Tag Archives: Political

LB LGU to hold Kasalang Bayan 2014

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by Natasha Mae Arañez, Czarina Joy Arevalo, and Renee Marsha Babao

This coming December 12 at 4pm, 88 Los Baños couples will tie the knot – for free.

The local government of Los Baños, through the Gender and Development (GAD) Office, will hold the Kasalang Bayan 2014 General Paciano Rizal Park in Los Baños, Laguna.

The Kasalang Bayan is a free mass civil wedding ceremony for the residents of the municipality held every February and December. The event coincides with the quadrocentennial celebrations of the municipality.The brides will be wearing the Filipiniana dress while the groomsmen will wear their barong tagalog or camisos de chino.

According to Nanet Saldaña from the GAD Office, the Kasalang Bayan is part of the municipality’s implementation of Act No. 2013-1240, also known as Kasalang Bayan Act, which was first enacted in 2013.

Eighty-eight out of the 100 slots were secured during the October 30 registration for this year’s Kasalang Bayan. Saladaña shared that aside from enjoying a free wedding and reception, the 88 couples will benefit from a joint Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) that is extended to their children.

The future couples’ age ranged from 18 to 60 years old. The youngest bride and groom for this year’s Kasalang Bayan are both 18 years old. Saldaña noted that applicants who are below 26 years old were required to secure their parents’ consent. Most of the couples come from Brgy. Bambang, with 15 pairs.

A Collaborative Work

According to Saldaña, this event will be a product of the collaboration of municipal offices.  She further noted that this is an activity of almost every staff of the municipal office. The flow of the program will be handled by the Kasalang Bayan Core Group, which is composed of sub-committees, will be led by Atty. Genalyn Bagon-Soriano, the Municipal Administrator of Los Baños. Municipal Accountant Lolita Leviste heads the project’s sub-committee on finance. The total cost for the Kasalang Bayan, including the required seminars, amounts to an estimated PhP 460,000. Engr. Ricky Estopace, the municipal engineer, will oversee the event’s physical arrangements.

Dr. Fe Banasihan, the municipal agriculturist, will be in charge of event decorations. Banasihan’s committee is envisions a traditional ambiance, in accordance to the quadricentennial theme. The decoration committee is also responsible for the entourage and the photo booths.

Dr. Alvin A Isidro, the Municipal Health Officer, will lead a medical team consisting of at least 15 nurses and two doctors to stand by in case of emergencies. No serious injuries have taken place in the previous mass weddings. The medical team is preparing for cases of dizziness, heatstroke, hypertension, anxiety attacks, minor wounds, and other accident-related injuries. An ambulance will also be on standby.

Los Baños Police Chief Insp. Ricardo Dalmacia will be in charge of traffic and security. Police Chief Dalmacia said the event is unlikely to cause heavy traffic in the area and that there will be no need to close or block any roads however, the Los Baños PNP will deploy 60 policemen to implement the security plans for the event.

Each couple is entitled to a reception table which accommodates up to eight persons – for the bride, the groom, the parents of the bride, the parents of the groom, and a pair of principle sponsors. Aside from the food and catering during the reception, the municipality will also shoulder the couple’s wedding pictures, give-aways, invitations, bouquets and the video coverage. However, the couples will shoulder their respective wedding rings, which are optional.

The municipality scheduled the event orientation on November 4, followed by the mandatory seminars on November 11. The marriage license application will start by the third week of November, and the general rehearsal is set on December 10.

The holding of the biannual Kasalang Bayan aims to give couples who are unable to afford the requirements of a marriage ceremony the opportunity to get married. By helping couples with the costs of their certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR), marriage license, wedding ceremony, the reception, invitations, souvenir items, and pictures, Saldaña believes that they are able to deal with the barrier of poverty that hindered them from this process.

LB LGU nagsanay sa rescue operation

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ni Aries S. Isla, miyembro ng Los Baños Group

Nagsagawa ng Rescue Operation Training noong Oktubre 3-5 sa Brgy. Baybayin ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Los Baños sa pangunguna ng Office of the Mayor at ng Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Layunin ng pagsasanay sa rescue operation na higit na mapalawak ang kaalaman at kahandaan ng mga mamayan ng Los Baños ukol sa mga darating na kalamidad nang sa gayon ay makapagbigay ng kaukulang tulong sa mga residente ng Los Baños at sa karatig bayan sa oras ng pangangailangan.

Ang mga miyembro Coast Guard Special Operation Group (CGSOG) Southern Tagalog Command ang naging tagapagsanay ng mga piling kinatawan ng munisipyo at ng mga volunteer mula sa iba’t ibang barangay ng Los Baños.

