SAYS CHIZ: Pinoys must rally behind PNoy on Sabah

MALOLOS CITY—Re-electionist Senator Francis Escudero called on Filipinos to trust and rally behind President Benigno Aquino in dealing with the Sabah crisis.

He also warned spectators including politicians to slow down on their comments to prevent escalation of hostilities that may end up in war.

“Hayaan po natin ang Pangulo na magdesisyon sa usapin sa Sabah, Galangin natin suportahan ang Pangulo dahil mabigat ang kanyang pasanin,” Escudero said in a press conference on Monday.

The re-electionist senator skipped the sortie of Team PNoy in Baguio City and chose to meet with journalists based in the province.

He explained that in dealing with the Sabah crisis, it is important for the country to have one voice on the issue.

“Huwag tayong sa publiko maghugas ng maruming damit, Hayaan natin ang Pangulo ang magsalita, suportahan natin siya, tama o mali ang kanyang desisyon, saka na lang tayo maningil,” he said.

Escudero also warned candidates in joining the fray saying “huwag na tayong makisawsaw,national interest na ang usapin, hindi ang pagsikat ng kandidatong pulitiko.”

He also reacted to proposals that the country must send an armed group to rescue the 200 member of the Royal Army of the Sulu Sultanate now trapped in Lahad Datu in Sabah.

Escudero said that 30 million lives in Mindanao and about 100 million in the whole country are at stake in case such proposals are heeded.

He said that there could be war between the Philippines and Malaysia noting that Malaysia will not just allow another armed group from the country to enter their territory.

Escudero said that the same principle is being followed by Malacanang in the case of Scarborough shoal off the coast of Zambales which is disputed between the Philippines in China.

“Kapag nagpadala tayo ng navy sa Scarborough tutumbasan o hihigitan pa yan ng China, ano ang mangyayari, baka giyera ang kalabasan,” he said.

Escudero added, “hindi dapat iba-iba ang boses natin ngayon, dapat ay iisa lang. Hindi natin dapat pag-awayan at pagdebatihan yan.” Dino Balabo

DOH's Health on Wheels to hit Calumpit

CITY OF MALOLOS-Two thousand five hundred Bulakenyos will gather at Northville, Calumpit on March 21, 2013 at eight in the morning to avail of the services of Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan caravan, a joint project of the Provincial Government of Bulacan and the Department of Health.

Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the health promotion caravan, which will be set in a fiesta theme aims to give information and education on maternal and child health care.

“Malaki ang role ng mga kabataan at mga kababaihan lalung lalo na ang mga ina sa ating lalawigan kaya marapat na bigyang pansin ang kanilang kalusugan,” the governor said.

Provincial Health Officer Jocelyn Gomez said that LBK features a bus customized with consultation and examination clinics wherein there will be talks about the importance of pre-natal check-up, birth planning, safe pregnancy and delivery, birth spacing, child immunization, hand washing, prevention of disability and health insurance.

“Bukod dito, mayroon ding interactive exhibit, storytelling sessions, entertainment shows and games on health,” Gomez added.

Alvarado added that prioritizing health programs also ensure the province’s continuous progress.

“Hindi mo matatawag na maunlad ang isang lalawigan kung hindi sapat ang mga programang pangkalusugan. Dahil dito, hindi tayo tumitigil sa pag-iisip ng mga programang pangkalusugan at pagpapatupad nito dito sa Bulacan,” Alvarado said.

The Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan is aligned with the Aquino Health Agenda of universal access to quality health care. ###

Pinoys to join Mars Homestead Project

MALOLOS CITY—Believe it or not, Filipinos will be taking part in the ambitious Mars Homestead Project that will be built by 2030.

Dr. Custer Deocaris of the Rizal Technological University (RTU) based in Mandaluyong City made the announcement on Saturday.

“Our very own Filipino astronomers, architects, engineers and students will be taking part in designing, planning and promoting for the Mars Homestead Project,” Deocaris said in an email message.

He said the goal of the ambitious project is to build the first permanent settlement beyond Earth allowing human civilization to spread beyond the limits of our planet.

Deocaris did not discuss details Filipino participation in the project, but said that ranking officials of the Mars Homestead project informed him that there designs that still needed for the settlement program.

It means that project organizers are still open for collaboration including with Filipino experts and engineers.

With regards to details of the Filipino participation, it will be discussed in a press conference at the RTU today (Tuesday).

Dubbed as First Astrobiology Forum with the theme “Mars Habitability”, the presscon will start at 9a.m.

Deocaris said that journalists will have a chance to interview NASA astrobiologist and Stanford Professor Dr. Lynn Rothschild, along with founder-director of Mars Homestead Project Engineer Bruce MacKenzie during the press conference.

Other issues that will be presented in the forum include the history of Mars water and updates on researches on Martian microbiology.

As an astrobiologist and head of the RTU Office of Space Innovation and Cooperation (OSSIC), Deocaris said “Mars, as you may know, is very important right now, in that we have ongoing missions designed to characterize the planet and search for biosignatures of life.”

Astrobiology, he said is a subject taught only at RTU which is considered as one of the newest and most cutting-edge fields of science as there is so much great deal of creative and exciting work happening now.

It revolves around questions on the origins and evolution of life, how life changes its environment, on the future of human civilization and its impact on biosphere amidst the various astronomical phenomena like asteroids and comets, and the scientific aspects of search for life beyond Earth. Dino Balabo