by Maecel Lesther Jed A. Enriquez

Isang Dugo, Isang Buhay – Sagip Dugtong Project, a mass blood donation activity, was held last October 11 at Gulod National High School, Cabuyao City. This was led by the Philippine Red Cross-Laguna Chapter (Cabuyao Branch) in cooperation with the local government of Cabuyao. The project gathered 44 bags each containing 450cc of blood which is equivalent to almost 20 liters.

The blood collected through the project was allocated to indigent Cabuyeños who have undergone operations, accident, dialysis, and others who might need blood.

According to Joey Boy Bernardo, Cabuyao City Branch Coordinator of Philippine Red Cross- Laguna Chapter, donors can be anyone from 16 to 65 years old who pass the qualifications mandated by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). As stated by the PRC, for a person to be qualified in donating blood, he or she must be in good health and at least 16 or at most 65 years old.

However, blood donors who are 16-17 years old must submit a form reflecting their parent’s consent while donors who are 60-65 years old should be a regular donor.  A person must also weigh at least 110 pounds, have a blood pressure between: Systolic: 90-160 mmHg, Diastolic: 60-100 mmHg; and pass the physical and health history assessments. Steps before, during, and after donating blood can be found at the website of PRC.

Fifty-nine Cabuyeños participated in the Mass Blood Donation project. However, only 44 were qualified to donate blood. The remaining 15 were deferred due to being underweight as well as having low hemoglobin count and low blood pressure.

Oddie Mariquit, a 45 year-old blood donor, said that he donates blood to help people in need and to avail of free check-up which is conducted before the actual blood donation. He also heard about the different health benefits in donating blood.

Donating blood is beneficial to both blood donor and blood beneficiary, as stated by the Philippine Red Cross. Mr. Joey Bernardo said that blood donation provides blood donors with free check-up on weight, body temperature, blood pressure, and hemoglobin count. Likewise the process also helps the body produce new cells. “Ang katawan natin ‘pag nagdo-donate ay parang motor, nagche-change oil. Yung mga lumang dugo niyo ay napapalitan ng panibago,” Mr. Joey added.

Aling Merlyn Rosales who resides in Cabuyao City is one of the Cabuyeños in need of free blood. Her daughter, Maelyn Rosales, underwent cesarean operation on October 19. It is very important for them to avail the blood for free because they cannot afford to pay Php1, 500 for each unit of blood in private institutions. Aling Merlyn’s family was able to avail free blood by just bringing the certificate from the hospital containing the units of blood needed, a letter from their barangay certifying their indigency, and her voter’s ID in the PRC Cabuyao Branch located in Cabuyao City Hall.

By Sharlaine M. Balagtas

Hope Intervention Center, the first and only public school for children with autism in the Philippines, celebrated its 17^th anniversary with a Halloween-themed costume party last October 23. Held at the Hope Intervention Center campus in Brgy. Halang, Calamba City, the event was attended by students together with their families. Representatives from the local barangay and the city government of Calamba also joined the celebration.

The program started with a prayer led by Earnest Jovida, an alumnus of the center and a graduate of a two-year course in Computer Programming.

The event also showcased the school’s entry during the Autism Society Philippines’ friendship games, dance number to the tune of “Thriller”. Solo song numbers were also performed by Andrei Ramirez and Genesis Eleson, students who have been invited to sing in the Festival of Arts at UPLB on December. Several parents and relatives of the students also shook the crowd in a Halloween-themed dance battle.

School principal Minerva Obrince explained that these events are important because they allow children from the center to experience activities practiced in other schools. “Kahit anong event na ginagawa ng mga normal na bata pwede po rin naming ipagawa sa kanila,” she said.

Hope Intervention Center is the first and only public school for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. First named San Juan Day Care, it was founded in 1998 by a group of parents who wanted special education (SPEd) for their children. The center has been adopted by the Rotary Club of Calamba since 2003 and is funded by the City Government of Calamba. Several donations were made to the center such as their public library donated by the Calamba Doctors Hospital.

The center started with eight students and now has 85 students and 16 employees.

By Elsie E. Reyes

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Los Baños opens its one-stop information shop or OSIS to the public.

OSIS is PhilRice’ new project which aims to provide information on rice research to students and other stakeholders.

Inside the one-stop information shop

The one-stop information shop has two basic components: the mini library or the Palay-Aklatan and the PhilRice database.

The first component houses books, magazines, brochures, and publications from PhilRice and other R&D institutions.

A designated computer can also be used for online research through PhilRice websites such as www.pinoyrice.com and www.philrice.gov.ph. An E-lib system also makes the library use more convenient. Readers can search their preferred publication and will be alerted of its availability. Audio-visual presentations of the latest rice technologies, meanwhile, can be viewed through a television.

