Rising crime incidents alarms Bulacan gov

MALOLOS CITY—Due to increasing crime incidents in Bulacan, Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado as he convened the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) on Monday, March 5.

This came after local residents, including businessmen expressed alarm over the rash of violent crimes in the province since the last week of January.

The crimes includes the killing of a businesswoman in Paombong town, kidnapping of a family in Meycauayan City, assassination attempt on a mayors aspirant in San Miguel town that resulted to the death of his two companions, robbery at Resureccion Panswhop in Balagtas town and at Pamana Cooperative in Malolos City.

Other crimes include killing of a lawyer in San Jose Del Monte City; a police officer in San Rafael town, and an employee at the Vice Mayor’s office of Malolos City.

Alvarado said that the Bulacan Provincial Police Office reported to him that crime incidents in the province is lower compared to the first two months of last year.

However, he said that crime solution efficiency is low.

“Maraming unresolved case, kaya magpapatawag ako ng Peace and Order Council meeting within a week,” he said.

The governor also noted that while a number of crimes committed in the province remain unresolved, many were committed with boldness.

He cited that the killing of the businesswoman from Paombong, along with the killing od a lawyer in the City of San Jose Del Monte, thre kidnapping and carjacking in Meycauayan City and the robbery at Pamana Cooperative were committed on broad day light.

“It must be stopped,” he said noting that a number of Bulakenyos approached him and expressed their fears on increasing criminality in the province.

A former lawmaker and vice governor of Bulacan, Alvarado was elected in the 2010 elections.

After his assumption to office, he vowed “to put the house in order” noting that good governance will result to peace and order then to more investments in the province that will generate jobs.

However, the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and industry said that high crime rate in the province will not only discourage possible investors, but current businessmen from expanding their operations

UK envoys eyes more trade with Bulacan

MALOLOS CITY—British Ambassador to the Philippines Stephen Lillie cited on Wednesday, February 29, Bulacan’s role in boosting the image of the Philippines as one of the fast growing economies in Southeast Asia.

“Your great province has so many things to offer. It is a well situated place for investments and there are lots of job opportunities,” Ambassador Lillie said during his visit to the province.

Accompanied by Her Majesty’s Consul Brendan Gill and British youths from the Global Exchange Program, the ambassador was welcomed by the top officials of the province headed by Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado, Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando, Northern Luzon Command Chief Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara and municipal mayors at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Pavillion here.

Ambassador Lillie said he was invited by Gov. Alvarado to visit Bulacan and he was very thankful for the opportunity to visit the historic province.

He added that the invitation is one way of strengthening the ties between the United Kingdom and the province of Bulacan.

“In my two and a half years as the British Ambassador, I am deeply touched by the warm welcome of the Filipino people. Today, we share freedom and we look forward to increase trade and to a better relationship,” Lillie said in his brief message at the lunch reception hosted by the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB).

When asked what he can say about Bulacan, the British envoy said that it’s more fun to be in Bulacan, particularly in the historic city of Malolos which is known as the cradle of democracy in Asia.

“Despite thousands of miles between Great Britain and the Philippines, we still have many things in common—the language we speak and our Christian faith,” the ambassador added.

Meanwhile, Alvarado said during his welcome speech that the reunion of Bulacan and Britain is much different now compared to its first meeting 250 years ago.

“The world is different now; we have found it better and to our interest to explore all the possibilities that will make us former allies and enemies share a better, safer world. We are grasping each other’s hand, not in the spirit of animosity, but in the spirit of brotherhood, friendship and cooperation,” said the governor.

Alvarado added that he hopes that the said meeting will serve as a recommitment between Great Britain and Bulacan to help one another in search of common solutions to the common problems and to share the same dreams.

Further, the top local chief executive said that there will be talks between the British embassy and the PGB about the youth exchange program so that young Bulakenyos will be able to go to the United Kingdom and learn their culture as well as their technologies.

“Actually the organization is the one who assigned us here and I’m much pleasured that they assigned me here in the Philippines. We are a group of dedicated youth volunteers who find solutions based on problems that we see in Bulacan particularly in Hagonoy like health issues (healthy lifestyle), and family planning,” Tilly Alcayna-Stevens, a member of the Global Exchange, British youth volunteer said.

The British ambassador later visited the historic Barasoain Church where he prayed, and the nearby Casa Real ruins in this historic capital city.

Triplets born on February 29

MALOLOS CITY—February 29 is a rare day, but it was made more unusual with the birth of a triplet at the Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) on the same day.

Dr. Protacio Badjao, BMC director said the triplets were born to Analyn Santos 27, from Brgy. Kabayunan in the mountain town of Donya Remedios Trinidad in eastern Bulacan.

Analyn was rushed to the BMC by her husband Philip, 27, on Wednesday morning.  Philip is a farmer.

