CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is consulting with Filipino nurses in Japan and will lead its next round of public consultations in Visayas for the general review of the Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) scheduled this December.

DTI Assistant Secretary Ramon Vicente Kabigting said the series of consultations is part of their mechanism to review the country's trade agreements with Japan. "The consultation seeks to improve the implementation of the treatment of our Filipino nurses in Japan," Kabigting told reporters Thursday here at Cebu Parklane International Hotel. (Mick M. Basa)

I-rice advocacy

SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — Parents of daycare pupils, local officials, concerned government agencies and officials and employees of the National Food Authority (NFA) held a meeting where they signed a commitment to advocate the use of iron fortified rice, popularly known as I-Rice.

According to Director Rex Estoperez, head of I-Rice Technical Working Group - NFA central office, use of iron fortified rice will not only comply with the provisions of Republic Act 8976 or the Food Fortification Law but more importantly help in the fight against malnutrition. He urged use of I-rice in feeding children and pregnant women, saying research showed that iron deficiency can lead to serious health problems like retardation and still birth.

New dam

ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The newly constructed Magballo-Balicotoc-Canlamay Buttress dam in the province of Negros Occidental was inaugurated Friday.

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) 6 Regional Manager Gerardo Corsiga and Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Maranon led the inauguration ceremony at the project site in Barangay Balicotoc, Ilog, Negros Occidental.

They were joined by Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez, Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco and other of NIA officials in the region.

Animal regulation

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — The city council here unanimously approved during Wednesday's regular session an ordinance filed by city Councilor Lyndon Acap in regulating the entry and transport of dogs and cats to Iloilo City and prescribing penalties for violation thereof.

Acap, chairman of the SP committee on health and sanitation, said the regulation ordinance is prejudicial to the anti-rabies campaign of the city. Earlier, city veterinarian Dr. Tomas Forteza raised alert on the unregulated entry of the animals from other towns and provinces that may cause the increase of rabies incidents here.

Drug vigilance

CEBU CITY (PIA) — As the country observes the National Consciousness Week Against Counterfeit Medicine every third week of November, the public is urged to be vigilant against fake drugs in the market.

Elizabeth Tabasa, head of the Licensing Regulation and Enforcement Division of the Department of Health (DOH) 7, urged the public to always ask the assistance of the pharmacist and to ask for an official receipt every time they purchase their medicines. “Never buy medicines from peddlers in the street especially those with foreign markings,” Tabasa said.