The second component is the PhilRice database. Stored here are documents, reports, photos, and videos of PhilRice. Readers will need to ask for assistance from the OSIS’ personnel-in-charge to access the materials.

Accessing the collections

The Palay-Aklatan adopts an open access system. Users can directly get the publication they need straight off the shelves. However, all the publications will be for room use. According to Ms. Jacqueline Lee Canilao, one of the proponents of the OSIS, the institute is looking forward to allowing the patrons to bring out publications and materials in the future.

 Not your typical rice information hub

In a way, OSIS is different from other rice information hub. For Canilao, what sets it apart is that it is a mini-library set-up that would soon incorporate “museum artifacts, paintings, and others that can give the area a more modern and sophisticated feel.” She added that visitors can further expect visually-engaging mini-exhibits in the future.

Aside from the OSIS’ refreshing theme, Canilao also encourages people to visit because of what the hub holds. The mini-library houses a wealth of information on rice and rice technologies. “Since rice is the major staple in our country, it’s but important that the public increase awareness on the many aspects and functions of rice”, shares Canilao.

OSIS will be fully launched by the first quarter of 2016. OSIS is open to the public from 9:00am to 4:00pm. It is also open during lunch break.

By Jann Adriel N. Nisperos   

A family planning seminar was conducted at the Los Baños municipal hall last November 10 for couples who will participate in the upcoming mass wedding.

The seminar was organized by the Los Baños Gender and Development (GAD) office. According to GAD’s head, Karen Mercado, the seminar aims to equip future husbands and wives with knowledge on family planning before they join the annual mass wedding celebration, dubbed Kasalang Bayan 2015, on December 11.

“…kasi minsan hindi equipped yung ating mga kababayan [sa family planning] lalo na may mga ikakasal na 18 years old pataas. Hindi pala nila alam yung konsepto ng family planning,” Mercado said. She furthered that there are more younger couples applying for marriage license this year compared to the previous Kasalang Bayan. According to municipal records, the youngest couple is 18 years old while the oldest is 45 years old.

In the seminar, different aspects of family planning were discussed such as the dynamics of fertility, pregnancy, how to properly care for the baby, and breastfeeding.

Aside from family planning, the seminar also tackled population control, household management and budgeting, as well as different sources of livelihood like organic farming.

Speakers from different government agencies were invited in the seminar namely Hannah Ericka E. Lavina from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development office (MSWDO), Leticia P. Acedillo from the Municipal Health office (MHO), Genevieve J. Casabuena from PPO-Outreach, and Fe M. Banasihan from the Municipal Agriculture office (MAO).

One of the participants, Alexandria Gulfo, 21 years old, said that she and her fiance learned a lot from the activity. “Maraming naitulong [ang family planning seminar]. Yung mga hindi namin nalaman noon sa pagpapamilya, nalaman namin ngayon…’tsaka ma-apply namin sa buhay namin.” Gulfo said.

Attending the family planning seminar is one of the requirements for taking part in the mass wedding along with attending a pre-marriage counseling session and seminars on population control and livelihood. For more information on Kasalang Bayan 2015, please contact the Gender and Development Office at (049) 536 2818.

[PRESS RELEASE] Free healthcare services, medicines, and eyeglasses will be offered on Saturday, November 14, at Brgy. Kabulusan in Pakil, Laguna. The service is open to 2,000 residents of barangays Banilan, Dorado, Casa Real, Matikiw, Casinsin, and Kabulusan.

The activity is led by Upsilon Sigma Phi in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Laguna. Volunteer doctors and healthcare professionals will deliver free medical, dental, optical, and surgical services, including lab test procedures.

Indigent residents have been pre-selected as beneficiaries. However, locals who are interested to avail the services are also encouraged to coordinate with their own barangay units. For more information on the project, please send the queries to [email protected].

The activity is part of Upsilon’s 97^th anniversary. A UP-based organization, Upsilon was founded in 1918 and is considered the oldest fraternity in Asia. (MRFSRolle)

Ni Clarisse Mae N. Abao at Irven Spence S. Bustamante

Si Barangay Tanod Mila Reyes ay isa sa mga mamamayan ng Brgy. Bagong Silang sa bayan ng Los Baños. Isa siya sa mga maliliit na negosyanteng nakikinabang sa pangunahing produkto ng kanilang barangay – mga prutas tulad ng lansones at rambutan.

Ang Brgy. Bagong Silang ay kilala sa mga tanim nilang gulay at prutas na hindi ginagamitan ng mga komersyal at kemikal na pataba. Ayon kay Gng. Mila, maipagmamalaki ang mga produktong prutas at gulay ng  kanilang barangay dahil sila mismo ang nagtatanim, nag-aalaga, at nag-aani bago dalhin sa pamilihang bayan at karatig-barangay.