The triplets were born via caesarian operation.

Records showed that the first baby was at 12:38PM on Wednesday, followed by the second at 12:39PM and the third at 12:40PM.

The triplets were named Simon, Sakira and Shiennie

While the birth of the triplets brought joy to the Santoses, the parents also expressed concern over the future of their triplets.

Philip said that they might have a hard time raising the triplets,along with their oldest child.

He said that his savings were almost depleted by his wife’s operation.

He also said they now need more medicine as his wife was diagnosed with Hepatitis B.

Doctors said that the mother might infect her babies with hepatitis B. (Dino Balabo)

Greening science and technology to fight poverty

By George Robert Valencia III, S&T Media Service

The Department of Science and Technology goes green as it gathers scientists, researchers, and experts to talk about fighting poverty during the 79^th General Membership Conference of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) today, March 6, 2012, at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. The Council is the major policy-advising and planning body in the country on science and technology matters.

The event has the theme “Poverty Alleviation Through Green Technology Research and Innovation.” Atty. Christian Monsod, co-chair of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC) Committee of the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP), will lead a plenary discussion on the role of green technologies in sustainability and poverty alleviation. Several workshops will also simultaneously run, with discussions on general topics of climate change, green technologies, and environmental remediation and safety.

Under the workshop on Climate Change and Ecorestoration, the topics to be discussed will be extreme weather events, hazard mapping, sea level rise, and Philippine forest and marine ecorestoration. Meanwhile, the Food and Health Security workshop will delve on green farming technologies, nutrition and food security, emerging diseases related to climate change, and the social dimensions of food and health security. A third workshop on Green Technologies will mainly focus on topics about pollution and “green” products, technologies, and processes.

DOST-NRCP will formulate recommendations out of the workshop outcomes that will be formally presented to country’s policy-makers to enhance guidelines and policies concerning the environment.

The conference and general assembly also showcased DOST-NRCP’s latest outstanding researches on poster exhibits, which will also give opportunity for guests to meet the scientists behind the researches.

Events on the following day, March 7, 2012, will include the announcement of winners of the poster competition, election of the council’s new set of officers, oath-taking of new associate and regular members, and the conferment of 2011 NRCP Achievement Awards.

DOST council honors outstanding Filipino researchers

By JoselitoAlonte-Carteciano, S&T Media Service, NRCP

The Department of Science and Technology’s scientific advisory body, the National Research Council of the Philippines, will confer achievement award to nineop Filipino researchers in its 79^th General Membership Assembly to be held at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza on March 7, 2012.

The nine awardees include Dr. VicentitaMacuja-Cervera, Dr. Macrina Tamayo-Zafaralla, Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia, Dr. Roland V. Sarmago, Dr. Alicia M. Aguinaldo, Dr. ErlindaKintanar-Alburo, Dr. Edanjarlo J. Marquez, Dr. Remigio M. Olveda, and Dr. Joseph S. Masangkay.

DOST-NRCP recognized Dr. Macuja-Cerverafor her significant research contributions in psychology, guidance and counseling, and other fields.  A prolific author and editor of books and several official journals of professional organizations, Dr. Cervera also developed psychological tests that are widely used in the country today.  She is a member of the Philippine Team of the 2006 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). 

 Dr. Tamayo-Zafarallawas citedfor her quality scientific and technological outputs that significantly contributed to the abundantfish supply, leading to food security and poverty alleviation. Her efforts also contributed to reducing health risks in river bank communities. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Pernia’slandmark studies on population and development in the Philippines and Asia earned him the lofty award. Some of his studies had significant policy implications on urban poverty as well as on the economic impact on population change; migration and economic development; urbanization pattern of migration in India; population, nutrition, health, and economic costs of children. He also developed an empirical model of individual and household migration, and economic and social impact analysis of small industry promotion.

Dr. Sarmago’s research efforts in the field of superconductivity were likewise recognized by the Council, as well as the international scientific communitywherein his original contributions have been well cited. His works are extended to future applications.

Fromthe field of Chemistry of Natural Products; the Council acknowledged Dr. Aguinaldo’sinvaluable contribution to the structure elucidation of anti-mycotic substances from medicinal plants. She was also exemplary as a mentor, school administrator, and officer/member of professional organizations.

As well, Dr. Kintanar-Alburo’s significant contributions to the field of cultural research, specifically on Philippine literature and language, folklore, and history, were specially noted by the Council, Her researches on Cebuano studies inspired other researchers to undertake similar studies. The books she edited, including literary anthologies with translations and dictionaries of indigenous arts, have provided teachers with instructional materials.

From the field of earth science in the Philippines, the Council recognized Dr. Marquez for his outstanding work in the area of micropaleontology (radiolaria and benthic foraminifera).  His researches, published in local and international peer-reviewed journals, have contributed to the understanding of the geologic history of the Philippines. His mentorship to his students upheld the need for environmental awareness in the Philippines.

