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Ang Nars Update on Partylist Accreditation |
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Monday, 25 January 2010 12:36 |
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 January 20, 2010
Dear Ang Nars Members,
As part of the growing family of Ang Nars, we wish to update you on the developments on our move to have Ang Nars be accredited as a party-list sectoral organization for the May 2010 elections.
Ang Nars was able to comply with seven (7) out of eight (8) requirements for the party-list accreditation. We fell short of only one provision, and that is the lack of national constituency (in electoral parlance, it means the existence of Ang Nars in the majority of the regions of the country, and to be considered existing in the region, it must be proven that it exists in the majority of the provinces and cities of the region). It is in this light that our petition for accreditation of Ang Nars as a party-list sectoral organization did not progress.
This does not dampen our resolve to continue our advocacies for our nurses here and abroad, instilling socio-economic- political awareness to our profession and continuing the following:
1.Social - Ang Nars Mission (16 conducted in 2009), Ang Nars Scholarship, and extend safe, quality healthcare to our countrymen especially the marginalized.
2. Economic – a. Employability – hanging of shingles, Nurses to the Barangays, create, increase plantilla positions, Against On the Job Training cum Volunteerism, Japan Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA)
b. Salary - Implementation of Salary Grade 15, equal salary of government and private nurses,
c. Working conditions - Nurse-patient ratio, Full implementation of RA 7305
3.Political – lobby for the above , support Sentossa 27++, Holding Employers accountable for the provisions of the laws
To make Ang Nars stronger, we need your help in establishing a national constituency by organizing Ang Nars in your provinces and cities and enjoining nurses, families and friends to become members of Ang Nars. Can you give names and contact numbers of friends in the provincial level who can be potential leaders?
It is time to be bold, for our people to respect the nursing profession and see the real value of the nurses to our society.
By working together, we shall be able to meet this challenge and be an accredited party list in the May, 2013 elections.
Mabuhay Ang Nars,

Nars LEAH PRIMITIVA G. SAMACO-PAQUIZ
Founding President
091785209118,
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Last Updated on Monday, 25 January 2010 13:11 |
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EcoWaste Coalition urges public not to burn trash as nation sizzles with rising temperature |
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 09:22 |
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=8&sid=&nid=8&rid=261791
MANILA, March 2 (PNA) -- As mercury rises due to the El Niño
phenomenon, a waste and pollution watchdog appealed to the public not
to burn trash that could only worsen the smoldering heat of summer.
The EcoWaste Coalition issued the eco-advisory against open burning in
solidarity with the Bureau of Fire Protection, which is leading the
country’s observance of the Fire Prevention Month this March.
The EcoWaste Coalition, an advocate of “Zero Waste for Zero Warming,”
appealed to both urban and rural residents to refrain from setting
their discards on fire and causing damage to human and ecological
health as well as to properties.
“Open burning of trash, even in small quantities, can get out of
control and cause residential and brush fires, particularly during the
long dry spells,” ,” said Manny Calonzo of the EcoWaste Coalition and the
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives.
“Even the burning of grass, rice straws and other agricultural
residues can pose hazards to motorists, especially for those
travelling in the NLEX, SLEX and SCTEX expressways, because of
impaired or reduced visibility caused by the smoke,” he added.
“Open burning further hurts the health of citizens, young and old,
with the release of gas and particulate contaminants that can pollute
the air quality and trigger or aggravate serious respiratory ailments
and other health problems,” Calonzo said.
“The smoke from open burning can be most detrimental to the health of
small children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people suffering from
chemical sensitivities and respiratory conditions,” he pointed out.
A fact sheet prepared by the EcoWaste Coalition and the Global
Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives says that dioxins, which are
toxic byproducts of burning materials containing chlorine, can cause
various types of cancer and other serious reproductive, developmental
and other health problems.
Aside from cancer-causing dioxins, open burning releases other
health-damaging gases and fine particles, including nitrous oxide,
carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic
compounds, formaldehyde, and particulate matter or PM.
PM, also known as particulate pollution, pertains to the microscopic
particles in smoke that can be breathed deep into the lungs, cause
coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath and exacerbate
respiratory and heart diseases. These particles can also transport
dangerous chemical substances such as dioxins.
In lieu of open burning, the EcoWaste Coalition recommends that
citizens reduce their waste size to the minimum and embrace a
sustainable lifestyle that is marked by active ecological concern and
responsibility.
To prevent the noxious air pollution from open burning, the EcoWaste
Coalition recommends the following waste reduction tips culled from
the group’s “101 Green Tips to Beat Climate Change":
-Segregate your discards at the point of generation, clean and dry them.
-Don’t bin your waste. Repair, reuse or recycle as many times as possible.
-Reuse bags, bottles, cans and other containers to extend their life span.
-Compost your kitchen waste, yard trimmings and other organic waste.
-Pick reusable products that can be cleaned and used time and again.
-Bring your own bayong or reusable carry bag made when you shop.
