Quezon City News May 2017

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The Founder Manuel Quezon

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Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:

The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Bautista awards P100K to 13 QC centenarians

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/231496022425/bautista-awards-p100k-to-13-qc-centenarians
Tuesday, May 30, 2017

(QC PAISO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista awarded P100,000 to 13 of the city’s 100-year-old residents on Monday, May 29.

The handing out of incentives is authorized under City Ordinance 2542-2016, authored by Councilor Roger Juan and approved by Mayor Bautista. Each centenarian will receive P100,000.

Among the centenarians honored on Monday are: Eustaquia C. Farin, Otilla C. Uaje, Flaviana T. Balane, Martina M. Nava, Leticia T. Saycon, Marciana E. Cangas, Vivencia L. Huliganga, Anacleta E. Moncada, Mildred B. Pijuan, Gloria P. Navarro, Leoncia A. Alonzo, Antonina T. Caunan and Preciosa A. Echavarria.

Aside from the grant given by the Quezon City government, Section 2 of Republic Act 10868 or the “Centenarians Act of 2016,” provides that all Filipinos who reach the age of one hundred (100) years old, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, shall be honored with a Letter of Felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity; and a centenarian gift in the amount of one hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000).

Centenarians who died upon the effectivity of the law will be given a posthumous plaque of recognition together with the cash incentive to be received by their nearest surviving relative or family.

According to the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), there are 126 centenarians residing in Quezon City, of which 102 are women.

Salamah Guiama Shalik, 109 years old of Barangay Culiat is the oldest living individual in Quezon City.

At the age of 100, Eustaquia Farin,who is among the honorees on Monday, can still read newspapers without wearing prescription glasses. According to Farin, her secret to having a long life is sticking to a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Farin and her husband moved to Quezon City in 1991 after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The disaster forced them to leave their farm in Zambales and move to Quezon City where their daughter lives.

QC ready for school opening – Bautista

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/qc-ready-school-opening-bautista/329828/
Monday, May 29, 2017

By JING VILLAMENTE

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista on Sunday gave assurances that the city is ready for the opening of classes on Monday, having mobilized the police, barangays and various frontline city government offices to ensure the safety and security of students.

The mayor called for heightened police visibility to ensure the orderly opening of classes on June 5.

Bautista asked Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar to deploy more policemen on the streets.

Department of Public Order and Security (DPOS) chief Elmo San Diego said that traffic plans are all set for the first day of school.

Traffic enforcers will be deployed near schools, especially at intersections and pedestrian lanes to assist students in crossing the streets.

The DPOS head also said pedestrian markings are being repainted.

Bautista said the city has enough classrooms to accommodate students enrolled in elementary and secondary schools.

The city government is rushing the construction of 20 new schoolbuildings, consisting of 322 additional classrooms, in preparation for the increase in student population and influx of students for the K-to-12 program .

The additional classrooms, once completed, will bring to 640 the total number of classrooms built by the city government since Mayor Bautista assumed office in 2010.

“Hopefully, with the completion of these additional schoolbuildings, we can reduce the student-to-classroom ratio in a more manageable proportion, especially in schools located in the city’s second district,” Bautista said.

Based on a report submitted by the division of city schools, of the 357,348 enrolees for school year 2016 – 2017, District II has the highest in the elementary and secondary levels with 116,985.

The city government, through the local school board, has initiated workshops and seminars for teachers in all educational tracks.

PHL biodiversity sustainable action plan launched

Source: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/phl-biodiversity-sustainable-action-plan-launched/
Sunday, May 28, 2017

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

Various Philippine stakeholders echoed the call for the protection and conservation of the country’s unique wildlife and ecosystem, amid threats that lead to the rapid rate of biodiversity loss.

In celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, various stakeholders, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), gathered at a hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City, last week for the First National Biodiversity Congress to highlight the importance of the country’s natural wealth. The Philippines is considered as one of the 18 mega-biodiverse countries in the world.

The three-day event, with the theme “Upswelling of Lessons, Sustaining Community Benefits in the Conservation of Landscapes and Seascapes”, paved the way for sharing of models and lessons on conservation initiatives in large territories and small communities.

It also featured interactive plenary and breakout sessions on five thematic themes covering a wide array of topics related to biodiversity management, namely, Managing Protected Areas, Biodiversity-friendly Enterprises, Landscapes and Seascapes, Biodiversity Financing and special topics that include building an inclusive biodiversity community; and participation in biodiversity conservation of people’s, women, youth and communities in conflict-affected areas.

Biodiversity action plan

The congress paved the way for the launching of P334-billion Philippine Biodiversity Sustainable Action Plan (PBSAP), the country’s blueprint in managing its natural wealth.

Developed through extensive consultations with various sectors at the national and local levels, the PBSAP identifies and aims to address priority global and domestic needs for integration into the plans and programs of various government agencies, including local governments.

The PBSAP has identified and estimated Philippine Ecosystem and Biodiversity Values in terms of Ecosystem Service at P2.3 trillion. According to the PBSAP, timber and fuelwood production is worth around P1.1 billion; water, P50.9 billion; ecotourism, P157 billion; carbon offset, P453 billion; flood prevention, P41 billion; soil erosion; P10 billion; fishery production, P111 billion; crop production, P1.4 trillion; coral reef, P62.1 billion; and mangrove, P7.4 billion.

