INFOBYTES, Issue No. 25, Sept. 15, 2005

Cerebral palsy is a human rights issue, not a welfare issue
The may walk, talk and act differently, but children stricken with cerebral palsy have rights just like everybody else.

In yesterday’s Kapihan forum held to mark the National Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week, Anna Lou Suan, project director of the Great Physician (GP) Rehabilitation Foundation Inc., urged the community to treat cerebral palsy not as a welfare issue but a human rights issue.

They have the right to go to school, play with other children and later on find employment, says Suan.

Cerebral palsy, a movement and posture disorder usually acquired during birth or childhood, develops as the child fails to get sufficient oxygen to the brain minutes after birth, explains Dr. Elminda Oracion, a pediatrist at the Holy Child Hospital.

The cause of cerebral palsy among newborns has not yet been determined but Dr. Oracion said the condition is closely associated with premature births, low birth weight, severe asphyxia during birth and alcohol use or smoking during pregnancy, among others.

Cerebral palsy is also acquired as a result of head injury during the child’s first two months to five years.

The Cerebral Palsied Association of the Philippines (CPAP) estimates around 3.5 per 1,000 live births in the country are affected with cerebral palsy.

Worldwide incidence of the said disorder started to increase in the 1970’s and by 1979, global incidence has been reported ranging from 1 to 5.9 per 1,000 live births, according to CPAP’s website.

Suan said cerebral palsy requires lifetime rehabilitation services, but most children with the said disability are unable to go through with their rehabilitation due to financial constraints. “Disability is relative to poverty and most cerebral palsy patients are poor,” she said.

Currently 40 children coming from Bacong, Sibulan, Valencia and Tayasan are under the care of the GP Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. “Of the 40, 50 percent of our kids have cerebral palsy,” said Suan.

Suan said the Department of Health’s survey has earlier recorded around 148 children with disabilities in Dumaguete City but Suan said there are still more out there.

GP Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. is a children’s rehabilitation project in Dumaguete City offering free services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and special education for children with intellectual and physical disabilities.

“We also send them to school and place them in inclusive settings such as regular schools,” says Suan who stressed that children with the said disorder should not turn out as dependents of government and society.

“The community needs to focus on their strengths and not on their weaknesses,” Suan added.

According to Dr. Lynn Larena-Olegario, a physiatrist at the Silliman University Medical Center, not all cerebral palsy-afflicted people are mentally retarded contrary to popular belief. “This is a bad impression as only a small percentage of them are mentally retarded. Most of them are educable and trainable.”

However Dr. Olegario noted a significant improvement in the local community’s attitude towards cerebral palsy.

Whereas parents used to be ashamed of their child’s condition and hide them, Dr. Olegario pointed out that most parents now are aware that cerebral palsy is not something to be embarrassed about.

“Parents who notice abnormal symptoms in their kids now consult a doctor right away,” she said.

Dr. Oracion advised parents to seek professional health care soon as they detect cerebral palsy symptoms in newborn infants.

Physical symptoms include poor head control, stiff or rigid arms or legs, pushing away or aching the back or floppy or limp posture and inability to sit up without support while behavioral problems may appear as extreme irritability, failure to smile by three months, feeding difficulties, persistent gagging or choking when fed after six months of age.

Pres. Arroyo has signed in 2004 Proclamation N0. 588 declaring Sept. 16 to 22 as Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week to raise public awareness on the causes, early detection and prompt and appropriate intervention on the cerebral palsy.
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Province’s campaign vs. illegal cutting of trees 80% successful
A top environment official in the province rates the campaign against illegal cutting of trees in Oriental Negros as 80 percent successful.

Mr. Chamberlain Babiera, Protected Areas Superintendent at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, said he has noticed a reduction on illegal cutting activities in the province.

He disclosed that reporting from citizens on illegal cutting activities has increased, leading to apprehensions of perpetrators.

“Although I can’t quantify it because DENR as of now lacks a monitoring system but based on the feedback I received, our campaign has created an impact and taken effect,” says Babiera.

Cutting of trees in Oriental Negros is not rampant within natural forest areas as the natural forest cover in the province is dwindling, but instead it occurs within planted areas.

From January to Agust this year, a total of 112.7822 cubic meters of lumber/slitshes, keel, banka and charcoal were confiscated while 9 units of illegal conveyance or transporting of logs without permit were apprehended by Task Force Oriente, disclosed Forester Sabina Silva of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO 2).

