Albay leads launch of 33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, July 18 (PIA)—The Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) leads the opening activity of the weeklong celebration for the 33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPR) today, July 18.

The annual celebration has adopted the theme, Making the Rights Real for Filipinos with Disabilities to promote and popularize the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The Philippines ratified the UN document in 2010.

The provincial government, with assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Education (DepEd), has convened persons with disabilities (PWDs) for the kick-off program at the Albay Astrodome.

Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda will turn-over a set of musical instruments to the Visually Impaired Voice in Albay (VIVA). Last month the musical instruments owned by the association were lost to a fire when the boarding house rented out by the members was burned.

In same program, the theater group composed of beneficiaries of the Simon of Cyrene Foundation will present a production that highlights the rights of the PWDs.

Member-agencies of the Bicol Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA) will not only assist in the opening activity but has focus this year’s celebration on the 27-year-old Batas Pambansa 344 or the Accessibility Law implementation.

The council members will visit the newly opened Pio Duran Port on July 22. RCDA will likewise go over the report of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on the implementation of the law in the buildings frequented by the public and plan out future activities.

During the week the PWD National Registration at the Commission on Election (COMELEC) is advocated to all PWDs. They are advised to see the nearest COMELEC election officer from July 18-23 so they can register as voters.

A stakeholders forum cum dialogue with the PWDs will be planned-out for later part of the year. At the RCDA’s meeting last July 13, the PWDs have cited some issues that have to be threshed out. These are the setting-up of an office for PDWs at the local government units; implementation of RA 9442 which provided 20 percent discounts to PWDs in purchasing medicines similar to what has been provided the senior citizens; access to basic education, employment, health and rehabilitation services; and that public edifices, transports and facilities become more accessible to them.

The annual NDPR Week has been declared to highlight the government’s efforts towards recognition of the inherent rights of PWDs as members of the community and the need to deter discriminations against any person on the basis of disability.

It culminates on the birth date of Apolinatio Mabini known as the Sublime Paralytic whose bravery and heroic acts during the Philippine Revolution has greatly influenced his fellow Filipinos in fighting against the tyrants despite his disability. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)

LGU Naga spearheads Run Against Drug Abuse

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, July 18 (PIA) ---- Almost thousand of Nagueños woke up early and stretched their legs to join a run for a cause—a run not only to promote fitness and wellness, but most importantly to combat the proliferation of drugs in the city – a menace which has been slowly killing the future of young drug dependents and curtailing their chance for a better future.

The runners converged at the Plaza Quezon at around 5:30 in the morning. The run include a competition in 3k with turning points at the intersection of Barangay Peñafrancia, Magsaysay and Liboton; 5k and 10k run up to the San Felipe Barangay Hall and Pacol-San Felipe boundary respectively; and the 21k run with turning point at the Carolina-Pacol boundary before going back to Plaza Quezon.

Mayor John Bongat was overwhelmed with the support shown by various sectors who participated in the realization of the said event.

Representatives from private organizations, department heads and employees of City Hall and other government offices, members of the media, officers and soldiers of the PNP and the 9th Infantry Division, led by commanding officer Maj. Gen. Josue Gaverza Jr., took their time off to run along with other anti-drug advocates.

The proceeds of the activity will be used to support and activate the Life Improvement thru Education (LIFE) counseling center where clients or victims of drug abuse are undergoing free counseling treatment.

The fund will also be used to provide the center with logistical support for their efficient operation.

The Fun Run, dubbed “Control Your Life, Run Against Drug Abuse,” yesterday was led by the city government here, thru Naga City Dangerous Drugs Board (NCDDB).

The board was created under City Ordinance 2001-064, specifically mandates the board to be an exclusive policy-making, monitoring and coordinating body on the deterrence and control of drug abuse in the city.

Bongat of this city serves as NCDDB’s Board Chairman while City Councilor Raoul Rosales sits as the board’s Presiding Officer.

