TESDA-AdN, TVIs show support to COVID-19 frontliners

TESDA-AdN, TVIs show support to COVID-19 frontliners By Robert E. Roperos P ovincial News

BUTUAN CITY – The provincial office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Agusan del Norte in partnership with Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs) have shown support to COVID-19 frontliners.

Dubbed as “Bayanihan Na! Talunin Natin ang COVID-19,” the Association of Technical and Vocational Schools of Butuan City and Agusan del Norte (ATSBAN) has partnered with TESDAAgusan del Norte Provincial Office through the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF), and some medical professionals from Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Diamond Batch 1992 who solicited materials and funds in making face shields and washable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontliners.

The TVI association organized solicitation program to collect and accept materials and funds to purchase materials needed for the PPEs; accepts cash and deposit donations; coordinate with TESDA and NMSF for the transport and production of PPEs; promotes solicitation over social media; and documents all activities and donations for transparency.

“This initiative is really a collaborative effort supporting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of President Rodrigo R. Duterte especially in these times of crisis, which is also in line with the Bayanihan Program: Heal our Land,” Atega said.

In a statement, ATSBAN President and AMA-Computer Learning CenterButuan School Director Engr. Allan Atega said this development came after medical professionals who are alumni of FSUU Diamond Batch 1992 coordinated with ATSBAN and pledge to provide materials for the making of the PPEs. Meanwhile, TESDA-Agusan del Norte Acting Provincial Director Liza B. Budtan said that TESDA and the academe sector in the province and the city of Butuan are one in supporting the frontliners who have risked their lives just to serve the Agusanons and Butuanons. “In this little way, we could be able to show our support to our modern heroes,” she added.

ATSBAN coordinated with TESDAAgusan del Norte Provincial Office and the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries (NMSF) through School Administrator Romel M. Natad to utilize their trainers in Tailoring NC II to design and sew the PPE suits.

Dir. Budtan likewise expressed her sincerest thanks and gratitude to ATSBAN, FSUU Diamond Batch of 1992, NMSF, ACLC-Butuan and those who have made the project noble and worthwhile.

Among the priority beneficiaries are medical frontliners in: Butuan City Medical Center (BMC) which is a COVIDExclusive Hospital in the province; BMC (PUI Facilities); Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital; private hospitals in Butuan City; public and private outside Butuan City, and frontliners in major checkpoints in the city.

To date, Atega said 300 faceshields were already distributed to major checkpoints (Butuan City’s entry points) like Bit-os, Bancasi, Sumilihon, Taligaman and Barangay Villa-Kananga. The facemasks have been donated to BMC while NMSF has initially produced eight, at four suits per day. “We hope to deliver at least 20 or more suits to BMC,” he added.

As of April 2, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH)-Caraga reported that there are no patients who are found positive of the COVID-19 in the five provinces and six cities in the region.

Also, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Agusan del Norte reported in their Facebook page that DOH-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said the swab sample of the patient under investigation (PUI) who died at the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City on March 26, 2020 tested negative of COVID-19. (TESDA Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)

P ovincial News PCOO, AgNorte guv dispel fake news on COVID-19

BUTUAN CITY - Agusan del Norte Governor Dale B. Corvera with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar dispelled fake news amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

During the Laging Handa Network Briefing on April 2, Governor Corvera clarified that the Malasakit Center in Butuan City was not used as a storage facility for the donated medical equipment donated for hospitals and frontline workers. This is in response to the circulating news that the Malasakit Centers, particularly in Metro Manila, are taking in donations from private donors and handing them out to its supposed beneficiaries with Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s name plastered on the items. “The Malasakit Center is a onestop-shop for indigent citizens who wish to avail medical services without compromising their budgets and is not for such purposes,” Sec. Andanar affirmed. Further, the country’s top communications officer elucidated that anyone who wishes to contribute through donations can give it directly to its chosen beneficiaries. This, in turn, invalidates the viral posts pertaining to the ransacking done to certain hospitals in Metro Manila due to the regulations imposed by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

“Our function is to bridge the donors and frontline agencies and workers and address the prevalence of shortage of needed medical supplies during this pandemic,” he added.

The Caraga Regional Task Force on COVID-19 is actively combating the spread of fake news on COVID-19 in the region.

RMN-DXBC Radio Anchor and Station Manager Ramil Bangues said that the Cybercrime Unit of the police force in Caraga is constantly monitoring different social media pages to immediately provide appropriate interventions on the matter.

Such diligence resulted in the apprehension of a pastor in the province of Agusan del Sur on March 20, after spreading false information in a Facebook post that some patients of the said disease were living in two separate towns in the province. Governor Corvera also views the importance of the accessibility of the communication lines between the national and local governments in effectively carrying out the daily duties of the government.

He cited the Laging Handa Network Briefing program as manifestations of accessible communication lines and lauded Sec. Andanar for creating the program.

“The program is a great tool for local officials to make their concerns and plight of the Filipinos in the southern part of this country known to the whole nation and in turn enable awareness that maintains inclusivity,” the governor expressed.

Legitimate information on the development of the country amid the pandemic can be accessed through the Laging Handa and the PCOO pages on Facebook, Twitter, and on YouTube. (PIA-Caraga)