Isa lamang ang Brgy. Bagong Silang sa mga pamayanan sa Los Baños na maaaring umunlad kung mabibigyan ng oportunidad ang mga maliliit na negosyanteng maipakilala ang kanilang produkto sa merkado.

Ang “Go-Negosyo Act” para sa MSMEs

Ang mga micro, small, medium enterprise (MSMEs) ay may malaking kontribusyon sa pag-unlad ng ekonomiya at turismo sa isang bayan. Ito ay dahil sa mga produktong kanilang ibenebenta ay sumasalamin sa kanilang kultura.

Kaya naman noong ika-15 ng Hulyo noong makaraang taon, ipinanukala ang Republic Act 10644 o mas kilala sa tawag na “Go Negosyo Act”. Sa tulong ni Senador Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino katuwang ng Kagawaran ng Kalakalan at Industriya (DTI), hangad nitong bigyang importansya ang mga MSMEs at palawigin ang kanilang kaalaman upang lalo pang mapalago ang kanilang kabuhayan.

Isa sa mga layunin ng batas na ito ay ilapit ang merkado sa mga MSMEs sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa magsisimula at nakapagsimula, ng kanilang sariling kabuhayan at ituro sa kanila ang iba’t ibang aspeto nito. Mula sa pagpapakilala sa publiko ng kanilang mga produkto hanggang sa pagpapayaman ng kaalaman at kakayahan nila ay papatnubayan sila ng pamahalaan. Ito ay maisasakatuparan sa pamamagitan ng pagsasagawa ng pagsangguni sa mga eksperto at pag-oorganisa ng diskusyon upang mabigay ang mga impormasyon at solusyon na nararapat ayon sa pangangailangan nila.

Ang pagbubukas ng Negosyo Center – Los Baños

Bilang pakikiisa ng munisipalidad ng Los Baños sa nasabing batas, inilunsad proyekto kung saan ipinatayo ang ikaapat na Negosyo Center sa rehiyon ng CALABARZON sa publiko sa tulong ng Center for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (CTTE), University of the Philippines Los Baños, Association of Laguna Food Processors Inc. (ALAFOP), Laguna Chamber of Commerce, at San Pablo Chamber of Commerce.

Ito ay naganap noong ika-14 ng Setyembre sa munisipyo ng Los Baños. Pormal na binuksan ang Negosyo Center sa pamamagitan ng isang isang “ribbon-cutting ceremony” na pinasimulan ni Senador Bam Aquino, mga kinatawan ng DTI, at mga institusyong nakibahagi upang maisakutaparan ang pagbubukas ng Negosyo Center.

Ito ay sinundan ng isang programa na dinaluhan ng mga nagsasanay sa Philippine Employment Services Offices (PESO) na isang proyekto ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), mga negosyanteng pangunahing benepisyaryo ng Negosyo Center, at mga taong sumusuporta sa Negosyo Center.

Nagbigay rin ng mensahe ang Senador sa mga dumalo sa programa upang hikayatin silang maging bahagi ng Negosyo Center.

Ani nya, maraming mga negosyante sa bayan ng Los Baños at malaki ang potensyal na maging matagumpay ang proyekto sa pagsasakatuparan ng mga adhikain nito.

“Kung tulung-tulong po tayo, kaya po nating mailabas ang kaunlaran na hinahanap po natin… This Negosyo Center is now open for business, lahat po pwedeng pumunta diyan – kung kayo po ay estudyante, nanay sa mga barangay, sa aming Women’s Brigade, government worker, o maliliit na negosyante, pwedeng-pwede po kayo, and it can provide the right support and right programs para po sa inyong patnubay at kaunlaran.”, wika ng Senador.

Sa pagtatapos ng programa, nagkaroon ng press conference para sa pagtanggap ng mga katanungan ukol sa bagong proyekto ng bayan ng Los Baños.

Ang Negosyo Centers sa iba’t-ibang panig ng Pilipinas

Ang Negosyo Center – Los Baños ay ikasyamnapu na sa isang daang layuning itatag ng Go Negosyo Act sa buong bansa sa kasalukuyang taon.

Ang unang mga Negosyo Centers sa bansa ay binuksan sa mga lungsod ng Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Quezon, at Batangas.

Negosyo Center para sa lahat

Dahil sa Go Negosyo Act, hindi lamang si Gng. Mila ang maaaring umunlad sa Brgy. Bagong Silang at sa bayan ng Los Baños. Ang mga maliliit na namumumuhunan tulad niya ay maaaring mabigyan ng oportunidad upang mas lumago, hindi lamang sa larangan ng pagne-negosyo kundi pati na rin ang kanilang kakayahang makipagsabayan sa mga negosyanteng matagal na sa industriya.

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon ukol sa proyektong ito, maaaring magtungo sa Negosyo Center Building sa Municipal Hall ng Los Baños o tumawag sa (049) 576-7927, (049) 530-2818, o sa 0917 504 6533.