DOST Bicol spearheads training on S&T dicoveries, innovations to combat Dengue

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 17 (PIA) -- The rise of mosquito-related illnesses in the country has sent a signal for alarm and prompted actions from government agencies for a cohesive prevention and control measures.

Bicol director Tomas B. Briñas of the Department of Science and Technoloy (DOST) stated the cirscumstance also indicated an urgent call among Science and Technology (S&T) partners to carry out broader, adoptable and quick solutions to these mosquito-borne-diseases, especially dengue and chikungunya.

It can be recalled that the Department of Health (DOH)  reported a 36 percent increase for dengue cases from January to June of this year while in July 2016 the provincial povernment of Cavite declared a state of calamity after the Chikungunya outbreak hit the municipality of Indang wherein 240 cases were reported.

DOH noted that these figures are expected to rise due to the rainy season.

DOST Bicol, according Briñas, has partnered with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), has recently trained 75 provincial, city and municipal health office heads, sanitary officers, and nurses of the six provinces in the region on the national program "National Dengue Vector Surveillance Program-Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (NDVSP-ABKD) and Dengue Early Warning System recently.

A group of Manila-based researchers from PCHRD, University of the Philippines (UP)-Manila and Manila HealthTek, Inc. were tapped as resource speakers to orient the participants regarding current S&T innovations and researches for the prevention and control of mosquito-related diseases.

Guidditta L. Gelera, Science Research Specialist II of the DOST-PCHRD, bared in her talks the latest DOST Programs and Researches on Dengue noting that the study on Tawa-tawa (Euphorbia hirta) for use as an herbal cure for Dengue which is now 90 percent near completion.

"This plant was proven for its cell production that prevents platelet decrease and destruction during attack. It was found out that same plant can reduce bleeding and blood clotting time up to 62 percent and 58 percent, respectively," Gelera explained.

Joy Ann P. Santos, one of the inventors of Bio Tek-M Aqua Kit who works for Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, National Institutes of Health, UP-Manila introduced and demonstrated the use of the BioTek-M Lamp Heater and Biotek-M Dengue Aqua Kit.

Both devices are portable and designed to perform diagnostic tests to detect dengue infections in serum/plasma samples similar to the tests done in traditional laboratories.

Maria Carmen Y. Ocampo, sales and marketing officer/company pharmacist of Manila HealthTek, Inc. shared that the company now sells these devices to interested buyers and welcomes new marketing outlets in the region.

 Lhea Dyn B. Bellen, Science Research Specialist II/Regional Program Coordinator, NDVSMP-ABKD, DOST V gave the overview of the Bicol Integrated Dengue Vector Management Program (BIDVMP), a more integrated approach in the prevention and control of Dengue cases in the Region involving other government agencies namely DOH, Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

BIDVMP also includes the new Dengue Vector Surveillance and BIDVMP Website discussed by Nicole Anne L. Bejo, Science Research Specialist I, DOST V.

The website features the program strategies for dengue prevention, an updated map showing the number of dengue cases in the region and an OL index for the location and population of dengue causing mosquitos.

Briñas emphasized that this initiative bridges what S&T  can do together with the health community in addressing issues and concerns of Filipinos nationwide.

Through the years, S&T innovations, discoveries and breakthroughs brought about by scientific researches of DOST and its S&T partners have led to the development and establishment of medical and pharmaceutical industries in the country.

"The health of Filipinos, the Bicolanos in particular, must not be put at risk. Our fervent desire to attain a livable, resilient and safe region is in the S&T priorities of the department under Secretary Fortunato T. De La Peña," Briñas said (MAL/POLucena/XTLVibar-DOST5/PIA5).        

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3211479361991/dost-bicol-spearheads-training-on-s-t-dicoveries-innovations-to-combat-dengue#sthash.Q5vg11EM.dpuf

Poor solo parent volunteers to help uplift lives of villagers

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 14 (PIA) -- Even a destitute member of the community can contribute to its development--for someone who lost a home and a husband, helping others is just normal.

 Marites Soquino, 42, a solo parent of Brgy. San Isidro Iraya, Malilipot, Albay was abandoned by her husband five years ago. Their romance ended with five sons who have been under her care since 2012.

Moreover, Typhoon Glenda destroyed their makeshift house in 2014 and since then, they have been living in a shelter box (tent), an aid they received from a foreign donor.

 She reports to work six days a week and takes home a maximum of P3,000 a month as a secretary in a direct selling company in Tabaco City, another town next to Malilipot. She also gets an extra profit as a seamstress. Her two children are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who receive a total of PhP2,200 for every two months when all health and education conditions are met.

She said that her children are her inspiration. She values the education of her kids and only wishes them to get a good education.

Her responsibility of raising her five sons was never a hindrance to devote a portion of her time to their village. She was a member of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), a barangay women’s organization, before receiving a volunteer stint.

