Comval holds Eastern Mindanao Regional Scout Jamboree 2019

Compostela Valley Province----“There is a need to develop the potentials of the youth and ensure that they give a fair chance of becoming the hope that they are ought to be. This is where the scouting movement plays a big role,” this was part of the message of the Eastern Mindanao Region – Boy Scout of the Philippines (EMR-BSP) Chairperson Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy as he officially opened the EMR Scouts Jamboree 2019 at the Compostela Sports Complex, Compostela, Compostela Valley Province on August 14, 2019 with the theme: “Commitment to Excellence”.

With more than six thousand (6,000) Boy Scouts, Senior Scouts and Rover Scouts of the different councils coming from the Eastern Mindanao joined the said jamboree that will end up on August 18, 2019.

For the duration of the jamboree the scouts will undergo the main scout’s activities such as the Adventure Trail, Aquatics, Challenge Valley, Emergency Preparedness, Go Green Project, Global Development, First-Aid Bandaging, and Pioneering.

According to Governor Uy, “We mold our young people here to be leaders of their respective households, circles and communities.  Sooner or later, these young people may be the future holders of different positions in government. As early as now, there is a need to instill them the values necessary to become the leaders of the future.”

“Dako ang obligasyon sa BSP nga himuong responsible ang atong kabatan-onan. I perfectly understand this because I am a governor that belongs to the generation of the young. What made me the leader I am today are the platforms that allowed me to fulfil my potentials – youth conferences, seminars, and the likes,” the Governor added.

The EMR is composed of the different councils coming from the Provinces and Cities of Eastern Mindanao namely; Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Tagum City, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City, Agusan del Sur, Agusan de Norte, Misamis Oriental, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro City, Saranggani Province, , and ComVal Province.

Gracing the opening program were the provincial scouting chairperson and council scout commissioners of the different councils headed by the BSP National President Hon. Roberto Pagdanganan, EMR Chairperson Gov. Uy, Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon- Vice President for BSP Mindanao, Regional Scout Director Jesus Meris, Mayor lema Bolo the host municipality, DepEd Comval Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Dr. Reynante A. Solitaro, Assistant SDS Phoebe Gay Refamonte, Council Scouts Executives (CSE) OIC Mark Tenio and Dionel Batistel the Deputy Camp Director together with the high ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP)  and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the different local council executive board members.

Meanwhile, SDS Solitario said that this is in response to the theme, Commitment to Excellence, that we are challenged to be wise as commitment is the language of the wise. It is also a responsibility and includes accountability.

Solitario added that “Commitment to excellence is different to striving for perfection because perfection is impossible. Excellence is very achievable and it is really an evolving thing. What’s excellent today may not be excellent tomorrow. So you’ve maintain a culture of excellence and commit it.”

The BSP is guided with its vision in preparing the youth to become agents of change in communities guided by the scout oath and law as well as their mission to help the youth to develop and acquire competencies to become responsible citizens and capable leaders anchored on the scout oath and law.

“If our youth exhibit the very values that the BSP uphold, then I can say with all confidence that the future of Eastern Mindanao and the entire Philippines is indeed very bright. If we are to solve our country’s problem, we begin by investing in our youth,” the Governor ended. #YEStoDavaoDeOro (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

SP ComVal strengthens Legislative Agenda

SP ComVal strengthens Legislative Agenda

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Compostela Valley is hands-on in the formulation of its Legislative Agenda for 2019-2022 during an intensive 2-day workshop last August 11-12 2019, at Dusit Thani Hotel in Davao City.

“Dako kaayo ang role nato sa legislative in helping the governor achieve the SGLG Award (We have a huge role in helping the governor achieve the SGLG Award)” Vice Governor Maricar S. Zamora explained.

Throughout the workshop the Board Members voiced out their vision for the next three years. They demonstrated their desire to create more legislation that will bring inclusive and sustainable development for the province. Aside from creating new legislations, the members of the 8^th Sangguniang Panlalawigan will also look into previous legislations to ensure that it remains fitting to the present needs and situation of the people of Compostela Valley.

