DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PNA) — Silliman University’s Justice and Peace Center recently held a forum, “Faith + Environment” tackling the theme pondering “Why should people of faith care about the environment?” The theme is inspired by Psalm 24:1 (“All of creations belong to God, not to human beings”) and Genesis 1:28-29 (“We are part of the created order and our first calling by God is to be stewards of the Earth and the rest of the creation”). Speakers include Canadian social and environmental justice activist David Dranchuck who spoke about “Earth Care: Environmental and Spiritual Crisis” and Friends of the Environment of Negros Oriental President Mr. Leo Mamicpic on “Biodiversity: Overview and Threats.”

VILLAGE ADOPTION

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) — PHAPCares Foundation, Inc., an association of pharmaceuticals and health care companies in the country, is looking for a village to be a recipient of its integrated program. PHAP Foundation chief executive officer Reiner W. Gloor said PHAPCares would like to adopt up to three barangays in Region 6 where the Foundation could put up a clinic, birthing centers and other health facilities. Prior to involvement in an area, he said “all we want is for local leaders in the community to commit to program sustainability and not allow political change to affect the provision of services to the people.” Last year, PHAPCares has already adopted a barangay in Tawi-Tawi.

PENALTIES TACKLED

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — A forum recently held here by the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) in Cebu City, had Department of Trade and Information and Land Transportation Office officials here clarifying that motorcycle riders caught violating the Helmet Law (Rep. Act. No. 10054), that is, not wearing the standard helmet will be fined P1,500 for first offense, P3,000 for second offense, P5,000 for third offense, and P10,000 plus confiscation of driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding offenses. DTI-7 Regional Director Aster Caberte said helmets should have a Philippine Standard mark and Bureau of Product Standards’ Import Commodity Clearance.

CALF FATTENING

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — Fourteen calves were given to Balilihan, Bohol farmers at the opening ceremonies of the Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) Products Showcase at the Plaza Rizal last May 10. The National Dairy Authority (NDA) said the Dairy Male Calf Fattening Project in partnership with the Bohol provincial government is aimed at upgrading local cattle breeds with fattened breeder cows, while helping local farmers increase incomes. Governor Edgar Chatto and NDA Ubay Dairy Multiplier Farm (UDMF) manager Nathaniel Ampo led the turn-over to Brgys. Sto. Nino and Cogon, Balilihan residents.

ROADMAP UPDATE

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — The Regional Information Communication Technology Committee (RICTC) in Eastern Visayas, chaired by the Department of Science and Technology through Director Edgardo M. Esperancilla, conducted a recent planning workshop to update the region’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) roadmap for the period 2012 to 2016.