-Say no to plastic bags.
Open burning is deemed illegal and punishable under Section 48 of
Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, a
major environmental legislation that Congress enacted in 2000 to
promote human and ecological health.
Upon conviction, violator shall be punished with a fine of not less
than P300 but not exceeding P1,000 or imprisonment of one to 15 days,
or both. (PNA)
DCT/PR/mec |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 09:28 |
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Unsafe cosmetics flood Quiapo |
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 08:00 |
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 19:38
People's Journal
SAFETY watchdog EcoWaste Coalition yesterday urged the Food and Drugs
Administration to launch an all-out campaign against hazardous
cosmetics, following reports that banned mercury-tainted beauty
products are still being sold in the market.
EWC, in a letter to FDA director Nazarita Tacandong, said the
China-made cosmetic products are openly being sold in Binondo and
Quiapo shops.
The group said these products expose women to dangerous chemicals.
“Our investigation shows that the mercury-tainted beauty products are
being sold in Ongpin and Carriedo in brazen disregard of the FDA
recall and seizure orders,” Aileen Lucero of the EcoWaste said.
Lucero said the FDA last month banned the China-made facial creams and
skin whitening creams containing mercury. These include the Jiao-Li
and Xin Jiao brands. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 08:02 |
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Advisory: UK Government Announces Changes to Student Visa Regulations |
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 12:14 |
UK Home Affairs Minister Alan Johnson announced on 10 February 2010 a number of changes to Tier 4 (Student Visa) Regulations under the UK Points-Based System of Migration (PBS).
The initial Ministerial announcement outlines broadly measures resulting from a comprehensive review of the Tier 4 scheme as relayed initially by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in November 2009.
In the Ministerial Statement/Notes released by the UK Home Office, the UK Government announced the following modifications designed to achieve “a balanced and targeted package of measures to tackle the abuse of Tier 4 by economic migrants whilst at the same time continuing to safeguard the ability of genuine international students to come to the UK to benefit from our world class education system and bring benefit to our economy.”:
Students will only be allowed to work during the school term for 10 hours a week instead of the present 20 hours a week
Students registered in courses of six months or less can no longer bring dependants with them to the UK
Students’ dependants are not permitted to work unless they qualify in their own right under Tier 1 (General) as a highly skilled migrant or as a skilled worker under Tier 2 (General worker, sportsperson or Minister of Religion)
The above changes will apply to adult students coming to the UK to study below degree level in the further education and English Language sectors. These changes will not apply to students coming to the UK for a foundation degree (broadly the equivalent of the first 2 years of a Bachelor’s degree), courses at degree level or above, and those coming in as child students at independent (private) schools.
Minister Johnson announced further that the changes will come into force on 03 March 2010 and all Tier 4 applications submitted on or after this date will be subject to the new restrictions.
The Philippine Embassy reiterates its advice for all prospective applicants under Tier 4 to secure up-to-date information on new regulations, procedures, and requirements from the UK Embassy in Manila.
Advisory: Latest Warnings on Fake Online Job Offers
Filipino online jobseekers looking for employment in the UK are advised to be more cautious in view of the rampant cases of bogus internet job offers. They should be wary of attractive jobs offered by the employers or their agents who would ask them to remit a certain amount of money purportedly to pay for the processing of their visas or work permits and other travel-related expenses.
The Philippine Embassy in London, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Philippine Nurses Association of UK (PNA UK), urges all Filipino jobseekers to be more discerning as these internet job offers come in various schemes to defraud them of their hard-earned money. Among the UK jobs which have been offered to Filipino applicants lately include positions like Nannies, Au Pair, Hotel staff, Store Manager, Salesmen, Engineers, and many others.
The following information/advisory should serve as guide to UK-bound Filipino jobseekers:
1. Filipino jobseekers who have been ‘offered’ positions through the internet should advise their prospective UK employers to submit the original copies of their employment documents to the POLO Office, Philippine Embassy in London for verification and authentication. For their part, they should not rely on scanned documents sent to them by emails such as employment contract, appointment letters and the like, as most of these are found to be forged or fabricated;
2. To ascertain the authenticity of the job orders, employment contracts as well as the legitimacy of UK employers, Filipino jobseekers are advised to check with the POEA. They may also send their email-request for verification by POLO London at
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or
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(for nurses); It is not enough to know if the employers really exist or that the jobs are available. Filipino jobseekers should also verify for themselves by using internet search engines like ‘Google’ in contacting the UK employers directly through their official websites;
3. The new UK Points-Based Immigration System has done away with the requirement of the old ‘work permit’ which is now replaced by the ‘certificate of sponsorship’. To be able to issue a certificate of sponsorship in favor of a candidate or applicant, the prospective UK employer should be duly licensed as a sponsor by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). Filipino jobseekers should verify the status of their prospective employers in the list of sponsors which can be found at the UKBA website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. The payment for the certificate of sponsorship is also shouldered by the UK employer;
4. Application for UK visa is done in the country of origin, i.e., at the British Embassy in Manila, and not in the UK. Visas are issued based on the points criteria for qualifications, prospective earnings, maintenance funds and English language proficiency. Since the visas are applied at, and issued by the British Embassy in Manila, applicants should not give credence to the scanned copies of visas purportedly applied in their behalf by their employer’s agents, including immigration consultants, solicitors or travel agents;
5. As regards hiring of Au Pair, it is advised that no Au Pair visas will be issued by the British Embassy to Filipino nationals since the Philippines had never been included in the UK’s list of Au Pair countries. Incidentally, the Au Pair visa scheme had already been abolished effective last 26 November 2008 and has been replaced by the Youth Mobility Scheme under the new UK Points-Based System;
6. As to the hiring of Nannies or domestic workers, it is an important requirement for purposes of domestic worker visa application that the candidate must have worked with the sponsoring employer for at least one (1) year prior to the date of application. Hence, to qualify to come to the UK to work as a Nanny or domestic worker, the Filipino applicant must be an established member of the employer’s household. The visa is also applied at the British Embassy in Manila.
