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31 May 2015

Philippines joins call to end illicit trade of tobacco products, say Palace
The Philippines joins other countries to work together to end the illicit trade of tobacco products, said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., on Sunday.

“Nakikiisa ang buong pamahalaan sa buong mundo at sa World Health Organization (WHO) sa paggunita ngayong araw ng ‘World No Tobacco Day’ (WNTD) sa ilalim ng temang “Stop Illicit Trade of Tobacco Products,” said Coloma in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

According to WHO, tobacco is the cause of death of 6 million smokers around the world, and is responsible for the mortality of some 600,000 non-smokers due to secondhand smoking.

This year’s ‘World No Tobacco Day’ highlights the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

“From many angles, the illicit trade of tobacco products is a major global concern, including health, legal and economic, governance and corruption,” said the WHO. PND (ag)


All ready for the opening of classes, say Palace
The Palace said on Sunday that everything is ready for the opening of classes on June 1.

“Bilang pagtupad sa direktiba ng Pangulo, puspusan ang naging paghahanda ng lahat ng ahensya ng pamamahalan sa pangunguna ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon upang masiguro ang maayos, ligtas, at mapayapang pagbubukas ng klase bukas, Hunyo 1, sa buong bansa,” said Predidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

DepEd estimated that 23 million students will go to 46,624 public elementary and high schools around the country.

Coloma noted that the Metro Manila Development Authority will mobilize 800 traffic enforcers to ensure the safety and manage the traffic flow in Metro Manila.

“Nakikipag-ugnayan din ang ahensya sa PNP (Philippine National Police) para sa seguridad ng mga mag-aaral at ang PNP naman ay tumututok sa seguridad ng lahat ng paaralan sa buong bansa,” Coloma added.

Monday also marks the formal implementation of the K-12 program.

“Hudyat din ng pagsisimula ng klase ang pormal na pagpapatupad ng K-to-12 program na isa sa mga haligi ng reporma sa sektor ng edukasyon upang ibayong mahubog ang kakayahan at kasanayan ng mga mag-aaral sa kanilang paghahanda sa pagpasok sa kolehiyo,” said Coloma.

When asked if the government is prepared for the threat of “the next big quake,” Coloma assured the safety of all those that may be affected by it.

“Puspusang tinututukan ng lahat ng mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan ang mga lugar na bahagi doon sa tinaguriang ‘West Valley Fault’ upang mapaigting ang paghahanda ng mga mamamayan para sa posibilidad na maganap ang isang lindol sa lugar na ito.”

“Batid natin ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng mga local government units sa DepEd, at ang pagkilos ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at ang mga lokal na unit nito, upang tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga pasilidad at gusaling ginagamit na paaralan o tanggapan o sa negosyo, at ng mga bahay din na maaaring maapektuhan ng lindol,” said Coloma.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warns a 7.2 earthquake is possible to happen if the West Valley Fault along the eastern side of Metro Manila cracks.

According to experts, the last time an earthquake occurred along the West Valley Fault was in 1658, around 355 years ago, and on average, the fault reportedly moves every 400 years. PND (ag)