13th month pay is mandatory,says DOLE

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P CO

Frank Cimatu, PDI - North Luzon Bureau For comments, suggestions and inquiries, please call (074) 442-2150/8240 or email at nclcluster.pia@gmail.com

Historical sites, traditions, culture, natural scenic sites, customs, festivals, and celebrations...these are the reasons tourists visit a locality.

Over the years, tourists, local and foreign alike, come and go in every part of the country, wanting new experiences and more surprises. They are fond of new things, new discoveries, and innovations from areas which they used to visit or have never been before.

But are local government units prepared to protect these tourists? Are our police forces visible in areas mostly visited by tourists?

In the latest Surfing Break in Urbiztondo, San Juan town in the province of La Union, two (2) tourists were reported to have drowned but thanks to the Philippine Coast Guard Northern Luzon (PCG-NL) divers. They rescued the victims, given first aid and revived.

Recently, Republic Act 9993 mandated the Philippine Coast Guard to strictly implement creation of lifeguards in every hotels and resorts establishment to ensure safety of tourists.

Captain George V. Ursabia, Jr., Commander of the PCG-NL stressed the need for these establishments to employ at least one skilled lifeguard to ensure the security of all tourists within their area, and at the same time augment existing forces from the district.

Some establishments are not heeding this call and even regard employing lifeguards as additional expenses, a less on their income.

However, local government units play vital role on this initiative. They hold the key towards the strict implementation of the law by requiring hotels and resorts to employ lifeguards prior to issuance of a business permit.

Initially, the province of La Union thru Board Member Alfred Ortega, Committee Chair on Disaster Preparedness signified the intention to pass a provincial ordinance directing all hotels and resorts establishments along the coastlines, including those that are not along the beaches but have swimming pools, to employ lifeguards.

The Tourism Council of Bauang town earlier requested for lifeguards training from PCG-NL. Bauang town is famous for its beach resorts and hotels where swimmers love to visit. These should be replicated in other local government units.

While no one wants drowning accident from visiting swimmers, the old maxim still holds true. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Security and safety should be our foremost concern to ensure influx of visitors, to boost our tourism industry, and ensure optimum economic upward trend.

Jennilyne C. Role, PIA-1

TOURISTS' SECURITY

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"Lantern Parade" in celebration of Christmas Season, Candon City"Lantern Parade" in celebration of Christmas Season, Candon City

2011 Inter-Barangay Mammangi (Corn) Christmas lantern making contest,Ilagan, Isabela

2011 Inter-Barangay Mammangi (Corn) Christmas lantern making contest,Ilagan, Isabela

Health Secretary Enrique Ona inspects a pyrotechnic store and a manufacturing site in Bocaue town, known as the firecracker capital of the country

Health Secretary Enrique Ona inspects a pyrotechnic store and a manufacturing site in Bocaue town, known as the firecracker capital of the country

Opening program of the 2011 Provincial Athletic Selection Meet and Sangguniang KabataanFestival with Ifugao provincial officials and Department of Education Assistant Secretary

Tonisto M.C. Umali as guest of honor and speaker held at Lamut, Ifugao

Opening program of the 2011 Provincial Athletic Selection Meet and Sangguniang KabataanFestival with Ifugao provincial officials and Department of Education Assistant Secretary

Tonisto M.C. Umali as guest of honor and speaker held at Lamut, Ifugao

,PDI

Statisticsby: BAS/DA

National Statistical Coordination Board

Ilocos Norte Crime Statistics

Nov. 28/ 7:30 am Ilocos Norte Infocen’s “Morning Sky” Television Program over SKYCABLE Nov. 28/ 8:00 am Ilocos Sur Infocen’s “For Your Info” TV Program over Iloco heritage Channel (IHC)

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Nov. 28/ 9:00 am Laoag City Staff Meeting Nov. 28/ 2:00 pm Vigan City Council Session Nov. 28 Sangguniang Panlungsod (Pangasinan) Regular Session Nov. 28 La Union Infocen’s PIA News Desk Seminar-Workshop on Philippine Development

Plan Nov. 29/ 7:30 am Ilocos Norte Infocen’s “Morning Sky” Television Program over SKYCABLE Nov. 29/ 8:00 am Ilocos Sur Infocen’s “For Your Info” TV Program over Iloco heritage Channel (IHC)

16 Nov. 29 Pangasinan Infocen’s “Pantongtongan Tayo” Radio Program over DZMQ Nov. 29 Pangasinan Infocen’s Basketball Goodwill Games and Entertainment Nov. 29/ 2:00 pm Sangguniang Panlungsod (Vigan City) Regular Session

Nov. 29/ 3:00 pm Ilocos Norte Infocen’s “PIA HOUR” Radio Program over DWFB Nov. 29 La Union Infocen’s Population and Development Week

Nov.29 La Union Infocen’s PIA News Desk Seminar-Workshop on Philippine Development Plan