“Atong i-check through sa atong Legislative Tracking Division, kung unsay na incorporate sa mga codes and ordinances para magkinumustahay ang executive ug legislative (Let’s check through our Legislative Tracking Division as to what parts of our codes and ordinances have been incorporated so that the Executive and Legislative could update each other).” District II Board Member Macario T. Humol said.

The workshop was also a welcome opportunity for the members of the legislative body to better know their individual strengths and how it will fit the dynamics of a more productive Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

“It is really nice to know who we are because the more that you are knowledgeable of who you are the more you can carry on appropriate behavior as you deal with other people.” Rosamyrna T. Gallego, National Corporate Training Manager of Alcantara Group of Companies and the facilitator of the legislative team building said.

In attendance in the workshop is Vice-Governor Maricar Zamora, Senior Board Member Arturo T. Uy, Hon. Nena G. Atamosa, Hon. Kristine Mae T. Caballero-Rañon, Hon. Adolfo C. Ang, Hon. Raul B. Caballero, Hon. Marie Jude M. Fuentes-Lopoz, Hon. Vivencia L.  Secuya, Hon. Renato B. Basañes, Hon. Macario T. Humol, Hon. Joseph T. Jauod, Hon. Raul C. Timogtimog, Hon. Christopher L. Jovita, Hon. Felipe B. Masambo, Hon. Charlemagne B. Bautista, Hon. Albert P. Camana and the staff of the legislative body.

At the end of the 2-Day Workshop, the Board Members have decided to prioritize 23 legislations. The Legislative Agenda will be tailored fit with the agenda of the executive branch this August 20-24 2019 during their Priming for Legislative –Executive Alignment for Development (LEAD) in DAPCC Tagaytay.

PHOTO CAPTION:
The members of the 8th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Compostela Valley proudly shows their accomplished Legislative Agenda. 

Philippine Nurses for Germany!

German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

[AHK News: Roundtable on Recruitment of Philippine Nurses to Germany]

“The German government is committed to facilitate the access of Philippine nurses to the German healthcare sector. The procedures will be streamlined and simplified, and the working conditions will even become more attractive”, stated Parliamentary State Secretary Weiss from the German Federal Ministry of Health.

“The Philippines is regarded as one of the top healthcare staff providers in the world because of the availability of skilled nurses, who are highly qualified, adaptable, hospitable and with good command in English language. As Germany has a high need for nurses and the Philippines shows an oversupply, there is a unique opportunity for both countries to create a win-win situation”, emphasized Tristan Arwen Loveres, President of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI).

On 13th August 2019, a roundtable on Recruitment of Philippine Nurses to Germany was organized by the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) in close cooperation with the German Embassy Manila in honor of the German Federal Ministry of Health’s Parliamentary State Secretary visit to the Philippines.

With over 30 participants, Philippine and German experts from the recruitment and healthcare industry shared experiences and discussed possible steps for an enhanced procedure on the recruitment and allocation process of Philippine nurses immigrating to Germany.

Germany is facing a severe lack of nursing and care staff in its medical centers due to the German demography. In order to cover the growing shortage of healthcare professionals, the German government in cooperation with the private sector has been recruiting qualified nurses from countries outside the EU like the Philippines. The immigration of Philippine nurses to Germany has showed positive impacts in both societies and has created more opportunities in the market, however, the recruiting process still encounters several challenges. One is the necessary level of language skills; another is the recognition of foreign nursing studies in Germany.

With the goal to ease and fast-track the recruiting of Philippine health care personnel to Germany, the German government started an initiative to streamline the administrative process with planned effectivity in October 2019.

Singer, host, organizer, stylist

Leigh Rioux – singer, host, organizer, stylist

LIFESTYLE

By MARK FRANCISCO

 Cagayan de Oro Times

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Leigh Rioux

NOT everyone here in Cagayan de Oro can be as talented as this woman yet retaining and maintaining that same beauty and poise after all these years.

