Bicol registers 65% reduction in firecracker injuries

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, January 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Bicol is pleased that the Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR) Give me five anti-firecracker advocacy resulted to 65 percent reduction in injuries in welcoming the new year.

“Bicol made a good showing for APIR as it is not included in the top ten regions with the highest number of persons hurt by firecracker,” reported Dr. Virgilio Ludovice, DOH Region V HOPE division chief.

The announcement was made by Dr. Ludovice at PIA’s radio program yesterday. He said that only 10 cases have been monitored by the eight sentinel hospital in the region. The reported cases was much lower than last year’s 29 persons wounded by firecrackers.

The 10 injured individuals were treated at Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City with 4; Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital, 2; and 1 each at Bicol Medical Center ( Naga City), Naga City Hospital, Eastern Bicol Medical Center (Catanduanes) and Sorsogon Provincial Hospital.

To date, no casualty report was reported from two more reporting hospitals, Bicol Sanitarium in Cabusao, Camarines Sur and Masbate Provincial Hospital.

Ludovice said that based on the reports from said sentinel hospitals, six of the victims were passive user of firecrackers. Per age group, two cases were in age range of 10 and below, two in the 11-20 age group, and two from ages 21-30. Majority of the injury was due to five star. No report on firecracker ingestion was noted.

Monitoring of victims started last December 21 until January 5.

APIR campaign advocated for a safer holiday celebration especially in welcoming the new year.

More fireworks display managed by local government units were observed by the local health department. DOH encouraged community fireworks displays as it helped achieve a balance between merriment and safety. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)

Bicolana studes adjudged as model student awardees

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- Student leaders Ma. Cienna A. Jaucian, Ateneo De Naga University (AdENU) AB BSE English Student and Ma. Clarissa Lavena A. Bombase, University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) AB Political Science Student, both made their respective universities and every Bicolano proud for being included in the prestigious 2011 Search for Ten Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines (JRMSP).

Thirty (30) national finalists out of hundreds of contenders from different parts of the country vied to earn the title as one of the recipients of the 2011 Search for Ten Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines (JRMSP).

The momentous event took place on December 30 at the Knights of Rizal Ceremonial Hall in Manila.

Jaucian is an active Pathway Youth Group leader, teaching various children from a personally designed reading module during Saturdays. Her love for teaching led her into becoming the project head of her college’s education program dubbed as Great Mind Read Session II. She occupies a seat at the Supreme Student Government of AdENU and is concurrently the chief editor of Kadunong, the Samahan ng mga Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino’s official publication.

Bombase was also hailed as President of UNC’s student government, founder of the UNC Debate Society, an active member of various school organizations and one of the university’s academic scholars.

Both students have shown academic excellence and exceptional leadership skills, having been elected as presidents of their respective student governments. Their community involvements were also rated outstanding along with the personal values which came out during the final interview of the panelists.

The Order of the Knights of Rizal who are in the front line of the said activity, spearheads the event annually pursuant to their mandate to promote the principles and teachings of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Awardees should epitomize the Rizalian eminence- that is the love for academic excellence, exemplary leadership inside the campus and service for other through community works and involvement.

Known for his most famous adage that the youth is the hope of our the country, Rizal has envisioned a vibrant youth, developing in them respect for the elderly, service for the needy and love for the country.

The Search for Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines aims to spread these values and made the youth of today an instrument for a much better Philippines in the future. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)


SORECO II implements no-power-bill-collector policy

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, January 5 (PIA) -- There will be no more SORECO II power bill collectors, the management of the Sorsogon Electric Cooperative (SORECO) II here issued this policy starting this year.

This new scheme was implemented by SORECO management in order to increase their collection efficiency, especially this year since consumers will be the one to proceed to the SORECO II paying centers, pay their monthly electric bills and no request for extension will be made.

Before, consumers could request from their collectors to just return or beg off to pay so sometimes, even two months electric bill consumption are provided an extension.

This time, it will be different since non-payment on said due date of monthly electric consumption as stipulated in their power bill for the month will mean automatic disconnection according to management.

It was also learned that with the implementation of this new scheme, the consumers have become more aware of their responsibility in settling their electric consumption and have personally go to the paying center for payment.

It was also noticed, according to management, that their collection efficiency had increased.

Member-owner consumers are now more aware in paying on time their electric bills as now observed even for the first few days only of this month.

SORECO II believes that they are creating empowerment and savings, as cost in the percentage payment that goes to the collectors will be saved and will also be definitely used for improving the services of the electric cooperative.

Consumer’s monthly electric payments due will only be given a 48-hour notice or a two day grace period to settle their account otherwise implementation of automatic disconnection will be imposed. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

PRC emergency rescue unit soon to operate 24/7

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, CATANDUANES, January 5 (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Catanduanes Chapter's Emergency Rescue Unit (ERU) is soon to operate 24 hours per day beginning this month, January, 2012.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) aims to render life-saving assistance that will armor the life and dignity especially of the indigent Filipinos caught in defenseless situations. Currently, the PRC offers six major services, such as: Blood Services, Disaster Management, Safety Services, Community Health and Nursing, Social Services and the Volunteer Service.

The ERU, composed of trained volunteers began serving the province last Christmas season with a schedule duty from 7:00-12 midnight last December 17-23 and Dec. 26-31, 2011.

To become an ERU trainee, one must be 18 years old and above; college level; Current holder of Philippine Red Cross Standard First Aid and Basic Life Support (Certificate of Completion); Of good moral character as certified by authority; Physically and mentally fit; Willing to complete 300 hours of duty as a trainee before being certified as an ERU volunteer; Can work under minimal supervision and willing to work in a team. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)