Baldoz wants all work-related accident reports in 24 hours

 Entertainment
May 192014
 
Baldoz wants all work-related accident reports in 24 hours

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, arrives for the Pre-Labor Day Dialogue at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (April 30). The conduct of Pre-Labor Day Dialogue is pursuant to the 22-point Labor and Employment Agenda of President Aquino, which essentially consists of among others, the following directives: promote not only the constitutionally protected rights of workers but also their right to participate in the policymaking process; and work with the private and labor sector to strengthen tripartite cooperation and promote industrial peace. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has served notice to all DOLE regional directors holding them responsible and accountable for all work-related accidents in their regions if she does not receive a report on these accidents within 24 hours. “I want all regional directors to submit a report on any and all work-related accidents within their jurisdiction within 24 hours after the occurrence of such accidents. Their reports should include information on whether the establishment involved has been covered by an assessment visit of our labor law compliance officer or has been issued a compliance certificate,” Baldoz said. She issued the order following a report by DOLE-National Capital Region Director Alex Avila that he had issued a work stoppage order against Monolith Construction Development Corporation after one of its workers, Roger Bombita, a mason, fell from the 39th floor to the 28th floor of a building that Monolith was constructing Read More …

AIDS network to sue DOH if mandatory HIV testing pursued

 Entertainment
May 192014
 
AIDS network to sue DOH if mandatory HIV testing pursued

Network to Stop AIDS-Philippines (NSAP) courtesy of NSAP Facebook page MANILA (Mabuhay) – A network of civil society groups involved in anti-AIDS advocacy work is threatening to sue the Department of Health if it pushes through with plans to implement mandatory HIV testing. The 21-organization Network to Stop AIDS Philippines, in a statement, called the DOH plan “illegal, ineffective and dangerous” and accused Health Secretary Enrique Ona of “refusing” to listen. “It is not allowed under the current law not only because it violates basic human rights, it is also ineffective in ensuring that people who need to get tested for HIV do actually get tested. They just go underground because of fear of abuse and discrimination, which will be exacerbated by the implementation of mandatory testing,” Mara Q. Bondad of Action for Health Initiatives was quoted in the statement. Babae Plus’ Elene Felix, noting that Filipinos with HIV are “already experiencing stigma and discrimination,” said mandatory testing would “lead to a witch hunt against those who are believed to be infected” and “create a climate of terror that will prevent communities from accessing life-saving HIV services.” The Network called the DOH for being “the weakest link in the country’s response to the HIV epidemic” and chided it for failing to understand “a complex sexual map.” Jonas Bagas of the TLF SHARE Collective cited men who engage in same-sex behavior, the sector most at risk of infection, asking, “who exactly are they going to require to get tested?” “Transgender people Read More …

Restoring the body’s natural balance

 Entertainment
May 192014
 
Restoring the body’s natural balance

Karada assesses the body condition of clients thoroughly to  know what kind of treatment best suits them.   MANILA, Philippines – Our body operates 24/7 and like a machine, it requires tuning up once in a while to get it back to its original orientation. On the surface, shooting pain on the lower back, muscle aches, and stiff neck might be signs of excessive fatigue and stress, but on a deeper level, it is our body’s way of telling us that something is off beam and that it needs to be corrected immediately. And while our first instinct is to have a massage to ease the pain and discomfort, it actually takes more than simple kneading and pulling to fix the problem. At Karada, expert therapists focus on the proper alignment of the body while restoring its natural balance by applying precise pressure on various points of the human body. The salon has its roots in Japan and employs ancient techniques known for their therapeutic and wellness benefits. A Japanese term that means “body,” Karada is the newest body therapy center to open in the Philippines at the third level of the new Glorietta Wing in Ayala, Makati City; Greenbelt Radissons, Legaspi Village, Makati City;  and at the second floor, Serendra, Bonifacio High Street.  By the end of this year, new Karada branches will open in the Alabang area and another one in Makati City, “We offer revitalization of both mind and body through AP Balance, an original technique from Read More …

Lawyer: 3 more senators included on amended ‘Napolist’

 News
May 192014
 
Lawyer: 3 more senators included on amended ‘Napolist’

Another batch of lawmakers, including three more senators, will be added to Janet Lim-Napoles’ list of personalities involved in the pork barrel scam. Interviewed by ANC on Monday, Napoles’ legal counsel Bruce Rivera said the names of the other lawmakers will be included in an “amended list” that they would submit to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday. Rivera, however, said he was “not sure” if the three senators whose names will be added were former or incumbent. Asked if other Cabinet officials will also be added on the amended list, Rivera said: “Wala yata. I am not sure. Ang sure, senators at congressmen may madadagdag.” In the same interview, Rivera apologized to Senator JV Ejercito, a neophyte senator, for the inclusion of his name on the official list, a copy of which De Lima handed over to the Senate blue ribbon committee last Thursday. “It was really an unfortunate error. We were making a list (and) Mrs. Napoles is making fond of side comments, like situation ni Sen. Jinggoy [Estrada] and Senator JV. It was like a personal thing. Kasi nagkekwento lang si Mrs. Napoles tungkol sa dalawa, nasulat sya,” Rivera explained. He said Ejercito’s name was inadvertently included on the list by the encoder. “Later on, nung pinrint out na ang list for her to sign it.. Ito nangyari, she was asked to read it and said ‘Bakit nandito to, wala to,’” Rivera recalled Napoles as saying. “Nagkamali ang kampo namin. We were apologetic… It looks suspicious. Read More …

Singapore fund invests P10B in MVP hospital unit

 General
May 182014
 
Singapore fund invests P10B in MVP hospital unit

MANILA, Philippines—Government of Singapore Investment Corp. (GIC) is investing P10.2 billion in the Metro Pacific group led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, coming in as a strategic partner in the hospital business where it could choose to acquire an interest of as much as 39.9 percent. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) signed a deal with GIC that allowed the sovereign wealth fund to invest P3.7 billion for an initial 14.4-percent stake in Neptune Stroika Holdings Inc. (NSHI), a wholly owned subsidiary that will be the holding company for all of its hospital investments. On top of the outright purchase of shares in NSHI, the Singaporean fund will also advance to MPIC some P6.5 billion through an exchangeable bond that it can swap for an additional 25.5-percent stake in NSHI in the future, subject to certain conditions. The deal, which is subject to a few conditions and expected to be completed sometime in the middle of this year, allows MPIC to keep a controlling stake in the hospital group while raising fresh funds for an ongoing group-wide expansion program. Proceeds from the bond would be used by MPIC for continuing investments in roads, power and water, MPIC said. “We are very happy with this new relationship with GIC, a highly reputable global fund manager. We are looking forward to developing a long-term partnership with them,” MPIC president Jose Ma. K. Lim said. NSHI and MPIC hospital group president Augie Palisoc Jr. said: “Over the last few years, we have been Read More …

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