Sorsogon: Moving towards a rabies-free province

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- For the past two years, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has recorded a very significant decrease in rabies incidence in Sorsogon with barely five human and six canine cases as compared to the data way back in 1999 with about 39 cases.

This is good news for Sorsogon, however, it is irrefutable that rabies remains a serious public health problem in the country, as the Department of Health (DOH) says.

To put a halt to this, the provincial government of Sorsogon, through the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), forged partnership with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), a world leading organization working towards the global control of rabies.

“The provincial government, under the auspices of Gov. Raul R. Lee, is enormously determined to achieve a rabies-free Sorsogon and we want the communities here to have an improved educational awareness to prevent exposure to rabid dogs, and likewise, eliminate or control the source of infection in dog and human population,” said Dr. Enrique Espiritu, provincial veterinarian.

He said that through the Communities Against Rabies Exposure (CARE) Project of GARC, the coordination of surveillance, molecular epidemiology, dog population model control, veterinary and public health system protocols will be facilitated. Furthermore, the incidence of public health problems associated with dogs as vectors will significantly be reduced.

”At present, most of the human cases we have recorded here were not actually bitten by dogs in Sorsogon. But just the same, we need not to be lax, massive dog vaccination is still needed because it is cost effective and sustainable in controlling rabies rather than those other interventions aimed only at humans,” he stated.

He also added that more dogs are getting vaccinated in Sorsogon and they are hoping that eventually, the local government will be able to vaccinate 70 percent of the 52,121 dog population all throughout the province within the targeted time frame.

In an effort to further intensify the implementation of the Provincial Anti-Rabies Elimination Program, the provincial government tapped the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of the 541 barangays in Sorsogon as volunteer vaccinators.

“We found the SKs to be effective partners in the program implementation because aside from being vaccinators themselves, they can influence their peers and family members, and as our future leaders, it is good that at an early age, we are exposing them to the severity of this deadly infectious disease,” Dr. Espiritu said.

PVO record shows that 3,655 dogs have been vaccinated in Sorsogon City in just a span of less than three weeks since they oriented the SKs last January 28, 2013.

Dr. Espiritu also reported that some 100 rabisin vials were initially distributed to the towns of Irosin, Donsol, and Magallanes while distribution to other municipalities is ongoing. The PVO is also expecting accomplishment reports from the said municipalities a month after the vaccination.

Espiritu also mentioned that LGUs in the province have their respective anti-rabies ordinances and some of them were already amended. However, the local chief executives struggled with the implementation due to budget constraints.

Nevertheless, with the partnership now and the inspiration brought by the success story of the anti-rabies program in Bohol, both the provincial government and GARC are optimistic that the same success can be achieved in Sorsogon, targeting a sustainable rabies-free province by empowering communities to take responsibility as well as develop and share adequate mechanisms for sustainability.

Meanwhile, to strengthen the program, Governor Raul R. Lee issued an Executive Order (EO) Number 002 Series of 2013, which allows the ratification of the ordinances in Section 7 (Pet Owners’ Penalties) of the Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 and created a task force to intensify the implementation of anti-rabies program in the province.

Likewise, the provincial government entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with GARC represented by its Coordinator for Asia, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Miranda, to achieve a rabies-free Sorsogon.

Local chief executives of Bulan, Prieto Diaz, Bulusan, and Barcelona immediately signified support to the said MOA which also provides for trainings to be conducted by the PVO for their respective youths.

The League of Municipal Mayors of the Philippines (LMP)-Sorsogon Chapter President and Barcelona Mayor Manuel Fortes, Jr. also encouraged its members to participate in the noble task and ensure compliance with the mandates of the governor’s directives.

“Moving towards a rabies-free Sorsogon, the CARE program also strengthens the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign by coming up with tarpaulins, posters, and billboards installed in strategic places across the province. We have also produced and distributed flyers and leaflets translated into two versions, one for the Sorsoganons of the first district and another for the second district,” said GARC Communication Officer Dane Medina.

Medina further stated that aside from this, the program also educates the communities on how to stay safe around animals, danger signs to look for, what to do in case of a bite, and guidelines for good pet stewardship.

“But in the event that dog biting cannot be avoided, the bitten individual can manage bite incidence like washing the wound with soap under running water and consulting a doctor or seeking the nearest Animal Bite Treatment (ABT) Center in their locality,” she also added.

