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New law requires HMOs to cover HIV/AIDS related illnesses
(PIA)--No person living with HIV shall be denied of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and life insurance claims due to the basis of his or her health condition. This is one of the welcome provisions of RA 11166 otherwise known as the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act 2018 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on December 20, 2018. “This is good news as I have encountered cases of rejection before from patients who were denied medical coverage just because they were positively
diagnosed with HIV,” said Dr. Elfleda Hernandez, head of the HIV/AIDS Center Treatment of Chong Hua HospitalMandaue during the recent HIV/AIDS Technical Updates Service Delivery Network Meeting. Dr. Van Philip Baton, medical program coordinator for infectious diseases of the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7), said the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law are still being finalized as guidelines are expected to be released after 90 days from the law’s enactment,
Team PNP Pulis Natin Caravan at the Siquijor Capital Squarelast March 20 that aimed to bring PNP services closer to the communities. Services offered were processing of License to own and possess firearms (LTOFP)/ firearms registration, legal services, drug test, medical/ dental, motor vehicle verification, anti illegal drugs campaign, attending to complaints against women and children abuse, and cybercrime complaints, among others.
which is anytime this month. But even as the IRR has yet to be finalized, the Telecare Company has already released a memorandum that HIV and AIDS related illnesses will be included in the medical coverage. Baton said he expects other medical insurance companies to do the same and no longer discriminate Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) at a time of need. The sharp rise of HIV/AIDS incidence in the country has placed the Philippines at the top among countries in the Asia Pacific Region with the highest number of new HIV cases. The latest HIV statistics revealed that as of January 2019, there are 63,278 reported cases in the country with over 90 percent of them male, according to the data from the DOH Epidemiology Bureau. “An average of 22 newlydiagnosed HIV cases are reported daily in the country,” said Baton as he urged those with high risk sexual behavior to undergo testing. Baton said a large chunk of the PLHIV belong to the 15 to 34 years age range, which are reproductive years. Central Visayas ranks fourth among all regions in the country with the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS at 5,683 recorded cases as of January, this year. Of the total figure, 97 are new cases reported in the month of January alone, the data from the DOH Epidemiology Bureau showed. More than 90 percent of the cases in the region are in Cebu with 5,179 cases followed by Bohol with 301 cases and 189 recorded cases in Negros Oriental. Siquijor has 14 cases as of January 2019. The new law also provides no parental consent needed for those aged 15 to 18 years old who want to access HIV testing. Likewise, even those below 15-years old who are pregnant and engaged in high-risky behavior will also be eligible for HIV testing with the assistance of a licensed social worker. With the law, the Department of Labor and Employment will now compel private companies to require new hires to undergo four medical tests specifically on Hepatitis B, tuberculosis, illegal drugs and HIV. The HIV test forms part of the stronger campaign in addressing the ballooning HIV/AIDS cases in the country. (fcr/pia7)
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THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY - SIQUIJOR | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH and the DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - SIQUIJOR | WWW.DOST.GOV.PH VOL. 07| No. 11 March 19 - 26, 2019
Siquijor goes high on ‘zero-plastic waste’ drive
SIQUIJOR, March 25 (PIA) -- From a very small island like Siquijor, the impact of indiscriminately discarding single-use plastic may not be that great, but meaningful changes, no matter how small, can make a difference. Amid global concern over single-use waste, the island province of Siquijor is bent on making a difference with its drive for a ‘Zero Plastic-Waste Siquijor.’ Starting with a new legislation and followed by an aggressive implementation of the “Plastic Use Regulation Ordinance for a Plastic Free Siquijor” enacted later last year, locals and visitors alike have started to see the difference from early this year. Crafted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and chair of the Environment Protection Committee, Engr. Cle Bern Paglinawan, a portion of the Ordinance obliged all business establishments not to give free plastics starting January 1, 2019. This also means requiring businesses to charge to customers should they ask for plastic bags for secondary packaging. By February 1 or just three months after the approval of the ordinance, the use of plastic bags for secondary packaging of dry and wet goods are already prohibited. Anyone caught bringing or using ‘sando’ bags for secondary packaging were investigated and apprehended by the Solid Waste Management Task Force that the province has created who are also responsible for implementing other environmental measures. “It is a long overdue concern because when we say economic development, that includes tourism, agriculture, social and other sectoral development, environmental safeguard should have been incoporated already,” admits Provincial Planning and Development Officer Gay Therese M. Bucol when asked about the effort. “But we still have time to catch up to put in place environmental safeguards,” quickly she added although at this point, she said, tourism as well as other sectoral development has taken off, lagging behind environmental safeguards. “That’s why we are working double time to catch up because business establishments are sprouting everywhere but the concern on solid and liquid wastes including the hazardous wastes, are not yet in place,” Bucol cited reduction of the source of waste through the local ordinance banning
This act is nothing new. Our ancestors did exactly the same and yet they survived quite well. Let’s bring back the old ways! This is the call of the island province Siquijor as it enjoins locals and tourists to help break free from plastics. (Photo: Engr. Cle Bern Paglinawan)
the single-use plastics in the province as the first and “hottest” in line. “By far the response from the Siquijodnons, including the visitors is overwhelming,” she said noting the positive feedback from Mother Earth Foundation when they came to visit the island where they asked locals about the province’s “zeroplastic”move. “It is good to know people are supporting not because of the ordinance or fear for penalty but because of their love for the planet, a good indicator that the project can be sustained,”Bucol quipped. The convincing part is not that hard to do anymore, she said as some resorts are also cooperating, like use of bamboo straws or paper boxes, instead of plastics and styros in their establishments. While most business establishments and costumers understand the purpose, and pubic awareness is also growing, some still
insisted and went on their negative thoughts and ways, but Bucol said, they leave it to the enforcement. Second in line is Waste Management, she said, also noting the need to work double time to start on the sanitary landfill and water treatment facility this year. She said the provincial government has allocated P25 million for the landfill and another P7 million for the septage truck or for the waste water treatment project. The province, she also said, is working on additional support and assistance from the Regional Development Council (RDC). Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu has also called on Filipinos to cut down on the use of plastics that end up in the ocean and pose threat to marine life. The environment chief noted that plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to ocean health worldwide as an estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste finds its way into the oceans every year, contributing to loss of species and contamination of food chain, according to Ocean Conservancy. “The task of reversing this issue is as big and wide as the ocean, but small actions can make a huge difference,” Cimatu said, as he urged people to become “stewards of marine life” by reducing plastics use. Cimatu made the appeal as the nation joined the rest of the world in celebrating the World Wildlife Day 2019, which carries the theme: “Life below water: for people and planet.” Based on the 2017 International Coastal Cleanup report, cigarette butts, plastic bottles and caps, straws and stirrers, among other kinds of plastic bags, were some of the top items found. The report also indicated that such wastes could harm 1 million seabirds, 100,000 sea mammals, marine turtles and countless fish annually due to ingestion and entanglement. Citing a United Nations report, Cimatu said the Philippines is one of top 5 contributors of plastic waste in the world’s oceans, accounting for about half of the total plastic leakage. “We produce 2.7 metric tons of plastic waste every year,” Cimatu said. “Following this trajectory of plastic production and mismanagement, UN reports predicted that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are fish.” (rac/PIA7-Siquijor with DENR report).