While increasing the awareness of the community on how to combat drug use, part of the fund generated from the said activity will be used by NCDDB to intensify their campaign against drug pushers in the city. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

Bicol joins observance of Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

LEGAZPI CITY, July 18 (PIA) -- This year’s National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation

Week (NDPR) observance has aptly chosen the theme “Making the Rights Real for Filipinos with Disabilities” to help stimulate public awareness on disability issues and concerns and strengthen the involvement of all stakeholders in the community.

Focal person Sammy Buenconsejo for person with disability (PWD) affairs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here said the observance of NDPR Week has since been for 33 years and will continue to serve as vehicle of information of programs implemented by government and non-government organizations that adhere to the promotion of the inherent rights of PWDs.

NDPR Week has commenced yesterday , July 17, and will last until July 23, in time for the birth anniversary of national hero Apolinario Mabini, the “sublime paralytic” and brain of the Katipunan”.

“We encourage every citizen, as we observe this significant week for the PWDs to take active responsibility on the alleviating the economic and social conditions of the sector, mainstreaming in the society and recognizing contribution to nation-building,” Buenconsejo said in an interview at the “ugnayan sa Bikol” radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Bicol.

DSWD V, according to him, further intends to develop and strengthen cooperation and partnership between and among various sectors of the society, including organizations self-help organizations of PWDs, academe, professional groups and societies, local government units (LGUs), business sector, media and other entities of the society.

The government’s program and policies have done much good and will continue to do so to protect the right and ensure the welfare of PWDs.

In Albay, the provincial government has lined up programs and activities adhering to the promotion of the inherent rights and issues of the persons with disabilities.

Yulanda Guanzon, chief of the Provincial Social Welfare Office, said vulnerable sectors such as the PWDs are among the top priorities of Albay Governor Joey Salceda in providing social services such as enrollment in Philhealth.

Aside from media advocacy, the provincial social welfare office will be distributing wheel chairs, canes, crutches and musical instruments in time for the week-long observance of NDPR. (MAL, PIA V)

Early pregnancy, lack of family planning knowledge: reasons behind Bicol’s large population

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, July 18 (PIA) -- As humankind observed World Population Day last Monday this week, the local Commission on Population (POPCOM) stated that early pregnancy and lack of knowledge in family planning are reasons behind the 5 million plus population of Bicol. This was pointed out by Miracle Bolaños, regional public information officer of the agency explained in Monday’s PIA radio program Aramon Ta Daw.

The second reason for more children in a family, according to Bolaños, is the lack of knowledge of couples on family planning like birth spacing or know how on family planning methods.

The population office also pointed out as third reason for the raise in populace the absence of a law on family planning more so funds are not allocated for activities related to its implementation.

Bolaños revealed that based on statistics the region is number two after the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for cases of unwanted pregnancy and not using family planning methods. Moreover, Bicol is number one as far as total number of pregnant women is concerned.

The latest count places Bicol’s population to 5,106,160 to the country’s total of 88,566,732.

The region is the sixth most populous region after the National Capital Region (NCR) with a total population of 11,566,325; CALABARZON also known s Region 4-A, 11,757,755; Central Luzon (Region III), 9,709,177; Western Visayas (Region VI), 6,843,643 and Central Visayas (Region VII), 6,400,698. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)

Navy peace building efforts in Bicol, in full swing

LEGAZPI CITY, July 18 (PIA) -- The Fleet Marine Team of the Naval Forces of Southern Luzon (Navforsol) has since been pursuing peace building efforts in Bicol region, this time in Barangay Alawihao, Daet in Camarines Norte.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), 902nd Brigade of Philippine Army, and Fleet Marine have pooled together this time assisting the provincial government.

The information, education and advocacy drive of the Naval team supports the multi-services caravan sponsored by the provincial government bringing programs and services to the village residents.

A total of 777 medical and 224 dental patients were attended by the joint medical and dental teams of Navforsol and health office of the provincial government.