At present, Sorsogon has five Animal Bite Treatment Centers located in each Inter-Local Health Zones (ILHZ): Dr. Fernando Duran Sr. Memorial Hospital (Provincial Hospital) and City Health Office in Sorsogon City for JUCCASOM (Juban, Casiguran, Castilla, Sorsogon City and Magallanes); Irosin District Hospital for BIMS (Bulan, Irosin, Matnog and Sta. Magdalena); Gubat District Hospital for GUPRIBBAR (Gubat, Prieto Diaz, Bulusan and Barcelona); and in Donsol District Hospital for SOLAR (Donsol and Pilar). (MAL/BAR-PIA 5, Sorsogon)



Phivolcs, PPDRMC spearhead disaster management training

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- The Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and local DRRMCs in cities and municipalities in Camarines Sur completed Friday the six-day training on disaster risk reduction with emphasis on utilization of Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System or REDAS.

Camarines Sur headed the training aimed at equipping provincial and municipal officers, particularly those directly involved in disaster risk reduction programs and technical know-how on mitigation of the impact of disaster in the community.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology or Phivolcs has also partnered with the provincial government in introducing new technologies and strategies to effectively deal with the catastrophic effect of any disaster, particularly the occurrence of an earthquake.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum graced the said activity and shared his thoughts on the importance of using REDAS in the early detection of earthquake.

The software, developed by Phivolcs in 20012 now forms part of the disaster tools of the local government units and serves as an instrument in mainstreaming risk reduction under the Hazard Mapping and Assessment for Effective Community-based Disaster Risk Management or READY project.

Ready is a collaborative initiative of the Philippines and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the government of Australia Australian Aid (AusAID).

Amy Gagalac of the Camarines Sur Environment Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office (Edmero) said that this new knowledge will equip emergency response teams with useful information that will minimize natural hazards, like earthquake.

“REDAS is an earthquake simulation tool which can calculate the strength of seismic hazards and the possible effects of an earthquake to the community and having an information on this would give us windows to prepare ourselves, the community and possibly save other valuable things our of harm’s way,” Gagalac said in an interview.

Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte pushed for the dissemination of REDAS in the province knowing fully well that most of the towns here are considered as hazard prone areas.

Aside from the introduction of REDAS, participants were also taught with various kinds of dangers brought by different kind of calamities like volcanic hazards, hydrometeorological hazard, earthquake hazard and the fundamentals of map reading and geo-positioning system or GPS. (MAL/LSM-PIA5, Camarines Sur)


Dad to his constituents: “The Future is Ours”

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- A participative-governance emphasizing the significance of people’s voice in important decisions summarizes the third State of the City Report that Naga City Mayor John Bongat delivered on Tuesday at the Naga City People’s Hall here.

Anchored in his H²ELP Your City Agenda, Bongat delivered his program-laden accomplishments before the jampacked crowd of entrepreneurs, businessmen, city hall officials, employees, professionals and representatives from various sectors.

Bongat’s H²ELP Your City Agenda is based on the significance of teamwork and participative governance. It was formally adopted as a city policy by members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in November along with the approval of the 10-year Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) of the City.

In his speech, he said, “The future is not only us, but all of us,” referring to the community’s participation in running the affairs of the city and for charting the future of the city’s progress as one people and as a city.

Highlighted in the local executive's report were the local government’s significant efforts in pursuing significant development endeavors in the local economy, health and nutrition, housing and the urban poor, education, livelihood, employment and human development, peace and order, public safety, cleanliness and environment protection.

In the local economic front, the city was able to generate 15, 488 jobs, generated P3.87-billion worth of new investments from 2010 and continues to entice various businesses to explore and invest in Naga City. The report also says that under the city’s enterprise development, there was a significant 25-30 percent increase in the household income of beneficiaries coming from barangay-based industries.

The business sector through its representative Jeremie S.Lo, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Bicol Governor lauded the city government’s positive stance in terms of the confidence and support it continuously give to investors.

Under the health agenda, the city has implemented a P20-million upgrade of the Naga City Hospital in close coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the establishment of an infirmary in the upland barangays of Pacol-Carolina. The city has also instituted support on maternal and new born child health and nutrition initiatives pursuant to Executive Order 2010-024 in support of the Maternal Newborn Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN) Program implementation.

Support to basic education was also beefed up with a P124-million allocation from the special education fund. It covered textbooks, graduation and recognition subsidies, academic and sports competition, and the training of locally funded teachers among others. The city also assumed local funding of 148 teachers and invested P12.5 million in 13 school infrastructure projects. The city also increased subsidy to SPED centers here.

The effort to revitalize the Naga River is now near its realization with the implementation of the P20-million river transport component of the P2.1 billion comprehensive package of the Naga River Revitalization project.

Bongat expressed his continued trust and confidence in his constituents towards a more progressive Naga City. (LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)


AusAID assists in constructing classrooms, daycare centers for 4Ps children

By Jesseshan B. Marbella

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- A total of 83 classrooms and day-care centers will be constructed for the first semester of this year to address the needs of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program children in terms of improving their access to education.

