Infobytes 19 2013

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INFOBYTES THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-7 | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH VOL. 2 | NO. 19 August 30, 2013

TOPSTORIES

DOH-7 boosts campaign to reduce TB cases in CV

By Juju Manubag-Empuerto

By Amorganda Y. Saludar

CEBU CITY (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH) 7 is set to strengthen their advocacy against tuberculosis (TB) cases in the region.

In a recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) 7 forum, Program Coordinator for Rabies and TB Control and Prevention Program of DOH 7 Jocelyn Tabotabo said the health department aims to publicize the services and free medicines from the government offered for those afflicted by tuberculosis.

DOH aims to increase the cases of TB under medication to assure that its contagious virus will not spread spread to other people.

“If it cannot be treated within a year, ten people will be infected of tuberculosis from an untreated patient,” said Tabotabo.

In connection with this, DOH will boost the TB program in private and public hospitals in the region as well as the services in the health centers of barangays ang LGUs.

“Nurses and doctors in both public and private hospitals are trained to implement TB program. If they don’t have the available proper medication at least they would know what hospitals that patients with TB can be referred to,” Tabotabo said.

She added that DOH hopes to finish the training in all hospitals in the region by the end of this year.

Hospitals that will not commit to cater to sensitive cases of TB are requested to refer the patients to DOH or other hospitals implementing the TB program.

DOH-7 is also extending its services to address TB patients in prisons in Central Visayas.

"We are now negotiating for the treatment of TB cases in jails in the region, wherein we have already recorded more than 100 hundred cases," Tabotabo relayed.

She also added that of the 36 jails under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology

(BJMP) 7, around 110 TB cases have already been recorded from January to June this year.

Of this, five are considered as multiple drug resistant cases, which are now being closely monitored by DOH for proper medication.

“Our next target will be the industrial firms, followed by construction firms, then the Badjao, and urban poor community in the region," Tabotabo said.

DOH is targeting to cater to around 16,000 TB cases every year before 2016.

She then reiterated that the government, through the DOH, is giving free medication, examination, and other services for TB in both public and private hospitals and in health centers of every LGU.

“We are asking those who have tuberculosis to please do not hesitate to come out and be treated, because the government is really providing proper medication and other services for TB, all for free,” Tabotabo said. (rmn/AYS/PIA 7)

Top officials from the Police Regional Office (PRO -7) led by P/Supt. Edward E. Carranza (center, first row) along with Police Directors from CPPO, CCPO, MCPO and LLCPO compose the panel of discussants during the Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) forum at the Police Media Center, PRO -7 Headquarters, Cebu City, with PIA -7 ARD Fayette C. Rinen and Wen Celen of DYMR-Radyo ng Bayan moderating the forum. (VVV/PIA Cebu)

CSC grants emergency leave for govt workers in calamity-hit areas

By Ferliza calizar-contratista

CEBU CITY (PIA)--- Civil Service Commission (CSC) is granting emergency leave for government workers in areas directly affected by natural calamities and disasters.

In a press release sent to Philippine Information Agency, CSC said it will grant an emergency leave for five days for all state employees who are directly affected by recent natural calamities.

Pursuant to CSC Resolution No. 1200289 issued last year, government personnel in officially-declared calamity areas may avail of the special emergency leave for five straight working days or on a staggered

basis.

Said special leave will not be deducted from the employee’s regular leave credits.

According to CSC Chairman Francisco Duque III, CSC sees the need to provide relief to state workers affected by natural calamities in the form of a special leave.

“We hope that this would give affected employees respite and ample time to destress, recharge and recover from the usually traumatic experience,” Duque said.

The policy covers state workers affected by typhoon Maring whose effects were intensified by southeast monsoon or

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habagat.

The leave may be used by employees stranded in affected areas, for urgent repair and clean-up of damaged house, for recovery from disease/illness, or for caring for immediate family members affected by natural calamity.

The resolution stated that a natural calamity or disaster may include “earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruption and landslide that have profound environmental effect and/or human loss and frequently cause financial loss”.

