Church, LGUs ink pact as watchdog of projects by: Vicente W. Villavert

 

SAN JOSE, Antique July 14 (PIA) - - The Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Church and the Barangay leaders signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) recently to strengthen people’s participation in the implementation of projects and activities to curb corruption at the local level.

 

This activity is dubbed UBAS or Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan where during the MOA signing here, has gathered the Parish Priests of 25 Parishes, Parish Pastoral Council Presidents of 25 parishes, Civil Society organizations, the Municipal Mayors, Municipal Local Government Operations Officers, DILG personnel and private sector representatives.

 

Director Leocadio T. Trovela, OIC-Director of DILG-National Barangay Operations Office said that UBAS focuses on four basic elements: Transparency, Responsiveness, Accountability, and participation.

 

“We hope that with UBAS, the  monitoring of Bottom-Up Budgeting projects will be more efficient and the practice of good governance will be promoted at the local level,” Trovela said.

 

For his part, Bishop Jose Romeo O. Lazo said that that he supports the UBAS program.

 

“We can work together for the common good. Our parishes as well as our Barangay  Pastoral Councils, especially our Basic Ecclesial Communities can be of assistance to our local government units through the UBAS,” Bishop Lazo said.

 

Bishop Lazo also reminded everyone of Pope Francis’ message for human dignity and  care for the environment.

 

UBAS also aims to undertake other engagements or activities as may be deemed necessary or appropriate or as may be identified by communities, such as but not limited to Community-based Disaster Risk reduction and Management, environmental protection, children’s protection and development, and peace and order.(JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)

Youth urged to be responsible consumers

 

SAN JOSE, Antique July 14 (PIA)  - -  The Department of Trade and Industry encouraged the youth to become responsible consumers because like their parents they too could decide on what to buy or consume.

 

“The youth can greatly influence the buying decisions in their respective households,” said Engr. Lynna Joy Cardinal, Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI Antique. 

 

“Thus, they must be aware of their rights and responsibilities for them to be able to make sound choices and ensure fair deals”, she said.

 

To help empower the youth, DTI Antique conducted the Consumer Awareness Advocacy in Schools both public and private high schools in the province.  The information provided is geared towards the empowerment of the youth into becoming responsible consumers.

 

During the symposium Cardinal emphasized that students should be critically aware of the goods and supplies they bought. They are encouraged to be more alert and questioning if in doubt of the quality and quantity of the goods.

 

Among the topics discussed were on the claim of warranty on defective appliance, identification of authentic distinguishing marks on mandatory products, presence of imitations or fake items in the market, labeling requirements on food and other products, and how to handle consumer complaints. 

 

DTI recently conducted the symposium at Barbaza National School in Barbaza and Dao Catholic High School in Tobias, Fornier, Antique. (DTI/JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

Compliance to Fair Trade Laws in Antique intensified

SAN JOSE, Antique July 14 (PIA)  -  The Department of Trade and Industry is bent on ensuring  the compliance of business establishment to the provision of Fair trade laws (FTL).

 

Glen Fernando, Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI Antique said market monitoring remain their priority to ensure consumers are protected against unscrupulous traders and business establishments.

 

Recently, DTI in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Belison conducted the market surveillance in the public market of Belison .

 

“Twelve (12) business operators in the public market of Belison selling hardware & construction supply, grocery stores, school/office supplies, poultry supply, dry goods, electrical supply and bakery stores were monitored,” said Fernando. 

 

Results showed that all monitored stores were compliant to FTLs such as Business Name, Price Tag, Labeling and Product Standards Law.

 

However, regular monitoring of stores should be done to sustain their compliance to FTL.

 

Spot checking of over-the-top weighing scales in wet market section (fish and meat); dried fish and vegetable sections, rice retailing stalls and grocery stalls was conducted by DTI and Municipal Treasurer’s Office staff.  

 

Only 1 out of 50 units of weighing scales checked was found defective.  Said unit was confiscated for calibration.

 

Aside from monitoring, DTI also disseminated trade-related information materials on FTL like flyers and posters for guidance and reference of consumers.

