‘GAPO, AGAPP FOUNDATION IN JOINT EFFORT TO PREPARE KIDS FOR SCHOOL
Presidential sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada and Olongapo City First Lady Anne Gordon spearheaded the launching of two (2) kindergarten classrooms in Barretto II Elementary School and New Kalalake Elem. School recently.
Abellada heads AGAPP (Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa) which aims to prepare children for school life and help them develop a positive attitude toward schooling.
“AGAPP Foundation designed a project that actively promotes the mobilization of the private sector resources and talents in support of DepEd’s existing programs such as the public Kindergarten Program and Every Child-A-Reader Program,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said.
“On behalf of Mayor Gordon and the people of Olongapo, kami po ay nagpapapasalamat sa AGAPP Foundation sa pagpili nyo sa amin na maging recipient ng proyektong ito na nakikita ko talaga namang maganda at nakakatulong sa ating mga kabataan,” FL Anne Gordon said in her message during the launching of the project on September 14, 2011.
Education is one of the focus in Mayor James Gordon, Jr.’s HELPS Program to improve basic education.
“The Department of Education (DepEd) has committed to expand kindergarten /early childhood education through a partnership with AGAPP foundation called ‘Silid Pangarap’, “said Pinky Aquino-Abellada, AGAPP chairperson.
A total of Php 3,854,400.00 were distributed to teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Dep’t. of Education-Olongapo by Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr., and FL Anne Marie Gordon, with City Councilors; Ruben Cerezo, James “Bugsy” de los Reyes, Edic Piano, Tet Marzan, Ellen Dabu, Gina Perez, Edna Elane, and City Budget Officer Bebeth Marzan on December 9, 2010 Thursday, at FMA Hall, Olongapo City Hall.
The 1,586 recipients received at least Php 2,400 each representing their Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for the period July 2010 to December 2010.
“Aside from helping the City Administration for the continuity of its HELPS program, may I urge everyone of you to produce high school graduates qualified as call center agents in some future time and for the strict implementation of the total ban IWAS-PAPUTOK among your students, this is a call for Zero casualty this Season and onward”, remarked Mayor James “Bong “ Gordon, Jr.
“In consonance with our electric power privatization, power modernization will be installed for the benefit of the city populace, and at the moment let us start to educate our people to save energy as well”, added Mayor Gordon.
“ I just wish before you that all the schools at your area of responsibilities, its cleanliness be well-maintained, as I continue hospital assistance and continuous medical mission for the needy constituents in the City and the Province of Zambales, said FL Anne Gordon.
Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. personally handed over the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) of public school officials, principal and teachers of the Department of Education (DepED)-Olongapo at FMA Hall of Olongapo City Hall last August 2, 2010.
Mayor Gordon assisted by First Lady Anne Gordon in handling over COLA was joined by DepEd City School Superintendent Dra. Ligaya Monato and Assistant Superintendent Naomi Arzadon.
Each of the one thousand five hundred seventy-three (1, 573) public teaching and non-teaching personnel of elementary and secondary schools in the City received P2, 400.00.
The COLA received by DepEd-Olongapo was for the months of January until June of this year and the next COLA will be given on December for the second half.
The COLA amounted to some four million pesos (P3.7M).
COLA is from the Special Education Fund (SEF) which came from the Real Property Tax collections (RPT) of the City.
Mayor Bong Gordon and First Lady Anne Gordon handed over the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to a school teacher. Mayor Gordon and FL Anne Gordon gave the COLA to DepEd personnel last August 2, 2010 at FMA Hall, Olongapo City Hall.
Mayor Gordon has reminded all city government offices, including the local police to make the necessary arrangements and take precautionary measures in connection with the school opening and the coming rainy season.
“Nagbukas na naman ang eskwelahan, dagsa na naman ang mga bata sa lansangan kaya’t dapat na lalong maging masipag ang ating mga traffic enforcers sa pag alalay sa mga batang tumatawid sa ating mga lansangan,” paalala ni Mayor Gordon sa Office of Traffic Management and Public Safety (OTMPS). “ Isa pa ring dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ay ang paglalagay ng karagdagang safety measures sa kagagawa pa lamang na overpass walkway sa harap ng Olongapo City Elementary School (OCES) bago ito tuluyang buksan at gamitin ng ating mga mamamayan, lalo na ng mga mag-aaral, upang masigurong hindi ito pagmumulan ng mga aksidente” Mayor Gordon added.