The affected government worker can avail of the emergency within 30 days from the from the first day of calamity declaration by proper government agencies/authorities.(FCC/ PIACEBU/CSC)

INFOBYTESTOPSTORIES

NEGROS ORIENTAL

Army declares 5 barangays in NegOr insurgent-free

By Jennifer c. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, (PIA) –Five barangays in Negros Oriental were recently declared “insurgent-free and development-ready” by the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.

The barangays of Siapo and Basak, in San Jose town; barangay Silab in Amlan; Enrique Villanueva in Sibulan; and barangay Dobdob in Valencia, used to be regular targets of the extortion and liquidation activities of CPP/NPA , were declared as “insurgent-free and development-ready” barangays after an area clearing evaluation and validation (ACEV) reportd being endorsed by army brigade.

It is reported, these barangays had been previously infested by the New People’s Army (NPAs), hence, government’s development efforts were hampered.

According to Col Christopher Estella, deputy commander of 302nd Brigade said the active and untiring support of the local government units for the efforts of 79th IB peace and development workers deployed in the five barangays brought a positive impact to the community.

However, Col Estella said some residents are apprehensive because of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) volunteers in a planting activity of mangroves fear of retaliation from CPP/NPA.

“With peace paving the way to in Cordova town and barangay Tuyan, Naga City, Cebu. (PIA7-NegOr) development, the people living in those communities will have a better chance to uplift their living condition,” Estella said.

The declaration of the five barangays as insurgency-free was deliberated by ACEV board, with Estella

by Jennifer C. Tilos as chair said the barangays will continue

to be threatened by the NPAs if their

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA)– The Negros Oriental Union of Cooperatives issues and concerns are not being (NEORUNCO) has received the Gawad Parangal award Saturday as the best addressed accordingly. cooperative in Central Visayas and will be competing for the national Gawad Parangal

Estella attributed the winning of award along with other finalist across the country. peace in the areas to the convergence

Chair of the board of administrators of the Cooperative Development Authority of government efforts and key role of (CDA), Dr. Emmanuel Santianguel personally handed over the award to NEORUNCO the LGUs. manager Diogenes Fabro during the awarding ceremony in Dumaguete City, Negros

Barangay DobDob Capt Oriental.

Guilberto Darias said that “my barangay

The awarding ceremony was also witnessed by Felipe Deri, the Regional will surely be insulated against the Director for CDA in Central Visayas and the different representatives, directors and recovery efforts of the NPAs if the managers from forty member cooperatives in Negros Oriental. road conditions in the barangay will be

According to Dr. Santianguel, this is the first time the CDA has recognized a improved”. union of cooperatives since in the previous years all the finalists are either multi-purpose,

Darias added “A good road will credit or community cooperatives. facilitate the smooth delivery of basic

He said this year is unique because NEORUNCO is a training arm of the services towards my constituents.” cooperatives in Negros Oriental and the Visayas area.

Farm to market roads are

The CDA recognizes the exemplary performance of cooperatives with best among the common issues raised by practices, he added. residents in barangays resonated by

A team of evaluators go around the country to evaluate the nominated Darias to prevent rebel elements to cooperative to find out whether it achieved the criteria. establish a foothold again.

Dr. Santiangel congratulated the officers of NEORUNCO and its member

Col Estella added that more cooperative for waving the banner of good cooperative management. barangays in Negros Oriental will

Dr. Santiangel explained that the purpose of the Gawad Parangal is to recognize be declared insurgent-free as the the efforts of cooperative across the country. The mandate of CDA is to oversee the military continues its operations in the operation and development of the cooperative. They are also mandated to eliminate hinterlands of the province. bogus cooperatives.

“The ACEB is optimistic that the

Fabro also expressed his gratitude for the recognition as the region’s best. He province would eventually be free from is hoping that they can make it to the national level. insurgency later this year. This vision,

Fabro said the award increases their motivation to become more eager in helping if realized will equate to influx of more small cooperatives in the province. He said NEORUNCO started as a baby project of investors and businesses, hence, more the Perpetual Help Community Cooperative ( PHCCI) which aims at providing training job and development for the people of and education to the different cooperatives in the province.