To implement the PBSAP until 2028, the government will need at least P337.9 billion to P393.3 billion, with the component to prevent habitat loss and overexploitation of protected areas (PAs) having the lion’s share at 39 percent.

Expanding protected areas

In her keynote address, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, underscored the importance of managing the country’s PAs.

Incidentally, the Senate passed on third and final reading the Expanded-National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-Nipas) bill authored by Villar. It added 92 PAs to the 13 PAs currently backed by legislation.

Several similar bills are being deliberated at the House of Representatives. The proposed E-Nipas Act of 2017 in the Senate, which seeks to amend the Nipas Act of 1992, or Republic Act 7586, recognizes conservation areas and the management regimes of local government units (LGUs), communities and indigenous peoples (IPs).

According to Villar, the E-Nipas also ensures that the State shall establish “the institutional mechanism for the mobilization of resources and for adequate scientific and technical support for the conservation of biodiversity and integrity of the ecosystem”.

“Preservation, maintenance and sustainability are key considerations when it comes to Nipas. The Philippines is also known as one of the 35 world’s biodiversity hot spots or regions containing exceptional concentrations of plant endemism, but experiencing high rates of habitat loss. Hot spots have lost around 86 percent of their original habitat and are also considered to be significantly threatened by extinctions induced by climate change,” she said.

Villar said time has always been of great essence when it comes to the preservation and protection of the country’s biodiversity.

Underprotected

Villar said many areas in the Philippines remain underprotected. “Many wetlands, marine sanctuaries, tropical forests and others are underprotected and also lack resources to deal with various threats,” she said.

Together with the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), Villar is pushing for the passing of E-Nipas bill that would include the remaining PAs requiring congressional enactment.

The Nipas covers 240 PAs—170 of which are terrestrial or land-based, and 70 are marine-protected areas (MPAs).

Of the 240 protected areas, 113 have been established through presidential proclamation, as of March 2017. These comprise 29 MPAs and 84 terrestrial PAs. Of the 113 protected areas established through presidential proclamation, 13 have been legislated by Congress.

Of the 92 protected areas to be added to E-Nipas, some are internationally recognized.

These are Asean Heritage Sites Mount Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok and Mounts Iglit-Baco; Malaysia-Philippines Heritage Parks, Turtles Islands Heritage PAs; and Ramsar Sites Agusan Marsh, Olango Island and the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area.

“The proposed E-Nipas Act will allow for greater involvement of communities and LGUs, as well as indigenous people and other sectors, especially the marginalized ones. It will also revise the prohibited acts and updates penalties for easy evidence gathering and prosecution,” Villar said.

Preventing biodiversity loss and conservation of landscapes and seascapes are included in the United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly No. 15.

“The SDGs aim to conserve and restore the use of terrestrial ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, drylands and mountains by 2020…. Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity, which are part of our common heritage.… The clock is fast ticking away, let us act faster…. Let us continue working together so we can ensure that a still mega-diverse country awaits the future generations of Filipinos,” she said.

Voluntary commitments

The congress also adopted the Philippine government’s voluntary commitments to the SDG 14 on Life Below Water, which will be presented to the Ocean Conference in New York in June. The international conference from June 5 to 9 aims to be the “game changer” that will reverse the decline in the health of the world’s oceans.

Dr. Vincent Hilomen, project manager of Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBA) of the DENR-BMB, summarized these commitments into three main thematic areas, namely, governance socio-economic and ecological.

For governance, the commitments are: by 2024, the proposed E-Nipas Act is passed and LGUs have complied with the 15 percent of municipal waters as declared marine reserves under the fisheries code, with penalties for noncompliance.

By 2020, the competency standards for management of PAs are established.

By 2019, convergence areas for the Department of Agriculture and the DENR are mapped for coordination and complementation efforts; the importance of biodiversity and sustainable use of marine resources are mainstreamed in the education system.

Socioeconomic commitment targets by 2020 for sustainable financing scheme for the management of MPAs are established in pilot coastal communities. It will use biodiversity-friendly enterprise and promotion of co-management agreements and increased generated income from sustainable fishing for coastal communities are increased.

Also during the same period, the impact of investment are implemented in pilot areas around the country to support rights-based fisheries management.

The ecological commitments by 2020 state that marine pollution in coastal areas are significantly reduced, 10 percent of municipal waters are under effective zone management and 2 percent are managed by organized fishing communities.

Also by 2020, MPA networks are established in MKBAs, and around 17,000-hectare portion of the Benham Bank and 2-million hectare of the 25 million hectares of the entire Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise) is declared an MPA.

Coastal and marine ecosystem management

The DENR’s Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Management Program (2017-2028) was also unveiled at the congress. It is a 12-year national program and the country’s response to manage, address and effectively reduce the drivers and threats to degradation of the coastal and marine ecosystem.

It aims to come up with a road map that will expand and deepen civil society’s participation in designing and implementing Global Environment Facility (GEF) programs, and contribute to its environmental protection and sustainable development goals.

According DENR-BMB Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim, there will also be special forums to explore funding opportunities to support the biodiversity conservation initiatives of civil-society organizations, as well as LGUs.