The Council ctedDr. Olvedafor being the principal investigator of two prestigious research grants from the World Health Organization/TDR-Rockefeller Foundation North-South for schistosomiasis; and the Tropical Medicine Research Center grant from the US National Institute of Health (NIH) for schistosomiasis, malaria, and leprosy.  Under his leadership,  the first Good Manufacturing Practices Certified Vaccine Production Plant at RITM  was established. The plant can produce locally-affordable and high quality vaccines.

Dr. Masangkay. meanwhile, had significant contributions in the field of veterinary medicine, specifically on laboratory animal genetics and wildlife animal pathology in the Philippines. His researches on these groups have provided valuable information on the protection, conservation and proper use of animals as laboratory models in biochemical research.

The NRCP, which was established in 1933, is now considered as theoldest scientific collegial body in the country and in the Asia Pacific.  From the 144 pioneering scientists, NRCP how has 2,809 member researchers, scientists, and technologists spread over the 13 NRCP Scientific Divisions, based in the official and latest tally on membership here and abroad.

Tablea manufacturer gets help for expansion from DOST SETUP

By Luisa S. Lumioan, S&T Media Service

METRO MANILA—Life proved to be sweeter for chocolate manufacturer Lulu Panopio when she acquired a manufacturing equipment for her business through the assistance of the  Department of Science and Technology (DOST)  Science and Technology’s Small Enterprise Technology and Upgrading Program (SETUP).

Panopio's company named JAMLA produces the local cacao chocolate brand, Alfonso's hot chocolate tablea, named after the family patriarch. The tablea is cooked to make the Spanish-inspired drink tsokolate-a and Filipino merienda champorado.

The popularity of Alfonso's chocolate tablets has earned it a reputation from being one of the best tablea products in Cavite and is often part of the “One Town One Product” (OTOP) exhibits of the Department of Trade and Industry.

According to her, the company was able to lease a rotary tablet press, a twin screw mixer and a seal and ribbon coder from DOST SETUP three years ago.

The rotary tablet press can mold the chocolate tablets in a uniform size and weight than better and faster manual molding, said Panopio.

Meanwhile, the twin screw mixer improved the consistency of the chocolate powder mixture before this is filled up into the tablet press.

The acquisition of the vertical form fill seal and ribbon coder helped improve the company's production efficiency than when it was doing contract packaging.

The efficiency came in terms of better quality control and lesser overhead and time expenses on transportation of the product from the packaging company and back to JAMLA, explained Panopio.

Under the SETUP lease agreement, the company has the option to buy the machine as the contract ends this year.

Panopio expressed interest to buy the equipment after seeing improvements in production time. Prior to the acquisition of the machine, tablea makers traditionally peel the skin of the cacao fruit  by hand and mold the chocolate mixture, a tedious process that produce inconsistent size of the tableas.

“The machine allowed the company to increase production at a lower the cost.  More importantly, the program gave us the courage to invest on the factory,” said Panopio.

SETUP is an agency under DOST that aims to encourage and assist micro-, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt technology innovations for the improvement of their operations. The program provides assistance through technology transfer and interventions.

NCR regional director Dr. Teresita Fortuna said that the priority sectors that SETUP plans to assist include: food processing, furniture; gifts decors and handicrafts, marine and aquatic resources, horticulture and agriculture, and metals and engineering.

Interested parties may submit a letter of interest to DOST SETUP in the region where the business is located, contact hotline (02) 837-3162 or email ncr@dost.gov.ph.

SM City Baliwag gears up for disasters

Everyday, thousands of people visit shopping malls to spend quality time with their loved ones. In the events of emergency situations like earthquake and fire, customer safety is a top priority.

In partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection, SM City Baliwag joins the nation in the observance of Fire Prevention Month with a Fire and Earthquake Drill happening on March10, 2012.

An earlier Seminar on Fire Safety Measures was likewise conducted on March 6 which educated mall tenants, agency personnel, security force and staff on evacuation procedures and their roles in emergency situations. Held at the Event Center of the mall, points discussed include Nature of Fire and Earthquake and its Prevention, What to do during Emergency Situations, Roles and Duties of Emergency Response Group and First Aid Treatment.

Unlike the previous drills where the participants were pre-informed, this year’s exercise will be conducted in a real-life scenario where the building occupants and employees are unaware when the emergency drill will occur.

Expected to observe and assess the exercise are guests from the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) led byMs. Liz Mungcal, Municipal Fire Bureau, Philippine National Red Cross headed by Mr. Donald Maniego and Baliwag Intergrated Rescue Association (BIRA).

Located along DRT Highway in Baliwag town, the mall’s 61,000 square meter building houses more than 300 shops.