Task Force Oriente was created this year following a directive from Environment Secretary Mike Defensor to intensify anti-illegal logging activities.
The Angat Watershed Area Team last recently scored a minor victory in the campaign against illegal timber poaching within the 63,000-hectare Angat Dam protected area by confiscating about P500,000 worth of illegally-cut lumber.

Babiera said in Oriental Negros,the task force is composed of members from the Maritime Police, PENRO and CENRO 1 and 2.

Mobile checkpoints, which have earlier been established in Sibulan, Mabinay and Vallehermoso, are ongoing right now provincewide to monitor illegal cutting activities.

The task force is also exerting efforts to stop the illegal trade of marine products such as turtles. “We have received reports that this exists here, particularly in the coastal areas of Siaton, and we are now coordinating with the Maritime Police for this,” says Babiera.

The environment officers are urging the citizens to immediately report any illegal trade or capture of marine products such as turtles or pawikan.
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GTZ holds 1st ecosan training in Bohol
The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) will conduct the 1st ecosan Training on Low-Cost Sanitation for Rural Areas in the Philippines on Sept. 14 to 16, 2005 at Bohol Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Ecological sanitation or ecosan is a sustainable and alternative approach to conventional wastewater treatment that utilizes low cost technologies, which aims to protect the country’s limited ground water resources as well as improve sanitation and health of the population.

Invited participants to the training are local chief executives and identified local implementers on ecosan such as agriculture officers, community organizers, sanitary inspectors and health officers.

Local partners to the project include the Bohol Provincial Government and Feed the Children Philippines, Inc.

The training, conducted through the Rural Water Supply and Wastewater Management Program, aims to provide participants an overview of the ecosan philosophy, promote ecosan on the household level and formulate strategies and solutions needed for its sustainable implementation.

Ecosan is one of the major components of the GTZ Water program which is now being implemented in two pilot sites in Bohol showcasing urine diversion toilets as a new low cost sanitation technology.

A similar activity is also being planned in Bayawan City, this province.
GTZ Rural Water Supply and Wastewater Management Program was established in 1998 with the aim to develop and implement strategies for sustainable water supply and sanitation as well as to protect and manage water resources in selected areas in the Philippines.
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TLDC holds training on Squash Based Recipe
The Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC) in the province will hold a one-day training on Squash Based Recipe- Module 2 on Sept. 16, 2005 at the TLDC Training Hall, Provincial Nursery Compound, Piapi, this city.

This is a follow-up activity on the earlier training on Squash-Based Recipe Module 1 held Sept. 9.

Dr. Rodrigo T. Labe, TLDC manager, is inviting the community to participate in the training which aims to teach participants how to prepare Squash Bukayo, Squash Cutchinta, Squash Flan and Squash Maja.

Registration fee is set at P150.00 per participant.

For reservations, interested participants can call up 422-9278.
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DOLE-7: Unemployment rate in CV decreases
Central Visayas' local economy still faces an optimistic future in spite of the economic and political situation as the unemployment rate in the region decreases from 14 percent in the first quarter to 8.3 percent in the second quarter, this year.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) regional director Atty. Rodolfo Sabulao attributed the decline in the unemployment rate to their office's aggressive efforts in initiating jobs fair in partnership with local government units and the business sector.

A total of 25 local and overseas jobs fair have been conducted this year.

Of the 2.5M labor force in Central Visayas, only 209, 000 are unemployed in the second quarter or about 8.3 percent while the first quarter witnessed 350,000 jobless representing 14 percent, this was said.

Sabulao said that they are planning to hold another local jobs fair next week in the municipality of Tuburan, Cebu. We are trying to see what skills the folks of Tuburan have to offer so we can match these with the appropriate recruitment agencies that will be present for the on-the-job interviews with prospective applicants, Sabulao added.

The series of job fairs are concluded to accomplish the target set by the national administration to generate employment of 10M until the year 2010.

Another determining factor to the decreasing number of unemployed in the region is the continuing pour of investments with the electronics sector recruiting the highest number of workforce followed by call centers. Electronic products on the other hand, led the expansion in merchandise exports earnings with a 14.2 percent growth after a 4.7 percent decline last month, according to the data from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The DOLE-7 official said that with the relatively stable industrial peace, the region's business climate is more attractive to investors making it an ideal investment haven.