The DENR-BMB envisions a Philippine biodiversity that provides natural resiliency and sustained benefits for all.

Its mission to conserve and sustainably manage the country’s biodiversity is anchored on the strengthening of the Nipas and fostering other effective area-based conservation measures, promotion of biodiversity-friendly livelihoods; and mainstreaming across all sectors of the government the biodiversity management.

Biodiversity Museum

As part of the biodiversity celebration, Lim and Sen. Loren B. Legarda, an environmental advocate, launched an initiative to establish the Museum of Philippine Biodiversity, and inaugurated Luis Junyee E. Yee Jr.’s installation art at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Rescue Center in Quezon City.

A former BMB office building, the Salakot Building at the parks and wildlife center will be refitted into a museum, which will feature the beauty of Philippine biodiversity. It will highlight a number of PAs representing the different and unique terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

“The museum will be an experimental and interactive venue that aims to impart the richness and importance of the country’s biodiversity, as well as the threats it faces and the repercussion of its loss,” Lim said.

Yee, an artist who is a pioneer of installation art in the Philippines, has built the first permanent installation art in the country found within the parks and wildlife center. Called “Ugnayan”, the artwork made use of big pieces of recycled hardwood pillars and metal to visualize the unity and cooperation of the 21 nations comprising the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in pursuit of common goals in different fields.

Rich biodiversity

The Philippines, an island archipelago with 7,641 islands and islets, according to the latest count of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, harbors more diversity of life per hectare than any other country in the world.

According to the DENR-BMB, protecting and conserving the country’s rich biodiversity offers tremendous benefits if put into good use. The country’s watersheds and aquifers could supply 479 billion cubic meters of water annually for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses. It also has huge potential in developing plant pharmaceuticals for common illnesses, such as cough, pain and dental problems.

Every square kilometer of coral reefs can supply up to 30 tons of edible and economically important fish every year.

It can boost ecotourism through development that safeguards the integrity and diversity of the country’s rich natural resources.

Hot spot

While the Philippines is endowed with rich biodiversity, it is also considered among the world’s biodiversity hot spots. Threats to the country’s rich biodiversity, include over exploitation and unsustainable practices, encroachment in forested areas, pollution, overfishing, poor land management practices and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, according to the DENR-BMB.

UP Resilience Institute integrates UP NOAH, to launch on June

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/231495440292/up-resilience-institute-integrates-up-noah-to-launch-on-june
Saturday, May 27, 2017

(UP RI, UP NOAH/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The revitalized University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UP RI), with the integration of the UP National Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) Center as its core component, will formally be launched on 23 June 2017 as a proactive hub providing benchmark innovative information vital in lifesaving climate change actions and disaster risk reduction efforts.

According to UP RI Executive Director Mahar Lagmay, the institute will be an inclusive multi-disciplinary approach by the university system to produce effective and efficient capacity building programs which are essential in forming sustainable development plans that will benefit all Filipinos, especially the poor and other marginalized sectors.

“The UP RI believes that the long-term solution to our country’s disaster problems will be best achieved through the collaborative competent contributions of not only Science and Technology, but Arts and Humanities as well,” Lagmay pointed out.

Lagmay vowed that progressive scientific research, with the full utilization of state-of-the-art equipment and technology, by the UP RI will ensure accurate, reliable, understandable and timely data that is open and free to the public at all times.

“Empowered communities, which constantly remained as the fundamental and uncompromised goal of NOAH, proved to be instrumental in averting more than 15 potentially fatal calamities since 2012,” he added.

He also underscored the role UP RI will lead in mapping out blueprints for local government units on implementing genuine progress as they address and overcome the challenges of future catastrophes.

For the past five years, NOAH has cultivated competence thus excellence by training science experts yielding dependable comprehensive output and appropriately disseminating probabilistic multi-scenario-based multi hazard maps.

“Such maps for disaster risk assessment are required in the Philippine Development Plan 2017 – 2022 and are important for unhampered and lasting growth,” he stressed.

The UP NOAH Center under the UP RI will intensify its functions to vigorously make available and offer comprehensible reports necessary for the country’s 144 cities and 1,490 municipalities in accordingly responding to various calamities and facilitate proper vulnerability management in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

According to the World Risk Report of 2016, the Philippines ranked third among the 171 countries with the highest levels of disaster risks. As a response, the UP Board of Regents (BOR), during its 1319th Meeting on 28 July 2016, established the UP RI through Memorandum No. PAEP-16-67. Consequently, NOAH was adopted by the UP during the BOR’s 1325th Meeting on 23 February 2017 and established as a center through Executive Order No. PDLC 17-03 on 21 March 2017.

Maynilad supports ‘Brigada Eskwela’ 2017

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/241495765729/maynilad-supports-brigada-eskwela-2017
Friday, May 26, 2017

(MAYNILAD/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, May 26 (PIA) – In preparation for the school opening in June, West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. supported the ‘Brigada Eskwela’ program of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Volunteer-employees of Maynilad participated in the event and helped in refurbishing classrooms and upgrading water and sanitation facilities in 88 public schools throughout its concession area.

