The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2016
RDC-X consults local govt on priorities, presents RDP guidelines, Ambisyon Natin 2040 CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Regional Development Council (RDC-X) Chairperson and Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria R. Zubiri, Jr. pushed for the bottom up process in the formulation of the Regional Development Plan, 2017-2022 by conducting consultations with the provinces and highly-urbanized cities in the region.
This is to ensure wider participation of concerned stakeholders at the local level, ensure ownership, and enlist commitment and support of the LGUs in the entire planning process. The local consultations were actively led by Governor Zubiri with support from Governor Maria Luisa D. Romualdo of Camiguin; Governor Imelda Q. Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte; Governor Herminia M. Ramiro of Misamis Occidental; and Governor Yevgeny Vincente V. Emano of Misamis Oriental; Mayor Oscar S. Moreno of Cagayan de Oro; Vice-Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz of Iligan City; and Mayor Marie L. Guingona of Gingoog City. In his message, governor Zubiri urged everyone to actively participate in the consultation and come up with meaningful and concrete recommendations in the formulation of the successor Regional Development Plan for 2017-2022. “As the Chair, I can be your Champion in lobbying for support from the President, ” he said. “I considered this consultation as an opportunity to
meet and discuss with the regional and local stakeholders on what is best for our region and for the provinces and cities in the next six years,” Governor Zubiri added. The activity also served as a venue in advocating the “Ambisyon Natin 2040” which was approved by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and adopted as a guide in crafting the four (4) medium-term Philippine and Regional Development Plans that shall be implemented until 2040. The consultations were largely participated by local officials, members of the local development councils/local Sanggunians, and province/city-based private/business sectors and nongovernment/people’s organizations. Local issues and concerns, programs, projects, policy, and research agenda were generated and inputted into the draft RDP, 2017-2022. The RDP, 2017-2022 is scheduled for presentation to the RDC-X during its meeting on December 15, 2016. (Peleta B. Abejo, NEDA-X)
ARMM remains last on list of HIV-infected regions in PH MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) remains at the bottom of the list among regions with cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
This comes as the region’s prevalence rate on the disease and infection stayed still at less than one percent by end of October this year. Despite these figures, the Infectious Diseases Cluster (IDC) of the ARMM Department of Health (DOH) warned citizens not to be complacent. “Whether we like it or not, we have HIV cases in ARMM,” Soraida Amilil, Cluster head of IDC said. It is still important for the public to be properly informed for their prevention and cure, Amilil said, noting the region is targeting zero HIV/AIDS case each year. As of October this year, 13 cases of HIV have been reported while none emerged as an AIDS case. Nineteen percent of the HIV cases come from the heterosexual demographics, while 81% come from the homosexual demographics, mainly from men who have sex with men. In 2014, the region has reported two AIDS cases, while seven were reported with HIV. Since 1984, the region’s Health department has reported a total of 76 positive cases of HIV while 11 were reported to have led to AIDS. None of these cases were diagnosed within the region as the provincial health units still lack social hygiene clinics for HIV diagnostic testing, hence these cases were referred to regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), and 11 (Davao Region) who have the
capability to do the screening. This is about to change in 2017 the IDC of DOH-ARMM noted. Amilil said the agency has been working on the establishment of social hygiene clinics in the region to serve as satellite treatment centers for HIV. This will be piloted in the province of Tawi-Tawi by 2017, and then in Sulu, being the farthest islands to the mainland. The agency, she added, is currently complying with the requirements set for the treatment centers to be operational by next year. DOH-ARMM continues to strengthen its AIDS/HIV Prevention and Control Program through campaigns that aim at educating the public, as well as to eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with people living with HIV and AIDS. Doctors have been reiterating that the virus is not transmittable by merely socializing with them as it only thrives inside the body and cannot be transmitted by mere skin-to-skin contact. `“Hindi ito dapat ikahiya,” Amilil said, noting it is not acquired only through unprotected sexual activities. 90 to 98% of transmission is through blood transfusion, organ transplant, sharing used needles and needle pricks. There are also preventive measures for HIV leading to AIDS and this is provided free to people living with HIV and AIDS. (BPI/PIA-10)
COCPO bags national award for illegal drug campaign CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City – Cagayan de Oro City police chief will receive an award for his commendable performance in the government campaign against illegal drugs.
The award will be presented by the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa and Anti-Illegal Drug Group (AIDG) Acting Director Police Senior Superintendent Albert Ignatius Ferro on the occasion of the 1st Founding Anniversary of the PNP AIDG in Camp Rafael Crame, Quezon City on December 16. PSSupt Ronnie Francis Cariaga bested all other highly urbanized cities nationwide and was adjudged “Best Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group-Highly Urbanized City Level.” Meanwhile, Iligan City police chief
PSSupt Leony Roy Ga will also receive similar award as “Best Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group-Station Level” besting all police stations nationwide. “We are very happy and deeply honored for these twin awards by our hardworking city directors. This will not only give justice to the hard work of our personnel on the ground but also encourage them to strive harder amidst many challenges and trials while performing their jobs as police officers,” Northern Mindanao police regional director Police Chief Superintendent Noel Constantino said. Cariaga and Ga will receive the award during the PNP AIDG 1st Founding Anniversary celebration at NHQ-PNP Multi-Purpose Center with Senator Vicente C. Sotto III as guest of honor and speaker. (PIO PRO10)