DSWD-10 welcomes new partner in community development by Jamila M. Taha
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To strengthen public private relations and widen support to community development, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 10 awards the Certificate of Accreditation to UNIFRUTTI Foundation Inc., after having satisfactorily complied with the qualification requirements of a legitimate civil society organization (CSO) pursuant to the joint resolution of the DSWD, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Commission on Audit (COA) entitled, “Guidelines for Accreditation of CSOs as Implementing Entities of Government or Public Funds.”
The accreditation covers the Livelihood and Community Development for Indigenous People for three years from issuance unless suspended or revoked prior to its expiration. The UNIFRUTTI Foundation Inc. (UFI) is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Unifrutti Group Philippines, a Mindanao based conglomeration of agricultural operations prim banana, which started around the Davao Region in 1992, and gradually expanded into Bukidnon, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. Unifrutti has the distinction of being able to operate in culturally sensitive areas (IP communities)
as well as in conflict zones like Maguinanao and Lanao del Sur in ARMM, and in places outside of ARMM where the New Peoples Army (NPAs) are actively operating. The foundation also offers scholarship and livelihood programs and support environmental and peace related programs. “UFI considers itself very privileged to be qualified by the DSWD as a legitimate civil society organization, as an implementing agency of government or public fund. It commits to wholeheartedly support the DSWD’s Livelihood and Community Development for Indigenous People,” says Eduardo Bullecer, president and director of UFI.
Family Welfare Committees in Iligan advocate healthy lifestyle by Joseph Nathan J. Fabrega
ILIGAN CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10), through its Lanao del Norte (LDN) Provincial Field Office (PFO) and its partner, the Federation of Family Welfare Committees (FFWC) Iligan CityLanao del Norte (IC- LDN) Chapter held recently in Iligan City its learning session on Proper Nutrition on Filipinos and Lifestyle that Causes Cancer and Lifestyle Habits that Prevent Cancer.
DOLE-10 LDN PFO Provincial Head Remegio D. Cabañog reported that the activity was participated by some 40 participants coming from 20 different establishments/companies and two labor union organizations in the City and Lanao del Norte. The participating establishments/ companies are Neopace Incorporated; Interpace Corporation; National Grid Corporation of the Philippines; Mapalad Power Corporation; Granexport Manufacturing Corporation; LBC; Super 5 Transport; Newtech Pulp Incorporated; Lanao Arrastre, Trendline; Mercy Community Hospital Incorporated; Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation; Fil-Eslon Manufacturing Corporation; Republic Cement Incorporated; St. Peter’s College; Petronas; IMASCO Arrastre and Stevedoring Corporation; and Loy’s Pharmacy. Likewise, it was also participated by labor unions like Federation of Democratic Labor Organization and Iligan City Government Employees Union. James Silverio Adorable, a registered dietitian nutritionist was the first speaker with topic on “Proper Nutrition for Filipinos.” Adorable said, “To attain the ideal body weight and to have a healthy body, we must eat a variety of healthy foods with moderation and balance or proper choice of food, physical activity or exercise, have an at least eight hours of sleep, keep yourself hydrated or drink at least
1500ml of water a day, and avoid a stressful environment.” Meanwhile, Dr. Evelyn D. Navidad, discussed about “Lifestyle that Causes Cancer and Lifestyle Habits.” Navidad shared some insights on how to avoid cancer by following the acronym, NEW START or defined as, Nutrition - should be in proper diet and a right choice of food and if possible to avoid red meat; Exercise - at least once a day so that you will have a good blood circulation; Water - we should drink more water or fresh fruit juice and avoid acidic drinks; Sunlight - adequate exposure to sun is very beneficial to our body; Temperance it is very crucial in our daily life wither in the choice of food to the decisions that you are making everyday, it is very important to be happy and have a positive outlook in life; Air - Oxygen is very vital in our body as much as possible avoid polluted places; Rest adequate rest is needed to repair your damage tissues in you body due to you everyday activity; and Trust (In Divine Power) - all of us has different views in life most specially in our creator. DOLE-10 Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante is always in support with the Family Welfare Program of the Department. “Promoting a healthy lifestyle towards family and colleagues is one of the dimensions of the program and greatly advocated by the Department,” he said. Agravante encourages that decent work promotes productivity in the workplace.