“Maynilad has been an active partner of Brigada Eskwela since 2012. We fully support DepEd’s mission to provide a good learning environment for students, and we are happy to be a part of this initiative,” said Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez.

For this year, Maynilad donated some 26,400 water bottles, bidets, and cleaning materials to the schools. The company will also build 70 drink-wash stations in West Zone public schools, in support of DepEd’s WinS (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools) program.

Maynilad is the agent and contractor of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.

QC to establish Multi-Purpose Evacuation Centers

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/990830
Thursday, May 25, 2017

(SFM/PNA)

MANILA, May 25 — To assure the safety of residents who will be affected by natural and man-made calamities, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has signed an ordinance calling for the construction of multi-purpose centers in city’s six districts.

The proponents, Councilors Ramon Medalla and Ranulfo Ludovica, on Thursday said in a text message that there is a necessity to construct Multi-Purpose Evacuation Centers in every district of Quezon City to enhance disaster preparedness in the communities.

Ordinance 2578-2017 signed on Tuesday by Bautista concretizes various measures passed by the city council on disaster preparedness.

Resolution 3925-2007 urges the barangays in Quezon City to identify and designate evacuation areas while Resolution 5848-2014 supports the Quezon City government in the construction of dedicated evacuation centers in disaster-prone areas.

“The schools, covered courts and even churches are being used as evacuation centers, however, the same are not structurally designed to withstand man-made disaster or natural calamities and do not have enough water supply, proper ventilation, toilet and lighting,” the ordinance read.

The proposed multi-purpose evacuation centers will have complete amenities such as kitchen, storage room for goods and supplies, clinic, laundry areas, toilets, shower rooms, sleeping quarters, counseling area and other related facilities designed for the convenience and comfort of evacuees.

The City Planning and Development Office is now identifying suitable location for the evacuation centers.

“As of now, there are two areas identified for the establishment of evacuation centers,” Marissa Isip of the City Planning and Development Office said.

Isip identified these areas as privately-owned lands in Pasong Tamo in District 6 and Barangay Payatas in District 2.

Isip said the city is now processing the acquisition of the properties.

DENR unveils Museum of Philippine Biodiversity

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/231495438538/denr-unveils-museum-of-philippine-biodiversity
Wednesday, May 24, 2017

(DENR/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) thru its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) unveiled Monday the highly anticipated museum dedicated to enhancing the appreciation of the country's rich biological diversity.

BMB Director Theresa Mundita Lim expressed hopes the Museum of Philippine Biodiversity located inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC) in Quezon City would help awaken the interest of the public on the importance of conserving biodiversity.

The museum feature six protected areas representing the different and unique terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the country.

The artworks displayed in the museum are interactive and experimental, showcasing the effects of current environmental issues.

"It is with utmost hope that this museum will encourage people to do something for our precious biodiversity," Lim said.

"A museum of hope and pride, the Museum of Philippine Biodiversity aims to touch people's senses to widen their perspectives and deepen their understanding in appreciating the biodiversity's sublime beauty, as well as ignite their will to participate in conserving it," she added.

"Ugnayan" installed at the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife in Quezon City

A permanent installation art created by Luis "Junyee" Yee Jr. will also be unveiled during the event. Titled "Ugnayan," the artwork represents the 21 countries comprising the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC, and their unity and cooperation in pursuit for common goals in various fields.

QC to pilot Diabetes Care Plan

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/990169
Tuesday, May 23, 2017

(SFM/PNA)

MANILA, May 23 — Quezon City will pilot an initiative to lessen the risk and incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women, Mayor Herbert Bautista said on Tuesday.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Monday (May 22) with the Institute for Reproductive Health Philippines to undertake a project that will demonstrate the use of a set of protocols for screening and management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among indigent pregnant women in Barangay Gulod.

Ares Gutierrrez, chief of Public Affairs and Information Service Office (PAISO), said they will schedule the exact date of the project launching depending on the availability of the private sector and other stakeholders.

The protocol will be adopted in the maternal newborn child health and nutrition services in Gulod Health Center during the pilot period. The group will likewise manage the screening, treatment and education of women and their families on GDM care in Gulod Health Center and the Novaliches District Hospital.

A total of 150 female patients of the Gulod Health Center who are afflicted with GDM will be screened, tested and treated within three years.

The patients’ health will be monitored until six weeks post-partum and their babies for the next six months after birth.

The incidence of GDM in the Philippines as reported in private hospitals is at 14 percent.

The Institute for Reproductive Health Philippines is an independent organization engaged in the GDM project. The group works together with the World Diabetes Foundation.

QC gov’t spending P251M for flood-reducing projects

Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/898232/qc-govt-spending-p251m-for-flood-reducing-projects
Monday, May 22, 2017 12:39 am

By Jhesset O. Enano (Reporter, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

In preparation for the rainy season, the Quezon City government has rolled out a P251-million waterways infrastructure program this year for flood mitigation projects.

Aside from the major construction of retaining walls along water channels, Mayor Herbert Bautista has also ordered the city’s engineering department to step up the unclogging of waterways as well as massive cleanup operations targeting water tributaries in several barangays.

The budget will cover the construction of revetment walls and rip-rap structures along waterways in the city.