"We brought in our medical and dental team portraying consistency in winning the peace concept of AFP IPSP Bayanihan in addressing security concerns in the area by assisting civil authorities in the delivery of basic social service, according to Captain Abraham Celso, commander of Navorsol.

The caravan also provided jobs fair, distribution of tilapia fingerlings, piglets as part of the livelihood assistance program of the province.

The caravan is a continuing effort of the provincial government to deliver basic social services to indigent families in the barangay. (MAL, PIA V/PN)

Philhealth Sorsogon issues post evaluation results of NPRD-Sabado II

by Irma a. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY ,JULY 15 (PIA) -- Alfredo Jubilo, chief, Social Assurance Officer of the Sorsogon PhilHealth field office here has already provided an evaluation report submitted to the Philippine Information Agency here regarding the implementation of the Nationwide PhilHealth Registration Day (NPRD) Sabado 2 held last June 25.

He said that the results of this evaluation will be tackled during the regular meeting of the Provincial Health Team scheduled this coming Monday , July 18, for thorough feed backing and assessment.

The following results was part of the report.

Pupils and students surveyed with PhilHealth totaled to 279; while those without Philhealth were 357 for Sorsogon East Central School summed as 637 with 43.87% coverage.

For Cumadcad Elementary School pupils and students surveyed with Philhealth were 254 and without Philhealth were 254 also totaling to 508 and with 50.00% coverage.

The total of survey forms collected for both schools with Philhealth were 533 and for pupils and students for the two schools without Philhealth were 611 the total for both schools with and without Philhealth was 1,144 and the percentage of coverage for the 2 schools / or venues of the NPRD was 46.93%.

According to Jubilo the submitted survey forms is less than 50% of what was expected to be the result of the NPRD.

On the conduct of Information Education Campaign, (IEC) Sorsogon East Central School conducted 250 campaigns in the different schools in the barangay while Cumadcad Elementary school did 231 IECs with a total of 481 IECs conducted in all for both schools.

According to the report the massive IEC conducted as per the instruction of the Philhealth regional office 5 was done by the Sorsogon East Central School in three sessions, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

However, with the information from the first batch in the morning that IDs were not available for distribution, most opted not to attend the afternoon sessions.Attendance was less in the afternoon sessions.

In Cumadcad National High School, the IEC was done in one sitting participated by those already with IDs , participants coming from the different barangays of the municipality.

The distribution of IDs prior to the NDRP 2 activity totaled to 14,407 with Sorsogon having 4,670 IDs distributed ; Castilla with 6,088 and IDs in Magallanes distributed totaled to 3,649.

According to Jubilo due to the tight period of preparation they were not able to distribute all the IDs.

Meanwhile Jubilo also reported clients served through the presence of information desks and for Sorsogon East Central School 490 clients were served and for Cumadcad National High School 221 with a total of 711 clients served.

The report also stated that these 711 clients were not included in the Masterlists for Philhealth Registration issued on June 21, 2011 and were subject for final verification in the National Housing Targeting System (NHTS) database. If found to be qualified, these will be covered by the fund of the Local Government Units (LGUs) sponsorship program as per the negotiation with the local chief executives or they will be recommended under the Individual Paying Persons (IPP).

Based on the report the IPP payment during the NPRD came from two of the payor at the Sorsogon East Central School and were done on off line transactions.

Meanwhile the distribution of the Philhealth Membership Registration Fund showed that from Cumadcad , Castillsa there were 221 sponsored registrations and were also found out not renewed while in Sorsogon East Central School there were 137 IPPs, 94 were private and 259 from the Non-NHTS claiming to be poor.

The report stated that budget allocation should be released before the activity since this was one of the main constraints in the smooth flow of facilitation for planning and implementation.

What was commendable also according to Jubilo that can be considered one of the best practices of the activity were the total support of the LCEs through logistics and personnel assistance and DepEd's enrollment of all the new kindergarten teachers to the IPPs that was well implemented. (PIA Sorsogon)