DOLE 10 Labor Day Job Fair hires 211 applicants on the spot by Mildred E. Dablio
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10), surpassed the regional target with 26% or some 211 job applicants as Hired-On-The-Spot (HOTS) during the 114th Labor Day Job Fair on 1 May 2016 in Cagayan de Oro City. Further, of the total HOTS, 188 were hired for local employment and 23 for overseas. As the main event for this year’s Labor Day celebration, many of the applicants came from the nearby provinces of the city. As far as Mambajao town of the Province of Camiguin, Miss Milvie P. Bacor readied herself a day before to join the Job Fair in Cagayan de Oro City. Bringing her credentials as a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education fresh graduate from Fatima College of Camiguin, she was eager to apply in the Job Fair. “I am very hopeful in joining this Job Fair, being also a former SPES (Special Program for the Employment of Students) beneficiary of the Province last Summer of CY 2014-2015, giving me the trust towards DOLE programs,” she said. Bacor only applied to one vacant position and company as a Cashier at SM City’s Toy Kingdom. “I applied
only at Toy Kingdom, believing my credentials are what the company is looking for,” she said. “I am very excited to work and be an asset to Toy Kingdom,” Bacor said. “We are very poor in the family and I believe my employment will realize my dream to build a home for my family,” she said. Bacor’s father is the breadwinner of the family, as a carpenter. She is the first to graduate among her siblings, as the second of five in their family. “My salary will not only help the household expenses but also help my younger siblings continue school,” she said. Toy Kingdom operates under International Toyworld Inc. (ITI), an allFilipino owned company which started its retail operations on September of 1990. As an affiliate of the SM Group of Companies, ITI engages in the wholesale and retail of toys and other related merchandise. It is the largest chain of toy stores in the AsiaPacific region and easily accessible in
leading SM Malls nationwide, inside SM Department Stores and in SM Supermarkets/Hypermarkets/Save More. Likewise, a Kagay-anon, Jeanie May Figuracion, previously an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) as a Domestic Household Worker in Kuwait for two years and five months ago, was also a HOTS by YHMD International Manpower as a Cleaner in Saudi Arabia. “I want to return to work abroad after being unemployed for the past seven months,” Figuracion said. “Though this is my first time to join in a Job Fair, I came early and prepared my requirements, which are already on-hand from my previous work, especially that I come from a
far-flung barangay in Dansolihon,” she added. “Having experienced working abroad was advantageous to me being a single mother of two, the breadwinner of seven other siblings, and financial provider of my father who is now paralyzed after a brain surgery from an accident,” Figuracion said. She was very thankful of the Job Fair program of the Department, “Hearing the announcement from a radio station, I did not think twice anymore and proceeded right away in SM,” she said. The 2016 Labor Day Job Fair posted some 9,186 vacancies. The 4,859 vacancies were available for
overseas hire from 13 recruitment agencies; some 4,305 vacancies for local employment from the 90 private companies; and eight government agencies also participated with 22 vacancies. Of the confirmed job vacancies solicited, DOLE Regional Director Raymundo Agravante said that some 1,209 applicants were registered, of which, 1,145 were interviewed and 802 were qualified. Some 566 are
near hired (lacking in requirements, or for further interview). This year’s month-long Labor Day celebration in the region is anchored on the theme, “Kinabukasan Sigurado sa Disenteng,” which this Job Fair was only participated by the private companies which were awarded with the Certificates of Compliance with the Department or they are compliant with labor laws and standards.