Negros Oriental,” the military official

Part of the requirement of CDA is the continuing education like Parliamentary said. (JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental) procedures, training on accountants, on proper investing among others. This will help cooperatives to improve and build a solid foundation. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros

NegOr Union of Coops receives award for best coop in Central Visayas

BOHOL

INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS

14 Bohol towns miserably fail in dog-vaccine jobs in 2 years

By Rey Anthony Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY (PIA) –Fourteen towns of Bohol’s three districts have failed miserably in the over-all efforts to get at least 70% dog registration and vaccination accomplishment in a bid to sustain a five year consistent program to attain dog herd immunity from rabies.

Of them all, five towns come from District 1, another 4 towns from District 2 and 5 towns come from District 3.

These towns averaged below 70% to zero accomplishments in the last two years when the local rabies council implemented mandatory registration and vaccination for all dogs in Bohol, to attain herd immunity after all towns should have accomplished over 70%.

Bohol Rabies Prevention and Elimination Council (BRPEC) authorities shared that the 70% total dog population vaccination accomplishment for five consecutive years is based on the minimum international standards to attain dog herd immunity, upon which a case of rabies would be totally eliminated.

Bohol used to be among the top ten watch areas for rabies in 2007, where rabies claimed 10 Boholano lives. By 2008, the Provincial Government implemented BRPE Program, which aggressively took on rabies at all angles: by integrating the expertise of health professionals, agriculture experts, education, public safety and legal minds to implement a community based program, Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz said.

Dr Lapiz, a veterinarian, heads the BRPEP for canine rabies said the program included: increasing local community involvement; implementing dog population control; conducting mass dog vaccination; improving dog bite management; instituting veterinary quarantine; and improving diagnostic capability, surveillance and monitoring.

By 2009 and 2010, Bohol scored zero rabies cases for human and canine, despite an increase in bite cases.

Dr. Lapiz said the increase in bite cases could be associated with people getting more aware of the fatal effects of rabies, that a treatment was ascertained and monitoring increased.

Just as Bohol sourced out international funds from the program, the national government, provincial, municipal and village units, dog owners, NGOs, the regional office of the WHO, the UBS Optimus Foundation, and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control helped bankroll the campaign that led to convincing results.

But, in 2011 and 2012, BRPEP members noted an increase in confirmed canine rabies cases in Bohol, prompting council members to review the program and plug the holes.

Many believe that local governments who faltered in their dog registration and accompanying vaccination could have largely contributed to the recurrence of the disease.

According to a list which Dr. Lapiz and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot presented during a meeting with provincial officials last week, towns which failed miserably to implement and accomplish over 70% vaccination in the last two years include Balilihan, Catigbian, Cortes, Maribojoc, Tubigon for the first district.

For the second district, faltering in its accomplishments for two consecutive years are Bien Unido, Buenavista, Getafe, Sand Isidro and

(L-R, upper right photo) CITOM Director Atty. Christopher Yap and Alay Lakad Exec. Director Steve Norman M. Tan as guests during the Kapihan sa PIA forum on Alay Lakad.

DENR-7 investigates cutting of trees in school compound Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) is looking into cases of cutting trees within school compound.

DENR-7 recently invited Nimfa Balili, a school principal of Don Sergio Osmena Memorial National High School (DSOMNHS), Barangay Labangon in Cebu City for administrative proceedings for allegedly authorizing the cutting of trees within the school compound.

Cebu City Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) forest ranger Danilo Orbasido conducted the investigation on August 23 and found out that Ms. Balili gave the instructions to cut down a number of trees without DENR permit to improve the beautification of the school.

DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said, “this is part of the process that we usually observe to listen to an explanation or justification on what prompted them or who authorized them to cut those trees as existing policy Talibon.

B i l a r, C a r m e n , G u i n d u l m a n , Pilar and Valencia also lagged in its antirabies accomplishments relative to doc herd immunization.

Topping the list of best performing LGUs for a high registration and vaccination accomplishments are Candijay and Loay for getting 100% vaccination, Inabanga for 99% and Baclayon at 94.35%

Still several other towns accomplished high in 2011 but stopped in 2012 or vice versa.