Meet Leigh Rioux! Leigh’s first love and will ever be is singing. That’s why during her elementary years in the early 1990s, the never-shy-and-always-bubbly Leigh joined amateur contests here in the city everywhere she could. (In the pre-cellphone and Internet era back then, amateur contests were the mainstream. They were usually held at the then City Bandstand, now Kiosko Kagawasan in Plaza Divisoria.)

Just like everyone of us, Leigh grew up and graduated with a degree in Mass Communication in Pilgrim Christian College.

Because of her immense vocal talent, Leigh also had ambitions to use that talent. Her destiny was Japan. For nine years from 2003 to 2011, Leigh became a solo singing performer in the city of Nagoya.

By 2012, Leigh came back to her hometown and settled her for good. For two years, she chose to rest and honed her other emerging talents privately.

In 2015, Leigh was ready to come back to the spotlight. She was invited and has consistently ever since among the beautiful Kagay-anons modeling in the annual Mags on the Catwalk from 2015 to the present which is held every last quarter of the year.

In 2017, Leigh decided to resurrect from her singing hibernation. By then, she started accepting solo gigs in various lounges all over – EBar, Limketkai Luxe, Skybar, etc. Today, Leigh is a regular at Jacko’s Grill in uptown Cagayan de Oro.

She likewise started hosting parties and similar events, even corporate ones like the Cignal series of activities here and in Butuan City that year.

The year after in 2018, Leigh discovered that she had another hidden talent on the side – event organizing. Thus, she started accepting organizing weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, debuts and other corporate events.

At the start of this year in 2019, Leigh also branched out in event styling focusing on such soirees as pre-nuptial, pre-debut and pre-birthday shoots. On the side, she endorses Christine’s Boutique.

That’s Leigh Rioux – a woman not just of diligence but of beauty as well. Whether it be in singing, hosting, event styling or organizing, clients will surely be satisfied.

Deutschland sucht auf den Philippinen nach Pflegekräften

Gesundheitsministerium sucht auch auf den Philippinen nach Pflegekräften.

Deutschland will im Kampf gegen den Pflegenotstand auch verstärkt Personal von den Philippinen anwerben. Die Parlamentarische Staatssekretärin Sabine Weiss (CDU) reiste nach Angaben des Gesundheitsministeriums in das südostasiatische Land, um über die Arbeitsmöglichkeiten dortiger Arbeitskräfte in Deutschland zu beraten. Konkret gehe es um die Frage, wie die Pflegekräfte bereits im Herkunftsland auf die Tätigkeit in Deutschland vorbereitet und die Verfahren erleichtert werden können. Bereits im Juli war mit dem Kosovo eine Zusammenarbeit in der Ausbildung von Pflegefachkräften vereinbart worden.

Coral Reefs rapidly die from marine heat waves

I love swimming and diving. In the Philippines, we have innumerable possibilities to swim and dive. Having fun while doing this wonderful sports. But during the last months, one observed the sad situation: yes, coral reefs rapidly die because of more and more marine heat waves all over the globe.

Scientists have published new findings on the impact of global warming on the world's coral reefs. They found that severe marine heat waves can completely destroy coral and threaten other marine species. Isn't that so very sad?
   
Scientists concluded that increasing sea temperatures can completely destroy coral reefs through a process called bleaching. Marine heat waves are killing coral reefs far quicker than scientists previously believed, this new study has found. From the news agencies AFP and dpa (German) on my desk this morning... .

Researchers from Australia, the UK and the US studied the impact of global warming in Australia's Great Barrier Reef and published their findings on Friday (yesterday, August 9, 2019) in the Current Biology Journal.

The scientists concluded that severe and frequent marine heat waves can destroy corals through a process called "bleaching."

Repeated "bleaching events" kill the colorful algae covering and nourishing the coral, thereby destroying the coral in a matter of months or years. If sea temperatures decrease, bleached corals can be revived.  If sea temperatures decrease. And if not??

The researchers also have evidence that the skeleton of corals, also an animal species, begins to decay within weeks of a marine heat wave. The degradation also puts at risk many other sea creatures that live in the sea coral.