Dalawampu’t lima mula sa mahigit 30 kataong nagparehistro ang matagumpay na nakapagtapos sa tatlong araw na rescue operation training. Mahigpit na training ang pinagdaan ng mga kalahok. Kinailangang manatiling alisto at magpakita ng kooperasyon at koordinasyon ang bawat kalahok upang matagumpay na maisakatuparan ang bawat hakbang ng pagsasanay.

Matapos ang tatlong araw ng sakit sa katawan at pagsisikap na napagtagumpayan ang bawat pagsubok sa pagsasanay, nabuo ang rescue team ng Los Baños na binubuo ng 25 nakapagtapos sa rescue operation training. (Larawan mula sa Los Baños Group.)

[PRESS RELEASE] Stakeholders form Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve Advisory Council

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by Delfin Laforteza, Public Information Officer, Municipality of Los Baños

In order to effectively manage, conserve and protect Mt. Makiling, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) spearheaded the organization of the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve Stakeholders Advisory Council (MMFR-SAC) through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The signing ceremony was held at the Nicolas Lansigan Auditorium at the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources on July 30. It was also highlighted by the unveiling of the 33rd ASEAN Heritage Park Marker.

Mayor Caesar P. Perez (center) signs the MOA together with Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz (left) of UPLB and Mayor Bruno T. Ramos (right) of Bay, Laguna.

The signatories to the agreement include UPLB; provinces of Laguna and Batangas; City of Calamba; municipalities of Los Baños, Bay, and Sto. Tomas; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Region 4A; Department of Tourism (DOT) – Region 4; DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau; Laguna Lake Development Authority; Laguna Water District; Calamba Water District; Philippine National Police – Region 4A; and Alab Makiling-Farmers Association.

Under this agreement, the 24 stakeholders acknowledge their responsibilities and will initiate more collective efforts to ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem services and protection of Mt. Makiling.

To assist the council in accomplishing their objectives, different committees were created, namely, biodiversity protection and law enforcement; ecotourism; water resources and sustainable use; communication, education and public awareness; resource generation; legal concerns; and research, development and monitoring.

A technical working group was also formed composed of the heads of the following offices: Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME); the Municipal/City Environment and Natural Resources Offices of Los Baños, Bay, Sto. Tomas and Calamba; DENR Region 4A; and DOT Region 4A.  MCME will serve as the secretariat while the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and GIZ of Germany will serve as advisers.

ASEAN dignitaries and officials present the certificate declaring the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve as an ASEAN Heritage Park to Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz of the University of the Philippines Los Baños as representative of all the stakeholders within the vicinity of the mountain.

The stakeholders council was created after a series of meetings initiated by MCME and ACB with the municipalities of Los Baños and Sto. Tomas following the declaration of Mt. Makiling as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP).

Mount Makiling’s nomination as an AHP was approved in 2013 during the 14th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment held on September 25 in Surabaya, Indonesia. The mountain became the 33rd ASEAN Heritage Park and the 5th for the Philippines which include Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, and Mt. Malindang Natural Park. It is the first for Luzon and the first managed by an academic institution. The approval of Mt. Makiling’s nomination as an ASEAN Heritage Park was due to its use as a natural laboratory for scientists, and a favorite destination for tourists with its peaks and hot springs as attractions.

Manuel Gerochi, Undersecretary for Planning and Policy of the Department of Environment and Natural   Resources (DENR), who represented Secretary Ramon Paje during the opening ceremonies of the 4th ASEAN Heritage Park Conference, announced the declaration. On October 3, 2013, the certification of declaration was presented by the officials of ACB to the officials of UPLB and the surrounding towns and park managers during a ceremony held in Mt. Makiling Botanical Gardens in Los Baños, Laguna. Also present were officials from DENR. In a statement by ACB Executive Director Roberto V. Oliva, he said that the AHPs are a network of national protected areas of high conservation importance that aims to create greater awareness and appreciation for ASEAN’s rich natural heritage.

The declaration of Mt. Makiling as an AHP and the formation of the MMFR-SAC are welcome developments. Although it is not a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System Law but a forest reserve under the management of UPLB, this title together with the MMFR-SAC MOA will open opportunities for more local and international support.

Nalalapit na ang Kasalang Bayan 2014!

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SA MGA NAGNANAIS NA MAKASAL NANG LIBRE AT NAIS MAKIBAHAGI SA OKASYONG ITO, MANGYARI PO LAMANG NA MAKIPAG-UGNAYAN SA OPISINA NG GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (GAD) sa 2nd floor New Municipal Building, o tumawag sa (049) 530 2818 local 202 o mag-text kina Bb. Nannet 09993936707 at Bb. Arline 09263619271 bago mag Septembre 30, 2014.Ang proyektong ito ay bahagi ng Kautusan Blg. 2013-2140 na nagtatakda ng pagsasagawa ng Kasalang Bayan tuwing buwan ng Disyembre at Pebrero ng kada taon. Ito ay pinagtibay noong Hulyo 29, 2013.