For further clarifications or inquiry, please contact POLO London (Labor Office), Philippine Embassy, at email
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or
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(for nurses). |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 12:20 |
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Exodus of health workers paves way for bilateral pacts |
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Wednesday, 10 March 2010 08:36 |
March 3, 2010, 3:24pm
Seeing no end to the outmigration of Filipino nurses and doctors, a former
health secretary has taken steps to "tame the exodus" and achieve a win-win
situation for both the Philippines and foreign countries employing our
medical professionals.
For a number of years now, Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan, former Department of Health
(DoH) Secretary, has been working for partnerships among countries
recruiting Filipino nurses and doctors.
Tan, who initiated an extensive study on the exodus of medical professionals
and its effects in the Philippine healthcare system, has formulated ways to
improve the situation by seeking bilateral agreements with receiving
countries such as Canada, Finland and Australia, among others.
"I have accepted globalization and I have accepted that Filipino nurses are
bound to go. Let us tame the exodus; you cannot stop them; that is their
human right. Let us tame it," said Tan, an educator at the University of the
Philippines (UP) College of Medicine and founder of Health Futures
Foundation, Inc., which trains community health workers nationwide.
Though lacking official government backing, Tan was able to secure on-going
negotiations from recruiting countries such as Finland, Canada, Australia
and Bahrain to establish a trust fund for health human resources
development.
"We can turn migration into a positive force rather than a negative force."
The proposed RP-Partner trust foundation seeks the adoption of a Philippine
region such as Iloilo, Surigao, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur with the
recruiter pouring direct investments in its health system.
Tan is also negotiating for employed nurses to return to the Philippines
after two years of service abroad to share their knowledge among Filipino
nurses for a period of six months. "I call this brain circulation," he said.
For nurses who may opt to stay and teach in the Philippines, Tan has asked
recruiting countries to provide a Masters Degree scholarship to be provided
by the state or the hospital where the nurse is employed.
Other negotiations in the "win-win" bilateral agreement include the
provision of three nursing scholarships in a Philippine nursing school
partner for every Filipino nurse recruited by the state or the hospital and
the improvement of a healthcare facility for every 10 nurses recruited.
For 20 nurses recruited, a nursing school should be improved and for 50
recruited Filipino nurses, Tan seeks for the improvement of a training
hospital.
Tan's research shows the Philippines remains the top exporter of nurses to
the world and the number two exporter of doctors, following India.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Networ
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 08:39 |
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Finally, military presents 'Morong 43' |
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Tuesday, 16 February 2010 11:27 |
MANILA, Philippines - The Court of Appeals (CA) on Monday gave the military and lawyers of 43 health workers arrested in Morong, Rizal 24 hours to submit their arguments on whether the arrest is legal or not. The court also allowed the health workers to present one witness to describe how they were treated by government authoriities during their arrest last February 6. The military presented the 43 health workers to the CA in compliance with the writ of habeas corpus issued by the Supreme Court last week. Security forces arrested the health workers last February 6 for allegedly undergoing a bomb-making training in a resthouse compound in Morong town, Rizal province. Col. Aurelio Baladad of the Philippine Army's 202nd Infantry Brigade said 2 of the people arrested during the raid are known members of the communist New People's Army. He identified the suspects as Franko Romeroso alias Pongkoy, medical officer Komite sa Probinsya (KOMPROB) Batangas, and Janice Javier of Barangay Natatas, Tanauan City in Batangas province. Relatives of the workers, meanwhile, were relieved to see the 43 health workers at Monday's CA hearing. They were supposed to be presented before the CA last Friday, but the military said they weren't given enough time to prepare for security and transportation arrangements. The Commission on Human Rights earlier criticized the military’s prohibition of visits to the 43 health workers who were kept under detention in Camp Capinpin in Rizal. A health workers' group also accused the military of abusing the 43. |
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