"The severity of these heat wave events is beyond the bleaching process; it's actually a point where the coral animal itself is dying," said Tracy Ainsworth, a co-author of the study from the University of New South Wales.

Funny and discouraging at the same time: Great Barrier Reef: 'Last-chance' tourists flock to wonder as coral disappears. Try to explain it to your children. The size of the Great Barrier Reef covers an area larger than Italy and is one of earth's most bio-diverse ecosystems. Imagine, we are talking about the loss of a World Heritage Site.

The Great Barrier Reef, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world's biggest coral system. The reef covers an area larger than Italy and is one of earth's most biodiverse ecosystems.

However, the reef's Marine Park Authority predicts that if current greenhouse gas emissions are not curbed, the coral is projected to bleach twice a decade from 2035 and annually after 2044. In the past 20 years, the reef has suffered from four mass bleaching events due to global warming. Mass bleaching in 2016-2017 affected up to half of the coral in the 2,300-kilometer reef.

Stop abusing land now!

My column in MINDANAO DAILY and
BUSINESSWEEK MINDANAO

Scientists are poised to deliver a stark condemnation of the damage we are wreaking on the land surface of the planet. We have degraded soils, expanded deserts, felled forests, driven out wildlife, and drained peat lands. In the process, we have turned the land from an asset that combats climate change into a major source of carbon. The scientists will say we must stop abusing the land if we hope to avoid catastrophic climate heating. That's how BBC environment analyst Roger Harrabin expressed his worries. And not only his. Many people think the same way.

I learned it from experts: uncultivated land covered with vegetation protects us from overheating because the plants absorb the warming gas CO2 from the air and fix it in the soil.

But the scientists meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, will say the way we farm and grow timber often actually increases emissions of carbon dioxide.

Between a quarter and a third of all greenhouse gas emissions are now estimated to come from land use.

The scientists will warn of a battle for land between multiple competing demands: bio fuels, plant material for plastics and fibres, timber, wildlife, paper and pulp - and food for a growing population.

Their report will say we need to make hard choices about how we use the world’s soil.

And it will offer another warning that our hunger for red meat is putting huge stress on the land to produce animal feed, as well as contributing to half of the world’s emissions of methane - another greenhouse gas.

Following BBC expert Roger Harrabin the document’s being finalized this week among scientists and government officials on the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It will become the most authoritative report yet on the way we use and abuse the land. Scientists hope it will give the issue of land use greater prominence in negotiations on climate change.

The question is how we use it. But each and every one of us can still (!) help our Mother Earth and its climate.

We need to protect as much natural forest as we can, particularly in the tropics! Change diets to eat less red meat and more vegetables. Safeguard peat lands and restore them where possible. Grow plants and trees to produce energy… but only on a small local scale. Do more agro-forestry, where food crops are mixed in with trees. Improve crop varieties.

Farmers in some parts of the world will be hit harder by climate change - also in the Philippines. There’s still some debate. One option is to concentrate intensive farming into the smallest possible area of land, in order to leave as much natural land as possible to soak up CO2.

Another option is to farm in a less intensive, more climate-friendly way – but that means taking up more natural land to compensate.

Either way, the report will warn that the poorest farmers will be hardest hit by global warming, and they’ll be least able to afford new technologies to change the way they farm.

Kelly Levin, from the US green think tank WRI, told BBC News the report should heap pressure on politicians to cut fossil fuel emissions. She said: “If we consider the climate problem hard now, just think about how much harder it will be without the land serving as a large sink for carbon dioxide emissions.”

Prof Jane Rickson from Cranfield University, UK, voiced out: “Increased temperatures and heavier rainfall will aggravate soil erosion, compaction, loss of organic matter, loss of biodiversity, and landslides… many of which are irreversible. “I hope the final IPCC report will be robust enough to motivate politicians and land managers to implement policies and practices that will reverse, mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis”.

In my opinion: I hope too and pray for it.

