Renal Disease Control Program gets boost from Bicol health sector

LEGAZPI CITY, September 21 (PIA) -- Physicians of government medical institutions from all over Bicol region will convene here in an interfacing Friday, September 23, to beef up campaign on renal disease control program (REDCOP) maximizing the use of a basic tool for the diagnosis and prevention of kidney disease.

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute- Renal Disease Control Program (NKTI-REDCOP), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), will spearhead the seminar on Urinalysis and Approach to the Kidney Diseases at St. Ellis Hotel here.

REDCOP national manager Dr. Paraiso said that “it is important that physicians are proficient in the interpretation of urinalysis results and well-oriented on the approaches to the diagnosis of kidney diseases for proper management and treatment of patients.”

Some 105 participants from provincial, city, town health offices and rural health units (RHUs), Department of Education medical doctors and district hospital physicians from Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon are expected to participate in the undertaking.

Resource speakers are experts in the field of technology, including Dr. Rodrigo Capahi who will expound on the basic anatomy of urinalysis; Dr. Edwin Tan, a Bicolano himself, who will discuss the approach to the diagnosis of kidney diseases and the 10 renal syndromes; and Paraiso, who will talk about urinalysis and the 10 clinical syndromes in Nephrology.

Open forum will follow the lectures.

The seminar is expected to re-orient the participants on the anatomy of the urinary tract, urine formation and basic information about urine, to be informed and familiarized on the components of routine analysis and should be trained on the correct approach to the proper diagnosis of kidney diseases. (MALoterte, PIA V)

South Luzon naval forces' disaster response teams train anew

LEGAZPI CITY, September 21 -– Naval Forces Southern Luzon (Navforsol) is taking an active stance in a bid to beef-up capabilities and preparations to respond to any calamities that may hit the region.

Bicol region is one of the most disaster prone areas in the country because it is frequently visited by calamities, especially typhoons.

The region is also vulnerable to floods and flash floods, thus making water survivability a must for the populace and a primary skill for the rescuer.

The Navy command convened its Disaster Response Operation Training Monday (September 19) with the vision to maintain a high degree of proficiency for Team Navforsol, particularly the Disaster Response Teams (DRTs).

The said training will tackle Boat Handling Operations and Water Rescue at Sea for duration of two weeks.

“This training is very important for our DRTs, since they are the front liners in rescue operations. We cannot afford to send a rescuer that will be rescued later on because he is not proficient in the needed skills for a DRT.”

Moreover, it will further our thrust and efforts in fulfilling our mandate for the people. Team Navforsol will always be ready to respond anytime in giving a helping hand to our kababayans in peril,” stressed Capt. Abraham F Celzo, Navforsol commander. (MAL/Navforsol)

Public-private partnership pre-school team up project ready for turn-over

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, September 21 (PIA) -- When AGAPP Foundation disclosed its plan to build 100 pre-school classrooms during the first year in office of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the group composed of the President’s friends and supporters were not chasing a dream.

From July 2010 to June this year, said foundation called AGAPP which stands for Aklat, Gabay at Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa, led by Presidential Sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada, has already turned-over 100 classrooms to different Department of Education (DepEd) officials and local government units across the country.

Twelve of these classrooms stand today in two provinces of Bicol. These are located in Taysan Elementary School, Legazpi City; Anislag Elementary School and Daraga North Central School both in Daraga, Albay; Bato Central School, Nabua Pilot Central School and Romero Elementary School in Bula all in Camarines Sur.

As construction of more two-room school buildings are undertaken in other areas in the country, Bicol has its share of 1 school building ready for turn-over, four more under construction and still four upcoming ones.

Dr. Ofelia Samar-Sy M.D., president of the Pinoy Power Bicol Coalition of Volunteers (PPBCV) AGAPP’s conduit in the region disclosed to PIA that the school building ready for turn-over is located in Tiwi, Albay particularly at Nagas Elementary School on September 22.

