ILOILO CITY (9 September) — Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) 6 Officer-in-Charge Rhea Glynda Calantas has clarified that there are countries prohibiting the collection of placement fees from workers. In connection, Calantas cautioned anew Ilonggo jobseekers against recruitment agencies charging placement fees from applicants bound for the United States, including Guam, for jobs falling under the H-2B visa category or non-agricultural temporary worker.  The policy is contained in Memorandum Circular No. 10 Series of 2009 issued by the POEA in September 2009 in line with US government regulations forbidding the charging of recruitment or placement fees from a worker as a condition for employment under the H-2B visa.

RESOLUTION AIDING DENGUE PATIENTS OK'D

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod has passed Resolution No. 509 declaring the City in a State of Imminent Danger of Calamity with the significant increase of dengue cases in Bacolod and urged Mayor Evelio Leonardia to assist indigent dengue patients in the city. The declaration of the State of Imminent Danger of Calamity recognizes the seriousness of the dengue in the province, with an outbreak of the disease already declared in several cities therein. The Resolution further states that such declaration will entitle the Mayor to tap the City’s calamity fund that will be spent in an intensified information drive and activities as part of the anti-dengue prevention campaign. Also proposed in the resolution is the creation of a Help Desk that would specifically attend to the needs of indigent dengue patients. According to the City Health Office, the rapid increase of dengue cases in the city is “very alarming and that most dengue patients are poor residents of the city.” In the resolution, the city is envisioned to be in the forefront in aiding victims of a nationwide dengue outbreak by creating a Special Anti-Dengue and Assistance Taskforce that will encourage voluntary blood donations through barangay officials, together with the Philippine National Red Cross to ensure sufficient blood supply.

BAGO STUDENTS ACT TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

BAGO CITY (13 September) — The local government unit (LGU) of Bago City has found allies among high school students in its climate change mitigation and adaptation program. Nearly 100 high school students have recently accepted to participate in the program, enlisting their names in the city’s call to disseminate information on climate change issues down to the grassroots level, and seeking solutions from members of the community. In a workshop sponsored by the city government, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), students from eight public and two private schools gave inputs on the best ways of addressing adverse effects of climate change. Among the suggested activities to be implemented are the putting up of a mobile patrol and community library, conducting remedial teaching, symposia, tree and mangrove planting, holding echo seminars and the holding of a barangay environment week. Ramon Torres National High School (RTNHS) - Dulao was cited for having the best action plan along with RTNHS - Taloc for having a plan that covered many important aspects. Through their school representatives, students pledged commitment and cooperation symbolized by accepting a seedling that they will plant in their respective school grounds. Mayor Ramon Torres graced the activity with other city officials including Councilor Loreto Cauntoy, Human Resource Officer Tricia Matti, Supervising Environment Specialist Vicente Mesias, Engr. Jocelyn Go, and PIO Cleovel Villanueva.