Health Secretary Garin spearheads launching of Hi5 in Naga City

By: Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Aug.6 (PIA) --- Under the theme “Sa Tuwid na Daan, Kalusugang Tuloy-tuloy para sa Pamilyang Pinoy,” Department of Health Sec. Janette Loreto-Garin joined the medical staff and personnel of Bicol Medical Center in formally launching the Universal Health Care High Impact 5, here recently.

As the Aquino administration pushes for a more accessible health services to the Filipinos across the country, particularly those in far-flung areas, various health programs have been put in place to ensure that those with lesser access to social services can now avail of the said benefits.

Hi5 services include programs on Maternal Care, Infant Care, Child Care, prevention and elimination of HIV/AIDS and Service Delivery Network. These programs specifically the reduction of child mortality, improved maternal health and combatting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases are part of the Philippine’s Millennium Development Goal (MDG) which will be assessed this year.

Garin in her statement addressing BMC employees reiterated the government’s call to make health care services sustainable, particularly in the provincial outskirts where health facilities and services seemed a luxury.

“Tertiary hospital gets congested that’s why under the Aquino government we are instructed to allow LGU hospitals to filter some cases and empower rural health centers so that only special cases will go to the government hospitals.  Along with the launching of Hi5, we are also expecting that more and more health services will be accessed by our constituents.”

BMC Medical Center Chief Efren SJ. Nerva said that the launching of the newest health program under the Aquino administration is a turning point in the history of health care.

 “We feel privileged that it is under our administration that this significant turn took place. This will surely complement our goal to achieve the MDG as part of the Kalusugang Pangkalahatan (KP) in realization of the Aquino health agenda. In pursuit of better health outcomes, BMC aims to make health services accessible to more patients, particularly the indigents,” Nerva stated.

 Nerva humbly presented some of BMC’s projects which are expected to solve some health concerns of the Bicolanos.  One of which is the opening of the Human Milk Bank (HMB) which is dubbed as the first in Southern Luzon.  The establishment of HMB is pursuant to Republic Act 10028, the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009; RA 7600 and the Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992.

 The establishment of HMB endeavors to lessen if not totally eliminate cases of infant mortality in the city.  The city government of Naga under the headship of Mayor John Bongat supports the program by continuously conducting seminars for pregnant women to teach them about breastfeeding and infant care, among others.

 Some of the highlights of Secretary Garin’s visit include the unveiling of the Alagang Pinoy kiosk (ER lobby) , the ceremonial Launching of HPV immunization and the introduction of Kuya Doc and Ate Nars, underlining the Alagang Pinoy brand and serving as ambassadors of DOH hospitals for patient-centered care.

 Department of Education (DepEd) Sec. Bro. Armin Luistro and DSWD Sec.Dinky Soliman also graced the said event.  (AAN/LSMacatangay, PIAV/Camarines Sur)

 - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/861438838602/health-secretary-garin-spearheads-launching-of-hi5-in-naga-city#sthash.w8hUeeBN.dpuf

School-based immunization drive vs infectious childhood diseases launched

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Aug. 6 (PIA) –A national immunization campaign against measles-rubella, tetanus and diphtheria was launched Monday in this city and other parts of the country to reach school children with free lifesaving vaccines.

Led by the Department of Health (DOH), the “Bakuna para sa Kabataan, Proteksyon sa Kinabukasan” campaign is supported by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Health Secretary Janette Garin presented the keynote address at the launching ceremony at Camarines Sur National High School, expounding on the importance of immunization as a powerful tool to prevent and eliminate life-threatening infectious childhood diseases, and to avert preventable child deaths each year.

The school-based campaign is a follow-up to the National Immunization Program. It aims to protect Grades 1-7 pupils in all schools across the country against measles, diphtheria and tetanus.

 “Immunization can avert about 2 to 3 million deaths every year. The school-based immunization program is the government’s commitment to eliminate measles, tetanus and diphtheria which can all be avoided through immunization,” Garin said.

Addressing concerns of some parents that the shots could cause illness, Garin stressed the “DOH uses vaccines approved by the World Health Organization which are safe, effective and being used worldwide.”

Measles and rubella continue to be a threat to Filipino children, with a significant number of recorded measles cases and deaths in 2013 and 2014. To prevent the transmission of and ensure protection from measles-rubella, all children in Grades 1 to 7 must be immunized.

Garin said an immunization rate of at least 95 percent is critical to minimizing the potential for a disease outbreak. (EAD/LSM/PIA5/Camarines Sur)

 - See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/861438746755/school-based-immunization-drive-vs-infectious-childhood-diseases-launched#sthash.w4Xw74k7.dpuf

Beached dolphin dies in Bicol, buried in fish cemetery

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 5 (PIA) – A Risso’s dolphin (grampus griseus) that beached on the shores of Del Gallego town in Camarines Sur province last Saturday has died, and initial examination suggested it may have died from hunger, dehydration and infection.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) here said the Risso’s dolphin, one of the larger members of the dolphin family, was 2.6 meters long and weighed more than 250 kilograms.

“The animal might not have eaten for the past days and might have suffered from hunger and dehydration,” said Nonie Enolva, chief of BFAR’s marine fisheries resources management section.

Enolva also noticed “inflamed lymph nodes near (the dolphin’s) ear area,” indicating it had an infection.

