TUKLASIN NATIN

The Quezon City Polytechnic University added another feather in its cap when 18 of its students won top honors in the recently concluded 2011 Youth Peace Festival and TESDA skills competition.

QCPU students romped with four medals, consisting of a gold, two silvers and one bronze, in the 2011 TESDA skills competition while finishing 2^nd place and 3^rd honorable mention in the creative recycling and poster-making categories, respectively, in this year’s Youth Peace Festival, organized by the Philippine Society of National Service Training Program educators at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds.

Marco Polo Marcelo, a consumer electronic servicing student, went on to win the gold medal in the industrial electronics category during the TESDA skills competition.  With his victory, Marcelo will represent QCPU in the TESDA regional competition slated next month.

Meanwhile, recipients of the silver medals were Mark Christian Dumael, for the welding category, and John Michael Maquerra, in automotive servicing (open category).  Another medalist was Christopher Valderama, who won the bronze in the youth category.

Other schools that participated in the competition were AMA Computer Technology, Mechatronics Technology, St. John Technological College of the Philippines, Asian College of Science and Technology, New Era University, Cebu Science Skills and Technology, Samson College of Science and Technology, Colegio de Santa Teresa de Avila, Gateway of Science and Technology, Quezon City Livelihood Center, ACLC (Cubao, Lagro, Novaliches and Commonwealth campuses), National Computer College, International Electronics College and Datamex Institute of Technology.

On the other hand, the creative recycling entry of QCPU, which was awarded 2^nd place, included the following students:  Angel Flor Abasta, Michelle Adriatico, Rica Artiaga, Shella Balaba, Sharmaine Ballesteros, Rose Ann Carillo, Raymart Diestro, Mary Jane Garcia, Carmilla Bea Guiling, Michael Malto, Bernadette Pa-as and Nila Roa.  The other award that went to QCPU was its entry to the poster-making category, which was awarded 3^rd honorable mention.  Juben Clinton Lava and Ramon Nicko Aquino represented QCPU in this category.

The QCPU, established on March 1, 1994 by virtue of a city ordinance, is the only tertiary educational institution owned and managed by the city government.  The university has a main campus in Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches and two satellite campuses, which are located in Barangays Sto. Cristo and Batasan Hills.

The city government has taken steps to strengthen the stature of the QC Polytechnic as a state university by offering four innovative degree courses and modernizing school facilities through renovation and construction of additional schoolbuildings. Precy/ Ej/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO   

“This is what we celebrate tonight – the Filipino talent and the Filipino capacity for service.”

Thus spoke educator and constitutional law authority Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J. about the significance of the 2011 Quezon City Gawad Parangal awards night at the Crowne Plaza ballroom, a highlight of the celebration of QC’s 72^nd founding anniversary.

Fr. Bernas was one of the 10 most outstanding citizens who received this year’s most prestigious awards for individuals.

Mayor Herbert Bautista congratulated the awardees for contributing to the city’s past achievements and for continuing to contribute today. He said that the awardees “will certainly continue to be QC’s outstanding citizens and institutions.”

Speaking on behalf of the individual awardees, Fr. Bernas pointed out what the late Fr. Horacio de la Costa had said about two treasures of the Filipinos in spite of their poverty.  Quoting from Fr. De la Costa’s inspirational essay “Jewels of the Pauper,” Fr. Bernas said these two jewels are our music and our faith; these are the bonds that bind us together, and as a people we cannot perish because we have these treasures.

The other individual awardees are entrepreneur Ramon E. Rodriguez, development educator Dr. Jose Vergara, “Comedy King” Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon, broadcast journalist Cecilia “Cheche” Lazaro, renowned painter and art teacher Fernando Sena, broadcast media executive Charo Santos-Concio, multi-awarded Broadway-singing star Leah Salonga, educator-writer-performing artist Dr. Rustica C. Carpio, and mass media entrepreneur Atty. Felipe Gozon.

The 2011 Gawad Parangal awards for outstanding corporations/institutions went to five recipients: The Philippine Star, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Splash Corporation, French Baker, and Arce Foods Corporation.