Bicol regional director Arnel Garcia of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) will fund the construction of these additional classrooms in areas where Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) was previously implemented.

Garcia said DSWD-5 has signed Tuesday, Feb. 19, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the municipal government of Donsol in Sorsogon province, represented by Mayor Jerome F. Alcantara, for the official launch of the AusAID-funded program.

"Identified recipient-barangays with need of additional classrooms or daycare centers will receive the grant from AusAID through the community-driven development approach of the Kalahi-CIDSS," explained Garcia.

Kalahi-CIDSS is a community-driven development project wherein the community collectively gathers data on conditions existing in the community, analyze these conditions, and define appropriate development interventions to address identified needs. These are then validated through the conduct of barangay assemblies. It ensures community empowerment by giving the people authority and control over decisions and resources

Garcia furthered that AusAID-assisted projects for the construction of classrooms and day-care centers will be piloted in the municipalities of Donsol, Sorsogon; Claveria, Palanas and Cataingan, Masbate; Libon, Pioduran, Manito and Rapu-Rapu, Albay during the first semester with a total grant of P89,760,000.


Garcia explained that the convergence of these programs aims to enhance the department’s contribution in the achievement of a more sustainable and tangible impact on poverty reduction in the country. (MAL/JBM-PIA 5,ALbay/DSWD5)


Polangui named among 2012 National Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- The municipal government of Polangui was conferred "National Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever” for 2012 recognizing the local government’s high-performance in rice production to help achieve rice self sufficiency by 2013.

Polangui Mayor Cherilie Mella Sampal said the feat of the local government in agriculture has entitled the municipality of P1 million cash award and P20,000 each for seven agricultural extension workers.

Sampal cited the Municipal Agricultural Services Office, led by municipal agriculturist Alfredo Mariscotes, Jr., for the exemplary achievement and efficient implementation of agricultural programs, particularly on rice sufficiency and agricultural development, as well as agricultural extension workers Leticia Quian, Jonel Llagas, Robeto Barra, Sholenor Bongapat, Corazon Ginete, and Amiel Osma.

Sampal continues to be optimistic with the achievement that, according to her, being at the front line in the implementation of the rice program local governments will continue to play an important role in the government’s goal to attain rice sufficiency by 2013, and surplus in succeeding years.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) under its Agri-pinoy rice program has led the 2012 Search for Rice Agri-Achievers.

The search, launched last year, is one strategy that envisions to achieve rice self sufficiency by 2013 and will be sustained until 2016 and beyond, honouring top rice-producing provinces, cities, towns, irrigators’ associations (IAs), Small Water Impounding Systems Association (SWISA) and outstanding Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs).

Municipalities, along with cities, were judged based on their incremental rice production volume and area harvested from 2011-2012, total funds allocated for rice production, number of LGU personnel deployed to rice production; LGU program on rice initiated/funded by the LGU; high quality seeds utilization of at least 50 percent.

For AEW the criteria include: production increment over 2011 production; production performance over 2012 target; number of cluster/farmers assisted (at least 30); trainings attended, FFS conducted, techno demo established and reports submitted.

The same program aims to encourage the full participation of LGUs, IAs, and AEWs involved in the production of rice; sustain awareness, support and commitment to the rice sufficiency program. The search will cover the 2011-2012 dry and wet season.

The rice achievers' award is also part of the campaign to promote the DA’s flagship Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), a program that would ensure food sufficiency for Filipinos not only in rice, but also other food crops like corn, cassava as well as some fruits and vegetables in the future. (MAL/PIA-5)



NYC launches 2013 National Search for Best Youth Projects

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) --The National Youth Commission urges youth organizations in the Bicol region to join its 11th National Search for Ten Accomplished Youth Projects (TAYO 11) launched February 14 this year.

NYC commissioner Georgina Nava said TAYO stands for the efforts of youth organizations to express their love for the country through their passion and support for their chosen community and causes no matter how small or simple it may be.

“From efforts as simple as clean-up drives to as complicated as international events, the Filipino youth respond to varied issues in novel and astounding ways,” said Nava.

TAYO is the award given in recognition of exceptional achievements of youth organizations. It also encourages sharing and replication of noteworthy and unconventional projects and initiatives to solve basic problems in communities.

Since its start in 2002 almost a hundred youth organizations have been awarded and recognized.

The search is open to all youth organizations with projects implemented for their communities from June 2012 to present. For ongoing programs and projects completion must be done by June 2013.

For further queries interested organizations can email TAYO secretariat at tayo.secretariat@gmail.com or contact 09178988296. They can also check their websites at www.nyc.gov.ph and www.tayoawards.net or like their Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations fan page on Facebook. (MAL/SAA–PIA5/Albay)