets (try Liliw’s Arabella for pastas and pastries, Lucban’s Buddy’s for hardinera and habhab) full of locals, out-of-towners, urbanities from the middle class Manila and Makati enclaves, balikbayan who want to feel Filipino in its original state, groups of Koreans, Japanese and the archetypal western tourists.

Some things don’t change in spite of progress. The ancient church bells still toll at the start of mass, the narrow street with umpukans and tagayans (old guys making tsismis by the road with fiery lambanog on the side), the singsong accent of the natives, their open smiles towards strangers and that cool mountain air one breathes are all part of the old world charm.

“Small is Beautiful,” the bestseller book written by economist E.F. Schumacher on “economics as if people mattered,” professes that local culture, people’s creativity, human spirituality, and indigenous products and services are the foundations for the self-sufficient Ghandian village model, free standing enough to avoid over-consumption and untrammeled materialism.

The human benefits are visible, felt, and enjoyable for the ordinary people, as seen in their excellent work and easy smiles.

When you’re in Laguna’s mountain towns, take a deep breath. It’s the freshest thing you’ll feel outside of the smoldering concrete urban jungle.

A series of job fairs slated region wide by DOLE

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna- The job fair held last May 1 was just the start of a series of job and livelihood fairs that would be slated in different regions in the country.

In a press release, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said since January this year, the department has been announcing in advance the dates and venues of its job and livelihood fairs to enable job seekers to plan their job search.

The schedules of the job and livelihood fair are posted in the Phil-Jobnet website (http://www.phil-job.net/), the official online job search and job matching portal of the government.

Meanwhile, the job and livelihood fair scheduled tentatively in Rizal Province this May will be held on the Teresa municipal gymnasium and Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Cainta.

“Job fairs are a way of bringing together under one roof employers and jobseekers," DoLe Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

CALABARZON workers to get wage hike, productivity pay

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna- Workers in private establishments in Region IV-A will get an increase in their prevailing minimum wage (Tier 1) and productivity-based pay (Tier 2) starting May 15.

This is after a two-tiered wage order was issued by the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB), Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced on May 1.

The new wage order grants an adjustment in the basic pay of minimum wage earners by as much as P18 per day, especially those whose minimum wage rates fall below the prescribed floor wage of P255 per day.

With the new wage order, the highest minimum wage will be set at P349.50 per day in non-agriculture establishments.

For those in the retail/service establishments employing not more than 10 workers, the increase will be P18 per day, while those working in the agriculture sector will get an increase of P5-18 per day.

“The wage adjustments is in keeping with the policy of uplifting the standards of living of workers to the level of a set floor wage, a wage level that takes into account the region’s poverty threshold, average wages, and related socio-economic parameters,” said Baldoz.

The wage order also provides a productivity allowance of P12.50 per day for workers receiving more than the floor wage of P255 per day. Most of the workers who will receive this are working in non-agriculture establishments.

The P12.50 productivity allowance is a transitory productivity-based increase.

A worker may be entitled to higher productivity-based pay depending on the amount that will be determined by the Productivity Improvement and Incentives Committee (PIIC) to be created in every establishment within a three-month period from the effectivity of the wage order.

The advisory guidelines on productivity-based pay, while it is voluntary in nature, recommends a percentage range of productivity-based pay increase from 5.6 percent to 10.9 percent of the basic wage of the worker.

“The creation of a PIIC in every establishment is expected to set the mode for more deliberate productivity initiatives, better performance of workers, and profitability and competitiveness of the enterprise,” Baldoz observed.

“The provision of productivity-based pay will make both the workers and the enterprise a winner,” she added, adding that the Productivity Incentives Act of 1990 allows establishments to avail of tax incentives under the law as a special deduction from the gross income equivalent to 50 percent of the total amount distributed as productivity based pay.

For workers, she said that under BIR Regulation No. 10-2008, other benefits like productivity-based pay not exceeding P30, 000 per annum are excluded from gross income hence, not subject to tax.

The new wage order does not allow exemption from compliance of its mandatory provisions. It covers all workers in the private sector, including workers of legitimate contractors or sub-contractors deployed in “user enterprises” regardless of the manner by which they are paid, said DOLE-Region IV-A regional director Alex V. Avila.

To pave for its smooth implementation, Avila said tripartite bodies like the RTWPB and the Tripartite Industry Councils will be ready to provide technical assistance to companies in the establishment and operation of PIICs at the enterprise level.

Secretary Baldoz said all the other regional wage boards should study the RTWPB-4A model of the two-tier wage system towards formulating their own two-tier wage systems using as basis the parameters set by the National Wages and Productivity Commission.

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