Speaking for the outstanding institutions, Philippine Star president/ CEO Miguel G. Belmonte expressed the recipients gratitude to the QC government by pointing out that the leaders, people and institutions of the city have much to be proud of.  He said that QC is among the best in local governance in the Philippines and in Asia, and is a model of urban development.

Mayor Bautista was assisted in the awards ceremonies by Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, chief of staff Aldrin C. Cuña, and Gawad Parangal selection board director Dr. Manuel S. Alba.

Among the special guests in the awards night were Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., former Mayor Ismael Mathay Jr. and his sons Bu and Chuck Mathay, District 2 Congressman Winnie Castelo and spouse Councilor Precious Hipolito Castelo. Mencio/ Ramir/ Ej/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO   

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista leads city officials in honoring this year’s QC’s outstanding financial institutions, restaurants, contractors and real property taxpayers during a testimonial dinner for the honorees at the Crown Plaza Hotel ballroom. The awards night is one of the highlights of the celebration of QC’s 72^nd founding anniversary.  This year’s 24 awardees include Sunlife of Canada Philippines, Citibank and the Philippine American Life, for the financial institution category; Velvet Foods Corporation, PSMT Philippines, Inc. and Triple L Food Court, for the restaurant category; IDS Philippines, Inc., Maxima Machineries, Inc. and Television and Production Exponents, for the contractors category and TELUS, Red Ribbon Bakeshop, Inc., and Sulu Hotel Corporation, for real property.    On hand to assist Mayor Bautista in presenting the awards are Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, chief of staff Aldrin Cuña (extreme left), city treasurer Edgar Villanueva (extreme right) and Councilors Julian Coseteng, Gian Carlo Sotto, Precious Hipolito Castelo, Alyson Medalla, Candy Medina, Godofredo Liban III, Eufemio Lagumbay and Alexis Herrera. Precy/ Ramir/ Ej/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista leads city officials in honoring this year’s QC’s top taxpayers in the wholesale, retail, car dealership and amusement categories during a testimonial dinner for the honorees at the Crown Plaza Hotel ballroom. The awards night is one of the highlights of the celebration of QC’s 72^nd founding anniversary.  This year’s 24 awardees include MSI-ECS Philippines, Inc., Benby Enterprises, Inc. and Philchema, Inc., for the wholesaler category; International Toy World, Inc., Goldilocks Bakeshop, Inc. and Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation, for the retail category; Autohaus Quezon City, Inc., Industrial and Transport Equipment, Inc. and MGM Motors Trading, Inc., for the car dealership category and Leisure and Allied Industries Philippines, Inc., L & B International Tourist Hotel, Inc. and the Trinoma Bistro Americano Corporation, for the amusement category.  On hand to assist Mayor Bautista in presenting the awards are Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, chief of staff Aldrin Cuña (extreme left), city treasurer Edgar Villanueva (extreme right) and Councilors Jesus Manuel Suntay, Don de Leon, Raquel Malangen, Allan Reyes and Vincent Belmonte. (Precy/ Ramir/ Ej/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO

The country’s distinguished Pediatrician and National Scientist Dr. Fe del Mundo passed away on August 06, 2011 at the age of 99.

President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino conferred the Grand Collar (Maringal Na Kuwintas) of the Order of the Golden Heart” on Dr. Fe del Mundo at the State Necrological Service held at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Bicutan on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 9:00 -11:00 a.m.

            The Presidential Award is given to individuals who have rendered distinguished service in the amelioration and improvement of the moral, social and economic conditions of the marginalized sectors of our countryman.

            Dr. del Mundo was a woman of many first, she was the first female and first Asian to be enrolled in Pediatrics at the prestigious all-male Harvard Medical School (1935-1940) as a Philippine Commonwealth scholar.

            She was also the first woman to head a government general hospital in the Philippines when she was appointed as director of the Manila Children’s hospital (later renamed Dr. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital) in 1943.

            She was also the first Filipino diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics (1947), which introduced the Filipino women and physicians to the world.

            She was also the first Asian president of the Medical Women’s International Association, holding this post from 1962 to 1966. In 1967, she became an Emeritus Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

            She was a pioneering force in child health care. She was the founder and first woman president of the Philippine Pedriatic Society, wherein she served from 1952 to1955. She likewise founded the Philippine Medical Women’s Association and became its first president.

