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RP To Ban Mercury-based Medical Devices in 2010

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 19:54:55 -0600

The Philippine government, through the Department of Health is finally taking steps to phase-out mercury-based medical devices in all health facilities in 2010. The measure was made following a worldwide campaign to eliminate mercury-laden tools in all medical facilities, citing the high toxicity level of the substance which could affect humans in all probability.

The mercury which was already in use for a long time in some medical implements like thermometer and blood pressure apparatus has become an issue only in recent years. The authorities and medical experts, however late in their actions on the dangers of the substance, were relentlessly campaigning about the health hazard of mercury in the community.

In the Asia-Pacific Region, Taiwan came first in introducing regulations banning mercury in all of their medical facilities until 2011 owing to the fact that the island-nation has one of the best medical services and facilities in the world.

International Human Rights Day

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:37:51 -0600

The United Nations declaration of International Human Rights Day is being marked today December 10, 2008. The occasion though being recognized by all nations except China, North Korea and other states, human rights remains to be respected in most nations.

In Asia, like the Philippines, human rights violations were already part of the rotten system which undermines freedom to live. Human rights violations come in different variation or degree which ultimately has worsened in years.

Poverty, hunger, illiteracy, lack of shelter, political and media killings, forced disappearance, forced abduction against known leftist personalities and student leaders. The numbers just don’t lie because the government, military and police organizations perpetrated it. Indifference to human rights is what makes the system erode the very existence of man who always strives to live life.

The world celebrates the International Human Rights Day this time of the year and yet many of us continue to mourn the deteriorating human right issues in our midst.

Aspiring OFWs Attends Various TESDA Trainings for Overseas Jobs

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:29:57 -0600

Manila – Many aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers are attending various Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) trainings being offered nationwide. The trainings are part of the national government program for OFWs to meet the high standard of work ethics and procedures in rich countries which usually hosts Overseas Filipino Workers.

The training program serves as knowledge-based tool for OFWs which they could easily use in their respective jobs as specified in their contract. The TESDA training, in partnership with different training centers comes up with different skills development like hotel and restaurant service, welding, masonry, carpentry and other trainings that highly in-demand abroad.

Before, departing OFWs are not required to take TESDA trainings but after a significant study the national government implemented new guidelines for OFWs to prepare themselves by taking specific trainings being offered by the different training centers accredited by TESDA.

The training programs have positive results because OFWs continuously leave the country to fill various jobs in Canada, Europe and in international vessels sailing around the world.

Pacquiao the New World Boxing Entertainment Champ

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 02:22:02 -0600

Las Vegas, Nevada – Boxing idol Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao defeated Oscar De La Hoya in their “Dream Match” which was actually a “Money Match.” As expected the fight ended in a lopsided contest between the two future Hall of Famer.

The “Golden Boy” was not in his best fighting form obviously to let Pacman do the onslaught. De La Hoya seemed not using his power punching ability as he used to be. He seldom connects with his right hand against the attacking Pacman. The fighter from East L.A. looked beaten from the opening round. His opponent just easily throws punches at will without even complimenting Pacquiao’s fast-paced boxing style.

The “Golden Boy” came-up short of the scheduled 12 round as his corner throws the towel in surrender in the 9^th round which was exactly not the attitude of De La Hoya, one of the great boxers of all time.

De La Hoya, the boxer and the co-promoter of the “Dream Match” maybe knew exactly what he is doing in the first place. He came to face Pacquiao for no other reason except for money and great entertainment. Promoters know well how to protect their interests and their priced fighters and that’s what De La Hoya et al did.

They have to protect Pacman because he is the best fighter in the world today and he commands millions of dollars. The “Dream Match” was just a show to elevate the level of Pacman’s popularity to attract big fights in the future, and “The Hitman” Hatton is next for the million dollar fight.

For now, the show must go on for Manny Pacquiao as the newly crowned World Boxing Entertainment Champion.

“Out-Lawmakers” Aboard Cha-Cha Train Speeding Fast to Derail 2010 Election

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:10:50 -0600

Administration allies in the Lower House of Representatives are fast-tracking to amend the constitution through constituent assembly. The charter change or cha-cha train is almost full and now ready to travel to the next station where “out-lawmakers” are to meet and vote to amend the nation’s 1987 constitution and to finally lift term limits of current elected officials including President Gloria Arroyo.

Latest reports said that only a few more votes to achieve the required 2/3 votes and cha-cha is off to convene as constituent assembly. Rabid supporters in congress are doing everything to extend their terms and their beloved President because they have vast nefarious interests in all sectors.