Engr. Ramiro Tiamzon, head of the QC Task Force Waterways, said in a statement that these structures have already been built along Tullahan River, San Francisco River, San Juan River, Anaran Creek and Kalamiong Creek.

At least 76 kilometers of retaining walls worth P1.6 billion have likewise been constructed, he added.

This year, the engineering department will prioritize six construction projects along major water channels in different barangays, including spending P27 million for a retaining wall along Salapan River in Barangay Mariana. A similar structure along Paltok Creek in Barangay Fairview worth P17 million will also be built.

Canals and box culverts are also being completed to reduce flooding.

Meanwhile, critical water tributaries such as Jordan Plains, Ilang-Ilang and Villa Verde Creeks in Barangay Santa Monica and Buwaya Creek in Project 4 have already undergone cleanup operations.

Sudden rains usually lead to flooding in Quezon City, prompting the city government to prepare for the rainy season.

Quezon City celebrates 10th La Loma Lechon Festival on Sunday

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/989519
Sunday, May 21, 2017

By Sammy F. Martin (PNA)

MANILA — La Loma will again stake out its claim as the "lechon" capital of the Philippines in the 10th ‘La Loma Lechon Festival’ on Sunday.

The whole-day event is organized by the Quezon City Tourism Department in partnership with the La Loma Lechoneros Association.

The La Loma Lechon Festival that started in 2007 is a project of Quezon City government. It aims to highlight the lechon industry in the district of La Loma.

Ordinance 122-2002 Quezon City allocated funds to develop La Loma as a tourist spot in Quezon City.

“The lechon industry in La Loma has boomed, thus, contributing to the economic growth in the locality, and became a byword of every food connoisseur,” the City Ordinance 1221-2002 states.

The La Loma Lechon parade is the main highlight of the festival. The parade will start in NS Amoranto where famous lechonmakers are located.

According to La Loma Lechoneros Association president William Manugar Chua, the best designed lechon float will be awarded a cash prize of Php15,000.

Several activities are also lined up for this year’s festival namely: culinary competition, street dance competition, ati-atihan and marching band competition, and lion dance.

There will also be a "boodlefight" where lechon and other food products available in La Loma’s restaurant row will be served.

Barangays Salvacion, San Isidro Labrador, Paang Bundok, and NS Amoranto will participate in the festival.

QC trains barangay public safety officers in traffic management

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/983079
Friday, May 19, 2017

(SFM/PNA)

MANILA, May 19 -- The 70 barangay public safety officers who have completed the two-day seminar on traffic management will be deputized as traffic enforcers to help curb the worsening traffic woes in the city, retired police General Elmo San Diego, chief of QC Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) disclosed Friday.

San Diego said the additional personnel who will be deployed by next week could be a multiplier force to the existing traffic enforcers.

The traffic management seminar which started early this week aims to train personnel on traffic direction and control.

The training was held in compliance with City Ordinance 1444-2004, also known as the Traffic Management Code of Quezon City.

QC-DPOS conducts traffic management code seminar once or twice every month.

“Inaasahan natin na magiging effective traffic enforcers sila at maging katuwang sila sa pagpapatupad ng batas trapiko sa ating mga kalsada,” DPOS Education Section chief Corazon Medes said.

QC-DPOS has deputized a total of 529 traffic enforcers assigned in different barangays and districts of the city. They serve as a force multiplier of the DPOS traffic enforcement unit.

QC fast-tracks construction of 20 school buildings

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/988434
Monday, May 18, 2017

(SFM/PNA)

MANILA -- The Quezon City government is fast-tracking the construction of 20 school buildings composed of 322 classrooms.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista on Wednesday assured parents and students that the new buildings in different public school campuses will be available when classes start next month.

There are a total of 96 public elementary schools in Quezon City-- 46 high schools and 33 schools for senior high.

The city government has allotted some PHP1.7 billion for school year 2017-2018.

Grade 12 will be implemented full scale this school year and there are an estimated 47,000 students for grade 12 in the city.

The estimated student population in the city for school year 2017-2018 for the elementary level is 400,000 pupils; junior high school, 200,000; and senior high school, 52,000.

QC has prepared for the implementation of the K-12 Program by conducting school mapping, creation of Senior High School Technical Working Group (SHS TWG), trainings for administrators and teachers, creation of City Task Force on Land Acquisition to assist the SHS TWG in identifying possible school sites, and the early implementation of SHS in 2012, piloted in Don Alejandro Roces Science and Technology High School and Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo High School.

QC joins ‘Brigada Eskwela’

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/988576
Wednesday, May 17, 2017

(SFM/PNA)

MANILA, May 17 -- Quezon City has joined the nationwide kick-off of Brigada Eskwela, an annual collaboration between the Department of Education, the private sector and volunteers in preparing and improving public school facilities before the start of the school year.

Mayor Herbert Bautista on Wednesday said the annual Brigada Eskwela creates camaraderie among stakeholders whose goal is to improve the lives of students while studying.

Brigada Eskwela, also known as Bayanihan para sa Paaralan, is a nationwide public school maintenance week held every third week of May.

Teachers, parents and local community residents gather together to repair classroom facilities, such as armchairs and tables, to clean classrooms, and do other required maintenance.