PRIORITIES, hints Board Member Abeleon Damalerio during the first meeting of the BRPE Council on the question why some towns couldn’t make it over 70%. With 14 towns failing to accomplish the target, Bohol may have to find other cheap ways to wipe out the threat of rabies. (PIABohol)

requires the approval or a clearance before tree cutting will be made.”

In an incident report that Orbasido addressed to CENR officer Anastacio Cabalejo, it stated that four mahogany, two narra and two indian trees were cut down.

“Narra trees or Pterocarpus indicus are considered as premium tree species and these trees should not be cut down unless permit or clearance from the DENR specifically at the Office of the Undersecretary for Field Operations in Manila is obtained per February 5, 2013 DENR memorandum,” Montejo added.

The same assessment also indicated that based on the account of a teacher Jose Ray Abella who supervised the cutting of trees, Balili gave him instructions to cut down those trees for ground beautification without the approval of the Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent.

As a result of this, a notice of administrative proceedings was sent out to Balili to come for the conference Friday (August 30) at the CENRO Cebu City, Pier 3 Area, Cebu City to get her views or facts of the incident. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7 & DENR-7)

INFOBYTES

is a weekly electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Region 7 with stories submitted by its Provincial Information Centers in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

LET US KNOW! We welcome questions, clarifications and feedback: infobytes-editorial@gmail.com

INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS

SIQUIJOR

Siquijor holds forum to thresh out agri issues

By JB Villamil/DAR-Siquijor

SIQUIJOR, August 23 (PIA)—The provincial government of Siquijor recently held a forum on Siquijor Comprehensive Agriculture and Fisheries Development Plan (SCAFDP) to thresh out problems confronting the province in agriculture-related issues.

Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Gladys Estrellada said the forum was necessary in crafting

a comprehensive development plan that will benefit all Siquijodnons.

"We need to thresh out issues and problems, needs, threats and potentials that lead us the way to development," she said.

Issues raised during the forum include government projects, programs and services for agriculture and economic development, farm production and marketing strategies to help farmers improve their production, environmental protection, prices

PNP-Siquijor spearheads solidarity run in celebration of IHL month

of prime commodities like fisheries, vegetables, fruits, poultry, and livestock and other by-products.

Inputs, suggestions and recommendations from the stakeholders will be presented to the governor and other concerned officials for concrete actions, Estrellada said.

She stressed the need for agricultural development to boost the farmers and fisherfolks’ income, thus leading to food sufficiency in the island.

At least 80 participants from both the government and private sectors attended the forum held at Tan Bongco Complex, North Poblacion , Larena, Siquijor. (rmn/RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor)

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, (PIA)—In celebration of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Month this month, the Siquijor Provincial Police Office (SPPO) spearheads a Solidarity Run for the province on August 30.

Solidarity Run is one of PNP’s activities to raise the people’s consciousness and promote greater awareness on the principles of the IHL as stated in the executive Order No. 134, says provincial director Police Senior Superintendent Primitivo Tabujara Jr. in a meeting recently at the SPPO Transformation Chapel in Caipilan, Siquijor.

DTI7 RD Asteria Caberte talks to members of the NAPO Romblon Makers Association

Executive Order No. 134 during the turnover of Shared Services Facilities (SSFs) project sewing machines in declares the month of August Siquijor. as International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Month. It principally provides that “The Philippines adheres to the principles of human rights and humanitarian laws enshrined in international human rights treaties and instruments to which it is a State Party,” Tabujara added.

This years “International Humanitarian Law Month” is themed “Pagsunod sa IHL, Susi sa Kaunlaran at Katahimikan” which aims to increase awareness on the basic principles of IHL and promote its observance in times of armed conflict.

I n t e r n a t i o n a l humanitarian law, also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict, is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict.

It protects persons who are not or are no longer The Cangmangki RIC as beneficiaries of the Shared Services Facilities (SSFs) for participating in the hostilities and Bayong Production with DTI regional Director Asteria Caberte, Municipal Mayor Gerold restricts the means and methods Pal-ing and some DTI-Siquijor staff. of warfare. (mbcn/RACalibo/