Sabulao meanwhile announced that their office has a special project that offers livelihood assistance to depressed barangays that can be availed through a group of at least 25 people. Through this special project, women's organizations from three depressed barangays in San Juan, Siquijor involved in cow fattening have benefited from the financial aid. The DOLE-7 has granted around P1.2M to these women's groups since 2002. (PIA-7)
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PRC accepts registration from teachers without exam

The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) is now accepting applications for registration without examination from teachers previously granted eligibility by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) pursuant to RA No. 9293.

Under the new law which amended certain sections of RA 7836 otherwise known as The Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994 sponsored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan paved the way for the reopening of teachers registration under the exempt category.

The exempt category is now limited to a qualified applicant who is: a) a holder of a certificate of eligibility as a teacher issued by the CSC and the Dep Ed b) a registered professional teacher with the National Board for Teachers under the Dep Ed pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1006.

Interested teachers are advised to file their application at the PRC regional Offices while application form is free. In Central Visayas, the PRC-7 Office is located at V. Rama St., Guadalupe, Cebu City with tel. no. 255-7396. (PIA-7)
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PSTC announces 6th PCIERD reg’l, nat’l S&T fora and competitions
The Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development Council (PCIERD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announces the 6th PCIERD Regional and National Science and Technology Fora and Competitions in Industry and Energy Research and Development.

The competition is open to all Filipino citizens who are researchers, engineers and scientists from the universities and colleges, government and private R&D institutions and private industries involved in R&D work in the industry and energy sectors.

Patented, transferred/commercialized R&D projects are eligible. R&D projects that are recipients of earlier awards/recognition from DOST and its agencies are not eligible. Results of R&D shall remain the property of the principal investigators and/or the funding agency/ies.

Only R&D projects completed during the past five years are eligible for submission as entries by the principal researcher should be provided. Also, the principal researcher must acknowledge his/her co-researcher, if there is any.

The principal researcher of the R&D project must directly submit to PCIERD using the prescribe format. Submission of entries is limited to two per researcher. Entries should be endorsed by his/her agency or the funding agency and should be duly notarized.

PCIED will conduct the preliminary screening to select the qualifying entries in each cluster. Luzon NCR and Visayas-Mindanao. PCIERD decision is unappealable.

Qualifying entries will be presented to the Board of Judges by the principal researcher, or in their absence, by their co-researcher.

The industry and energy research should fall under any of the following sectoral areas: Chemicals; Construction; Disaster Mitigation; Energy; Environment; Food and Feed; Metals and Engineering; Mining and Minerals; Textile and Transportation.

Criteria for judging are Socio-economic opportunities, 35%; Adaptibility/utilization and replicability, 30%; contribution to the Advancement of S&T, 25%; and presentation and documentation, 10%.

Prizes at stake for regional level are 125,000 plus plaque for first prize; 100,000 plus plaque for second prize; and 75,000 plus plaque for third prize. For national level, first prize is 250,000 plus trophy; second, 200,000 plus trophy; and third, 150,000 plus trophy.

All qualified entries will be given a certificate of recognition and a cash incentive of P5,000 each on top of the chance to win any of the above-mentioned prizes. Those coming from the outside the National Capital Region will also be given transportation allowance.

Transportation and accommodation expenses of the qualifiers outside National Capital Region will be provided by PCIERD.

Winners in the National S&T competition will be awarded on the PCIERD 24th anniversary on March 16, 2006.

Deadline for submission of entries is on November 30, 2005. Entries should be submitted to the: Chair, PCIERD Steering, Committee, 6th Regional and National Competitions in Industry and Energy Research, 3rd Floor, DOST Main Bldg., Science Community Complex, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City.

For on-line submission, please visit www.pcierd.dost.gov.ph

Inquiries can be made through telephone numbers (02) 8372926, (02) 8372935, (02)8376154 (trunk lines) (02) 8372071-82, local nos. 2120 & 2121, and Fax. No. (02) 8372925 or e-mail address. pcierd@dost.gov.ph
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A Glimpse of Pajermo's Furniture Shop
Wooden furniture manufacturing in Siquijor province started many years ago with a conventional chair made of molave as the major product line. So whenever one sees molave chair or other furniture products made of this hard, heavy premium specie lumber – the molave, the usual connotation that would likely come to the mind is the “Siquijor made” furniture which naturally lasts for lifetime because of its durability and craftsmanship.

