SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — In preparation for Women’s Month this March, the Gender and Development Inter-Agency Committee (GAD-IAC) has lined up various activities for the month-long celebration.

This year’s celebration, said Precy Galluego, Provincial Women’s Desk Coordinator, will focus on the implementation of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.

Enacted on August 14, 2009, R.A. 9710 is a comprehensive women's human rights law seeking to quash discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in marginalized sectors.

Central Visayas to hire 953 teachers
CEBU CITY, Cebu — The Region 7 office of the Department of Education (DepEd) will be hiring over 900 teachers for school year 2011-2012 to help augment the current teaching workforce in Central Visayas.

DepEd Regional Director Recaredo Borgonia said that a total of 953 teachers are expected to be hired this year with the majority to be deployed in Cebu.

Of this number, Cebu will have 321 followed by Bohol with 127, Negros Oriental with 117 and Siquijor with one. The rest will be allocated in key cities of the region. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

Support sought for education program
KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) — The Department of Education (DepEd) here appealed to Aklanons to support the Enhanced K + 12 Basic Education Program. K + 12 means Kindergarten and the 12 years of elementary and secondary education.

The enhanced K + 12 Basic Education Program seeks to provide for a quality 12-year basic education program.

Dr. Victorina Laroza, Schools Division Superintendent who presented the government’s proposed program for education enhancement, said the Philippines is now the only country in Asia and one among three in the world with a 10-year basic education program.

Disease alarms Cebu lawmakers
CEBU — A Provincial Board member here is sponsoring a resolution that aims to establish a Local Aids Council following reports of the alleged alarming state of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases in Cebu.

As of December 2010, there were 182 cases of HIV in Cebu City alone, based on records of the Department of Health (DoH).

The DoH noted a rapid increase in the number of HIV / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and hepatitis C cases in Cebu. (Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr.)

Education tops firemen's agenda
BORONGAN, Eastern Samar (PIA) — Part of this month’s activities will see SF02 Gonzalo Dista and his team touring school campuses to give lectures on how students can assist in case fire breaks out and also how to prevent fire from getting off hand.

To make sure the message gets through, the unit plans to simplify fire safety precautions so that pupils, as early as first grade, will understand the lectures.

F/Insp Romeo Jaca also said they will hold a film showing to reinforce the lectures and to make sure the message it conveys is retained.

Through March, the unit also plans to intensify building inspection to make ensure compliance of safety standards.