ARMM tops 2nd round of national de-worming campaign MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur– The Department of Health’s (DOH) central office awarded the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as the most improved region in terms of coverage of the national de-worming campaign’s second round held in January this year. Soraida Amilil, regional program coordinator and deputy infectious disease cluster head, said “this is the first time that the DOH central office recognized the region in a deworming period, and it is because of the continuous effort of the DOHARMM.” Amilil underscored the importance of the drive, which is aimed at combating the nutritional impact of soil-transmitted helminthiasis, a
type of helminth infection caused by roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms. During the de-worming drive, children aged one to four and five to 12 are given a single dose of chewable 400-milligram albendazole anti-worm tablets by school nurses and community health workers. DOH-ARMM’s report showed a total of 343,885 children aged one to four and 135,716 aged five to 12
in communities received de-worming tablets. It further noted 568,076 children enrolled in public elementary schools were also served during the campaign period. The DOH assured that, just like other medication, de-worming drugs may lead to nominal side effects such as dizziness, nausea, headache and vomiting. These effects are transient, minor, self-limiting and would disappear after some time and can easily be managed with remedies like resting for a few hours and drinking water mixed with sugar. Seeking to bring down the prevalence rate of worm infestation among children to less than 20% in 2014, the region’s Health department conducted parasite prevalence survey in the provinces of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur. The result of the survey showed
36.7% of school children aged six to12 in the region are suffering from this problem. “Hopefully, with the efforts of our department (DOH-ARMM), we can lower the number of children suffering from worm infestation,” she said. She further said that de-worming can substantially improve the health and school participation of children and can reduce absenteeism. The campaign will also help address other health problems among children such as anaemia, malnutrition and impaired mental and physical development. Prior to giving the prescribed dosage, school nurses and health workers informed the parents on the importance of the campaign specifically in improving the general health of the children. (BPI/APB/PIA10)
Malaria cases in ARMM down in 1st quarter of 2016 MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – Malaria cases in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) went down significantly in the first quarter of 2016, according to the region’s health department. Only 33 malaria cases were reported region-wide in the first quarter compared with a quarterly average of roughly 68 cases last year. Twenty-one of the
reported cases monitored from January to March this year are from Sulu province while Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao have nine and three cases, respectively.
Earlier, officials from the regional Department of Health (DOH-ARMM) said the number of malaria cases in the region went down to 274 cases last year from 3,539, or a quarterly average of close to 900 cases, in 2012. Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, regional health secretary, described the consistent decline in malaria cases in ARMM as a major accomplishment for the agency and the regional government. He noted that “malaria is a disease that has a big chance of eradication with the help of various stakeholders.” DOH-ARMM conducted on May 2, a forum aimed at strengthening its partnership with various stakeholders including regional line agencies and DOH-ARMM employees. It also sought the renewal of commitments in totally eliminating malaria in the region. The regional health department said no death from the disease was recorded in ARMM in the first quarter of 2016. Malaria mortality rate in the region decreased to four deaths in 2015 from six deaths in 2010. The region was earlier allotted P8 million for its malaria control efforts. The amount was distributed to the region’s different provinces with priority to areas that suffered most from malaria in the past. The malaria control budget was downloaded to the region from the regular funds of the National Government and from other funding institutions such as Global Fund, Pilipinas Shell Foundation,
Inc., Movement Against Malaria, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Sinolinding said that the “best weapon in combating malaria is right knowledge and right attitude.” He advised residents to observe preventive measures such as wearing pyjamas and long-sleeve shirts and using mosquito nets when sleeping. He also said that DOH-ARMM conducts on-site diagnostic tests and provides free treatment for malaria patients, which extends from three days to a month depending on the severity of the case. The department also distributes chemically treated mosquito nets to endemic areas in the region. Malaria is a disease of the blood caused by the Plasmodium parasite. It is transmitted from person to person by the female Anopheles mosquito. This type of mosquito primarily bites between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. The disease can also be transmitted through blood transfusion and needle sharing. Malaria symptoms include fever, headache and vomiting. It begins 10 days to four weeks after infection, although a person infected may feel ill as early as seven days after the mosquito bite. Malaria infection can develop into anemia, hypoglycaemia, or cerebral malaria in which capillaries carrying blood to the brain are blocked. Cerebral malaria can cause coma, life-long learning disabilities, and even death. (BPI/APB/ PIA-10)