            She became the first woman president of the Philippine Medical Association, a first in the association’s decade-long history.

            After more than a decade, she became the first Philippine delegate to the World Academy of Science in Trieste, Italy (1993).

            In 1957, Dr. del Mundo established the Children’s Memorial Hospital (later renamed Dr. Fe del Mundo Medical Center). To do this, she sold her own home and personal effects.

            The hospital was expanded in 1960 with the establishment of an Institute of Maternal and Child Health, the first of its kind in Asia. The said hospital continues to admit thousands of children requiring quality medical help.

            Dr. Fe del Mundo, in addition should also have been the first person or a woman alive who received the “Grand Collar” (Maringal na Kuwintas) of the order of the Golden Heart” Presidential Award, which could have been possible considering her life span of 99 years.

            Could the Grand Collar be not awarded by any president of the country when she was 90 years old or so while she is still breathing?

            If so, why wait till she is dead? Is the Grand Collar (Maringal na Kuwintas) of the Order of the Golden Heart” Presidential Award meant to be a posthumous award?

            If it is a posthumous award, something must be done to it, someone has to receive it alive for as long as that someone has satisfied its criteria, most especially when the accomplishments are all superlatives, beyond comparison, one of its kind in intelligence, dedication and perseverance on the pursuit of selfless health service to mankind, especially in remote rural areas.

            It is very regrettable that she spent half of her life serving the Filipino mankind (as she lived for 99 years) with her deeds or accomplishments unmatch by anyone, yet did not have a chance even for a awhile to savor  and enjoy her glory.

            It is very lamentable that given that life span (99 years) and knowing that she is the only one who had the best capabilities, unsurpassed up to this time and knowing too, that she, at the age of 99 is waiting for nothing except death, the award should have been conferred to her while she can feel, while she can know, that her eyes and thousands of eyes could have been filled with tears of joy.

            Indeed, what had happened to Dr. Fe del Mundo was very regretting and very lamenting!

            Dr. del Mundo joined the faculty of the University of Santo Tomas as an associate professor of pediatrics from 1943 to 1954. She then transferred to Far Eastern University (FEU) as professor of pediatrics and chairman of pediatrics department from 1954 to 1974.

She eventually became Professor Emeritus of FEU in 1974. The Philippine Women’s University, the Medical Women’s College of Pennsylvania, Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and the University of the Philippines (1996) conferred on her Honoris Causa degrees.

Part of her commitment to quality medical education was her acceptance of students from different schools to be trained at her hospital, an idea she adapted from the Harvard Medical School.

            She was admitted to the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST Phil) in 1979, in recognition of her important contributions to science and community as pediatrician, teacher, researcher, humanitarian and grand dame of Philippine Pediatrics and medicine.

In 1980, Dr. del Mundo became the first woman National Scientist when she was conferred the Rank and Title of National Scientist, the highest honor that the Philippine Government can bestow on a Filipino scientist for her outstanding contributions to science and technology.

            Her undeniable devotion to child care earned her numerous prestigious national and international awards, including the Elizabeth Blackwell award for outstanding service to mankind in 1966.

            After some years, the distinguished Ramon Magsaysay award for public service by a private citizen in 1977, the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award in 1980, and recently, the 2010 Order of Lakandula with the rank of Bayani by the Philippine Government.

            Dr. del Mundo was a valedictorian of the University of the Philippines, College of Medicine (1933). She placed 3^rd in the national medical board exams, thereafter and was named Most Outstanding Scholar in Medicine in the Philippine in 1933.

In 1936, she was granted a scholarship by then President Manuel Quezon and obtained post-graduate training in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School for five years.

In 1940, she received her M.A. in Bacteriology from Boston University in Massachusetts.

Her most significant researches dealt mainly with viral diseases, particularly those on polio-myelitis, rubeola, rubella, and varicella. These clinical researches served as reference in the use of vaccine and immunizations in the country.

The absence of well-equipped laboratories for analysis did not restrain her from determining the nature of the sickness. Dr. del Mundo would send specimens or blood samples for polio to New York, measles to London, rubella to Switzerland, and chicken pox to Japan.