Nov. 30/ 7:30 am Ilocos Norte Infocen’s “Morning Sky” Television Program over SKYCABLE Nov. 30/ 8:00 am Ilocos Sur Infocen’s “For Your Info” TV Program over Iloco heritage Channel (IHC)

16 Nov. 30/ 3:00 pm Ilocos Norte Infocen’s “PIA HOUR” Radio Program over DWFB Nov. 30 Pangasinan Infocen’s Monitoring of Celebration of Bonifacio Day

Nov. 30 La Union Infocen’s PIA News Desk Seminar-Workshop on Philippine Development Plan

Dec. 1/ 7:30 am Ilocos Norte Infocen’s “Morning Sky” Television Program over SKYCABLE Dec. 1/ 8:00 am Ilocos Sur Infocen’s “For Your Info” TV Program over Iloco heritage Channel (IHC)

16 Dec. 1/ 3:00 pm Ilocos Norte Infocen’s “PIA HOUR” Radio Program over DWFB

Dec. 1/ 4:00 pm La Union’s Infocen’s “Ammuentayo” Radio Program over DZNL Dec. 1 Pangasinan Infocen’s KBP Forum Dec. 1 Pangasinan Infocen’s Journalism Seminar for DepED

Dec. 2/ 7:30 am Ilocos Norte Infocen’s “Morning Sky” Television Program over SKYCABLE Dec. 2/ 8:00 am Ilocos Sur Infocen’s “For Your Info” TV Program over Iloco heritage Channel (IHC)

16 Dec. 2 Pangasinan Infocen’s Media in Action Forum

Every Thursday

PIA Hour, DZWT, Bonifacio St. Baguio City

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Dec 12 Enhancing Social Contract Thru Transparency & Accountability Forum with

Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales Baguio Country Club

Dec 16 111th Itogon Foundation Anniversary

Dec 16 CARE-CESG General Assembly and Year-end Assessment

NEAP Hall, Teachers Camp, Baguio Cit

Dec 15 4th Quarter Meeting RLECC & Christmas Party, Log Cabin, PRO-COR, Camp Dangwa

December 12, 1PM Regional Multi-sectoral Forest Protection Committee 4th Quarter Meeting,

DENR, Tug. City

December 12, 1PM Regional Population Executive Board (RPEB) Regional Inter-Collegiate Population

Debate, Crown Hotel, Tug. City

December 13, 9AM DTI – One Town One Product (OTOP) meeting, DTI Cagayan

December 14, 8AM Orientation/Consultative Meeting on the renewed campaign in preventing

fireworks-related injuries, DOH Conference Hall, Carig, Tuguegarao City.

December 14, 8:30AM RGIN-TWG workshop, NEDA, Tug. City

December 14 31st Pag-Ibig Fund anniversary, turn-over of the 28 computer units to selected

public elem. school

December 15-17 DepEd Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) Elementary and Secondary,

Gattaran, Cagayan. RD Licas as evaluator on News Writing, Editorial Writing,

Feature Writing, and Copy and Headline Writing.

December 16 Christmas Party with Nueva Vizcaya Press Club

December 16, 9AM Forum on Free Trade Agreements dubbed as “Doing Business in Free Trade

Areas I-Market Approach”, Brickstone Mall, Tuguegarao City.

December 20 Regional OTOP Fiesta Trade Fair, Theme: “Proud Ako Sa OTOP Ko…Kaagapay Ko

Ito” Brickstone Mall, Tug. City

December 20, 8:30 am Regional Nutrition Committee 4th quarter meeting, Kainang Pilipino Tug. City

December 21, 9am Regional Risk Reduction and Management Council 2 4th quarter meeting, Ivory

Hotel, Tug. City

Every Monday

- Cover Isabela Sangguniang Panlalawigan session

Every Tuesday

- Tipon-Tipan sa PIA, 9-10 am

- Tungtongan Ti Tribu Biskayano, 2 pm

Transparency International – Philippines Forum on graft and corruption,

Baguio Country ClubDec12

Kapihan sa Baguio on DSWD updates

Dec14

Planning-Workshop on the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program

as a Convergence Strategy for the Attainment of the Cordillera Region's MDG Targets,

Hotel Supreme, Baguio CityDec14-15

4th Quarter RLECC Meeting and Christmas Party, Log Cabin, Camp

Dangwa, La Trinidad Pag-ibig 31st Anniversary Celebration, Palm

Grove Hot spring, Asin, Tuba, BenguetKapihan sa Benguet on Tuba

Founding Anniversary, Tuba, Benguet

Dec 15

Dec 16 Investors and Media Night, Itogon Municipal Gymnasium, Itogon,

BenguetCARE-CESG General Assembly & Year-end Assessment, NEAP

Hall, Teachers Camp, Baguio City

CARE Fun Run, Lake Drive, Burnham Park, Baguio CityForeign Groups

Christmas Festival, SM Atrium, Baguio City911 On Call 5th year

Anniversary, PIA grounds

Dec 18