Mayor Gordon also has ordered all Barangays and the Environmental Sanitation Management Office (ESMO) to continue their diligent effort in keeping the environment clean especially the canals, to help lessen or prevent the occurrence of flooding when the rainy season sets in. The citizens of Olongapo are also encouraged to help with this effort to keep the city clean and green. “Hangga’t maaari ay ayaw na nating maulit ang nangyaring mga pagbaha ng nakalipas na taon, kaya’t tayong lahat ay dapat maging responsable at sinupin natin ang sarili nating mga bakuran”, Mayor Gordon said in closing.
A traffic enforcer assist students cross the street at the opening of classes at Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS).
Students of the Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS) on the first day of SY 2010-2011
Siniguro ni Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. na magiging ligtas ang mga estudyante sa mga daan at paaralan kaugnay ng nalalapit na pagbubukas ng eskwela sa susunod na buwan.
Ngayon pa lamang ay inatasan ko na ang Office of Traffic Management and Public Safety (OTMPS) at Olongapo City Police Office na mas bantayan pa ang peace and order at ang City Health Office upang mas paigtingin pa ang kampanya para sa wastong nutrisyon at programa laban sa dengue sa mga paaralan, paliwanag ni Mayor Gordon.
Nag-umpisa na rin ang ESMO sa pakikipagtulungan ng mga barangay upang linisin ang mga paaralan na sya ring naging polling precints sa nakaraang eleksyon, paliwanag pa ni Gordon. Magagamit na rin ng mga mag-aaral sa Olongapo City Elementary School o OCES ang kauna-unahang overpass sa lungsod upang maging mas maging ligtas ang pagtawid ng mga bata mula sa East Bajac-Bajac patungo sa kanilang paaralan, wika pa niya.
Matatandaan na sa pamamagitan ng HELPS program ni Mayor Gordon ay maraming paaralan sa lungsod ang nabigyan ng school empowerment fund na nagbbigay ng pagkakataon na maitaas ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa mga pampublikong paaralan sa 17 barangay.
Samantala, nanawagan naman si Olongapo First Lady Anne Marie Gordon sa mga magulang ng mga mag-aaral lalo na sa mga ina ng tahanan na suportahan ang pagbubukas ng klase sa pamamagitan ng boluntaryong pagtulong sa DepEd sa paglilinis at pagsasaayos ng mga classroom sa mga paaralan ng kanilang anak.
OLONGAPO: CONTENDER FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR CHILD-FRIENDLY CITY- NATIONAL LEVEL
Olongapo City went under a two-day evaluation by the validating team to judge and rate the city for the Search for the 2008 Presidential Awards for Child-Friendly- National Level, City Category.
Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. gladly received the national validation team which include Lilia San Vicente from the Department of Education (DepEd), Andre Canilang and Froilan Flores from the Council for the Welfare of Children when they arrived at the FMA Hall of the City Hall on February 18, 2010.
Representatives from National Sub-committee for the Welfare of Children which consists of the Department of Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education and Department of Agriculture (DA) also rated Olongapo City for the search.
Also, members of the committee are the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Nutrition Council and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
“Olongapo is a multi-awarded city,” Mayor Bong Gordon said. “Kabilang sa mga programang tinututukan ng lungsod para sa mga kabataan ay ang health, education, environment, peace and order, sports, nutrition, pagsasa-ayos sa iba’t-ibang pasilidad, curfew, total firecracker ban at marami pang iba.”
The evaluation team picked Barangays Gordon Heights and West Bajac-Bajac through a raffle which determined the barangays they will visit. Part of the team’s itinerary was to visit James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (JLGMH), Health Centers, Day Care Centers, schools and the Social Development Centers (SDC) and OCARE.
“Ang Makati City at ang Puerto Princesa ang dalawang mabigat na katunggali ng Olongapo sa titulo ngunit naniniwala ako sa maraming programa ng lungsod para sa kapakanan ng mga bata,” City Social Welfare and Development Office Head Gene Eclarino said.
Olongapo City recently won the “Most Child Friendly City” in the entire Region III making it the region’s bet for the national level.
Olongapo Students shine at International Math Contest
A contingent from Olongapo City participated in the Philippine International Math Contest held at Ilo-Ilo City. 120 competitors from all over the country participated to prove thier wizardy in mathematics.
Below students raised the Olongapo Flag, emerged winners and received 4,000 cash with additional 2,000 for their coaches:
1. Grade 6 - Riana Mineato
coach Ms. Quejado
2. 1st year - Gabriel Monuto
coach Corazon Dumlao
3. 4th year - Cyril Bucsit
Coach Shirley Manzano
Mayor Gordon for his part turned-over a P100,000 empowerment fund to DepEd to ensure continuity in the city's educational programs.
During the said activity, the city librarian extended appreciation to Donors of Library materials:
Emalyn Daduya – 15 pieces of Nursing Magazines
Roberto Daduya – 2 pieces of wireless router
Gerardo Bada & Family – 62 pieces of assorted Law Books
The following information were also shared by Tourism Department
Annual Barrio Barretto
Bikini Open
Feb. 3-7, 2010
Philippine Miles Conference
Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center
Feb. 4-7, 2010
Lakbay Aral
-Bohol Chapter 500-700 persons
-Feb. 10, 2010
Feb. 15, 2010
-Close Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge
-Properly Coordinated
-2,5000 Vehicles use it everyday and almost 1000 pedestrians
-Traffic Management Board has made adjustments to mitigate possible traffic problems
The country’s most prestigious award for teachers, the 2009 Search for Outstanding Teachers of the Philippines formal awarding will be on September 4 and will be the highlight of the 47th anniversary celebration of Metrobank.
There are four winners each in the primary and secondary levels and two in the tertiary level. Each winner will get P300,000 cash, part of which will go to faculty development of his/her school, plus a medal and a trophy.
A total of 173 teachers joined the 25th edition of the search that gives “special recognition to teachers who manifest profound commitment to the development of the youth through exemplary competence, remarkable dedication to their work, and an effective educational leadership.”
The finalists were interviewed by the final board of judges co-chaired by Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and Muntinlupa City Representative Rozzano Rufino Biazon.
Members of the board of judges included Ricardo Saludo, chairman of the Civil Service Commission; Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez; Dr. Ma. Cristina Padolina, president of Centro Escolar University and former higher education commissioner; Cecilia Lazaro, president of Probe Productions, Inc.; and Dr. Cecilio Pedro, chief executive officer and president of Lamoiyan Corp.
Each finalist was asked a set of questions, such as: What makes you proud to be a Filipino? What do you think should be the main education agenda of the next President of the Philippines? Why have you not left your job for greener pastures? Why should a teacher spend time on community development?
Before the panel interviews, the finalists were asked to write a short essay on why they deserve to win the Metrobank Foundation award as one of the country’s most outstanding teachers.
The semifinalists were asked to make a 15- to 20-minute teaching demonstration of their respective subjects.
The 20 national finalists were chosen from 40 regional finalists who were selected based on personal qualities and character, instructional competence and teaching effectiveness, as well as community involvement.
The city is proud to have such a teacher as Ms. Imingan, and this writer is proud to have had a chance to participate in such worthy endeavor.
Kgd. Piano tackles ‘skill development’ to 50 kids
“Dream big for yourself and put them into action.”
This is the theme of the story entitled “A Beautiful Dreamer” which City Councilor and Olongapo Skills Training Center Director Edwin J. Piano, had retold to some 50 school children of Nellie E. Brown Elementary School (NEBES) during the Read-Aloud and Storytelling Session held at the school Extensive Reading Center (ERC).
The NEBES Read-Aloud and Storytelling Session is a monthly reading-aloud activity where professionals and other community leaders are invited to read or retell stories that could inspire the schoolchildren.
A PDI-Inspired Activity
This reading program was introduced to the school by Mrs. Eva B. Imingan, the District English/Reading Coordinator which aims to promote genuine love for reading among children through reading-aloud strategy – an idea that was inspired by the Read-Along Session of the Philippine Daily Inquirer where celebrities / community leaders were invited to tell stories to schoolchildren in the public schools.
Meaningful Reading Project
This reading project seeks to enhance children’s reading experiences by presentation of literature of various genres by the invited guest storyteller; with connection to the content subjects they have in their classroom.
This activity was made possible through the support of the school principals Mrs. Reolita R. Ecura and District Supervisor, Dr. Ramil G. Gonzales.
Said program of the school is now on its second year of implementation with the approval from Dr. Ligaya B. Monato, the Schools Division Superintendent.
A Reader today is a Leader tomorrow
The story, “The Beautiful Dreamer” – a Chinese fable, tries to share and point out the value of hard work and perseverance in reaching out for one’s goals in pursuing dreams in life. It is also about learning the necessary skills to be able to survive the challenges of life in these times of economic crisis. Unemployment is just one of the many problems that affect our country and so please must learn the skills needed to best the odds and uplift their lives.
“We need to be persistent in developing our talents and abilities. This is the only way that we can make a difference in our families and to the community as a whole.” Kgd. Piano admonished to the crowd of eager listeners. “One should not stop from reading and learning. Everyone must strive for personal excellence in order to be productive; and practice always make perfect results,” added.
“It is timely and an eye-opener for all children,” said Roma Angela Manuel (VI-I) regarding the suitability of the book.
The children had taken part in reading the story with Kgd. Piano and they were all delighted while listening and reading the story in a power point presentation.
High Hopes
Mrs. Reolita R. Ecura, the school principal, hopes for the continuous implementation of this activity in the years to come. “I think this one is a worthwhile reading activity to be done in our school for the benefit of our children. A reader today is a leader tomorrow.”
“We hope that more children will be inspired to read books and become just like our guest storyteller who shares with us the noble advocacy in educating the youth through reading. “She pointed out with optimism.
By. Melody M. Gonzales Grade IV Teacher Nellie E. Brown Elementary School
DepEd kicks off search for outstanding reading teacher
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus announces the 2009 Search for Outstanding Reading Teacher (SORT) to honor the country's top reading teachers and their important contribution to the field of literacy.
“This will motivate the teachers to excel in their field and encourage them to share their best practices in teaching Reading,” Lapus said.
DepEd is currently implementing various programs to improve reading with comprehension of children in public schools. One of these is ECARP or Every Child a Reader Program, which aims to make children from Grade 1 to 6 able to read as expected at their level.
DepEd has likewise directed schools to beef up school libraries and implement different reading strategies to instil among school children the love for reading at an early age.
“When children can read and comprehend what they are reading, it is easier for them to understand other lessons in school. Learning really needs a solid foundation in reading,” Lapus added.
SORT is open to all public elementary school teachers from Grades 1 to 6. The nominee should be a full-time public elementary school teacher with at least three years of teaching experience in Reading. All public schools are encouraged to submit nominees to their DepEd division offices, whose Division SORT Committee will determine the Division winner and submit to the Regional SORT Committee.
The Outstanding Reading Teacher will be chosen from the three national finalists who emerged from the regional search.
The criteria for the contest are: demonstration teaching = 40%, interview = 20%, essay writing = 20 % and document = 20%.
The winners will get their awards during the ceremony to be held on October 16, 2009.
Top three placers will get cash prizes of P75,000, P50,000 and P30,000 respectively. Top awardees will also get trophies, books for their schools while their school, division and regions will also be recognized with plaques.
All regional finalists will be conferred P10,000 cash prize and receive plaques of recognition with their respective schools, divisions and regions.
Meanwhile, Lapus also announced that the National Read-A-Thon (NRAT) contest will also be held together with the SORT. This is conducted to determine the best individual and team readers among elementary pupils in public schools.
For this school year, the contest is in Filipino for grade 3 pupils and English for Grade 5 pupils. Schools, divisions and regions can conduct the Read-a-Thon for all grade levels in both English and Filipino.
The NRAT has three contests namely Best Team Readers, Best in Story Retelling and Best in Oral Reading Interpretation. NEWSBREAK
OLONGAPO CITY CULMINATES NUTRITION MONTH CELEBRATION
A culminating activity in celebration of Nutrition Month at FMA Hall of the Olongapo City Hall was held recently.
Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. stressed in his message during the program the prohibition of selling junk food and soft drinks in school canteens operating within the premises of all elementary and high schools in the city.
“We are making sure that the students are getting the right kind of nutrition, even when they are in school. School canteens can only serve nutrient-rich foods based on DepEd memorandum,’’ Mayor Gordon said.
The DepEd Order No. 8 (series of 2007) deals with the guidelines on the operation and management of school canteens in public elementary schools and secondary schools.
In line with the celebration, themed “Wastong Nutrisyon ay Kailangan, Lifestyle Diseases Iwasan”, the search for ‘’Mr. and Ms. Healthy Kids’’ and a cooking contest were held and organized by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), led by CSWDO head Gene Eclarino.
Kenj Diamond Noel of Johnson Day Care Center won as Mr. Healthy Kid while Zyca Leanne Shane delos Santos of Cristobal Day Care Center bagged the Ms. Healthy Kids title.
Meanwhile, Long Road Day Care Center grabbed the 1st Prize in the Cooking Contest under the Dessert Category with their specialty in ‘Vegetable Steak’ while Forestry Day Care Center won the 2nd Prize with their ‘Malongganisa’ and New Asinan Day Care Center’s ‘Picadillo de Mais’ got the 3rd Prize.
Under the Dessert Category, Long Road Day Care Center bested other entries with their ‘Camote Pudding’ while Forestry Day Care Center’s ‘Kangkong Pizza’ and Welfareville Day Care Center’s ‘Kamoteng Kahoy Patty’ got the 2nd and 3rd Prize respectively.
City Dentist Donald Vigo, City Council Staff Dra. Ma. Victoria Pulmano-Bavierra, City Nutritionist Richelle Eve Torralba and Sanitary Inspector Corazon Fonseca of City Health Office served as judges for the competition.
Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. delivers his message during the Nutrition Month Celebration activity conducted at the FMA Hall on July 31, 2009 with the theme “Wastong Nutrisyon ay Kailangan, Lifestyle Diseases Iwasan”. Also in the picture are the contestants of the ‘’Mr. and Ms. Healthy Kids.
The City Government of Olongapo and Sangguniang Kabataan have joined forces with the , Barangays, CSWDO, Sports Development Office and the Department of Education in coordination with Anak TV – an organization of television stations operating in the country will launch an Inter-Barangay Intramurals in the city.
The project aims to provide more pastimes for children other than sedentary activities like TV viewing and playing computer games. It also aims to create a generation of healthy children and repopularize children’s street games in an effort to invigorate this waning aspect of folk culture. The program is for children between 7 – 15 years old in or out of school. It has two categories: 7-10 Tsikiting and 11-15 Bagets. The launching is on July 13, 2009 at the flag raising ceremony at Rizal Triangle and the Opening Ceremony will be right after. The game proper will be on July 17 and 18, 2009.
The winning team will earn the right to compete with Makati, Marikina, Bacolod, Baguio, Iloilo, Quezon City, Cebu,Tuguegarao and Iligan City at the national level on August, 2009
Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. is encouraging the city’s youngsters to participate in the program because aside from fat burning, muscle stretching and socializing with peers, it’s also a good way to preserve our Filipino Culture, he said.
‘’Alay-Lakad Foundation, Inc. Olongapo City Chapter is happy to announce that ten (10) Olongapeños has benefitted from the Alay-Lakad Scholarship program,’’ said City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) Head Gene Eclarino.
New beneficiaries of the foundation for school year 2009-2010 were all enrolled in Gordon College taking-up courses of their choice including Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Education, Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) and Information Technology (IT).
Different activities initiated by City Mayor and Alay Lakad Board Director James “Bong” Gordon Jr. with various collaborating government agencies and non-government organizations have raised funds to provide financial assistance to the poor but deserving youth of the city who are in the tertiary level of education.
Likewise, to maintain quality scholars, the foundation has set standards for beneficiaries such as maintaining an average not lower than 85% or 2.0, present copy of final grades and accomplished documents as proof of enrollment every semester.
‘’Ang foundation ay nag-lalaan ng mahigit Sampung Libong Pisong financial assistance kada semester sa bawat scholar batay sa halaga ng kanilang enrollment fees. Naka-saad rin sa kasunduan na ang halagang nagastos ng foundation sa kanilang pag-aaral na kung sila ay may trabaho na ang makatulong naman sa ibang mga kabataan na qualified rin na maging scholar ng foundation,’’ CSWDO head added.
The following are the beneficiaries of 2009 to 2010 Alay-Lakad Scholarship:
1. Janelle Mojica 2. Crystal Beneth Fernando 3. Blych Anne Perez 4. Joanne Manalastas 5. Arjean Mejos 6. Angela Macalino 7. Jomelyn Nieva 8. Rholando Real 9. Rameres David 10. Kristine Guevarra
Among the foundation’s recent graduates, three (3) graduated with flying colors, namely, Vanessa Amor C. Reside, who graduated cum laude with BS in Information Technology, Jocelyn C. del Rosario, cum laude with BS in Nursing and Reginald Louise M. Aguas, cum laude with BS in Accountancy.
In selecting this year’s qualified scholars, the screening committee was composed of a five-man selection panel headed by 2008-2009 Alay-Lakad Executive Committee Chair Anne Marie Gordon, representatives from the Soroptomist International, Rotary Clubs, Department of Education (DepEd), Olongapo Business Club (OBC) and City Social Welfare and Development Office.
Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. is keen on prohibiting the sale of junk food and soft drinks in school canteens operating within the premises of all elementary and high schools in Olongapo City.
During the consultation meeting with the officials and representatives of the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of City Schools in Olongapo City, Gordon once again reminded the teachers to enforce the strict compliance of school canteens on the regulatory standards set by the said bureau.
DepEd Order No. 8, Series of 2007 deals with the guidelines on the operation and management of school canteens in public elementary schools and secondary schools.
According to the memorandum, “the sale of carbonated drinks, sugar-based synthetic or artificially flavored juices and junk foods that do not bear Sangkap Pinoy Seal (SPS) and Bureau of Food and Drug (BFAD) approved is prohibited; and iodized salt shall be used and vetsin (MSG) should be regulated.”
School authorities are strongly advised to discourage operators of canteens within school premises to sell food items that are perceived to contain substances that are harmful to the health of the students.
“We are making sure that the students are getting the right kind of nutrition, even when they are in school. School canteens can only serve nutrient-rich foods. Therefore, I am appealing to all the principals to require their school canteens to comply with the said memorandum,” Gordon said.
“Likewise, teachers should be instructed to explain the harmful effects of eating junk foods and the risk it may cause on their health,” explained Mayor Gordon.
The Olongapo City Government is zeroing in on the issues concerning malnutrition of school children in the city. This initiative will be monitored by a team composed of Mayette Abuhin, DepEd Home Economics Supervisor; Christine Garcia, Assistant Nutrition Coordinator; Flavie Peñalosa, Corazon Fonseca and Elvira Carreon, CHO Sanitary Inspectors; and Richel Eve Torralba, City Nutritionist.
SENATOR Richard Gordon advises students to maintain proper hygiene at all times to prevent the spread of the influenza A (H1N1) virus, which has already infected 21 people in the country.
The Department of Health has reported that the number of confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in the Philippines has risen to 21, with 26 new cases under observation.
“With the opening of classes in public schools, students are advised to maintain strong resistance against diseases by practicing proper hygiene at all times because this is one way to stop the spread of this dreaded virus,” Gordon said. By: Bernadette E. Tamayo - Journal online
DOH reports 5 new A(H1N1) cases; tally in RP climbs to 21
S. DEDACE and M. MERUEÑAS, GMANews.TV
The number of confirmed cases of Influenza A(H1N1) infection in the Philippines climbed to 21 on Monday after five more people were tested positive for the virus, health officials said. In a press conference, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said two of the newest confirmed cases contracted the disease after attending the wedding in Zambales where an infected Taiwanese mother and daughter were present.
The remaining three new confirmed cases were Filipinos who had come from the United States: a 19-year-old male, a 45-year-old male, and a 39-year-old female.
The Health department said it had recorded a total of 315 cases under observation. At least 262 patients in these cases had been cleared already and discharged while 32 others remain quarantined pending laboratory results.
Duque said the newest infected people remain confined in undisclosed medical facilities in the country.
Duque made the announcement in the wake of heightened measures against the disease due to the opening of classes.
Earlier in the day, he joined Education Secretary Jesli Lapus in making the rounds in a number of schools to remind students to strictly observe precautionary measures like the washing of hands.
Alert System
The DOH and DepEd have also jointly installed a new alert system against the novel virus in time for the opening of classes.
The two government agencies said they hope the alert system would serve as a guideline on when schools can send students home in case the virus reaches their respective vicinities.
Like in regular Storm Signal warnings, the A(H1N1) alert levels start from Level 1 and peak at Level 4. When a Level 3 is declared in a specific school, the school superintendent is given the authority to suspend classes.
When the alert level goes up further by a notch to Level 4, the situation is elevated to the regional DepEd office and only a regional director is given the power to send students home.
In response to the call of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. to expand the membership of the scouting movement in Olongapo City, the local council has set a target of 10,000 new recruits annually.
“Palakihin at paramihin ang Boy Scouts sa Olongapo,” said Mayor James Gordon, Jr., chair ng Kames L. Gordon, Sr. Council.
In line with this, the James L. Gordon Council is gearing up for the opening of classes to conduct a series of scouting activities intended to attract more members.
In an interview with Angelie Salinel, field officer of the BSP James L. Gordon, Sr. Council, over Subic Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) dwGO AM radio, she said that every year, the council’s goal is to recruit 10,000 members with the support of all the sectors including local DepEd and the LGU from the city level down to the barangay.
“Scouting is an effective character building institution. Scouts may learn to live life through the process called learning by doing,” Salinel added.
“In the Philippines, BSP is subdivided into 10 Regions covering Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. To date, there are a total of 110 local councils. Council refers to a scouting committee covering one or more City and province. Olongapo City belongs to the Central Luzon region and its scouting council has been named in honor of the patriarch of Olongapo City James L. Gordon, Sr. by virtue of LCEB Resolution. No. 001 Series of 1984,” she added.
To further enhance the membership of the scouting movement, the Olongapo City Council has prepared promotional activities to encourage Adult Membership support and strengthen efforts to promote scouting with a more aggressive approach to penetrate the local community.
Interested individuals may register as Sponsor- support as an adult member and/or provide financial assistance for the council’s operation and Volunteer as member and serve in the Local Board as Committee Member, etc.
The annual “Brigada Eskwela” 2009 campaign in Olongapo City kicked off on Monday, May 18, 2009 led by City Schools Division Supt. Dr. Ligaya B. Monato, Asst. Schools Division Supt. Naomi T. Arzadon, Public School Principals and teachers, barangay officials, parents and students.
Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week involves a communal action on cleaning up school facilities and making minor repairs in time for the start of the school year.
“We are thankful to Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. for his unending support to public schools here in the city,” Dr. Monato said in an interview over Subic Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) dwGO radio.” We are calling on all interested employees and parents to actively volunteer in public schools near their residences from May 18-22, 2009.”
Based on DepED’s report status through DepED Order 24, series of 2008, the participation rate among public schools reached 100 percent. All 44,619 public schools in the country have contributed to the success of last year’s Brigada Eskwela.
This year, with the cooperation of all DepED regional and division offices, DepED aims to surpass the savings it posted last year and the number of labor hours that contributed to the success of Brigada Eskwela 2008.
GOVERNMENT statistics show that the country’s public school system is confronted with a shortage of at least 12,000 classrooms, four million seats, 63 million textbooks, 39,000 teachers, and 8,000 principals.
What is alarming is that millions of public school children are afflicted with preventable and treatable but potentially fatal diseases. Worse, many of the, are malnourished and deficient in iron, iodine, and Vitamin A.
Certainly, nobody will argue with Sen. Richard Gordon when he said that the Department of Education’s current program to address malnutrition at the grade school level can be strengthened, lengthened, and made available to more students if additional funds are allocated for the purpose.
“Our pupils need not only quality education but also health and nutrition programs to ensure that they will perform well in school because they are properly nourished and physically fir,” said Gordon, one of the youngest members of the 1971 Constitutional Convention.
Even Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, a former congressman, admitted that about 16 percent of students in public schools are malnourished. Such condition, he said, leads to absenteeism, which is a major deterrent to the pupils’ consistent performance.
The various problems confronting the country’s public schools may be hard to solve since concerned government agencies, notably the Education department, lack not only manpower but also money.
Thus, we urge Congress to hasten the passage of Gordon’s bill which calls for using a percentage of the profit of telecommunications companies to address the problems of public schools across the country.
Authored by Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, Senate Bill 2402 is a meaningful piece of legislation which seeks to establish a Health and Education Acceleration Program Corp.
Under the proposed measure, HEAP will manage funds that would be remitted by telecoms firms from a small portion of their net revenues from local text messages which total billion a day.
Indeed, billions of pesos of taxes paid by telecoms firms will have to be spent if we are to fill the gap in the country’s health care and educational requirements.
OLONGAPO CITY – The Association of Barangay Councils called for the dismissal of a school principal who allegedly ordered the cutting of decades-old trees inside a public high school.
The ABC urged Department of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus to sack Helen Aggabao, principal of the Olongapo City national High School.
East Tapinac Barangay captain Ben Franco said Aggabao failed to secure a permit form the Department of Environment Natural resources before ordering the cutting of the 12 trees.
Franco added Aggabao bypassed Barangay officials for not seeking a permit for the renovation works in the school which sits on a city-owned property.
Atienza, DepEd asked to probe cutting of trees on ‘Gapo campus
OLONGAPO CITY – Environmentalists here are up in arms over the cutting of several trees including centuries-old narra and mahogany on a public high school campus and called on Department on Environment and natural resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza to order an investigation and go after the culprits.
They also asked the Region 3 Department of Education (DepEd) Director Tony Princepe to slap the school principal, Ellen Agabao, with Administrative charges.
City Councilor Jong Cortez, Committee on Environmental Protection chair, slammed school authorities after the environmental group Protect and Preserve to Prosper (PPP) reported about the fate of trees at the Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS).
The trees were felled for unknown reasons. The group blamed Agabao for the total disregard of the environment by authorizing the removal of the trees without first getting permission from the DENR.
“We have a law that estates the cutting requires permission from the DENR. Obviously no permit was obtained. The DENR should now therefore go after the violators,” the PPP said in a statement.
The local environmental watchdog believes Atienza is serious in protecting the environment and urged him to apply the long arm of the law in this particular case to serve as warning to those who would attempt to do the same on their respective campuses.
“Teachers, should be teaching our children to care for the environment and not destroy it. They should serve as role models in nature preservation. But Agabao showed OCNHS students the very opposite,” said Dr. Art Mendoza, Director of the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital and an officer of the OCNHS Alumni Association.
Mendoza said the trees had been part and parcel of the daily campus life of past and present students. Those trees, he said, had stood there for as long as he could remember.
Cesar Santiago, board of director of OCNHS Batch ’85, said DepEd officials should not let those responsible for the misdeed to go unpunished.
“The area where the trees were was our watering hole. It is sad that future students of OCNHS will no longer enjoy the experience,” Santiago lamented.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has turned-over several equipment to Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. as donations to the Pilot Teen Centers in Olongapo on January 19, 2009.
The equipment will be used in support of the Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) Program of the Department of Education (DepEd) which have been incorporated into the program of study of public secondary schools within the city.
There are three (3) Pilot Teen Centers in the city which are located in the following schools: Sta. Rita National High School, New Cabalan National High School and Barretto National High School. These Teen Centers will each receive a complete set of desktop computer, printer, a digital camera, Colored CTV and DVD Player. UNFPA also donated learning materials and video documentaries that provide information on adolescent reproductive health last year.
This will be used in the education of in and 0ut-of-school youths on reproductive health, sexuality and teenage pregnancy and prevent incidences of sexually transmitted infection (STI), HIV and AIDS.
ARH is among the priority concerns of Mayor Gordon. According to Ms. Dyezebel Dado, City Project Coordinator of UNFPA in Olongapo, “UNFPA is closely coordinating with the City Government and in consultation with DepEd to enhance integration of RH concepts in their school curriculum. They also facilitated the conduct of ARH trainings intended the youth and teachers from pilot and non-pilot schools in the city.”
For the first time, UNFPA will sponsor a Peer Counseling Program on March this year. This program is intended to reach out to the adolescents and openly discuss issues regarding adolescent reproductive health. “Additional teachers will be trained on the enhanced ARH curriculum for this year,” added Ms. Dado.
Mayor James “Bong” Gordon hands over the equipment donated by UNFPA to representatives of the Division Office of DepEd.
"Bagumbayan is not a place or a name. It is character, attitude, values and principle. It is a solution to the ills of
society
and a vision of a great
country."
"What this country needs is not a change OF men but a change IN men" Dick Gordon
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16 January 2012
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In a press conference, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said two of the newest confirmed cases contracted the disease after attending the wedding in Zambales where an infected Taiwanese mother and daughter were present. 