Moreover, Enolva observed signs that the dolphin was a lactating mother.

“Its mammary glands were still producing milk, an indication that the dolphin is lactating,” he said.

BFAR veterinarian Evelyn Saberon is reportedly undertaking necropsy analysis of samples taken from the dolphin’s carcass.

The dolphin was buried at the fish cemetery in this city yesterday morning. Its bones will be exhumed a few months later for display at the Sta. Rita Resort in Del Gallego town in Camarines Sur province where it first beached.

After it was released back to the sea, the dolphin got stranded on the shores of Tagkawayan town in Quezon province.

On Saturday, it was found dying on the beach of Sta. Rita Resort.

A Risso’s calf was also beached on the shore of Barangay Aldavoc in Tagkawayan town, Quezon province but experts were unsure if it was the offspring of the dead dolphin.

According to Enolva, Risso’s dolphins are hardly seen close to the shore because they usually feed in deeper offshore waters.

According to marine scientists, marine animals get stranded when they flee fisherfolk who hunt them or when they try to flee bad weather. These animals also get stranded when they get sick as a result of polluted environment. (EAD/SAA/PIA5/Albay/BFAR5)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571438676332/beached-dolphin-dies-in-bicol-buried-in-fish-cemetery#sthash.alPeQX4K.dpuf

Triple C working group to visit and learn from ALMASOR tourism experience

By Sally Atento-Altea

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 4 (PIA) – The Bicol Regional Tourism Committee (BRTC) has set a learning visit for the Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes (Triple C) technical working group to the Albay, Masbate, Sorsogon (ALMASOR) tourism sites on August 18-20, 2015.

“The main objective of the activity is to gain insights from the success stories in ALMASOR that can be replicated in the Triple C such as tourism involvement and participation of communities and how they benefitted from managing tourism sites,” Department of Tourism (DOT) Bicol tourism officer Fe Buela said during the 3rd quarter BRTC meeting held July 29 at the DOT conference room.

The ALMASOR tourism development plan (TDP) has been completed and is being implemented by partner agencies and stakeholders while the Triple C TDP is at the preparation stage being undertaken by the Triple C working group.

“The implementation of the ALMASOR TDP was successful in creating synergy in tourism development through the combined efforts and resources of the stakeholders. ALMASOR has been placed in the global tourism market. It is important that success stories of the ALMASOR be incorporated in the Triple C area development plan, “Buela said.

The Triple C technical working group is composed of technical staff from regional line agencies, provincial/ city planning development coordinators, provincial/city tourism officers and Regional Development Council (RDC) private sector representatives.

The group will be visiting the mangrove ecopark in Prieto Diaz and Masacrot Spring, Bulusan Lake, Balay Buhay sa Uma and Bulusan Lake Church in Bulusan on the first day of the tour.

During the second day the group will travel from Bulan, Sorsogon to Ticao Island in Masbate to explore various rock formations in this island along with visits to Halea Nature Park, Udok Island and Catandayagan Falls.

The group will be in Camalig, Albay the next day to visit and experience rafting and boating in Sumlang Lake and trekking in Quitinday Hills.

Buela said DOT chose these two new tourist sites for Albay tour among other famous destinations for the Triple C group to see the ongoing development and practices done by the community in managing the sites.

Sumlang Lake in barangay Sumlang is now becoming famous for its lush green sceneries and serene waters while Quitinday Hills in barangay Quitinday is a long stretch of lush green hills dubbed as the counterpart of Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

The BRTC was organized by the Bicol RDC to provide the critical institutional structure and facilitate coordination and management of tourism promotion in the region.

Tourism is identified in the Bicol Development Plan 2011-2016 as one of the growth drivers to boost regional economy through job creation and increased income of ancillary services.    (AAN/SAA-PIA5/Albay)



- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571438670491/triple-c-working-group-to-visit-and-learn-from-almasor-tourism-experience#sthash.6ikREuGE.dpuf

Coffee table book celebrates Bicol heritage

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Aug. 4 (PIA)–A coffee table book of Bicol’s history will have its launch this Saturday, Aug. 8, at Legend Villas in Mandaluyong City.

The launch will be hosted by the Bicol Advocates for Heritage and Cultural Preservation (Bicol AHEAD).

Daet Mayor Tito S. Sarion, founding chairman of Bicol AHEAD, said the book records and offers proofs of Bicol’s rich cultural heritage.

Sarion said the book will be widely promoted among young Bicolanos.

To fuel this project, Bicol AHEAD will organize a golf tournament.

The tourney tees off next Oct. 14 at the Villamor Air Base Golf Club in Pasay City. Proceeds of the tournament will be used to finance the Bicol history coffee table book and its extensive promotion.

Bicol AHEAD, which was formed last year by kind Bicolanos, hopes to advance development of the region’s cultural heritage by networking and mounting advocacy and education drive.

Aside from Sarion, the other founding members: Paolo Teves, Rene Fernandez, Paul John Bancosta, Kim Blasa, and lawyers Sannah Frivaldo, James Jacob and Taikee Calleja. (EAD/RBM-PIA5/Camarines Norte)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/871438653949/coffee-table-book-celebrates-bicol-heritage#sthash.4mKeO7EE.dpuf