The “out-lawmakers” are serious about the no election or “no-el” scenario by conditioning the minds of the people that charter change is good for the country and 2010 election is no longer needed, because the nation’s system of government will be changed from presidential to parliamentary where PGMA will sit as Prime Minister yet again.

Baguio City Public Market Needs Police Presence

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:53:30 -0600

Baguio City – The public market of this highly urbanized city is in dire need of police beat patrol. Urgent action should be done if necessary to prevent the unrelenting high incidence of criminal activities in the area. Bad elements are doing their illegal activities in broad day light without any fear of being arrested because not a single policeman can be seen patrolling in the area.

Most cases being perpetrated by these bad eggs of society are robbery snatching and pick-pocketing. Their favorite object of desire are items such as high-tech gadgets, money etc. They pick their victims whom they see as an easy prey who carry their items carelessly.

Once they’re done with their surprised victims, the bad elements run fast directly into their hide-out located right at the eatery section of the public market. The stolen items immediately sold to some vendors and stall owners which they priced the stolen items cheaper.

The criminal activity happens daily from day-in to day-out. The bad elements, considered lost in the dimensional world of virtuosity, ply their trade unmolested by the long arms of the law.

Global Financial Crisis Affects International Labor Market

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:24:06 -0600

After the US was hit by cold, the rest of the world got sick. And that is what happening now. All sectors were affected by the financial crisis and one of them is the international labor market. Many people from the third world countries are part of that market which has been the source of their income as labor migrants in the first world.

According to news reports, the worst hit is the manufacturing sectors and the crewing jobs especially in cruise ship sector. The economic crunch would make it hard for people to travel and instead tighten their belt and just stay home for good. As a result, demands on seafarers were randomly affected.

Export manufacturers were also hard hit because demands were not as robust since the world was torpedoed by the financial crisis which emanated in the US mainland. And so the world is hoping that, perhaps, US President-elect Barack Hussein Obama and his select economic team would be able to make an antidote to heal the ailing US economy in particular and the world’s economy in general.

Innocent and Unarmed Civilians Favorite Target of Terror Groups

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:15:02 -0600

The on-going Mumbai/Bombay terror drama only shows that the bigoted terror groups are nothing but simple criminals and murderers out to kill unarmed and innocent civilians. The terror groups masquerading as the bearer of their religious ideals actually are the worst kind of beasts that could demonstrate viciousness, extreme violence and unmerciful cruel minds so to speak.

Why not bomb strategic government and military installations if they are really fighting for a just cause? Why not kill government, military and police officials who are considered corrupt and human rights violators? Why massacre innocent and unarmed civilians without any reasons? Why tolerance and freedom to live curtailed just because it runs counter to their fundamentalist precepts?

Why on earth that this kind of incident happening when in fact almost everybody is calling the same GOD? Is there really God and why He is allowing people to kill each other just because of different interpretations of the heavenly teachings? Or is it Satan the Devil actually helping humans spreading wickedness in the guise of spreading the true word of God? Or is it religion the cause of all cruelty amongst men?

Public Officials Off to Vegas to Watch Hoya-Pacman Fight

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:12:17 -0600

Despite of global financial crisis and economic crunch, public officials in the Philippines will be watching boxing idol Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in Vegas this coming December 06, 2008. The Hoya-Pacman fight in this “Sin City” of North America is part of the itineraries of public officials who loves to travel this time of the year.

The junkets will serve well on these public officials because the month of December is a celebration of sort. After watching the World Boxing Entertainment Hoya vs Pacman duel, may be these travelling public officials would be visiting beautiful tourist spots in North America and spend their dollars in style like no other.

Barack Obama’s Election Stir Heated Discussions in the World Wide Web

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:54:02 -0600

The US Presidential Election was already put behind the news but the historic election of Barack Obama continues to get rave reviews, negative responses and various commentaries from around the world. The netizens or the people frequently using the internet, seemingly, were the one emotionally moved and troubled by the victory of Barack Hussein Obama.

And all of a sudden people of different race, creed and belief and what-have-you started to add color on the already multi-colored victory of Barack Hussein Obama. People who fancied themselves as the followers of Nostradamus conveniently referred Barack Obama as the third anti-Christ called “Mabus.” The first was Pau Nay Oloron who was Napoleon and the 2^nd was Hister who was Hitler.

The Nostradamus-believers further said that the end of the world will occur in 2012 as stated in prophesies the man had written centuries ago. Could this be dangerous rumors? Is Obama the “chosen one” to bring the world to apocalyptic events?

Of course not, countered the Obama-believers. According to them, all written predictions, prophesies and heavy-opinionated articles linking Barack Hussein Obama as the third Antichrist is a hoax. In all of these exchange of ideas, may be only history could tell who among the parties are telling the true story after all.