“Magtarabangan kita tanganing makatapos kamo,” she told her children.

During a community assembly in 2014, Marites and other residents were elected as community volunteers who will manage the construction of their school buildings. Being the head of the volunteers, her responsibility included the management of several volunteer committees to ensure that they are doing their part. Their group was also obliged with the prompt compliance of documentary requirements to build the school buildings.

She even skipped work despite of salary deduction just to attend all trainings and seminars relative to her responsibility.

Marites’ dedication and passion in building a better community for her children was not extinguished by wrongful accusations and rumors.

"Kapos man kami sa pera, edukasyon an maipapamana namin sa aming mga anak," she said.

Just like any other government projects, the villagers doubted the completion of their school buildings because there was a discrepancy with the documentary compliance effecting a delayed implementation. Thus, rumors surfaced that Marites and other volunteers took the money for their school buildings.

But she was relentless enough to keep the spirits of her co-volunteers high despite of the tirades and bashings. Marites continued to encourage the residents to participate. She would candidly respond to queries about their community project as part of transparency.

As a graduate of two-year course, her leadership skills help the community volunteers appreciate the importance of the project in their barangay.

Their elementary school and high school has one school building each. The construction started last June 6, 2016 and is almost complete. The said project has a total cost of PhP4,126,249.92 from Kalahi-CIDSS- Kapit- Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) is a DSWD program that seeks to help alleviate poverty through community-driven development (CDD).

Kristen Rozen, the project coordinator of the school building in Malilipot, described Marites as a selfless volunteer despite of her poor living conditions, she performs all her functions without expecting anything in return.

She never complained about poverty. She focused on how she can reach her goals for her family and community. She never lost hope when everything turned low. Her strength catapulted her to become a fighter who never surrenders. (MAL/JBM-DSWD5/PIA5)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3211479095971/poor-solo-parent-volunteers-to-help-uplift-lives-of-villagers#sthash.91Y04x5l.dpuf

Local writers call for support to preserve, promote Albay’s rich culture, arts and heritage

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) –“Albay has a rich culture, history and heritage but there are lots of things painfully forgotten. Where is it now?”

Award winner local writer and poet Rafael Banzuela stressed such query and challenge to stakeholders during the “Forum @ PIA” on the promotion of heritage, culture and arts in Albay conducted on Tuesday by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Albay provincial office and National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA).

Banzuela, together with Komisyoner AbdonBalde Jr. ng Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino,, discussed the historical and cultural development of the province along with local stories, literature, language and state of writers presenting their in particular their current state, issues and concerns.

Banzuela noted the need for stronger partnership with stakeholders such as the academe, local government units and publishing companies to generate and promote awareness, appreciation and preservation of the culture, tradition, arts and heritage of Albay.

“Our writers need the outlet to promote and publish their work but we find it hard to look for a publishing house that’s willing to gamble with us. So what commonly happens is vanity publishing or publishing our work using our own money,” Banzuela said.

On the use of language, he urged local writers along with the media to assume full responsibility in using Legazpi-Bikol language noting the need to further develop and preserve the beauty of the Bicol language and its rich past and history.

“Anyone can write history but it’s more important to have proper documentation and interpretation of what happened and its effect or impact on the community,” Banzuela said.

To further strengthen and sharpen the local dialect, he proposed for a local dictionary that will include variants of the words from other dialects although that will incur funding, hard work, research and expertise of a lexicographer.

Banzuela likewise noted the “need for Albay to come up with good museum and library to keep things being done today” which will serve as outlet to store and preserve works of art, heritage and culture.

Balde also added the practical use of culture and arts citing the need for awareness, appreciation and protection of culture and arts as valuable assets that can be used to improve our lives.

 Among his plans to further promote Albay arts, culture and heritage are publication of local stories and tigsikwhich have been compiled and translated in Englishand Tagalog for non-bicolano readers to understand. Some of these works of art have been published online in his Facebook account.

Together with Banzuela and Balde as resource speakers in the said “Forum @ PIA” are reactors Apo Gonzales, volunteer for community art development in Albay and Mario Arguilles, correspondent of Philippine Daily Inquirer Southern Luzon.

The said forum is part of the series of promotional activities conducted by the PIA and NCCA on the promotion of culture and arts highlighting its important role in the establishment of identity and foundation of nation building and development.

The NCCA has forged a partnership with the PIA earlier this year to help in spreading and inculcating cultural education and awareness in the regions. (MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571478682105/local-writers-call-for-support-to-preserve-promote-albay-s-rich-culture-arts-and-heritage#sthash.dJgsgUh7.dpuf

PIA Albay Infocen holds forum for Albayano heritage advocacy

By Julius B. Embile

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 9 (PIA) – In the spirit of preservation and promotion of historical and cultural heritage, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Albay provincial office, in partnership with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), spearheaded the Forum @ PIA on uesday with the theme: “Pride of Race, Proud of Heritage Culture and Arts Promotion in Albay”.

