DOE, PIA strengthen safety awareness of Liquefied Fuels, LPG in Ozamiz by Joemides Daquio
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Energy – Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) region 10 conducted a briefing recently in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental on Liquefied Fuels (LF) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) laws, rules and regulations to inform and empower stakeholders to become more cautious specially on safety of LF and LPG in their areas.
DOE-OIMB Officer In Charge Director Rodela I. Romero said it is important to follow every precaution set by DOE to ensure the safety of every individual as well as observe the Republic Act No. (RA) 8479 otherwise known as “The Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998.” “All gas stations should comply including product quality and safety sign, among others,” said Romero. On the other hand, lawyer Angelito V. Agoncillo of DOE-Hearing Division, talked on regulatory framework specifically on penalties and corresponding fines in case gas stations do not comply with requirements. He said one of the most common illegal offenses is adulteration of liquefied fuels. Agoncillo also emphasized the importance in complying with DOE requirements. “We require a person who will engage in the business of retailing LPG to apply for Standard Compliance Certificate (SCC); this certificate is effective for three years, “he said. Further, Alex H. Rayos DOERetail Market Monitoring and Special Concerns Division (RMMSCD) cited the characteristics of LPG. In the Philippines, Rayos said that LPG is essentially a mixture of 60% butane and 40% propane. However, there is a great danger if the released gas is not properly dissipated since it
will readily ignite upon contact with sparks, open flame, or any other source of ignition,” he added. He clarified that LPG is nonpoisonous and environment friendly. Meanwhile, LPG must be handled properly and must be only refilled in the company’s refilling plant. He also urged consumers to check the LPG cylinders for proper weight and whether it has correct seal or manufactured legally. Meanwhile, Loralai Capistrano of DOE – RMMSCD emphasized the need for a collaborative action between the local government unit, Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection to put a stop in the illegal trading of “bote-bote” or fuels sold in liters of bottles along the road. Capistrano said that LGUs can pass and implement local ordinances that will support the implementation of DOE rules and regulations on Liquefied Petroleum Products and LPG. After the briefing, Rustico Elumbaring Jr of the CSI Global Services Corporation led the handson demonstration in calibration and sealing of a dispensing pump in a nearby gasoline station. The briefing which was held on 26 April in Ozamiz City was attended by information officers of national government agencies, Ozamiz business chamber, media, petroleum and LPG dealers, private individuals and other concerned entities.
DOST introduces online shop, MSME products on your doorstep by Teresita Superioridad Baluyos
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Want to buy Vjandep pastel? Or order Slers chicharon? Or Darling’s ham? Visit www.oneStore. ph and you will see the various products of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - assisted micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This is made possible through another initiative from DOST dubbed as oneStore. oneStore is a digital marketing that incorporates e-commerce in the operations of MSMES, a strategy which helps business enterprises to widen the scope of their market, and increase their business opportunities. There are thousands of MSMEs in the Philippines assisted by DOST through its Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). These MSMEs contribute to increase in income and employment in the country. In Region 10, there are 169 MSMEs assisted through SETUP by DOST since its inception in 2000 with a total project cost of about 161M. These include the Vjandep Pastel, SLERS Meat Products, Darling Meat Products and many more. A number of SETUP proposals are being evaluated and, in 2016, 33 MSMEs-SETUP partners are added. The traditional way of buying and selling goods is time-consuming, uses
debit/credit card payment and pointof-sale (POS), and energy-consuming. With the oneStore, delivery is door-todoor, payments are online, products can be easily accessed anytime, anywhere. This means reduced travel costs, cost of materials, marketing and distribution and trade; wider/ global market reach; improved image and brand awareness and customer service; increased market awareness, continuous trading; interactive and environment-friendly. With oneStore, travel costs are reduced as it uses a mobile phone, email and other ICTs to substitute for travels. It is also leads to more supply management and it eliminates the need for middlemen thus, redound to lower transaction costs, reduced overhead, inventory and labor costs. It also improves customer service by providing more responsive order-taking and after-sales service to customers using live chat and email which can result to increased customer loyalty.
Another benefit of the oneStore is increased market awareness as MSMEs can become more aware of the competition and changes in the market, thus, MSMEs are on their toes to always go for product/service innovation or quality improvement. Sellers and customers can assess 24/7 sales service, a convenient way when trading globally. There are now about 2,000
products in the website, and 10,000 products are targeted to be uploaded this year. DOST Region 10 has uploaded about 252 MSME products and targets to upload 350 before the year ends. To access the oneStore, go to this website: www.oneStore.ph or its FB, DOST Onestoret.ph and browse through the uploaded products.
Family Welfare Committees in Iligan advocate healthy lifestyle by Joseph Nathan J. Fabrega
ILIGAN CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10), through its Lanao del Norte (LDN) Provincial Field Office (PFO) and its partner, the Federation of Family Welfare Committees (FFWC) Iligan City-Lanao del Norte (IC- LDN) Chapter held recently in Iligan City its learning session on Proper Nutrition on Filipinos and Lifestyle that Causes Cancer and Lifestyle Habits that Prevent Cancer DOLE-10 LDN PFO Provincial Head Remegio D. Cabaùog reported that the activity was participated by some 40 participants coming from 20 different establishments/companies and two labor union organizations in the City and Lanao del Norte. The participating establishments/
companies are Neopace Incorporated; Interpace Corporation; National Grid Corporation of the Philippines; Mapalad Power Corporation; Granexport Manufacturing Corporation; LBC; Super 5 Transport; Newtech Pulp Incorporated; Lanao Arrastre, Trendline; Mercy Community Hospital
Incorporated; Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation; Fil-Eslon Manufacturing Corporation; Republic Cement Incorporated; St. Peter’s College; Petronas; IMASCO Arrastre and Stevedoring Corporation; and Loy’s Pharmacy. Likewise, it was also participated by labor unions like Federation of Democratic Labor Organization and Iligan City Government Employees Union. James Silverio Adorable, a registered dietitian nutritionist was the first speaker with topic on “Proper Nutrition for Filipinos.” Adorable said, “To attain the ideal body weight and to have a healthy body, we must eat a variety of healthy foods with moderation and balance or proper choice of food, physical activity or exercise, have an at least eight hours of sleep, keep yourself hydrated or drink at least 1500ml of water a day, and avoid a stressful environment.” Meanwhile, Dr. Evelyn D. Navidad, discussed about “Lifestyle that Causes Cancer and Lifestyle Habits.” Navidad shared some insights on how to avoid cancer by following the acronym, NEW START or defined as, Nutrition - should be in proper diet and a right choice of food and if possible to avoid red meat; Exercise - at least once a day so that you will have a good blood circulation; Water - we should drink more water or fresh fruit juice and avoid acidic drinks; Sunlight
- adequate exposure to sun is very beneficial to our body; Temperance it is very crucial in our daily life wither in the choice of food to the decisions that you are making everyday, it is very important to be happy and have a positive outlook in life; Air - Oxygen is very vital in our body as much as possible avoid polluted places; Rest adequate rest is needed to repair your damage tissues in you body due to you everyday activity; and Trust (In Divine Power) - all of us has different views in life most specially in our creator. DOLE-10 Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante is always in support with the Family Welfare Program of the Department. “Promoting a healthy lifestyle towards family and colleagues is one of the dimensions of the program and greatly advocated by the Department,” he said. Agravante encourages that decent work promotes productivity in the workplace.