As part of the celebration of 400th year of Los Banos, Outstanding Citizens of 2015 nominations are open for submission until July 17 at the office of the Mayor, Municipal Hall.

Categories are: Outstanding Citizen (Professional and Non-Professional); Outstanding NGO/ Civic Organization; Outstanding Public School Teacher (Elementary and High School); Outstanding Citizen for Sports Development; Outstanding Cooperative; Outstanding Municipal Employee; Outstanding Baranggay Official.

Nomination forms are available at the Office of the Mayor and Office of the Municipal Agriculturist.Forms must be completely filled up with the consent of nominee. It must clearly cite the nominee’s exemplary performance or achievement in the area of specialization, and significant contribution to Los Banos. Forms must be accompanied with bio-data and 2 copies of his or her picture (2X2).

For inquiries contact Ms. Che Gonzales or Ms. Carlyn Medel at tel nos 530-2589 or 530-2818/530-2952 local 108

By Jarred Santos

LOS BANOS, LAGUNA – In need of prosthetics? The Los Banos Federation of Persons with Disabilities (LBFPWD), in partnership with the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center (UERRMC), is still looking for amputees in need of artificial appendages.

The partnership sends a batch of 10 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in need of prosthetics to UERRMC in Caloocan City every month according to Lorelie Liwanag, staff at the LBFPWD.

Applicants must provide their Philhealth registration, Social Case Study at the Municipal Social Welfare Department (MSWD), and Barangay Certificate of Indigency.

“Meron nang ipapadala na batch this June,” says Liwanag. However, prospective applicants may still apply for future batches.

The initiative began in 2013 with Ms. Louie Golla, a member of the Motorcycle Federation Philippines — Persons With Disabilities Chapter, who introduced the idea to the LBFPWD.

The LBFPWD may be reached at tel. no 530-9143. 

By Chelsie Valentino

The municipal government will be awarding cash incentives to Los Baños athletes who have won local and international competitions.

Municipal ordinance no. 2011-1078 was amended with Municipal ordinance no. 2014-1376 entitled “An ordinance that extends cash incentives to Los Baños athletes who has exhibited exemplary performances in the field of sports in various local and international competitions bringing honor to the town and appropriating funds thereof” during the 44^th Sangguniang Bayan regular session last November 14, 2014.

With the amendment of the said ordinance, the municipal government has awarded cash incentives to more athletes. Most recently, the municipal government has awarded an amount of P5,000 to Christian Velson Ticson for placing 11^th on the 5^th Mayon 360° Ultra Marathon last April 11.

According to the ordinance, all athletes who officially represent Los Baños, or any Los Baños based school in any provincial level to international level sports event are qualified to receive incentives. “Usually pumapasok hanggang college inaaccept pa”, says Rayman G. Canlas of the municipal Youth and Sports Development Office about the age qualification of the cash incentive. “Pero ‘yung covered ng municipal sports, mga bata talaga. Pero sa ordinance, walang nakalagay na age”, he adds.

The municipal Sports Incentive Awards Committee was created for the implementation of the ordinance. The committee shall gather the names and other information of qualifying Los Baños athletes. The municipal Youth and Sports Development Office shall then endorse these athletes for their achievements and qualification to receive monetary incentive from the municipal government. The athletes should then submit documentary requirements to Mayor Caesar P. Perez, head of the Sports Incentive Awards Committee, such as a bonafide residency certification from the Barangay, copy of the certificate or award or trophy, photos of awarding ceremonies, or any other available documentation or proof in order to receive the cash incentive.

For provincial and regional level sports events, the amount that qualifying individual athletes or team members can receive ranges from P1,000 to P3,000 and P3,000 to P6,000 for team. National level awards for individual athletes or team members ranges from P1,000 to P5,000 and P4,000 to P10,000 for team. Finally, international level awards for individual athletes or team members ranges from P5,000 to P10,000 and P10,000 to P15,000 for team.

This coming September 27, one chosen model citizen in the field of sports shall be awarded Outstanding Citizen for Sports Development, among other awards, in the “Search for Outstanding Citizens of Los Baños” as part of the town’s celebration of its 400^th anniversary. Nominations for these awards are still open until July 17.

By Toni Krizia Vivares

Naipasa na sa Sanguniang Bayan ang Kautusang nagbabawal sa mga kabataang wala pa sa legal na edad na lumahok sa pangangalakal ng lahat ng uri ng basura, Pebrero nitong taon.

“It has pass through Sangunniang Bayan, and is now at the Office of the Mayor for approval”, ani Director Antonio J. Alcantara ng Municipal Environnment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).

Ayon sa ordinansa ipinagbabawal ang lahat ng kabataang may edad 17 pababa na mangalap sa mga lansangan ng lahat ng uri ng basura, tulad ng mga plastic waste, PET bottles, bote, bakal, o anumang metal, sirang gamit, dyaryo at papel para maibenta.

“Bukod sa primary concern na health, indicated din ang Child labor law sa ordinace, kasi unang-una dapat nga nag-aaral sila. This is basically a business transaction.” ayon kay Alcantara.