In 1954, she helped characterize dengue fever at the clinical and laboratory levels, which contributed to a better understanding of the disease.

            DOST Secretary Mario Montejo and National Scientist Mercedes B. Concepcion, Vice President of National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) delivered their eulogy messages.

            The NAST, Philippines, the nation’s highest recognition and advisory body on issues concerning science and technology, joins the scientific community in mourning the demise of National Scientist del Mundo. Ester Gallardo, PSciJourn MegaManila

ENDOWMENT FUND FOR ‘ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES’. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje (third from right) receives from Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Francisco Duque III (second from left) a facsimile of a check amounting to Php314,241.00, representing the proceeds from the In a R.A.C.E.(Responsive, Accessible, Courteous and Effective) to Serve Fun Run organized by the CSC to help families of DENR forest guards who died in the line of duty. Conducted last Sept. 4 at the grounds of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, the Fun Run was participated in by close to 3,000 runners composed mostly of government employees to kick off the nationwide celebration of the 111th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service. Paje said the DENR will put up an endowment fund for ‘environmental heroes’. Also in photo are (left to right): DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo Jr.; CSC Director Myrna Macatangay; CSC Assistant Commissioner Anicia Marasigan-De Lima; DENR Assistant Secretary Corazon Davis; and DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio Jr.

 

SA ginanap na ‘Flag Raising Ceremony’ sa ‘compound’ ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) noong ika-14 ng Setyembre 2011 ay ipinagkaloob ng Komisyon ng Serbisyo Sibil sa pamamagitan ni Chairman Fracisco T. Duque III ang tsekeng nagkakahalaga ng Tatlong daan labing apat na libo at dalawang daan apat napu’t isang piso (P 314,241.00) na nalikom mula sa isinagawang R.A.C.E. (Responsive, Accessible, Courteous and Effective) to Serve Fun Run noong ika-4 ng Setyembre 2011 sa Philippine International Convention Center na dinaluhan ng ikalawang pangulo ng bansa na si Jejomar C. Binay sa pakikipagtulungan ng Philipine Sports Commission, lokal na pamahalaan ng Pasay, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Pasay City Police District, Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas at Philippine Information Agency.

Ang nasabing Fun Run ng Civil Service Commission (CSC) ay pasimula lamang ng mga nakahanay na gawain para sa pagridiwang ng ika-111 taong pagkakatatag ng Serbisyo Sibil sa Pilipinas na nilahukan ng dalawang libo at walong daan at dalawampu’t dalawang (2,822) kawani ng gobyerno mula sa iba’t ibang sangay kasama ang ilang pribadong sector bilang pagkilala sa mga manggagawa ng Kagawaran ng Kapaligiran at Likas na Yaman (DENR) na nagbuwis ng buhay maipagtanggol lamang ang inang kalikasan.

Isa sa sampung gagawaran ng parangal ng Serbisyo Sibil bilang “Dangal ng Bayan” ng taong kasalukuyan ay si Elpidio “Jojo” Malinao, Forestry Technician I o Forest Guard na nakatalaga sa Makiling Forest Reserve sa lalawigan ng Laguna. Samantala ang Kagawaran ng Kapaligiran at Likas Yaman (DENR) sa pamumuno ni Kalihim Ramon J. P. Paje ay nakatakdang magkaloob ng pinansyal na tulong sa mga pamilya na nag-alay ng buhay sa pagpapatupad ng nakaatas na tungkulin na tinaguriang ‘Environmental Heroes’ ng bansa.

Ang ibinigay na halaga na nalikom mula sa ‘Fun Run’ ng CSC ay ilalagak ng DENR sa ‘Trust Fund’ at magtatalaga ng isang grupo na mag-aasikaso para sa mga pamilya ng mga kawani ng kanilang ahensya na nasawi dahil sa atas ng katungkulan gayundin upang matiyak na ang mapapalawig ang ganitong uri ng programa para sa mga bayani ng kalikasan.

