CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, Philippines – Aiming to strengthen and cultivate the spirit of leadership among the youth, elected and appointed top officials of the Provincial Government of Bulacan welcomed the 2010 Boy/Girl Officials as their young counterparts in line with the observance of Linggo ng Kabataan from December 6-10.

These young leaders were elected by their peers who were chosen from various schools to serve a one-week term in the Capitol.

Leading the roster of youth officials are Juliessie A. Samson, 15 years old, from the Norzagaray High School, who was elected governor and Phoebe Chat G. Legaspi , 17, from the Lyceum of the Philippines University, vice governor. Approximately 3,000 youths took part as counterparts of the officials serving the Capitol, municipalities and barangays.

For the whole week, the Boy/Girl Officials will be busy dealing with different government operations as their counterpart officials orient them with policies, procedures and even bring them to actual meetings to allow them to experience how it feels to be a public servant.

Meanwhile, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy- Alvarado encouraged these young bloods to maximize this week-long experience which will exposed them on how government works for the people and hopes that it will inspire them to participate actively in government activities and projects. (Freddie C. Velez)

D.O.H. WARNS PUBLIC ON FAKE DRUGS, FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines -The Department of Health (DOH) came out with a warning to the public against counterfeit drugs and vitamins/food supplements already proliferating in the market, especially in areas outside Metro Manila where their operations could not be easily detected by the authorities.

According to DOH Regional Director Myrna Cabotaje, counterfeit drugs may contain harmful ingredients or lack the necessary ingredients and have low concentration of active ingredients, which could affect its efficiency and pose a serious threat to the health of people consuming such products.

Cabotaje also stressed that all drugs or medicines being sold in the country must pass or register with the Food and Drug Administration or (FDA).
‘Imported drug or medicines brought in the country is also considered as counterfeit drug because it is not registered under FDA’, thus, the need for the public to be aware of the regulated drugs they are buying so that their health condition will not be compromised, Cabotaje added.

Meantime, DOH-CAR Licensing, Regulation and Enforcement Division head Dr. Erwin Baclig assured that they are continuously monitoring drug stores for possible selling of counterfeit drugs. (Dexter A. See)

HEIFER CONTINUES ASSISTANCE FOR M.P.

BONTOC, Mountain Province, Philippines – Heifer International–Philippines is benefiting another 130 original families in the province to allow them to earn a decent living by training them to become self reliant.

Of the total families, 50 are beneficiaries of Sumya-Ann 2 which is implemented in barangay Balugan in Sagada and the other 80 families are in barangays Mainit and Guina-ang of Bontoc.

According to Juliet Calpi, the Community Facilitator of Sumya-Ann 2 in barangay Balugan, there are two Self-Help Groups (SHG) organized with 25 original families each namely the Lugnugan SHG and Bigwis SHG.

Calpi said the Heifer turned over recently 48 ready to breed pigs, two boars, 100 heads of hens, 50 heads of roosters which were distributed to the family members.

Each family also received ponkan seedlings, ice cream bean seeds, corn seeds and assorted vegetable seeds.

In Barangay Mainit, Community Facilitator Jennelyn Lomadeo said there are four organized Self-Help Groups namely the Center SHG and Chagupan SHG with 19 families each, Blessed SHG with 20 families, and Guina-ang expansion with 23 families.

Lomadeo said each of the 23 families in Guina-ang received recently one ready to breed pig while families in Mainit, except for one family which requested for fruit tree seedlings, received recently one gilt each. (Dexter A. See)