Brigada Eskwela runs from May 15 to 26 with the theme “Isang DepEd, isang pamayanan, isang bayanihan para sa Handa at ligtas na paaralan.”

The Department of Education launched Brigada Eskwela in May 2003 to maximize the contribution to public education in the local community level.

The creation of Brigada Eskwela was brought about by the Adopt-A-School Program in 1998, a program in partnership with private companies and professionals who are willing to share their resources to public education.

QC merges barangay, community relations offices

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/231494896123/qc-merges-barangay-community-relations-offices
Tuesday, May 16, 2017

(QC PAISO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, May 16 (PIA)--Mayor Herbert Bautista has approved an ordinance merging two offices that deal with grassroots development into one department.

City Ordinance 2563-2017, authored by Councilors Roderick M. Paulate and Donato C. Matias, effects the merger of the Barangay Operations Center (BOC) and the Community Relations Office (CRO).

The unit is now called the Barangay and Community Relations Department.

The streamlining aims to ensure that the needs of the barangay and the communities are efficiently addressed by eliminating over-lapping of functions and redundancy.

The streamlining of the city government’s operations is among those included in the Executive-Legislative Agenda which Mayor Herbert Bautista unveiled late last year.

“In line with the ongoing rationalization plans which aims to make the structural organization of the city government more responsive and in the interest and exigency of the service it is deemed proper to integrate the Barangay Operations Center and the Community Relations Office and re-align their respective functional structure under a single and unified line of authority,” the resolution read.

“Ang BOC ang focus ‘nyan barangay. Ang CRO community relations, sa mga NGOs at POs (Peoples Organization). Dapat lang na pag-isahin sila bilang isang department,” Mayor Bautista said.

“Hopefully, maging efficient lalo ang serbisyo, more coordinated naman sila, more information campaign on the services na binibigay ng city at ma-streamline mo ang bureaucracy, mas magiging lean pero efficient and service,” Mayor Bautista added.

The Barangay and Community Relations Department provides basic technical and administrative services and assistance to the barangay and the community, monitoring the efficiency and effectiveness of barangay officials, government and Non-Governmental Organizations within the community. BCRD also promotes and explains the city plan and programs to the people.

BCRD will have four divisions namely: Operations and Monitoring Division, Administrative Division, Planning and Programming Division, and the Technical and Research Services Division.

DSWD marks 24th International Day of Families with focus on education, well-being

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/987935
Monday, May 15, 2017

(LSJ/PNA)

MANILA, May 15 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday marked the 24th year of the celebration for International Day of Families (IDF) at Skydome of SM North in Quezon City by educating families and well-being of family members

"The celebration is in line with the simultaneous celebration in the global community bringing the theme , “Families, Education and Well-Being”, which highlights the importance of education, as well as the overall welfare of the families in the development of the nation," said Thelsa P. Biolena, DSWD director IV of Social Technology Bureau in her opening message.

Biolena added that members of National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF) chaired by the DSWD together with member agencies, and family advocates had joined together in the venue to share inputs on current issues and trends affecting Filipino families close family ties.

In the 4-hour event, a video of DSWD was also presented to showcased its new programs responsive to the many issues being faced by the Filipino families such as the “Lipunang Lumalaban sa Kaharasan” (LILUK) or an anti-family violence program; and, a program on Strengthening and Empowering Families of OFWs

Marilyn F. Manuel, executive director of Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF) and chairperson of the Subcommittee on Events and Advocacy of NCFF mentioned working abroad as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to other countries causes some impacts also on the families.

Manuel said that although there was no complete study yet being done to determine if the social cost is greater than the money earned from working as OFW and be away from their families.

Richard Tamayo, an internationally-known family advocate and speaker, joined the event and discussed ways on how Filipino families can prevent or reduce the numbers of quarrels and misunderstanding that leads to disunity through understanding of some basic principles.

Tamayo emphasized that it is important to recognize that differences in perspective will never escalate into severe argument or disagreement if members of the family will understand that sometimes it doesn't follow that there is only who is right.

To illustrate that, he shared some photos where the attendees were encouraged to inspect to show and proved that there are variations in the way each individual may interpret how he/she views them.

As one of the examples he showed a photo which at a first glance can be seen as a "parrot" but through closer look, the audience realize that the picture also shows a "body-painted person".

As he showed more examples, he said that understanding first how the other person sees things is the first step to understand that other people/family member are also right and sometimes no one was really wrong at all because of the difference in seeing and interpreting things

The discussion aims to impart knowledge on how each Filipino family can enhance and strengthen their relationships.

Dr. Angelica R. Abella, program director of Alliance of Filipino Families for Mental Health, Inc. and chairperso of the Sub-Committee on Legislation, Policy and Research of NCFF, said that influx of modern technologies had also created changes in the relationship of families.

Dr. Abella added that influx of modern technology also makes young people more attuned to digital space or internet.

Abella also said that some family members during these recent years hardly eat together unlike before.

She also shared some common challenges like generation gaps, stories of children being abandoned, elders being abandoned also, and many others.

In calling for unity in addressing the concerns by working together she said that it is important to always remember that everything--becoming good, friend, partner and contributor in the society start inside the home where strong relationship should be built and nurtured.