Philippinen rufen wegen Dengue den Gesundheitsnotstand aus

Auf den Philippinen hat die Regierung nach mehr als 600 Toten durch das Dengue-Fieber seit Jahresbeginn den Notstand erklärt. Besonders betroffen ist die Hauptstadtregion rund um Manila. Den Behörden zufolge könnte der Anstieg daran liegen, dass aktuell ein besonders aggressiver Virustyp unterwegs sei. Insgesamt wurden auf den Philippinen 2019 bereits mehr als 146.000 Dengue-Fälle registriert. Mit der Erklärung von Dengue zu einer landesweiten Epidemie soll es den Behörden leichter gemacht werden, Maßnahmen gegen die Ausbreitung der Krankheit einzuleiten. Das Virus wird von Mücken übertragen.

(C) Deutsche Welle 2019

War is hell!

Check the news! Everyday, killing in every part of the world is unceasing. This is because of war. Warriors go and fight prepared to kill and to be killed with  no fear. In the forests, in the streets - a lot of them are found dead bodies spread-eagled. Some are even mutilated. In the rivers, in the oceans - a lot of them are found floating if not eaten by the hungry sharks.

Check the global news and allow me to ask the question: but what about those innocent lives who are just victims of war atrocities? Are they prepared to die in such a horrible state? It is sickening to realize that those people a re killed within just a flick of a finger by those war-oriented people - people who are compensated and trained to kill. More often, we can check the news about numbers of people dead and injured caused by building and street bombings, chemical  poisonings and nuclear power testings.

Killings, yes, there will be always be killings. The Super Powers are (again) in a race to put as many weapons as possible into their allies' hands. The Arm producers are urged and more encouraged to make more weapons and explosives. As the Great Powers never stop intervening in these small countries' affairs, there will be more casualties.

Isn't it much better for them to help the Third World Countries economically than supplying them with these weapons and teaching them how to use them and kill each other?

How many more innocent lives shall we find scattered in the streets? How many more of them will be seen floating in the open seas with shattered bodies? And how many more young and old people will be buried innocently leaving their loved-ones to suffer pain and extreme grief?

War is hell! The world has had enough! And it seems, that natural disasters are not yet enough!

Peace be with us!

Vacation from God?

My column in Mindanao Daily, BusinessWeek Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro Times.

I am still staying at my hiding place - just 2 more days. A lonely beach. Just relaxing. Next week: back to school. New enrollees are waiting. Back to the office. Clients are asking for appointments already.

Yes, from to time, I need a refreshing pause. Vacation comes from the Latin word "vacare", which literally means, to be empty, to render oneself inoperative. Vacation is freedom or release from tension and pressure of work. It is the rest from some occupation, business or activities.

Strictly speaking, vacation concerns those who are in school or studying in colleges and universities. For professionals, however, furlough would be the appropriate term. 

Why we take a vacation? "All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy". Remember it? There is always a limit to psychical as well as mental activities. We are not robots nor are we slaves. Neither should we be workaholics, so goes the modern term for those who work themselves to death. We are persons endowed by God with free will and intelligence. The will to work should always be tempered by the intelligence to rest awhile to acquire new energy.

That's what I am doing 4 or 5times a year. 

Speaking about God: Is there a vacation from God? Of course not. There is no such thing as vacation from God of from our religious activities. One of the best known religious poems in English is "The Hound of Heaven". It was written by Francis Thompson who tried to run away from God. He wanted to have a vacation from Him. He compares God to a hound chasing his soul. In reality, it is a story of Thompson's own life.

As a boy, he had in ended to become a priest, but he was lazy. So his father enrolled him in a medical school where the young Francis contracted the opium habit which almost wrecked his mind and body.

He became a beggar, slinking through the slums, his means of survival earned by shining shoes, selling matches and holding horses. Through the kindness of a poor girl, Francis met he couple Meynell, who recognized his talent an inner goodness. Through them, he has "caught" by God's love.

How Thompson tried to run away from God, and how God "hunted" him, how divine love caught up with him - shows clearly the fact that in this world, we can have a vacation from physical and mental activities, but never from God.