ANONG MGA SERTIPIKO AT SERBISYONG WALANG BABAYARAN?

1) Application fee (P250)
2) Marriage License fee (P150)
3) Solemnization fee (P100)
4) Family planning/counselling fee & certificate (P100)
5) Cenomar (P195)
6) Notarial fee
7) Service fee

ANO ANG MGA KAILANGAN PARA MAKASAMA SA KASALANG BAYAN?
1) Katunayan o sertipiko na walang kakayahang pinansiyal mula sa punong barangay kung saan nakatira at
2) Katunayan o sertipiko na walang kakayahang pinansiyal mula sa namumuno ng Lokal na Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

Cabuyao PNP rescues child from hostage taker high on drugs

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by John Paul M. Omac

CABUYAO CITY, LAGUNA—Cabuyao police rescued a 10-year-old girl that was held hostage by a man who was allegedly “high” for almost two hours in Baranggay Baclaran, last Thursday, January 31.

The authorities have identified the hostage-taker as Nelson Durian, 29. According to the police, the hostage-taker seemed to be under the influence of illegal drugs during the incident.

“Wala talaga sa katinuan yung ating suspect,” explained Superintendent Leonard Luna, Cabuyao City Chief of Police. “He was under the influence of illegal drugs.”

According to witnesses, Durian went out of their house with a knife around 5 pm. The suspect mocked everyone in the street and even challenged them into a fight. This is where he saw the child he held hostage.

“Bigla na lang niyang hinatak yung bata. Sa takot din namin ay wala samin ang makalapit sa kanila,” said Susan Alba of Mabuhay City Subdivision where the hostage taking took place.

Before the hostage taking, Durian also had an argument with his father, Luna said. Police Officer George Hinggan negotiated patiently with the hostage-taker. The negotiations lasted for two hours until Police Officer Arwin Masa found a chance to grab the knife from Durian’s hand to at last free the child.

Durian holds the child captive as Cabuyao police tried to negotiate with him at Mabuhay City Subdivision, Brgy. Baclaran, Cabuyao (Photo courtesy of Cabuyao PNP )

After the hostage taking, the victim remained in shock and was rushed to Cabuyao City Hospital where she was examined. She and her mother also received stress debriefing from Cabuyao Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) personnel.

Meanwhile, Durian is already detained at Cabuyao Municipal Jail. He will be facing charges of frustrated murder filed against him before the municipal Prosecutor’s office.

“Bukod sa frustrated murder, hindi rin natin pwedeng palagpasin yung paggamit niya ng ipinagbabawal na gamot,” Luna explained.

Senatorial Candidates, Inilahad ang Kani-kaniyang Plano Para sa SUCs

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nina Mary Aizel Dolom at Kezia Grace Jungco

Nakapanayam ng LB Times ang mga kandidato para senador na sina Antonio Trillanes IV, Greco Belgica, Rizalito David, Baldomero Falcone, Marwil Llasos, at Christian Seneres matapos ang programang “Ang Pagsusuri” noong Enero 31 sa D.L Umali Hall, UPLB. Sa pagkakataong ito ay ibinihagi ng mga kandidato ang kani-kaniyang mga plano at opiniyon ukol sa pagpapaunlad ng mga State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) sa bansa kung sakali mang sila ay mahalal bilang senador.Narito ang kanilang mga tugon sa tanong na: “Kung sakaling ikaw ay mahalal bilang senador, paano mo matutulungan ang mga State Universities and Colleges sa bansa?”

Greco Belgica:

“Palalawakin natin ang pondo na available para sa inyo. At hindi lamang po iyan, maglalabas po tayo ng voucher system para sa kahit na sinong estudyante na gustong mag-aral ay pwedeng kunin ang kaniyang voucher at tseke at dadalhin sa eskwelahan na gusto niya. SUC man o pribado, siya ang magde-decide.”

Follow up: Gaano kaya ka-feasible ang voucher system?

“Ginagawa na po iyan all over the world. Sa mga mauunlad na bansa at dito na rin po ay mga scholarships na ginagawa. It’s very simple. Ang pera na nilalagay mo sa PDAF, ilagay mo sa voucher system at ibigay sa mga estudyanteng gustong mag-aral. Mag-apply ka lang. Estudyante ka, gusto mo mag-aral, kunin mo ang voucher at dalhin mo sa eskwelahan.”

