June 9, 2011-Philippine Classes Suspended- PAGASA weather update- 5:00 a.m., 09 June 2011

The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that classes in the preschool, elementary and high school levels are suspended in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions 3 and 4 due to heavy rains.

Administrators of colleges and universities may suspend classes at their own discretion. The rains are brought about by a low pressure area or LPA.

Here is the latest weather update from PAGASA as at 2:00 am today, the low pressure area (LPA) was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 90 km West Northwest of Metro Manila or 70 km South Southeast of Iba, Zambales (14.6°N 120.2°E) embedded along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) affecting the country.

A low-pressure area west of Luzon has intensified into a tropical depression before noon on Thursday and Metro Manila and six other areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1.

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Forecast:

Central and Northern Luzon, and the western section of Southern Luzon will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over Central Luzon which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of the country will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Southwest and Southeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the southwest and southeast with slight to moderate seas.

source:PAGASA

Internet Access declared as basic Human Rights by United Nations

UN now considers internet access a basic human right that should be accessible and affordable for all. Can the Philippines comply?

The U.N. report  supports the Internet as a communication platform, a boon to all democratic societies, but it also warns how the Internet's unique architecture threatens power brokers in repressed, authoritarian states. 

The UN report outlined how several member states have already recognized Internet access as a right: “The parliament of Estonia passed legislation in 2000 declaring Internet access a basic human right. The constitutional council of France effectively declared Internet access a fundamental right in 2009, and the constitutional court of Costa Rica reached a similar decision in 2010. Going a step further, Finland passed a decree in 2009 stating that every Internet connection needs to have a speed of at least one Megabit per second (broadband level).”

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2,000 Tonnes of Fish killed on Batangas and Pangasinan Fish Kill- Video

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) the losses from the fish kill that hit parts of Pangasinan and Batangas went up to P190.71 million as of Monday.

Superintendent Arcadio Ronquillo, Batangas police information officer said that climate change, with the water becoming cold and hot, might have caused the fishkill. Local officials allayed fears that the fishkill was caused by poisoning as other varieties of fish are alive.

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ABS-CBN "Patrol ng Pilipino" Probes Into The Fishkills

Batangas called for help first and then Pangasinan followed. These are the provinces affected by massive fishkills, which were caused by lack of supply of oxygen and congestion in fish cages.
Millions of pesos have been lost due to this problem, and now bigger challenges have surfaced as “double-dead” fish have reached Metro Manila markets.
This Tuesday, June 7, on “Patrol ng Pilipino,” ABS-CBN correspondent Dominic Almelor will dive into the roots of the fishkills and show how the government and thepeople are addressing the problem.
Meanwhile, look into the inspiring story of the people of Culion in Palawan in the report of ABS-CBN correspondent Chiara Zambrano. Previously known as the land of lepers, the place has erased the stigma and has become a haven for tourists.
See the stories behind the news on “Patrol ng Pilipino” this Tuesday, June 7, after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN

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DepEd launches Oplan Balik Eskwela- DEP-ED Hotlines

As the Department of Education scales up its preparations for the opening of classes on June, the DepEd is again launching the Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) Information and Action Center Task Force (IAC) as part of the OBE Project.

To assist concerned individuals by providing them helpful information, handling complaints and routing mechanism during the OBE implementation, the department has set up the OBE-IAC that will last from May 30 to June 10 at the DepEd Central Office.

“The Oplan Balik Eskwela is a part of our commitment to EFA goals. This project will ensure smooth opening of classes so that the school children are properly enrolled and all school children are in school on June 6, the first day of school year 2011-2012,” DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said.

Luistro added that the department is seriously looking into filling up the essential learning resource gaps.

“These shortages have been the perennial problem of the basic education system. While interventions are now in place, we cannot stop from there. We will continue to explore different avenues to make ends meet.” Read More..

HOTLINES FOR THE 2011 OPLAN BALIK ESKWELA

2011 OBE Information and Command Center
May 30- June 11, 2011, 7:00 AM- 6:00 PM
DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City

For information and questions on enrollment and opening of classes, you may access/ call the following:

A. Telephone Numbers:

Main Hotline: 636-1663

633-1942 634-0222
636-4880 635-0552
637-4211 635-6550
638-7529 635-9817
638-7530 637-3743

B. DepEd Text Messaging Service

0919-4560027

C. E- Mail Address:
action@deped.gov.ph

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WHO Health Alert- Excessive Use of Cellphone- high risk of cancer

Babala ng World Health Organization, ang matagalang paggamit ng cellphone ay posibleng magpataas ng tsansa ng pagkakaroon ng isang uri ng cancer. Binago ng WHO ang nauna nitong pahayag na hindi nakaka-cancer ang cellphones, pero nilinaw din nilang kailangan pa ng karagdagang pag-aaral para matiyak ang direktang epekto sa kalusugan ng cellphones.

image credit:canada.com

video courtesy SONA 

What is DEHP? Lists of Products from Taiwan contaminated with DEHP

More than 60 products from Taiwan which was contaminated by DEHP is being recalled by DOH-FDA from the Philippine Market since the chemical can cause problem in kidney and reproductive organs.

