ILOILO CITY, Philippines (PNA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) here assures the public that there is enough meat for everyone to last until the holidays. “There is enough poultry and livestock meat for Western Visayas consumers,” stressed DA Regional Executive Director Larry Nacionales. He said meat producers as well as piggeries and chicken farms have been able to provide the needs of Ilonggos in the region, including requirements of hotels, restaurants and public markets. Nacionales said consumers in the region should not fear as the meat supply and prices are deemed to be stable in the coming months. He added that the meat industry is thriving despite setbacks caused by the El Niño and animal diseases. Meanwhile, the DA is urging all meat processors in Western Visayas to follow the standard set by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). DA said this will prevent the spread of diseases that might harm the buying public. Nacionales said it is important that meat standards are achieved so as not to scare buyers away. This will also keep the standard of meat in the region at par with national standards, he said.

AVOID INFERIOR XMAS LIGHTS – D.T.I.

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Philippines – With the onset of the Christmas season, the Department of Trade and Industry in Central Visayas (DTI 7) has reiterated its reminder to the public not to buy substandard lights that could cause fire. DTI 7 Director Aster Caberte has asked the public to be cautious about the lights they buy and not be daunted by those sold cheaply and which could pose danger to households. “If the Christmas lights are sold at 3 for P100, then something is wrong there,” said Caberte. She added that personnel of the DTI 7 will continue to go around the region and check on those selling lights and other holiday décor. Caberte said they are asking the public to call their office if they have any concerns, complaints or reports regarding those selling lights that are questionable quality as well as the high prices. DTI uses the tamper-proof ICC sticker printed in special genuine holographic security film aims to curb, if not to totally eliminate the proliferation of uncertified products in the market that did not go through the Bureau of Product Standard safety and quality standards. In Cebu City, DTI’s Consumer Welfare and Business Regulatory Division Chief Zaide Bation said they already identified a establishment along Colon Street that allegedly sold substandard Christmas lights. Substandard Christmas lights run the risk of malfunctioning easily and can cause fire. Bation said that customers who are being sold with substandard lights can file a complaint with the DTI. (Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.)

PROJECT TO LOWER TRAFFIC INJURIES LAUNCHED

JORDAN, Guimaras, Philippines (PNA) – The Guimaras province has launched a project aimed at curbing the incidence of traffic injuries here. Dubbed Road Traffic Injury Prevention Project, it is expected to identify the various causes of traffic injuries in Guimaras, and create road policy and regulations. The project is funded by the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Department of Health (DoH) and Guimaras province. The World Health Organization (WHO) is giving the project $ 20,000 intended to last two months. Dr. John Juliard Go, WHO national professional officer, said they have learned that Guimaras has an increasing rate of road and traffic injuries in past years. He said this has become very alarming considering that there is no heavy traffic in the island. Go also said that of the more than 1,400 road and traffic incidents in Guimaras last year, some 846 were caused by public utility vehicles such as jeepneys and motorcycles. Also, two out of five drivers involved in road accidents were driving under the influence of alcohol. Earlier, the WHO turned over eight alcohol breath analyzers to the province of Guimaras. The analyzers are used to check blood alcohol level of drivers involved in road accidents and injuries. Guimaras is the first province in the region to have implemented the technology with the support of the WHO.