Rizalito David:

“Ang sa akin talaga, patatagin muna ang mga existing state colleges and universities, punuan ng badyet. May mga ibang activities pa tayo na pwedeng gawin katulad ng pagbibigay ng mga land grants tulad doon sa mga ibang mga state colleges and universities para ma-augment ang kanilang income. Huwag munang magpatayo ng mga bago, bagkus ay palakihin ‘yung subsidy sa mga private education para hindi na tayo mag-create ng mga administrative mayors pa uli na su-swelduhan ng panibago. Kakainin na naman ‘yung para sa estudyante, napupunta sa administration. Bigyan ng malaking subsidy ang private education ‘yung SUCs , patatagin at dagdagan ng pondo.”

Marwil Llasos:

“Una sa lahat, palalakasin natin ‘yung state universities and colleges, dadagdagan natin ‘yung pondo imbes na bawasan at tutulan natin ‘yung tuition fee increase. Sapagkat kung meron namang pondo na papasok, halimbawa, ay hindi na kailangang magdagdag pa ng tuition sa ating mga state universities and colleges. Papatatatagin natin ‘yung faculty. Dapat magkaroon ng faculty development programs, ‘yung competencies nila i-upgrade para hindi napa-pirate ng private sector. Higit sa lahat, bakit hindi natin gamiting catalyst for economic transformation ang state universities and colleges system? Kagaya sa Visayas State University, agriculture sila kagaya ng UPLB. Dapat turuan ‘yung ating mga magsasaka ng mga makabagong pamamaraan ng agrikultura para mapagyaman ‘yung ating agricultural sector. ‘Yung fisheries naman, turuan ‘yung mga mangingisda ng tamang pangingisda na environment friendly.”

Antonio Trillanes IV:

“They can expect full support. Ipagpapatuloy natin ang scholarship programs, ang binibigay nating mga professorial chairs at kung ano man na pieces of legislation ng kailangan ng SUCs, I’ll be there. Being co-author ng UP Charter and being a product of the UP system, I’ll be there to help in whatever way I can.”

Follow-up: Bilang tutol po kayo sa K-12, ano kaya sa palagay niyo ang magandang alternatibo dito?

“Ang alternative natin ay provide muna natin ang mga kulang: shortages sa classroom, teachers, books, chairs and tables tapos increase ng salary ng teachers. By then we would have provided a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. So ‘yun ang gawin natin kasi ‘yung mga product ng 10 years education program are, I believe, as competent with the global counterpart and I believe even magdagdag ng 2 years ‘yung mga high school students in the future, they can never be better than what they produced before. So ‘yun ang aking paniniwala.”

Baldomero Falcone:

“We’ll ask the government to provide capital and to provide a few weeks to teach them securitization. Kasi ang securitization makes us not dependent on the era. Because it  accesses global banks from all over the world so that lalong madevelop yung mga natural resources natin. We’re only growing at 7.1 at the best per year. Pero kung mag-securitize tayo, probably 15 or even 20. Every Filipino hands wifll have their hands full in developing natural resources of the country from coconut, to bamboo, to sugar cane.

Ang dami nating magagawa sa natural resources natin. Of course, securitization plays an important role there. Kasi hindi sya dependent sa credit facilities of the bank and control of oligarch families. Ang securitization, di sya dependent on deposit liabilities of savings. It Depends on the trust funds which come from pension funds, high net worth individuals, SSS, GSIS and the like. Yun ang iaaccess mo through securitization. Plus, of course, big moneys coming from abroad who are interested in developing our natural resources . Kaya i’m really pushing for securitization as a great contribution by the studentry once learn that. Sobrang konti pa lang kasi ang may alam nyan (securitization) ngayon. Kaya kailangang ituro yan para na rin mapabilis ang economic advancement ng bansa.”

Christian Seneres:

“Isa po ako sa mga nagbalangakas ng UP Charter noong 2008 and that was during my second term. Sa palagay ko, ang pinakamatutulong ng mga mambabatas ngayon ay scholarship. Alam niyo ba,congressman nga lang milyones and scholarship fund na pwedeng ipamigay sa students of SUCs? During my time as congressman, lahat ‘yun nilaan ko sa mga estudyante ng UP Diliman. So sa senador di ko alam kung magkano ‘yun pero discretionary ‘yun on the part of a law maker. Basta estudyante ng SUCs, especially UP Diliman, ‘yun ang pinakamalapit, lahat ‘yun binigay ko. Diba maraming issues ngayon about tuition. Hindi nga dapat budget cut, dapat nga i-increase pa lalo. Before, we were the envy. The UP System was the envy of the entire Asia. So ngayon ano? Sa ranking ngayon, umaabot pa ba ngayon sa top 40?Hindi ko na alam eh. Sinasabi sa Saligang Batas na ang pinakamalaking budget dapat ay sa education. ‘Yun pa ang isa nating ipaglalaban.”