Battle against the bottle

It looks like the battle between the breast and the bottle continues to rage. International breastfeeding advocates have expressed support for the Department of Health in its efforts to carry out the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Executive Order 51 or the "Milk Code," issued in 1986 which aims to restrict marketing practices for infant formula and other breast milk substitutes. The Milk Code is one of the reasons why milk formula ads now have to carry the message "Breast milk is still best for babies." The DOH issued the new IRR in July 2006 through an Administrative Order, more than 20 years after the Milk Code was issued, but protests by the Pharmaceutical and Health Care Association of the Philippines (PHAP) resulted in the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Supreme Court. The Global Breastfeeding Partners of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action or WABA, an organization that actively advocates breastfeeding, had alleged that the president of the US Chamber of Commerce was interfering when he warned about "the risk of the reputation of the Philippines as a stable and viable destination for investment" if the said regulatory decision is not re-examined. The PHAP, which has for its members three of the major US formula companies, had also questioned the premise that breast milk substitutes are hazardous to the health of infants, and the claim that there is no substitute or replacement for breast milk as "fundamentally flawed." PHAP also pointed out to some instances when breastfeeding is not possible or appropriate. WABA, in its 5th meeting in Malaysia, had reiterated however that "the use of infant formula is indeed a potential hazard to the infant and young child health and development, and promotion of such foods undermines breastfeeding, putting their health at risk."

Leading PR firm Weber Shandwick opens Philippine office

Leading global PR firm Weber Shandwick Worldwide (WSW) will formally launch its Philippine office on Monday at the exclusive business enclave, the Tower Club in Makati. A member of the Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG), the world’s largest advertising and marketing services organization, Weber Shandwick Worldwide generated more than $800 million in revenues last year, making it one of the biggest performers under the IPG group. At the helm as chairman of WSW’s Philippine office is Norbert Garrett, a former US government officer, with former presidential spokesperson Atty. Mike Toledo as president and CEO. The new office counts three major advertising agencies – McCann Worldgroup, Draft FCB and Lowe Worldwide – as its operating partners. Weber Shandwick President for Asia Pacific Andrew Pirie will be flying in to grace the formal launch of the Philippine office on Monday.

The latest word on Scrabble

Here’s the word: A congressman is batting for the inclusion of Scrabble sets in the list of instructional materials that may qualify as "tax deductible" under the government’s Adopt-a-School program. "Scrabble, Boggle, crossword puzzle books and other English-based word games are definitely potent accessories that can go a long way in enlivening the use of English in schools, or even in homes," said Cebu first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas, who, along with then youth Rep. Ana Marie Periquet in 1998, authored RA 8525 or the Adopt-a-School program which encourages the private sector to help public schools in exchange for additional tax credits. Reports have been circulating that Scrabble enthusiasts particularly in Baguio City have been pushing for the board game to be included as a teaching tool in English literacy classes, an idea that the Baguio-Benguet Club for Scrabble had reportedly been trying to sell to the Department of Education since 2002. A March 2006 survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations commissioned by the Promoting English Proficiency Project showed that the proficiency of Filipinos in English has declined over the past 12 years, with only 65 percent of Filipinos saying they understand spoken English, while another 65 percent said they read English, with 48 percent saying they write English ñ a far cry from the 2000 figure of 77, 76 and 61 percent, respectively. A report by the Philippine Center of the John F. Kennedy Foundation likewise revealed that less than 12,000 of the 400,000 college graduates produced by the country every year qualify for jobs in call centers and other BPO-related offices because of poor showing in English comprehension and less than satisfactory writing and speaking skills.

Spybiz-mis: Whatís in a name?

A young tycoon who was recently divorced from his wife is reportedly going out with a longtime friend ñ who happens to have the same nickname as his ex-wife. Observers said there must be something about the name which makes the young tycoon unable to help himself from going out with the lady.

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