THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016
Labor Secretary visits DOLE-funded livelihood projects in Camiguin by Jovelyn V. Perez
CAMIGUIN – The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No 10 (DOLE-10), together with its Regional Coordinating Council-10 (RCC-10) hosted the visit of Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz to its various assisted livelihood projects in Camiguin Province on 10-11 May 2016.
DOLE-10 Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante with DOLE Undersecretary for Labor Relations, Social Dialogue, and Mindanao Cluster Head Rebecca C. Chato accompanied Secretary Baldoz in the Pasalubong Project of the Benoni Lady Vendors Association at Benoni Port, upon her arrival. The livelihood assisted was awarded on 23 February this year in the amount of P230, 000.00 which employed 27 beneficiaries. The Secretary proceeded to the Giant Clams Laboratory Project of the Cantaan Centennial MultiPurpose Cooperative (CCMPC) in Sitio Kibila, Cantaan, Guinsiliban town. The financial assistance was released on 4 September 2014 in the amount of P320,000.00 which benefited 75 beneficiaries. On the same date, DOLE-X financially equipped CCMPC with their Fin Fish Cage worth P151,540.00 and Snorkeling Equipment Rental worth P144,00.00 DOLE-X also granted P412,652.00 for their financial assistance to the group for their Floating Fin Fish Cage Culture; Glass Bottom Boat Project for P500,000.00 on 16 February 2016. The Secretary was amazed by the different species of clams and how the beneficiaries took good care of them. Meanwhile, Baldoz did the honors of the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon for CCMPC’s new project on Glass Bottom Boat Project amounting
to P500,000. The fund was released on 16 February 2016 at the DOLE-X Camiguin Provincial Field Office. Baldoz proceeded to the Fishing Boat and Accessories Project of the Kapunongang Mananagat sa Tagdo. The project is also DOLE-funded in the amount of P300, 000.00 employing 15 beneficiaries. She also witnessed first-hand the group’s harvest of fish at the seashore of Barangay Yumbing, Mambajao. DOLE-10 has spearheaded all the releases of the visited livelihood projects, which are all under DOLE Kabuhayan Program or the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP). “This program aims to help the beneficiaries augment their families’ income through the livelihood project, and at the same time giving social protection to the most vulnerable workers of the country,” said Agravante. “Magaganda pala ang mga Projects dito sana ma-sustain ninyo,” Baldoz said. “Ang projects ay binigay sa inyo ng DOLE kaya kailangan ipalago ninyo. Kailangan palaguin ang pangkabuhayan para makatulong sa inyo,” she said. The beneficiaries were all challenged to work more and to enhance their projects. Interested applicants to avail the DILEEP may visit their nearest DOLE PFOs.
Hydro firm in Bukidnon sees continuous construction works in rainy days by Lloyd Revilla
BUKIDNON – Run-of-river developer firm, Hedcor, is readying all its resources including its people and facilities as it is seeing the start of the reason. Hedcor’s vice president for Business Development Gregorio Jabonillo said, “As much as possible, we wish that our construction will not be interrupted amidst the rainfall.” About 9-kilometer (km) of steel conveyance pipeline has been laid already by Hedcor for its Manolo Fortich Hydro Project in the province of Bukidnon before the onset of the rainy season. A local manufacturer of steel pipe was being tapped by the company for its new hydro project. By targeting 5-km more to complete the installation of the conveyance line, Hedcor ensures the manufacturer to meet the time frame. “Moreover, the safety of our
people in the workplace is on top of our concerns that we need to ensure and continuously monitoring during these days,” Jabonillo added. Hedcor is a subsidiary of AboitizPower. It is working double time to complete the Manolo Fortich Hydro Project on schedule. This project will have a total installed capacity of 68.8 megawatts, enough to power about 10,000 regular households. For now, works are focused on strengthening the cofferdams to protect the on-going construction of the weirs and powerhouse from the flood. Temporary diversion channels are being restored to accommodate the expected flood flows. Likewise, the team is completing the construction
of cross drainage for the volume of water. Clearing out the debris and other possible materials which can cause clogging of natural waterways are being done. The Manolo Fortich Hydro 1 is
now on its 51% completion, while the Manolo Fortich Hydro 2 is pegged at 33% complete. The two plants will be commissioned by the second quarter of 2017.
DOH-ARMM warns public on dengue, water-borne diseases MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The Department of Health of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) has advised residents in the region to take precautionary measures against dengue and water-borne diseases now that the wet season has officially started. Christine Joy Capin, DOH-ARMM assistant program coordinator for dengue prevention and control and food and water-borne diseases, said the region normally sees a rise in the number of dengue cases during the rainy season and they are taking steps to reduce the number of infection this year. “Residents should observe different measures to combat the spread of the disease. Some of the things they should do includes drying stagnant waters in the house, cleaning their roof gutters, immediately seek medical assistance when fever lasts for at least two days, and using insect
repellants and wearing long sleeve shirts,” Capin said. She said the DOH-ARMM is currently conducting an extensive information drive in schools and communities in the region to help minimize the number of dengue cases. She said they are encouraging residents to observe the “4S” mechanisms in dengue prevention and control. The “4S” means Search and destroy; Seek immediate action; Say no to indiscriminate fogging; and Selfprotection measures. Dengue is an acute viral infection acquired from the bite of a female
Aedes aegypti mosquito. This fatal disease usually affects infants and children in tropical and subtropical countries like the Philippines. Its signs and symptoms include fever which extends from two to seven days, skin flushing, loss of appetite, vomiting, and in severe cases, nose bleeding and bleeding of gums. The DOH-ARMM has recorded 78 dengue cases with one fatality in the entire ARMM during the first quarter of this year. Capin said the number is significantly lower compared to the first quarter of 2015, where 487 cases with five fatalities were reported. They have recorded a total of 2,376 cases with 24 deaths across the region in
the same year. Marawi City recorded the highest number of cases with 758 followed by Maguindanao province with 614 cases. Moreover, Capin also cautioned residents against common water-borne diseases like diarrhea, amoebiasis, hepatitis A, and cholera. She added that cold and cough are also very common during the rainy season. She said observing cleanliness and being vigilant help reduce the chance of contacting any of these diseases. “Observe proper hand washing before and after meals and also wash the fruits and vegetables you eat,� Capin said. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)