 

Through continuous collaboration and partnership with the LGUs in the municipalities, Fernando said could result to the increase consciousness of traders that will eventually  stop the illegal or unfair trade practices of unscrupulous traders. (DTI/JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

 

SENATE TO LOOK INTO PHILHEALTH SAFEGUARD MECHANISMS – CHIZ

Sen. Francis Escudero said the Senate will look into the safeguard mechanisms in place at the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which receives one of the biggest chunks of public spending for health.

He said he wants to ensure that government allocation for the health coverage of the poor would not go to scammers.

“Titingnan namin yung check and balance, yung safeguard mechanisms ng Philhealth dahil ito ay matagal nang nangyayari kahit sa ibang bansa,” Escudero told reporters.

“Kahit sa Medicare ng Amerika, matagal na nilang ginagawa rin iyon pero may nakakalusot pa rin. Isang bagay ito na dapat maging mulat ang Philhealth. Isang bagay ito na dapat maging conscious sila,” he said.

In 2014, the government earmarked P35 billion for PhilHealth premiums to cover 15 million indigents in the Philippines. It was a 179-percent increase in government health subsidy for the poor.

For this year, over P36 billion has been set for premium payments of indigents.

“Ang pondo kasi sa PhilHealth na nilalaan natin ay pambayad sa premium ng mga beneficiaries. Hindi naman ito pondo para sa pagpapatakbo ng PhilHealth,” said Escudero, who chairs the Senate finance committee.

Some 90 million Filipinos are enrolled in PhilHealth. Of this, 43 million are indigent members and their dependents.

Escudero said the recent scams uncovered by the PhilHealth should not stop the agency from approving claims for cataract surgeries.

Cataract removal is the 5th most common procedure reimbursed by PhilHealth in 2014, accounting for 128,331 paid that amounted to P2,056,379,782.

“Huwag naman porke’t may anomalyang ganyan, titigil na nila lahat ng operasyon sa katarata ng mga beneficiaries at members nila,” Escudero said.

PhilHealth just needs to be thorough about validating claims, he said.

Last year, the PhilHealth made a total of P78 billion in benefit payments, 23 percent of which went to private hospitals and clinics.

On July 1, the Senate began its inquiry into the reported P2 billion suspicious claims of hospitals and clinics accredited by PhilHealth, many of them for cataract removal procedures.

Antique PNP cites media partners, Police Stations By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique July 13 (PIA)  - -  The Antique Police Provincial Office cited media partners for their support to the programs and services of the Philippine National Police in line with the implementation of PNP PATROL PLAN 2030.

In a simple awarding rite at the Antique PNP Provincial Command on Monday four Municipal Police stations and 27 PNP officers  were likewise given commendations for their achievements and invaluable support.

PSSupt Edgardo O. Ordaniel said they opted to give the recognition to deserving PNP Personnel  and the members of the tri-media who are always supportive to Antique PNP.

Twenty six (26) media practitioners including the two personnel of Philippine Information Agency were given the citation for their invaluable support to the initiatives and best practices of Antique Provincial Police Office.

In his message during the awarding rites he lauded print, radio and cable TV personalities for giving PNP the feedback of what is happening especially at the Municipal Police Stations through their reports and releases.

“Your (Ordaniel referring to the media) reports including the negative ones served as our guide so that we could better serve the Province of Antique”, he said.

He further assured the public that Antique PNP is giving a reliable information.

Libertad MPS was cited for the successful saturation drive operation- Lambat Sibat, Sibalom MPS for Anti-Illegal Drugs Operation – Buy Bust, Tibiao MPS for saturation drive operation-Oplan Bakal Sita, and San Remigio MPS for their successful operation in relation to LOI “Manhunt Charlie”.

These successful PNP operations have resulted to the arrest of illegal perpetrators and wanted criminals and confiscation of illegal substances and loose firearms.

“Your high sense of responsibility, zeal and diligence in the performance of your duties and mandated tasks manifest your collective abilities, loyalty and dedication to the PNP organization which you belong”, Ordaniel noted in his commendation.

The activity is in line with the observance of the Police Community Relations Month of APPO. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique).