LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA–Nakapagpalabas ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ng kabuuang P30.1 bilyong pondo para mabayaran ang health emergency allowance (HEA) claims ng mga healthcare at non-healthcare workers sa bansa para sa taong 2023.

Ito ay bilang pagsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na ipagpatuloy ang pagbibigay ng nararapat na suporta para sa ating mga tinaguriang makabagong bayani, lalo na ang mga nasa health and medical field.

“Upang masuklian naman natin ang naging sakripisyo ng ating mga health workers sa pribado at pampubliko na mga ospital noong nakaraang pandemya, ipapamahagi na sa kanila ang kanilang COVID health emergency allowance at iba pang mga nabinbing benepisyo,” saad ng Pangulo sa kanyang ikalawang State of the Nation Address noong Hulyo 2023.

Binigyang-diin ni Budget Secretary Mina Pangandaman na magpapatuloy ang PBBM administration, sa pamamagitan ng DBM, sa pagsigurong maibibigay sa mga healthcare at non-healthcare workers ang mga benepisyo at allowance na nakalaan para sa kanila.

“Parte po ng commitment ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ang tuloy-tuloy na pagbibigay ng financial support sa ating mga healthcare at non-healthcare workers. They deserve all our care and support dahil noong oras na tayo ang nangangailangan sa kanila, they risked their lives and safety just to save and care for us,” ayon kay Sec. Mina.

Ang ipinalabas na P30.11 bilyong pondo noong nakaraang taon ay liban pa sa P24.19 bilyong pondo na inilagak sa Department of Health para sa parehong layunin noong 2022. Para sa 2024 naman, nasa kabuuang P18.96 bilyon ang nakalaan sa ilalim ng FY 2024 General Appropriations Act para mabayaran ang HEA claims ng mga karapat-dapat na pampubliko at pribadong healthcare and non-healthcare workers.

Ang nasabing pondo ay maari nang magamit epektibo noong ika-01 ng Enero 2024. Sa makatuwid, P14.88 bilyon na lamang ang natitirang balanse mula sa kabuuang P88.14 bilyon na kinakailangang halaga para sa implementasyon ng programa.

“We will endeavor to release the balance, as well as the unfunded HEA claims of roughly P14 billion to fulfill the commitment of President Bongbong Marcos in his SONA,” ayon pa kay Secretary Pangandaman.

The local government of Taytay, Rizal yesterday passed an ordinance that restricts child-targeted marketing of ultra-processed food and beverages within the municipality, in a bid to protect children from obesity and other diet-related health risks. 

Ordinance No. 2307-036 or An Ordinance to Protect Children from the Harmful Impacts of Food and Beverage Marketing’, introduced by Councilor John Tobit Cruz, prohibits advertisements of food high in fat, salt, or sugar, in child-centered settings such as school zones, playgrounds, parks, and family mall areas. 

“This is a win for children’s health,” said Tobit Cruz during the final reading of the ordinance. “We commit to creating an environment where our children can grow up healthy and easily pursue healthy eating habits, starting with this policy,” Cruz added. 

Exposure of children to advertisements featuring ultra-processed food is linked to the increased consumption of such foods and associated risks of obesity, according to a study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). 

“We laud Taytay for being the first municipality to advance this landmark health policy. This measure aligns with the broader national and global efforts to combat childhood obesity and promote healthier lifestyles among children,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, Executive Director of ImagineLaw, the local government’s partner in drafting the ordinance. 

One in every seven Filipino school-aged children is obese or overweight, according to a 2021 study of the Department of Science and Technology Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI). 

“We hope that this policy serves as a model for other municipalities and cities seeking to protect the health of their children,” she added. 

Local task force to end harmful food and beverage marketing to children 

To enforce the ordinance, a local task force of Taytay government officials will be formed to focus on monitoring food and beverage advertisements within the municipality, and assisting establishments to comply with the new regulations.  

Violators of the ordinance will face a fine of PhP 2,500.00 and will be required to take down advertisements that violate the regulations.

The task force will also lead efforts to assist the community to promote healthier food choices among children and families.

“Taytayeños can anticipate more proactive and sustainable programs that prioritize children’s health through this policy win,” Coun. Cruz added.  

The UP Marine Science Institute (UP MSI)

Diliman, QC: A new study about the potential of seaweed as a resilient food source was published in the scientific journal “Earth’s Future” by a team of researchers from the Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (ALLFED), Louisiana State University, University of the Philippines Diliman Marine Science Institute (UP MSI), and the University of Canterbury.

Researchers have discovered that seaweed can be a crucial pillar for food security in the context of abrupt sunlight reduction scenarios, as seen in scenarios like nuclear winter. Surprisingly, seaweed is resilient in adverse conditions, so its growth and potential to enhance food security increases after more severe nuclear conflicts.

Using an empirical model based on the seaweed Gracilaria tikvahiae, in combination with nuclear winter climate data, the researchers simulated global seaweed growth. The results demonstrate that seaweed has the capacity to be cultivated in tropical oceans even after a major nuclear war between Russia and the US. Such a war would deliver 150 Tg of black carbon to the atmosphere and could block out the sunlight for years but enough to drive photosynthesis. This scenario leads to increased vertical mixing and decreased phytoplankton production, providing more nutrients to the seaweed.

Previous studies show that agriculture and fisheries production would plummet, so alternative food sources like seaweed will be critical in ensuring good security in sunlight reduction scenarios. Ocean modeler Prof. Cheryl Harrison from the Louisiana State University said “It’s only a matter of time before the latter [nuclear war and large volcanic eruption] happens, so we need to be ready. Because the ocean does not cool as rapidly as land, marine aquaculture is a very good option.”

Seaweed can be quickly scaled up to meet a substantial portion of global food application demand, reaching about 70% within just 7 to 13 months. Most of this can be used for animal feed and biofuel, as human consumption is limited to 10-15 % due to the high iodine content in seaweed, which could cause adverse health effects.

In addition to the current benefits of seaweed farming, researchers suggest investing in seaweed farming as a proactive measure for global food security, both now and after a catastrophe. This could potentially avert a significant number of deaths from starvation, according to resilient food expert Prof. Dr. David Denkenberger from the University of Canterbury.

In fact, in the Philippines, low-tech seaweed farming is the commonly implemented infrastructure.

According to laboratory head Prof. Michael Y. Roleda of Algal Physiology (AlgaE) laboratory of UP MSI, “we are engaged in the selection and curation of novel and climate change resilient cultivars of tropical seaweeds (e.g., eucheumatoids and gracilariods) that possess superior traits in terms of growth, chemistry, and disease resistance. The gene bank of UP-MSI provides a platform for selective breeding and production of high quality seedstrock for distribution to seaweed farmers.” This effort by UP MSI significantly contributes to the goal of scaling up seaweed for future food production and security.

The preprint of this study was selected as one of the most exciting and interesting entries out of 17,000 submissions to the European Geosciences Union conference in Vienna (2023) and discussed in their press conference and blog. According to Lead author Dr. Florian Ulrich Jehn from ALLFED, this study opens avenues to further research about seaweed as a food solution after a nuclear war.

Access to the original paper: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF003710

Media Interest:

The unexpected aspect of the study is the revelation that seaweed exhibits high growth rates in a more severe nuclear war. This further adds to the many benefits of seaweed, including its capacity to mitigate eutrophication–excessive nutrient and consequently algal growth which can deplete oxygen and harm aquatic life–and its independence from arable land, freshwater, fertilizer, or extensive pesticide applications. Seaweed fed to cattle could also significantly decrease the emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. In addition, seaweed can be used to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, combating climate change. These factors contribute to making seaweed a subject of interest for both the scientific community and the general public.

The UP Marine Science Institute is one of seven academic institutes of the College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman. It aims to advance, disseminate, and apply knowledge through research and development, and public service and extension in the marine sciences and related disciplines, playing a big role in shaping the discourse on the Philippine waters.

CITY OF MALOLOS – Bulakenyo consumers flocked to the KADIWA Retail Selling activity of the Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Regional Field Office-Cordillera Administrative Region held in front of Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium here recently as some highland vegetables from some farmers from Mankayan, Benguet were sold.

With the help of the Provincial Government of Bulacan headed by Gov. Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro through the Provincial Agriculture Office, DA-CAR have catered to hundreds of Bulakenyos who bought 2,500 kilograms of assorted fresh vegetables totaling to more than P40,000 sales in just half a day.

Several varieties of produce including Chinese cabbage, sayote, cabbage, broccoli, Baguio beans, bell pepper, carrots, cauliflower, and cucumber were sold with an affordable price of P10 to P70 per kilo.

Meanwhile, Fernando said that the province of Bulacan is one with the national government in implementing strategies that will help achieve food security as well as give aid to food producers to sustain production of affordable goods.

The conduct of KADIWA Retail Selling activity aims to benefit the consumers in Bulacan as well as to support the Cordillera farmers who are experiencing continuous influx of highland vegetable harvests specifically cabbage and Chinese cabbage at the major local trading posts in Benguet and the decrease in the frequency of traders to buy that contributed to the high volume of unsold and low prices of vegetables.

By: Harvey L. Sapigao

In the ’90s, Dr. Neila Cortes-Maramba of UP Manila led a team of scientists investigating ten medicinal plants in the Philippines. Two of these plants exhibited promising results—one for cough and the other for urinary tract infections. The team patented Vitex negundo (Lagundi) and Blumea balsamifera (Sambong) in syrup and tablet forms, granting them exclusive rights to these medicines.

Today, Lagundi and Sambong are essential remedies for coughs and UTIs, proving lucrative for the pharmaceutical industry. Had they not applied for a patent, UP Manila and its partners would not have earned more than 50 million pesos in remittances through royalties and licensing fees, nor would they have been able to claim the invention as their own and would leave it vulnerable to idea theft.

If inventions and creations are not patented, “it belongs now to the public domain where anyone can reproduce or manufacture it,” Atty. Josephine R. Santiago of the UP Diliman College of Law said at the 7th session of the iStories webinar, hosted by the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science. Atty. Santiago is an award-winning intellectual property (IP) expert who served as the Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).

A patent, as a form of IP, provides the inventor exclusive rights to their creations. “The right of a patentee is only to prevent third persons from manufacturing, offering for sale, using, selling, or importing the invention,” Atty. Santiago explained. “It is not to make the invention, but to prevent others.” She added that, when multiple inventors unknowingly created the same invention, the first to file the patent secures the rights to it.

UP Diliman has successfully patented various inventions, such as CoaTiN, a coating technology that uses titanium nitride to extend the lifespan of metallic tools, developed by Dr. Henry Ramos of the National Institute of Physics (NIP), and an amebiasis detection kit that quickly identifies the disease using saliva, invented by Dr. Windell Rivera, Dr. Angeline Odelia Concepcion, and Dr. Alexander Edward Dy of the Institute of Biology (IB).

Patents not only benefit inventors but also stimulate innovation and improve existing products. Applying for patents requires detailed explanations of how the invention works. This information becomes publicly available upon patent approval, allowing other inventors to draw inspiration from or enhance the patented work.

Atty. Santiago also touched upon the other three types of IP: trademarks, which protect identifying symbols and expressions; copyright which grants rights from the moment of creation; and trade secrets, which safeguards valuable confidential information.

She will also discuss harnessing IP for innovation in another iStories session.

Get ready to dive into the ultimate poppin’ celebration at SM Cinema on International Popcorn Day, January 19th! Join the worldwide festivities as SM Cinema rolls out an exclusive promo across all Snack Time branches for the entire day.

For just 19 pesos, treat yourself to 30 grams of pure popcorn delight. This special offer is a nod to the love we all share for this classic crunchy snack, delivering joy, flavor, and a sprinkle of nostalgia to popcorn enthusiasts across the globe. It’s the perfect pairing for movie aficionados, elevating every scene with the thrill of blockbuster films showing at SM Cinemas.

Don’t miss out on the excitement of exploring other popcorn flavors like cheese, sour cream, barbecue and melted butter- all available at regular prices, because there’s no such thing as too much popcorn on International Popcorn Day! See you at SM Cinema Pulilan, SM Cinema Marilao, and SM Cinema Baliwag for a poppin’ good time!

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Jerusalem, 12 January 2024 – Over the past three months, the Israeli Forces’ all-out assault on the Gaza Strip has drastically diminished the options for people to find medical care. The amount of safe space for organisations to provide healthcare to people is now virtually non-existent. Constant evacuation orders and attacks on health facilities have repeatedly forced organisations such as Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to evacuate hospitals and leave patients behind.

“We’re gradually being cornered in a very restrictive perimeter in southern Gaza, in Rafah, with dwindling options to offer critical medical assistance, while the needs are desperately growing,” says Thomas Lauvin, Doctors Without Borders project coordinator in Gaza. “As the assault on Gaza has progressed, we have had to evacuate several health facilities in the north of Gaza, then in the Middle Area.”

“Today we are limited to mainly working in the south, because we cannot work elsewhere,” continues Lauvin. “In short, we’re running out of hospitals. We are forced to leave patients behind.” 

The healthcare system in Gaza has virtually collapsed. The World Health Organization reports that only 13 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are still partially functional: nine in the south and four in the north. The two major hospitals in southern Gaza are operating at three times their bed capacity and are running out of basic supplies and fuel.

On 6 January, Doctors Without Borders teams were forced to once again evacuate from a hospital. Our teams left the Al-Aqsa hospital in Gaza’s Middle Area, after Israeli Forces issued evacuation orders for neighbourhoods surrounding the hospital. This forced evacuation restricted our access to our own pharmacy store, demonstrating the deteriorating environment for medical activities.

“Leaving Al-Aqsa hospital and our patients was a devastating decision and our last resort,” says Enrico Vallaperta, Doctors Without Borders Project Medical Referent in Gaza. “Drone strikes, sniper fire and bombardments in the close vicinity of the hospital made the space too unsafe to work in. The volatile conditions leave us feeling incapacitated; there’s virtually no secure space to provide even minimal medical care to people”.

Medical facilities and their surrounding areas have repeatedly been hit by Israeli Forces and been subjected to evacuation orders in different parts of Gaza, particularly in the north, making access to, and the provision of, healthcare too dangerous. Several hospitals where Doctors Without Borders was working have been through this situation: the Indonesian hospital in north Gaza had to be evacuated in October. Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza’s largest, was hit and the staff were forced to evacuate in November. Then Al Awda hospital, Doctors Without Borders’s partner hospital since 2018, was hit and three doctors, two of them were among our staff, were killed.

Now, this pattern is repeating itself in the south, which hosts five times the number of people it did before the war, and fewer places to provide people healthcare. 

The south of Gaza has been targeted by intense bombing since the November truce broke down and the needs for emergency, surgical and post-operative care are massive in the area. The lack of hospital capacity is depriving patients of adequate treatment and proper hygienic conditions, which result in increasing numbers of infected wounds and medical procedures being carried out in extreme conditions. Beyond critical injuries, many women who underwent c-section are discharged just six hours after delivery to make space for other pregnant women, while some are simply turned away and give birth in tents.

Doctors Without Borders remains committed to providing medical care in Gaza and calls for the protection of hospitals, medical staff and patients. Our teams are currently providing pre and postpartum care at the Emirati hospital in Rafah, assisting Gazans with physiotherapy and post-operative care at the Rafah Indonesian field hospital, and offering primary healthcare consultations, wound dressing and mental health support at Al-Shaboura clinic, also in Rafah. We’re supporting the European Gaza hospital in a small surgical capacity, and our small team of nurses assist patients in need of wound dressing. In Al Awda in north Gaza and Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, a handful of Doctors Without Borders staff are working in extremely difficult conditions, including lacking food and medical supplies due to airstrikes and nearby fighting.

Doctors Without Borders reiterates our call for an immediate ceasefire that will spare the lives of civilians and restore the flow of humanitarian assistance and re-establish the healthcare system on which the survival of the people of Gaza depends.

Delia A. Cerdeño’s story is a powerful tale of resilience, determination, and the magic of chasing dreams. As a mother of two, she proves that it’s never too late to find business success. Her journey is a mix of tough times and victories.

Before diving into entrepreneurship in 2006, Delia spent 27 years working at a major corporation in the Philippines. Limited earnings pushed her to seek a more fulfilling and comfortable life. Starting small with just PHP 4,000, she set up a stall near a convenience store in Pandacan Market in Manila, selling slippers inspired by her childhood struggles without proper footwear.

Life threw challenges at Delia, but she stood strong. Her commitment to providing her kids with opportunities she missed fueled her journey. When the pandemic hit, she turned it into an opportunity. Adapting to change, her business not only survived but thrived. Delia saved enough to buy her own car.

In 2019, she became a client of CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO). With a PHP 3,000 loan, she moved on to Quick SME Loans (QSL), securing PHP 50,000 to PHP 200,000 loans to fund her business. These funds helped her expand with three more stalls in the market.

Delia’s journey is a success story. Now owning a three-hectare farm, a house in Bicol, a family car, and a business truck, she runs six market stalls and a home grocery store. She also employs three permanent staff and eight contractual staff, each assigned to their respective stalls.

Her kids graduated in Engineering and Information Technology. Delia’s journey lights the way for those in the entrepreneurial seas. Her advice to other entrepreneurs’ stresses savings, smart money management, and unyielding optimism. “With passion, resilience, and relentless pursuit of dreams, challenges can lead to unprecedented success,” Delia shares, hoping her story inspires others.

New year, new style resolutions! As we usher in 2024, let’s focus on the fashion elements that truly elevate your style game – shoes and accessories. SM Supermalls in Grand Central, Sangandaan, and Valenzuela are your ultimate destination to stay ahead in the style game. Navigate the ever-changing fashion scene effortlessly and discover what is making waves in 2024 with these carefully curated fashion insights.

1. UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE

Embrace the concept of old money aesthetic in 2024, where the focus is on wearing pieces that exude sophistication without the hefty price tag. This trend encourages the selection of high-quality materials and impeccably tailored clothing. For those looking to embrace this trend, consider investing in quality accessories such as handbags, jewelry, and footwear from Aldo in your ensemble.

2. TIMELESS CHARM OF FEMININITY

Expect the timeless charm of femininity with shoes that echo elegance and grace. Soft pastel hues, delicate embellishments, and refined silhouettes dominate this trend. Think pinks, bows, floral prints, and lacy accents. Whether it is a pair of dainty heels, a charming handbag, or accessories that exude feminine charm, Cotton On has everything you need to embrace the charm that defines femininity in 2024. Shoppers may also discover an array of feminine selections available at For Me in SM City Valenzuela and SM Center Sangandaan. Elevate your wardrobe with limitless accessories options that speak to the modern woman’s fashion sensibilities.

3. VIBRANT COLOR BURSTS

While neutrals remain a classic choice, 2024 encourages you to make a bold statement with pops of color. Stand out from the crowd with vibrant shades such as lavender, canary yellow, and millennial pink. Whether you choose to incorporate a pop of color into your shoes or accessories, Parfois has the perfect pieces to help you turn heads and make a lasting impression.

4. Embrace Fashion with a Conscience

Sustainable fashion continues to gain momentum, and in 2024, it is still a trend that is here to stay. SM Supermalls in Grand Central, Sangandaan and Valenzuela offer a selection of brands that prioritize sustainable practices and weave environmental consciousness into their products. Explore the eco-friendly options, including vegan leather bags from Straightforward. Make mindful choices that resonate with both style and sustainability.

Get ready to stride into 2024 with confidence, showcasing beautiful styles, vibrant colors, and unique fashion pieces. Make a statement with these carefully curated fashion insights for 2024.  Elevate your style game with SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela!

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga—The Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 received the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification during the recent Monday Flag Raising ceremony at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Jan. 8.

PRO3 together with Pampanga Police Provincial Office (PPO) and San Fernando City Police Station was issued the certification which is considered another breakthrough achievement in the police force of Central Luzon.

The journey of PRO3 towards achieving ISO compliance commenced on January 7, 2022, with the initiation of a preliminary audit conducted by the PNP Directorate for Plans with the Regional Plans and Strategy Management Divisions – PRO3 Quality Management Team to discuss preparations. Prior to this, the unit’s officers and personnel participated in a Training Course on ISO QMS Requirements and Documentation and a Workshop on Process Planning and Risk-based Quality Planning from February 10 to August 12, 2022.

Subsequently, numerous seminars and workshops were organized to ensure adherence to international standards, aiming to successfully navigate internal and external audits. The Stage 1 Certification Audit took place on April 17, 2023 followed by the Stage 2 Certification Audit on June 14 to 16, 2023.

On August 18, 2023, PRO3 was conferred  by the TUV Rheinland, officially recognizing it as an ISO 9001:2015 compliant organization, marking the successful fulfillment of all required criteria.

After receiving the award, PRO3 Director PBGen Jose Hidalgo Jr. remarked, “Having reached yet another significant milestone in our policing journey, we have demonstrated the preparedness and capability of our team to consistently strive for excellence, surpassing conventional standards. This achievement is the result of the diligent efforts, hard work, and dedication of the men and women of PRO3.”

Hidalgo assured that PRO3 is committed to backing the initiatives and advocacies of the Philippine National Police, aiming to consistently enhance the quality and standards of police service in alignment with the PNP Patrol Plan 2030 and ISO 9001:2015.           

The PRO3 Quality Management team is headed by Police Lt. Col Nestor Bulatao Jr, with the following members PMaj Mark Neil Mautin, PMaj Darwin Barbosa, PMaj Leo Joy Gadiaza, PMaj Victor Corpuz, PlLt Matha Janet Dollente, Police Chief Master Sergeant (PCMS) Chona Dalay, PCMS Katherene F Dilag, Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP) Analie L Paz and NUP Arnold Adrisoula.