Furniture manufacturing Industry in Siquijor has actually developed as time goes on. The wooden furniture sector is considered as one of the leaders in manufacturing industry and continues to be one up to the present. From simple and ordinary furniture items, intricately-designed, internationally designed and/or custom-built furniture items are being produced and exhibited in selected strategically located furniture show centers in the municipalities of Larena and Siquijor.

However, it is unfortunate enough to note that these kinds of furniture products are made by the very few furniture makers from within the island. Still majority of the furniture shops remain to be traditional with outdated equipment and tools, and giving the workers little space for skills development. Maybe because of the same reason, skilled furniture makers are taking their chances of getting greater income in other places outside the province.

Constraints and weaknesses are always present in the furniture industry. In the firm level perspective, Pajermo Furniture Shop is confronting the same, but addressing them one at a time will surely make Pajermo a fine-tuned business enterprise so to say. This is what Pajermo Furniture believes.

Mr. Roberto S. Pajermo, owner and proprietor of Pajermo Furniture Shop in Cang-bagsa, Larena, Siquijor faces the various challenges in running his furniture manufacturing business. Unlike others, he accepts criticisms and never left them behind.

On the aspect of manpower, Pajermo makes it a point to attend any technology trainings or sent any from his workers when he’s not available. FPRDI-DOST (Forest Product Research and Development Institute – Department of Science and Technology) initiated technology trainings, seminars and forum conducted by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council (SMEDC) in cooperation with the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in Siquijor are some of these activities he attended. In his effort to learn and get some information purposively intended for the development of his own firm, he was rewarded indeed.

At the start, he came across information about the different developmental programs of the DOST. The Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) was one he’s interested most and makes some inquiries. PSTC-Siquijor provided him all information regarding the SETUP program. DOST 7 thru PSTC-Siquijor and the Pajermo Furniture finally arrived at common understanding – the development of the furniture and handicraft industry in Siquijor.

A project proposal entitled “ Upgrading of Furniture Finishing Capabilities of Pajermo Furniture” was prepared and endorsed to DOST-SETUP for financial assistance.

In September 25, 2004, Pajermo Furniture received the SETUP financial assistance for the purchase of technology needed particularly for purpose of upgrading.

Now, it is almost a year since Pajermo received the DOST-SETUP assistance – the financial and technical interventions which translated its efforts into something that he can be proud of. How is Pajermo Furniture at present?

On the production volume, Pajermo Furniture has almost doubled its production volume on wooden furniture items of various designs and sizes.

Aside from this, Pajermo has been producing novelty items from out of woodcuts and wastes from furniture processing.

All of these furniture items are of good quality and durability being handcrafted and finished by well-trained furniture makers.

On the measure of how many workers does Pajermo already employ in his shop, aside from the regular, direct shop workers of 10, for the month of July 2005, Pajermo Furniture hired three (3) furniture makers and four (4) polishers on contractual bases for a period of two weeks (14 days); or generated an additional employment of 5 man-months.

With regards to sales performance, Pajermo Furniture Shop has attained total gross sales of Ph P 165,180.00 and Ph P 172,500.00 for the first and second quarters of this year, respectively; and for the month of July 2005, Pajermo reached an increase of more than 25% on its gross sales (Ph P 216,817.00).

Before SETUP Interventions, Pajermo’s quarterly gross sale was Ph P 122,140.00.

On product promotion, Pajermo has been a constant participant to trade fairs. In fact, Pajermo was one of the major product exhibitors from the Visayas regions to the national Trade Fair in Manila last March of this year.

This year, again, Pajermo will be joining the “ Halad Siquijodnon Fair 2005” in September 15-17 and not to miss, the DOST-SETUP Market-Market in Manila and Cebu City in November and December, respectively.

Pajermo Furniture, being considerably more efficient in its furniture production using the newly acquired power tools and other furniture finishing equipment, and adopting most appropriate furniture processing technologies, manufactures different kinds of quality furniture items, increases its regular production volume and sales, expands its market, continues to go up high but never forgets the Department of Science and Technology - instrumental to all its achievements.