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Siquijor hosts CV Coop Congress
SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- Siquijor province is all set for the hosting of the Central Visayas 4th Cooperative Congress on April 4-6, 2019 at the Dugokanan sa Kapitolyo. With the theme, “Bridging the Islands, Building Cooperation, Bringing Coop Idealism,” the congress is expected to gather some 500 members of cooperatives and government agencies in the region, and officials from Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Regional Cooperative Development Council (RCDC), and some national government agencies. In a coordination meeting held Friday, the Provincial Cooperative Development Council (PCDC) headed by SP Member Noel Monte, has made sure everything is in place with the creation of the Central Visayas Cooperative Congress working committees. Monte urged the committees to work and contribute the best they can to make the hosting meaningful especially for the delegates from other provinces. The congress is a biennial cooperative event across Central Visayas where cooperatives come together to celebrate the spirit of unity, camaraderie, sharing of ideas, experiences, best practices, as well as issues and challenges affecting the coop sector. It also provides a good avenue to showcase cooperative best products. Following the arrival and registration of delegates on the first day (April 4), a motorcade around the province will be held to be led by the Siquijor Police Provincial Office as the chair of the committee on Security and Motorcade. Congress Opening and Governor’s Night follows with a welcome dinner and solidarity after the program. The second day will start with a Eucharistic Celebration followed by Congress Plenary Opening for the whole day which will include presentations of the State of Coops in Central Visayas, report of the 3rd Coop Congress that was held in Bohol in 2017, Coope Legislative Updates, and technical presentation, among others. There will also be a Coop Community Outreach and tour around the island. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
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Cebuano News
Komunidad gamhan pagpatuman sa mga balaod sa kalikopan
(PIA)—Mahimo nga human gisangon sa mga nasudnong tinugyanan ang katungdanan sa pagpatuman sa mga balaod sa kalikopan ngadto sa local nga mga kagamhanan, iapil na usab sa paggahum ang mga molupyo sa komunidad. Kini mao’y gipalubad nga pahayag ni Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director (RED) Gilbert Gonzales didto sa
press conference paglusad sa Recognizing Individuals and Institutions towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers (RIVERS) for Life (RFL) Awards, 2019. Tu m o n g s a R I V E R S a n g pagpausab ngadto sa mas maayo nga kalidad ang tubig sa mga kasubaan sa nasud, ug kini mahitabo lamang kon ang mga komunidad nga naa sa daplin sa mga suba, magtamud sa ilang mga gimbuhaton sa usa ka limpyo nga kalikopan, pasabut
ni Gonzales. Dugang pa niini, nangayo og pakitabang ang kagamhanan sa mga pribado nga bahan aron makahimo sa pasiuna nga pagpanglimpyo sa mga kasubaan nga gitumbok nga iapil sa RFL Awards 2019. Apan bisan pa kon unsaon pagpanglimpyo kon ang mga komunidad padayon nga maghugaw sa mga kasubaan sa pagpataka og labay sa ilang mga sagbot, kawang lamang ang paningkamot sa mga mingtabang, pasabut ni Gonzales. Gisaysay ni RED Gonzales nga gitugyan na sa DENR ang pagpatuman sa mga environmental laws ngadto sa LGUs sa hinungdan nga sila ang may makabantay sa mga paglapas, sanglit sila ang naa sa duol. Apan may mga kahigayunan nga ang LGU dili na moaksyon tungod kay ang mga misupak sa balaod, supporter sa election o higala sa mga opisyal. Niini, mahimong epektibo ang paghatag sa deputasyon sa mga katawhan isip nasangonan usab pagpatuman sa mga balaod sa kalikopan sanglit mahimong mas epektibo pa sila sa pagpatunhay sa limpyo nga suba, sugyot sa DENR. Niini, gipadayag ni Gonzales nga dili halayo nga ideputize na usab ang local nga mga katawhan ilabi na niadtong naa nanimuyo duol sa mga suba aron sila na ang manakop niadtong dili motamud sa balaud sa basura, aron malimpyo permi ang mga suba. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
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is the Island of Siquijor’s first electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Siquijor Information Center and the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center. It contains snippets of information about Siquijor, Central Visayas and the Philippine Government.
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FOLLOW US online! Siquijor Police Provincial Office’s Oath-Taking and Pinning of Ranks of the 137 newly promoted Police Non Commissioned Officers for the 2nd level regular promotion cycle with Regional Director PBGen Debold Menorias Sinas as the presiding officer. (rac/PIA7Siquijor)
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