Bringing together involved stakeholders like members of the academe, the press and cultural experts, the forum served as a think-tank for the advocacy of understanding and preservation of Albayano culture, including history, language, literature and arts.

Including to those invited as resource speaker for the event is Rafael “Raffi” Banzuela, awarded Bicolano book writer and renowned literature authority in the region. During his talk, Banzuela highlights the three well-needed factors in preserving Albay’s cultural heritage: research, pubic understanding, and archiving.

“We need historians. Unlike other provinces, we do not have people here in Albay that focus on the study (history) that will properly explain the evolution of our culture,” said Banzuela.

Additionally, Banzuela explained that the study and research of the province’s heritage must be invested upon for the sake of preserving the forefather’s legacy.

Banzuela’s point of improved cultural research was also agreed upon by Engineer Abdon “Jun” Balde Jr., commissioner of the ‘Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino’ and fellow resource person of the forum. “The present documents of Albayano history are made by foreigners, based on information that needs further study. In terms of language, we must have our own authorized lexicologists,” added Balde.

Given that Albay is a province rich with its own distinct cultural heritage, both Banzuela and Balde agreed that there is a considerable need to raise public interest in the province’s local language and literature, which may be resolved by the promotion of books and literary works in the original Albayano mother-tongue.

“There are many talented Albayano writers that can write books in the Albayano language. However, it is very difficult for them to have their works published. We need publishers here in Albay willing to give our local writers a chance,” added Balde. According to the resource persons of the forum, it has been a challenge for local writers to market their books as the limited target market is seen as un-conducive for business.

“Without people of authority or proper reference materials on our language and culture, how do we share the necessary knowledge to the people of Albay?” stated Raffi Banzuela.

Banzuela also stressed the need for libraries and museums in Albay.

“For a long time we have exerted great efforts in promoting our province’s tourism. But what we must realize is that the first place a tourist would visit are the museums to discover the history of the province,” explained the writer.

“History is not history without documentation. We need a place to house our books and artifacts for visitors and locals alike,” he added.

Keeping in spirit of the forum, Banzuela and Balde set the challenge for the stakeholders in attendance to take action needed for the preservation of Albayano culture via language and history. “We must begin to take initiative today, because the preservation of our heritage is preservation of our legacy,” said Banzuela as he ended his talk.

With the input given by those attending the forum, PIA-Bicol stated confidence the objective of identifying the concerns that need to be addressed has been fulfilled. Being one with the advocacy for culture and heritage, PIA gave word that such concern would be communicated to NCCA and other concerned agencies so that respective solution may be formulated. (MAL/JBE-PIA5)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3301478670775/pia-albay-infocen-holds-forum-for-albayano-heritage-advocacy-#sthash.vbIwNa68.dpuf

PIA, NCCA to hold forum on development of historical, cultural development of Albay

By Sally Atento-Altea

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Albay provincial office and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will be conducting a forum on culture and tradition, arts and heritage peculiar of the province tomorrow at the La Granja Hotel and Resto in this city.

“The “Forum @ PIA” aims to generate awareness, appreciation and promote preservation of the different culture and tradition, arts and heritage peculiar to the province of Albay, “PIA Albay information center manager (ICM) Marlon A. Loterte said.

Loterte said the event will involve interaction with invited resource persons who are experts in their own field, tapping the media for coverage and dissemination of basic concepts acquired.

“It will likewise serve as venue for multi-sectoral participants to present, clarify and address issues and concerns on arts, culture and heritage,” he added.

Among the topics to be discussed by Wikang Filipino Commissioner Engr. Abdon Balde and Albay poet and writer Rafael Banzuela are the historical and cultural developments of Albay including local stories that have been forgotten, literature, language and update on the state of writers in the province.

The members of the panel of reactors who will further deepen the discussion are Apo Gonzales, volunteer for community art development in Albay and Mario Arguilles, correspondent of Philippine Daily Inquirer Southern Luzon.

This forum is part of the series of activities organized by the NCCA and PIA on the promotion of culture and arts, highlighting its important role in the establishment of identity and foundation of nation building and development with culture as the foundation of national development and unity.

Arts and culture promotional activities in Luzon have been launched August 26 this year in the Bicol region along with the launching and write-up session for the “Call for Project Proposal 2017” featuring local arts and culture.

The NCCA has earlier forged a partnership with the PIA to help in spreading and inculcating cultural education and awareness in the regions. (MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571478491841/pia-ncca-to-hold-forum-on-development-of-historical-cultural-development-of-albay#sthash.S54XvM2N.dpuf