DOH launches free cervical cancer screening program
by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, May 4 (PIA) --- Here’s good news for women.

The Department of Health (DOH) regional office here has launched today its nationwide free cervical cancer screening program for women ages 25 to 45 at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) here to help save lives through prevention and early detection.

Dr. Edwin Sanchez of the DOH central office said that 12 Filipino women die of cervical cancer everyday, making it the second most common cancer among women in the Philippines.

Sanchez added that 500,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and 6,000 of which occur in the country.

He said that according to an epidemiology study conducted from 2004 to 2008, cervical cancer is diagnosed at median age of 48, with high incidence between 35 to 54 years of age-the stage considered to be the peak of woman’s productivity and family life .

He added that many cervical cancer cases are already in the late or terminal stages of the disease when diagnosed.

Dr. Rogelio Rivera , BRTTH medical director, said that the month long free screening program will be undertaken this whole month of May at the BRTTH to mark the Cervical Cancer Awareness month.

He disclosed that very soon a creoteraphy equipment will be installed in the gynecology center of BRTTH to treat those detected with cervical cancer. (MAL/EDL, PIA V)

BFAR conducts two-day fora on the latest trends on fisheries technology
by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, May 4 (PIA) --- A two-day fora on the latest trends and updates on various fisheries technology was held from May3-4, 2011 at the Provincial Capitol Dome, Virac, Catanduanes.

The main objective of the said fora is to provide information on the latest trends and updates on various fisheries and technology.

Topics include status of Coral Reefs in the Philippines; Coral Reef Rehabilitation Using Coral Transplantation with Groupers and Seaweeds Cultivation; a New Age Coastal Resource Management initiative discussed by Mr. Tristand C. Paylado, MSES, Marine Biologist and Environmental Scientist and Chief of Fisheries Resource Management Section; BFAR5 Food Safety and Quality Assurance for Fishery ad Aquaculture Products discussed by Ms. Delia T. Buena, Chief, Fish Inspection and Quality Assurance Section; Aquaculture Technology by Mr. Joel B. Balasta, FETD Technical Personnel; Orientation on Fisheries Laws and Regulations with emphasis on the role of the Local Government unit discussed by Mr. Ariel Pioquinto, Chief, Monitoring Control and Surveillance Section, Fishery Regulatory and Quarantine Division.

The said activity was spearheaded by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office and was attended by the Municipal Agricultural Officers, Fisherfolks Agricultural Technicians and local media in the province. (EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Water lily product development brings livelihood to villages

LEGAZPI CITY, May 4 (PIA) --- At least 25 new products made from water lily were unveiled by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office here following the five-day training for stakeholders on product development of the hyacinth (water lily).

The training program was participated in by stakeholders from Bulusan, Bonbon, Del Rosario, Sta. Cruz and Buga of Libon, Albay held only last week.

Ching Olaguer, DTI Albay business development division chief, said among these products are different types or designs of sandals, slippers, and other footwear, wallpapers and various forms of fashion accessories.

The products, according to Olaguer, passed through the standard quality check of known expert in this field Heide Cardeno of the 1001 Strategist Product Development Consultancy before they are introduced to the market.

Olaguer said DTI Albay is working very closely with consultants and the stakeholders themselves in promoting and readying the novelty products for local producers in the province, wherein the agency is optimistic that the water lily developed products will become viable not only they have good designs but also the products are environment-friendly.

Olaguer further said that the agency will continue to spearhead similar trainings on skills development in pursuit of DTI’s livelihood and entrepreneurship advocacy program. (MAL/MRN, PIA V)


NKTI- DOH, PIA spearhead lay forum on organ donation program
by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, May 4 (PIA) --- To promote accessible and reasonable equitable renal health care program of the government, the Department of Health (DOH, through the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) will hold a lay forum at the Bicol Medical Center Auditorium here on May 5, 2011.

This endeavor will center its campaign on the Philippine Organ Donation Program (PODP) of the health department which aims to boost public awareness on organ donation and renal disease affecting thousands of Filipinos all over the country for the past few years.

The program which has the following components: Policy and Program Standards, Advocacy/Information Education Campaign, Systems Development, Research and Monitoring, set its sight on informing the public on some frequently asked questions with regards to kidney disease.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) , under the Office of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), will also assist the DOH-NKTI in its info-dissemination campaign.

The forum also seeks to answer why there is a need to transplant patients even though they are already treated, what is the government doing to promote deceased program organ donation, and what is the success rate if transplant from deceased donors, among others.

Transplant remains to be a practical alternative among patients who are inflected with serious case of kidney disease. Yet in the past years, there was a recorded decline of donations and transplants since the government imposed a clampdown on living non related donors.

Also as collated by the Philippine Renal Disease Registry (PRDR), there are more or less 9,980 patients who have undergone dialysis treatment in 2010. This number is more likely to increase if the disease goes untreated and if right information will not be disseminated to the public.

Invited to attend the event as discussants and to shed light on the aforementioned queries are Dr. Antonio R. Paraiso,PODP Program Manager for Operations, Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca, REDCOP Consultant for Advocacy , Dr. Rosalia Teleg, and Dr. Rizalina Ramos, Adult Nephrology Consultant. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)


COMELEC starts voters’ registration, gathering of biometrics data today
by Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, May 4 (PIA) --- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here announced that the system of continuing registration for this year starts today (May 3) until October 31, 2011, Mondays to Saturdays focusing on capturing the biometrics data of voters in their registration.

The on-going registration is based on COMELEC Resolution No. 9168 and 9149 and is being conducted nationwide.

Atty. Annie Romero-Cortez, Provincial Election Supervisor II, said that new registration, transfer of registration records, change/correction of entries in the registration records, re-activiation of registration records and inclusion of registration records/reinstatement of name in the list of voters shall be personally filled at the Office of the Election Officer in the municipality where the applicant resides.

She explained that any Filipino citizen who is at least eighteen (18) years of age, a resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place where he intends to vote for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the election may file their application for registration.

She clarified that registered voters whose registration records appearing the VRM have no biometrics data shall undergo the capturing of their biometrics data at the Office of the EO/satellite of the place where the voter is registered.

The biometrics data includes the finger prints (thumb prints and index), signature and pictures.

Atty. Cortez added that applicants need to bring any valid identification document that bears applicant’s photograph and signature when they register. (MAL/RBM, PIA CamNorte)