QC donates computers to 7 villages in District V

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/987442
Sunday, May 14, 2017

By Sammy F. Martin (PNA)

MANILA -- The Quezon City Council has passed allowed Mayor Herbert Bautista to donate 42 computer sets and desktop printers to seven barangays in District V.

The computer sets and desktop printers were purchased through city government funds allocated to the office of Councilor Karl Edgar Castelo.

Important barangay datas can now be stored in computers including residents information in their vicinity.

City Resolution 7059-2017, authored by Councilor Melencio Castelo Jr., authorizes Mayor Bautista to sign a deed of donation in favor of Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon covering five computer sets and desktop printers.

City Resolution 7044-2017 covers four computer sets and printers in favor of Barangay Gulod.

City Resolution 7058-2017 covers five computer sets and printers in favor of Barangay Sta. Monica.

City Resolution 7049-2017 covers 13 computer sets and printers in favor of Barangay Greater Lagro.

City Resolution 7045-2017 covers five computer sets and printers in favor of Barangay Sta. Lucia.

City Resolution 7047-2017 covers five computer sets and printers in favor of Barangay San Agustin.

City Resolution 7048-2017 covers five computer sets and printers in favor of Barangay Pasong Putik.

QC completes rehab, constructions of six health facilities

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/231494390146/qc-completes-rehab-constructions-of-six-health-facilities
Saturday, May 13, 2017

(QC PAISO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The Quezon City government continues to increase the delivery of basic health care programs and services to city residents by building more health infrastructure facilities.

The Engineering Department has reported that by the end of March 2017, the completion of the rehabilitation and construction of six health facilities and four other health facilities that are ongoing construction.

Completed were the: three-storey Kalayaan heath center in Barangay Dona Imelda, improvement of the Batasan hills Super Health Center, rehabilitation of the Sta. Catalina Health Center and renovation of the Betty Go-Belmonte Lying-in clinic in Barangay Holy Spirit, construction of the new service entrance for the San Vicente Sentrong Sigla health Center and land development at Balonbato Health Center.

Ongoing projects are: the construction of the Payatas Super Health Center, improvement of Bagong Silangan Super Health Center, and the construction of diagnostic laboratory clinics at Apolonio Samson and Kamuning Health Center.

Quezon City maintain seven Super Health Centers and Lying-in Clinics and three Social Hygiene Clinics (plus Batasan Super Health Center also has social hygiene services).

Expansion of QC health care services will also include the acquisition of additional laboratory testing equipment, hiring of pathologists and construction of additional health centers.

News Feature: ASEAN dishes tickle taste buds at food festival

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/987315
Friday, May 12, 2017

By Azer N. Parrocha (PNA)

MANILA, May 12 -- Foodies don't have to travel to every Southeast Asia country to taste their authentic cuisines — they can find some of their most delectable dishes in a 1,500-square meter lot in Quezon City.

The first ASEAN Food Festival kicked off Thursday night at the newly-opened Ayala Malls Vertis North, welcoming over 1,000 people who craved for curry, pad thai or even chicken inasal with alugbati jam.

For only Php 50, guests can enter Vertis North’s huge tent at 5 p.m, get a free drink and choose from 25 stalls serving dishes, snacks and products from Southeast Asian countries, some cooked by top chefs in the Philippines including Gene Gonzales, Myke Tatung Sarthou, Rob Pengson.

The four-day festival, which runs until May 14, is a joint effort of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Ayala Malls to hold a culinary festival in celebration of ASEAN’s 50th founding anniversary.

“Because it’s the 50th anniversary of ASEAN, we thought it would be a good venue for us to feature also the Flavors of ASEAN that you can find in the Philippines,” DOT Market Development Group Director Verna Buensuceso told reporters in an interview.

Following the successful staging of Madrid Fusion Manila last month which featured Filipino and Spanish cuisines, Buensuceso said that it was timely to hold another food festival, this time showcasing the best of Southeast Asia.

She said that a number of chefs from the Philippines have done their own take on ASEAN flavors while suppliers from Philippine regions also sell export-quality items to visitors.

Guests can also expect the country’s best artists and bands—including Reese Lansangan, Fraco, SUD—performing while they chow down on their ASEAN dish of choice.

Ayala Land Commercial Business Group Marketing Manager Pivi Ann Diaz said that, in an interview, said that she was surprised by the turnout of the ASEAN Food Festival since it is the first event held in the newly-opened Vertis North.

“We’re actually very surprised because it’s the first event we had in this area,” Diaz said, noting that Ayala was trying to replicate the success of one of its malls, Trinoma, to its newest development.

Diaz said that there would be more to expect in the coming days including celebrity guests and other activities especially on Mother’s Day which falls on a Sunday.

“What we want really is for customers to enjoy the food. We have invited celebrities, personalities to dine with us,” se added.

She also said Ayala was open to the possibility of holding a similar event again next year.

The ASEAN Food Festival runs from May 11 to 14, 5 pm to 2 am or later at the Ayala Malls Vertis North, which is right beside Trinoma.