Ayon sa Child Labor Law 7685 hindi maaring magtrabaho ang mga batang nasa edad 15 pababa. “Bukod sa basically pagtatrabaho ang pangagalakal dahil it involves money, iniingatan natin ang mga bata sa mga cases ng tetanus. If anything happens to them, the government is accountable”, ani Alcantara.

Ang paglabag sa batas ay may kapurasahang pagmumulta ng hanggang P 2000. Ito ay ipatutupad ng Municipal Social Welfare and Development, Task Force Kalikasan ng MENRO, Los Banos Traffic Management Office at Baranggay Peace Security Officers.

“It’s worthwhile to let the community know that we are moving in that direction. We are for the welfare of the youth, because the potential cost is greater that the benefit if we allow them to do so”, ayon kay Alcantara.

Laganap ang pangagalakal sa Brgy. Timugan kung saan iniipon ang lahat ng basura ng Los Banos bago ito ipahakot sa dump site.

Ayon sa Brgy administrator na si Reynaldo Maligalig hindi talaga pabor noon pa man ang kanilang baranggay sa pangagalakal ng mga bata.

“Ayaw namin talga na nangyayari yan. Kasi, dito sa amin mayroon talaga kaming mga magbabasura na mula din dito sa baranggay. Sa mga basurang yan lang sila kumikita. Dahil sa mga nagagalakal, nawawalan sila ng pinagkakakitaan,” ani Maligalig.

Kung maaprubahan ni Mayor Ceasar Perez, Los Banos ang kauna-unahang bayan sa Laguna na nakapag-akda ng naturang ordinansa.

By Toni Krizia Vivares

Mayor Ceasar Perez visits and inspects the construction in Brgy. Maahas to check the status of beneficiaries. (Photo Posted in Los Baños Group Facebook Page)

As of June 2015, 154 houses were constructed for the Core Shelter Assistance Program of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in partnership with Municipal Urban Development Housing office (MUDHO)

Forty eight of these houses are in Brgy. Lalakay, while 106 are located in Brgy. Maahas.

Certificate of Lot Awards (CELA) are given to the families living in danger areas such as shores and uplands  in Brgy. Bambang and Brgy. Batong Malake . This will entitle them right of occupancy.

The projects aims to help victims of calamities build their houses.   “Ang layunin ng programa ay maibalik sa normal yung buhay ng mga nasalanta na nasiraan ng bahay.Pero dahil nakatira sila sa danger zone, nirerelocate natin sila sa mas safe na lugar,”said Dimaano.

Beneficiaries are low income families that had been residing in the damaged area before the calamities happen. They are assessed based from the records of local government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDDRRMC).

Aside from providing shelter materials, the project aims to organize citizens and capacitate them to build their own houses. Beneficiaries are expected to form homeowners association and make their own Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Jenylyn Landoy (24) lived in Brgy, Bambang before she was relocated in Brgy. Maahas on 2010. She said new residents have better condition now compare to what they had before.

“Nung 2010, wala pa kaming kuryente nung lumipat. Ngayon sila meron na. Meron na rin silang nakukunan ng pantambak sa bahay, kami dati wala. Bumibili pa kami.” She said

Landoy said that their only problem now is the source of water.

“Sa dampalit kasi nun, galing sa ilog kaya maraming tubig.Dito mahirap, kasi poso ang ginagamit namin. Kaya yung iba nagpapakabit ng gripo.”

The program is still under DSWD but MUDHO helps in identifying and monitoring the implementation of the project

Their goal is to finish the construction this month. Thirty more houses are being reconstructed in Brgy. Maahas.

By Kimberly Salamatin

The PESO (Public Employment Service Office) will conduct a Second Quarter Job Fair that will be held on June 25 from 8 am to 2 pm at New Municipal Building, Timugan, Los Baños, Laguna.

According to Gliceria Trinidad, PESO-LB Manager, more or less 75 overseas and local recruiters are going to participate again in the upcoming job fair. PESO is expecting to achieve or surpass their 700-1000 target applicants.

Aside from the Second Quarter Job Fair, PESO is also conducting Mini Job Fairs with target participants of 150 applicants. “Gusto naming umikot sa buong Los Baños para makapagbigay trabaho sa mga mamamayan”, Trinidad stated. They had already conducted mini job fairs in several barangays. The event will run from 8 am up to 2 pm. The following is the list of upcoming mini job fairs:

• June 11 – Brgy. Lalakay
• July 15 – Brgy. Maahas
• July 31 – Brgy. Tadlac
• August 18 – Brgy. San Antonio
• August 28 – PESO Gabaldon Bldg.

Trinidad explained how the process of recruitment flows. Applicants with their resume and other necessary documents will first sign in the participant’s log book. The applicants may then look for their desired company and/or position. On-site hiring depends on the recruiter’s preference. In the event that the recruiter chooses to make an on-site hiring, the applicants will undergo interviews and exams on the area of the job fair.

PESO will also extend the time of recruitment when needed to accommodate as much applicants as they can.