The main donor of the school building is the Aboitiz Group of Companies. Other Aboitiz-sponsored school buildings will also be inaugurated in other parts of the country like those in Tarlac, Olongapo City and Cebu City.

Those under construction according to Sy are situated at Pilar Central School, San Francisco Elementary School in Bulan, Manhumlad Elementary School, Matnog town and Donsol West Central School all in Sorsogon province.

The upcoming ones are targeted for the island provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes. Preparation is underway for the building of pre-school at Guinhadap Elementary School in Monreal, Masbate.

The construction of colorful silid pangarap as AGAPP calls these classrooms are in step with the Aquino Administration’s thrust of universal pre-school for all with the introduction of the mandatory pre-school level which started this 2011-2012 school year as part of the new K+12 curriculum.

All AGAPP school buildings have distinctive design but Bicol has modified it into a typhoon proof school-building. This two-room schoolbuilding with toilet per room costs around P260,000 each.

AGAPP works in partnership with DepEd which provides pre-school teachers as a prerequisite before any pre-school building starts construction. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)

Feature: Marian devotees celebrate 87th anniversary of canonical coronation of Inang Penafrancia

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, September 21 (PIA) -- Eighty seven (87) years ago, this city witnessed one of the most significant events in the religious history shared by all Marian devotees all over the world – the canonical coronation of the Virgen de Penafrancia.

Devotees commemorated Tuesday, September 20, such significant honor which solely belong to the Queen of Bicolandia -our Inang Penafrancia.

It was in September 20, 1924 when Msgr. Guglielmo Piani, the Spanish delegate of Pope Pius XI to the Philippines, came to this city personally officiating the said ceremony. It was also during that time when the popular Marian hymn “Resuene Vibrante” was first played in public, particularly in Plaza Quezon. To date, this song still rings through every heart of every devotee of Ina, echoing it in every nook and corner of the world.

“Resuene Vibrante” or “Himno a la Nuestra Senore de Penafrancia was written and composed by Fr. Maximo Heguera, CM in Spanish. It was translated in Bicol by Bishop Timoteo Pacis together with Fathers Jesus Esplana and Sohl Saez.

The canonical coronation of Inang Penafrancia added more fervor and passion to the hearts of her increasing devotees, leading to the triumphant Tercentenary celebration last year. This 2011, this occasion is formally being closed, richer in faith and devotion.

In his message, His Excellence Leonardo Z. Legazpi, O.P. D.D. Archishop of Caceres , shared these lines: “We are blessed because Ina came to Bicol and we, her children, received Ina. The once private devotion of Fr. Miguel de Covarrubias, now became the devotion of the whole region. What was once a simple vow, now become the pledge of the Church in Bicol.”

Indeed, the growing devotion to our Lady of Penafrancia has reached far and wide, propagating the great news of faith and her unending miracles bestowed upon her faithfuls. This year’s theme : Monstra te esse filium – Show yourself to be a child of Mary caps the essence of the message that our Ina wants to convey to us, her children.

“In return, may we also become Mary’s true children. This is, therefore, her invitation to all of us: “Monstra te esse filium.” Ultimately, becoming a true child of Mary is tantamount to becoming a true child of God and this will only come about if we imitate Mary’s virtues and accept her too as our true mother, as Jesus did.

In this occasion of grace in the history of our Church, it is my prayer that our devotion to Ina will be a way to bring all of us towards becoming true children of Mary and of God.”

Fr. Louie Occiano , Chairman of the Caceres Commission on Communications (CCCom) also posed the challenge to all the devotees of Ina:

“The tercentenary celebration may be over but the challenge for all of us devotees remains.. Monstra Te esse Filium. how can we become worthy children of INA? Let our Penafrancia Fiesta celebration inspire us to imitate Mary in following Jesus Christ, who was a humble and obedient Son of Mary.”

There will be more celebrations of Ina’s festivity in the upcoming years and more and more people will gather to remember, to renew and recommit themselves as her children but the challenge to remain faithful and deserving of her love remains as we walk through our journey of faith. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)