QC Turnover Digital Composite Sketch Apparatuses to QCPD

Source: http://quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php/recent-news/2296-qc-turnover-digital-composite-sketch-apparatuses-to-qcpd
Thursday, May 11, 2017

(Quezon City Government Official Website)

In a simple turnover ceremony held at Camp Caringal, the Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista presented the 12 new state-of-the-art digital facial composite sketch-making appliance to District Director, Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, of the Quezon City Police District. This new acquisition of the facial composite sketch-making equipment will further boost QCPD’s crime-solution efficiency. These new equipment will enable crime investigators to create a near-accurate sketch of crime suspects.

Chief Supt. Eleazar expressed their gratitude for new equipment, he said “Before these machines, we can only come up with a manual sketch of unidentified suspect only with an skilled artist. It was a long tedious trial and error process and skilled artists are few. But now, with these machines any non-artist with brief training in the use of the machines can easily and quickly create a close resemblance of unidentified suspects’ face.”

The 12 desktop facial composite sketch-making appliance utilizes the Frontalis Facial Composite System software, which is programmed with a comprehensive set of modification tools and facial component database. According to the QCPD, the initial digital facial composite equipment will be distributed to the 12 police stations; additional units will then be distributed to other QCPD units, specifically those under the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit. The sketch-makers will complement the closed-circuit television surveillance systems earlier acquired by the city government for its Emergency Operations Center, the barangays and the QCPD.

Quezon City welcomes New Zealand Doing Business Team

Source: http://quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php/recent-news/2291-quezon-city-welcomes-new-zealand-doing-business-team
Tuesday, May 9, 2017

(Quezon City Government Official Website)

As part of the learning experience for introducing further reforms and innovations in new business registration in the Philippines, Quezon City officials welcomed the delegation from New Zealand composed of Dr. Stephen Korn, Dr. Phoebe Kwan, Mr. Rune Ylade and Ms. Mica Guevarra.

The visit was arranged by the National Competitiveness Council which wanted the Philippines to learn from New Zealand, its business registration systems that have enabled it to top the world’s ranking for Doing Business, as surveyed by the World Bank Group.

Department of Industry Assistant Secretary Art Boncato led the national government officials, who encouraged continuous cooperation between the national government and the local governments to promote regulatory and systems reforms that can make it easier to do business in the Philippines. He updated those present about the status of an integrated law, pending in Congress, which will significantly ease the regulatory policies for doing business in the country.

Representing the organization of business permit and licensing officers in the Philippines is its president, Atty. Melanie Malaya of Parañaque, and its members who include BPLO officers of San Fernando City in Pampanga, Valenzuela City, and Calamba.

City Administrator Aldrin Cuña welcomed the delegation, saying that for years now, Quezon City has been under pressure to innovate more than most other local governments, because of its fortunate, or unfortunate, position as the benchmark for the Philippines in the Doing Business Ranking project of the World Bank. He said that city officials have actually pushed several boundaries of policies and practices as far as business registration is concerned. We have even adopted international quality standards for ISO 9001 for business registration and revenue collection. But he mentioned that the city government was open to the lessons that can be learned, especially from the best there is, which is New Zealand.

Asec. Regina Samson provided an overall perspective for registering a new business in Quezon City, explain local as well as national government requirements brought on by present laws. Quezon City BPLO chief Garry Domingo explained the present process for registering businesses, including the tracking system established under the ISO procedures which showed that the average time for registering a new business with complete documentation was 30 to 45 minutes. He took the delegation on a tour of the Business One Stop Shop and explained its operations.

QCITDO head Paul Imjada explained the technology system used for the Business One Stop Shop, but lamented the unreliability of the full link promised by the Philippine Business Registration (PBR) system, which would have created a broad technology link of the LGU with several national government agencies involved in business registration.

Mr. Fred Abella of the Communications Coordination Center updated the delegation on the innovations already adopted by the Quezon City Government as far as mobile money and online banking payment of business taxes, as well as its established online business registration system. He admitted, though, that there must be a more aggressive effort to transform a cultural preference for face-to-face transactions for payments in favor of digital payments.

QC backs PhilHealth coverage for PWDs

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/986504
Wednesday, May 10, 2017

(SFM/PNA)

MANILA, May 10 -- The Quezon City Council has passed a resolution expressing the city’s support to a Senate bill calling for a mandatory PhilHealth coverage for people with disabilities (PWDs).

City Resolution 7071-2017, introduced by Councilor Marivic Co-Pilar, said that should Senate Bill 356 authored by Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, is enacted into law, the PWDs will be relieved, to some extent, of financial burden of availing health care services.

By providing mandatory PhilHealth coverage to PWDs, Senator Aquino said in his explanatory note that the Philippines will move closer to fulfilling all the needs of underprivileged Filipinos.

The measure will amend Republic Act 7277 or the "Magna Carta for Persons with Disability", to add PWDs under the mandatory PhilHealth coverage.

The Resolution Cited a 2010 Census Report which said that, approximately 1.53 percent of the total population of the country or 1.4 million individuals are PWDs.

“Most or majority of these PWDs are the underprivileged, less fortunate and belong to the poorest segment of the country’s population,” the resolution read.

Quezon City welcomes New Zealand Doing Business Team

Source: http://quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php/recent-news/2291-quezon-city-welcomes-new-zealand-doing-business-team
Tuesday, May 9, 2017