Samantala, hinimok naman ni Chairman Duque ang mga empleyado ng DENR na sumama sa susunod na taunang pagtakbo upang makamit ang sampung libong (10,000) makakasali sa 3K at 5K Fun Run at mapalaki pa ang maiipon na halaga para sa namatay na kasama nila na nanatiling tapat sa trabaho. Cathy Cruz, PSciJourn Mega Manila

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will set up an endowment fund for ‘environmental heroes’ using as seed money the proceeds generated from the In a R.A.C.E. (Responsive, Accessible, Courteous, Effective) to Serve Fun Run held last Sept. 4, 2011 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City in celebration of the 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje made the announcement during the turnover of a check amounting to PhP314,241.00 from Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Francisco T. Duque in Monday’s (Sept. 12) flag raising ceremony at the grounds of DENR in Quezon City.

“We deeply appreciate the concern and generosity accorded by the Civil Service Commission led by Chairman Duque to our co-workers in the DENR, who have to sacrifice their lives in defense of our forests, our seas and other natural resources,” Paje said.

Duque said the amount was raised from the registration fees paid by the runners, totaling 2,831, composed mostly of government employees.

No less than Vice Pres. Jejomar C. Binay led the Fun Run highlighted by two events, 3K and 5K. Among the government agencies that supported the event include the Philippine Sports Commission, Pasay City Government, Metro Manila Development Authority, Pasay City Police District, Small Business Guaranty and Finance Corp., Cultural Center of the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Philippine Information Agency, and DENR.

Duque stressed the commemoration of the birth of the civil service system in the Philippines serves not only as an opportunity to reflect on the state of the institution as one of the first modern civil service systems in Asia but also to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of Filipino civil servants.

“Amidst the politics and changing leadership in government, they are the people who ensure the stable and continuous delivery of programs and services to the public,” Duque said.

Duque also enjoined all employees of the DENR to participate in next year’s Fun Run as his agency seeks to target around 10,000 government employees to generate more funds for ‘environmental heroes.’

Paje said he will be forming a group who will be managing the fund. The group, he said, will also be responsible in laying down the mechanisms not only on the fund’s utilization to benefit the dependents of ‘environmental heroes’ but also on how to ensure the sustainability of the endowment fund. Ayda Zoleta, PAO, DENR

SA ginanap kamakailan (Setyempre 5, 2011) na pagkilala ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) sa mga samahang sibiko, mamamahayag, kapulisan at mga ‘Prosecutors’ kasama si Ben Figura, Brodkaster ng AFP-DWDD sa hanay ng mamahayag sa mga naging katuwang ng nasabing ahensya sa paglaban ng paggamit ng bawal na gamot.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang nasabing Brodkaster ay Pangulo rin ng Elliptical Press Corp na humihimpil sa DA Press Office. Bukod sa pagiging ‘Announcer’ at ‘Commentator’ ay matatandaan na taong 1998 pa nang maging magkasama sina PDEA Director General Jose “Sonny” Gutierrez at Ben Figura sa Rotary Club North Balintawak.

Kapwa isinulong ng dalawa ang iba’t ibang paraan ng serbisyong bayan tulad taunang pagsasagawa ng ‘Educational Tour’ kabilang ang San Jose High School sa Lungsod Quezon. Bago pa man umano naging pinuno ng PDEA si Gen. Gutierrez ay naging masidhi na ang kanyang bokasyon kontra droga at naging kasama sa mga labang ito si Ben.

Kinilala ng PDEA si Rotarian Figura sa hanay ng ‘media practioner’ bilang brodkaster ng programang “Misyon Aksyon Ngayon” na napapakinggan tuwing Lunes hanggang Biyernes 11:30 hanggang 12:00 ng tanghali sa pagbibigay ng mga impormasyon sa kanyang segmentong “Magkasangga Kontra Droga” tuwing Miyerkoles ng kaparehong oras ng pagsasahimpapawid. Sa nabanggit na programa ay na pawang mga opisyal PDEA ang kanyang tagapagsalita upang ipaliwanag ang kasamaang dulot ng bawal na gamut sa katawan ng tao at kung paano maiiwasan ito. Inilalahad din ang pakikipagtulungan ng iba’t-ibang sangay ng pamahalaan sa PDEA katulad ng Bureau of Immigration.

Ayon kay Figura, nais niyang makamit ang tuwid na daan gamit ang kanyang propesyon upang maipalaganap ang mga programa ng pamahalaan lalo na sa paglaban sa bawal na gamot na itinuturing nyang salot sa bayan at ugat ng mga karumal-dumal na krimen sa bansa.

