The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2016
DTI urges public to buy ICC-marked Christmas lights
ILIGAN CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminds the public to be mindful of the importance of checking the quality marks, either printed or affixed in the product or in the packaging in buying Christmas lights.
Quality marks are Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) and the Philippine Standard (PS) Mark. Either ICC mark or PS Mark must be found in the product or packaging. Provincial Director Ruel B. Paclipan, DTI Iligan City/Lanao del Norte Provincial Office, said when buying Christmas lights, always look for the ICC mark sticker or printed PS Mark either on the wire or on the package of the Christmas lights to ensure that the products passed safety tests. Substandard Christmas lights are prone to fires. Paclipan added, for those who will recycle Christmas lights bought last year or previous years, carefully inspect the plug and wires of the lighting set for brittle and dented parts since insulation materials made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic deteriorates overtime and may pose as fire hazard. DTI also prompts the public to be attentive of the label or other
mandatory markings which may include the brand name, name and address of manufacturer/distributor and the instruction for use to easily track the distribution for possible complaints. Manufacturers, importers, and retailers found selling/distributing Christmas lights without the PS or ICC mark will be filed administrative charges for violation of DTI Department Administrative Order No. 2:2007 (DAO #2), Republic Act (RA) 7394, consumer Act of the Phils., and RA 4109 or the Standards Law. Erring business establishments will be imposed with monetary fines ranging from P25,000 to P300,000 and possible cancellation of any DTIissued permit or license. As of October 21, 2016 DTIBPS has issued ICC certificates to 23 importers and PS license to one manufacturer covered by the Expanded PS License Scheme. (EVR/ DTI LDN/PIA-10 LDN)
Nemia Penita Buhian named ToFarm national awardee CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – “Di gyud ko makatuo nga maangkon nako ang national award as outstanding farmer, dako gyud ni nga blessing sa akong pamilya.”
(I can’t believe that I bagged this national award as outstanding farmer. Indeed, it’s a blessing for my family, said a teary-eyed Nemia Penita Buhian of the Buhian Diversified Farm in Initao, Misamis Oriental, as she received her award as the outstanding woman farmer category for The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines [TOFARM] Search and Awards.) The project was spearheaded by the Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCI) and the Universal Harvester Inc. Buhian received cash award and plaque of recognition during the awarding ceremony, held in Metro Manila. Honorio S. Cervantes of Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City also emerged as national finalist under the Urban/ City farmer category. Cervantes is an organic farmer practitioner who adopts the square foot gardening. Special citations were also granted to Ralph Julius Y. Paje of Lantapan, Bukidnon as Young Farmer;
Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental as Agricultural Cooperative category; Berly Tatoy from Northern Mindanao Agriculture Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; Provincial Agriculture and Fishery council (PAFC) Misamis Oriental and Annabelle F. Jugador of Batingtingan, Alae, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon for Agri-Entrepreneur category. The ToFarm search and awards is conducted every year in recognition of the resiliency, ingenuity and the strength of our hardworking Filipino farmers. This is open to all Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, animal raisers, cooperatives, farm communities, organizations, academe, agriculture scientists, local government units, government employees, and business entities in both rural and urban areas. (MGBSta.Elena, DA-RFO 10)
Foundation, energy firm launch youth leadership program in LanaoNorte ILIGAN CITY – Ayala Foundation and GN Power Kauswagan launched Leadership Communities (LeadCom), a youth leadership program which seeks to harness the strengths of youth as agents of positive change in their respective communities, on November 18, 2016.
GN Power Kauswagan Ltd. Co. (GNPK) a joint venture company between Power Partners Ltd. Co. (PPLC) and AC Energy Holdings, Inc. (AC Energy), the power unit of conglomerate Ayala Corporation partners with Ayala Foundation, the corporate social arm of Ayala Group of Companies to implement LeadCom. LeadCom—which targets the youth from Kauswagan and Linamon, Lanao del Norte is a 10-month leadership program. It will expose 10 groups to a process by which they can identify urgent challenges faced by their communities, conceptualize projects that will address these challenges, and implement and monitor the impact of these projects. “We at Ayala Foundation are grateful to find in GN Power Kauswagan, a fellow advocate for LeadCom. We are also grateful to the people of Kauswagan and Linamon for welcoming us. Together, we can work closely for the improvement and development of our communities,” says Joanna Ongpin Duarte, senior director for programs of Ayala Foundation. “To the youth of Kauswagan and
Linamon towns, we hope that the challenge of participating in LeadCom will help you grow into stronger, wiser, and more compassionate young men and women,” Duarte said. The 10 youth groups were carefully selected based on their passion and experience in helping their barangays. “LeadCom will provide the youth the basic foundation to lead by example and hopefully give our youth the confidence to influence others in a positive and meaningful way,” said Gabby Mejia, vice president for operations of GNPK. He added that to lead by example and always exemplify integrity in all their dealings and if they do this (LeadCom), I am confident that they will live better, meaningful lives and create a positive impact in their immediate communities. As pilot implementation of LeadCom in Lanao del Norte, Ayala Foundation and GN Power Kauswagan hope to see youth leaders provide creative solutions for community challenges in their communities. (RMJr/AFI/PIA-10 LDN)