What is DEHP? DEHP is normally used in the manufacture of plastics and, if consumed, can lead to a hormone malfunction in children.

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, commonly abbreviated DEHP, is an organic compound with theformula C6H4(C8H17COO)2. It is sometimes called dioctyl phthalate and abbreviated DOP. It is the most important "phthalate," being the diester of phthalic acid and the branched-chain 2-ethylhexanol. This colourless viscous liquid is soluble in oil, but not in water. It possesses good plasticizing properties. Being produced on a massive scale by many companies, it has acquired many names and acronyms, including BEHP and di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate.

Earlier China on banned imports of some food products and additives from Taiwan after authorities in Taipei warned they were tainted with a chemical used in plastics, prompting a health scare.

South Korea announced a similar ban on Wednesday. Hong Kong on Tuesday banned two Taiwanese drinks after tests showed they contained excessive levels of DEHP.

Before this, Taiwan last month issued a major recall of products, including more than 460,000 bottles of sports drinks and fruit juice, over fears they contained the chemical.

Meanwhile check the LIST OF IMPLICATED PRODUCTS WITH DEHP advisory from BFAD: [Click Here!]. FDA inilabas ang listahan ng kontaminadong produkto mula Taiwan.

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RH Bill: The Grand Debate Airs Again This Saturday due to insistent Public Demand

Due to insistent public demand, GMA News TV will air once more the most talked about debate on television - the RH Bill: The Grand Debate - this Saturday on Channel 11.

Pitting lawmakers versus lawmakers, the church versus the church, and women versus women, GMA News TV brings together debaters from each camp to discuss the impact of the Reproductive Health Bill on the country's economy, on the morality of Filipinos and on the health of women. Compelling arguments for both sides are given equal airtime in this enlightening and often surprising two-hour special.

Rep. Janette Garin, one of the primary authors of the proposed bill is pitted against Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay on the issue of the RH Bill's effect on poverty. Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani, Jr. and Bishop Efraim Tendero, National Director of the Philippine Council for Evangelical Churches debate on the issue of morality. Celebrity mom and RH Bill advocate Pia Magalona faces off against University of the Philippines Prof. Aliza Racelis on women's issues in relation to the bill.

A panel of interrogators subject the debaters to intense grilling. Outspoken RH Bill activist Carlos Celdran, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, and UP Prof. Dr. Sylvia Claudio make up the pro-RH panel while the anti-RH panel members are Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr., University of Asia and the Pacific College of Arts and Science Dean Antonio Torralba, and Dr. Deane Campo-Cruz. Congressman Manny Pacquiao makes a surprise appearance during the debate.

RH Bill: The Grand Debate gives viewers the chance to quietly listen to both sides and appreciate their arguments. The program aims to shed light on this divisive issue instead of simply generating more heat. Hosted and moderated by Mel Tiangco, together with Pia Arcangel and RJ Ledesma, RH Bill: The Grand Debate airs again this Saturday, May 28, at 10:10 pm.

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PAGASA: Incoming cyclone may enter PHL Saturday night

A tropical cyclone that looms as the herald of the rainy season this year may enter the Philippine area of responsibility as early as Saturday night, state weather forecasters said.

Science Department Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said the cyclone might move towards Northeast Luzon and directly affect parts of the country starting next week. 

“(Maaring) papasok ang cyclone mamayang gabi o bukas ng umaga sa Philippine Area of Responsibility... Magta-traverse siya dikit sa northeast Luzon," Yumul said in an interview on dzRH radio.

He said the cyclone, which will be codenamed “Chedeng" once in Philippine territory, is still gaining strength and will likely enhance the southwest monsoon.

Yumul said the cyclone is likely to affect the western seaboard including Metro Manila, bringing rains to these areas, and it might also usher in the rainy season.

According to him, there is “strong possibility" the cyclone could be among the most most powerful cyclones to hit the country this year. Read More...

Lea Salonga, didn't used contraceptives but Pro-RH Bill

In an interview with Leah Salonga in State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, the International star said that she is Pro-RH Bill though she never used contraceptives and she explains why?

Panig sa reproductive health bill si Lea Salonga, pero hindi raw gumagamit ng contraceptives ang international singing star at ang kanyang asawa. Sa isang one-on-one interview sa State of the Nation, ipinaliwanag ni Lea ang pinanggagalingan ng kanyang paninindigan. Bakit nga ba gusto niyang maipasa ang kontrobersyal na panukala?