Panawagan pa rin Ben sa lahat ng sektor na dapat aniya na maging kaakibat sila ng pamahalaan sa layunin nitong tulungan ang mga mahihirap at hikahos na kababayan upang maipaabot ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan tulad ng nilalayon ng mga Rotarian na tuwina’y may kaisipang “Rotary Serve Above Self”. Cathy Cruz, Pscijourn Mega Manila

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine’s National Single Window (NSW) consider the efforts of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as best practice in government institutions in the processing of licenses and permits.

In a letter from the Philippine National Single Window dated August 31, 2011, Sally Alvareda, Change Management and Implementation Manager said that “DTI agencies such as [the] Board of Investment (BOI), Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), and Bureau of Import Services are admiring the PDEA Compliance Service (PDEA-CS)” in view of the high-client satisfaction brought about by the relatively hassle-free and short period required in processing and approval of licenses and permits. 

She added that under the “leadership of [DTI] Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, [the Department] would like to adopt best practices” from other government instrumentalities applicable to DTI agencies.

“We appreciate that the DTI and NSW expressed satisfaction on the processes adopted by the Agency in issuing licenses and permits to industry partners, medical practitioners, pharmaceutical companies, suppliers and retailers,” said PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez Jr.

Aside from its law enforcement mandate, PDEA also functions as a operational regulatory enforcement body through its Compliance Service (CS) under Director Helen Maita E. Reyes. 

PDEA-CS takes charge of monitoring movements of controlled substances to prevent diversion.  It issues permits and licenses to industry partners, medical practitioners, pharmaceutical companies, suppliers and retailers engaged in the importation, distribution, manufacture, prescription, dispensing and selling dangerous drugs and essential chemicals.

PDEA started automating its license processing as early as February 2008.  In the last quarter of the 2010, PDEA, in accordance with Executive Order 482, implemented the NSW system in the processing and approval of licenses and permits to clients.  The computerized internet-based system permits government agencies and clients to transact business by logging-in and sending information and documents using a single entry point to accomplish all regulatory requirements.  A total of 30 government agencies, including PDEA, are currently implementing the NSW system.

At present, only first time applicants are required to personally appear at the PDEA Office while clients who wish to renew licenses or permits may do their transaction with PDEA on-line.  The PDEA Compliance Service processes and approves an average of 2,183 applications monthly. Evangeline Almenario, Chief, Public Information Office, PDEA

Ang mga nanalo sa ginanap na Ikatlong Parangal at Pagkilala bilang ‘Marine Protected Areas’ ay ang Tabunan Marine Protected Area sa Barangay Malim, Tabina, Zamboanga Del Sur  at Twin Rocks Marine Sanctuary sa Barangay San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas na kapwa nasa pangatlong puwesto sa mga nagwagi. Samantala, ikalawang parangal naman ang nasungit ng Bangrin Mangrove Marine Protected Area sa Barangay San Miguel, Bani, Pangasinan at Bangaan Marine Sanctuary sa Barangay Tigbucay, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay ang nakakuha ng pinakamataas na puwesto sa labing apat na lumahok mula sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa.

Ang Marine Protected Areas Support Network (MSN) ay isang nagsama-samang grupo mula sa hanay ng pamahalaan, samahang sibika at institusyon ng edukasyon kung saan naglalayon na patuloy na paunlarin at pangalagaan ang mga anumang nilalang na nabubuhay sa tubig kasama ang nasa kapaligiran o nasasakupan nito.

Taong 2007 nang sinimulan ang pagkilala sa mga kababayan natin na naptunayan ang patuloy na pangangalaga at pananatili ng Marine Protected Area sa bansa na tinaguriangParael Mar.

Ang MSN kasama ang Philippine Environmental Gvernance Project (EcoGov) ng United States Agency for International Development (USAID) ay magsasagawa rin ng isang pagtatalakayan ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno at samahan na may kaugnay sa pangangalaga ng ‘marine life’ na idaraos sa University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute mula Agosto 31 hanggang Setyembre 1, 2011. Cathy Cruz, PSciJourn Mega Manila