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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Friday, January 18, 2013

SSS-Legazpi opens clinic for members, employees

By Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS) recently opened its branch clinic or physical examination (PE) center here to ensure faster and easier delivery of medical services to employees and members in this city.

Dr. Rosalind S. Zantua, SSS Legazpi medical specialist, said SSS employees and members in the province particularly those with sickness and disability claims can avail of services for free.

Among these services are private checkups, consultations, and other basic medical equipment and supplies such as medicines.

“With the separate clinic in our branch, medical services are now centralized and more private. Unlike before, our claimants are often within hearing distance of other transacting members,” Zantua added.

PE centers in around 54 SSS branches all over the country have been opened simultaneously including Legazpi and Naga for the Bicol region. Each center has a waiting area and examination table enclosed with a curtain. Assessment will be done six months after for a possibility of opening more branch clinics.

Zantua also urged members with medical claims to come personally to their office or for check up and evaluation of their condition.

“For members who will be filing for sickness or disability claims, they better come personally in our clinic for check up and evaluation so we can also help them determine how many days they should file for a claim.

However, in case, they cannot come personally, we have mobile doctors to check them,” Zantua explained. (MAL/SAA-PIA5, Albay)


Bicolano senator welcomes Comelec ruling on political ad airtime
By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- A Bicolano senator welcomed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruling shortening the airtime that a political candidate may buy for campaign ads, saying the move would level the playing field for all candidates.

Senator Francis G. Escudero remarked that those who have deep resources will no longer lord over the airwaves and leave those who have meager resources way, way behind.

“At least no single candidate can put one over the other in terms of airtime. It’s a fair game for everyone, it’s a welcome thing,” he added.

But the senator also said the Comelec’s regulations on internet campaigning remains a vague issue, given the innovative concept of the internet technology.

Comelec Resolution 9615, which covers the airtime acquisition ceiling, said “online advertisement, whether procured by purchase, or given free of charge, shall not be published more than three times a week per website during the campaign period.”

Chairman Sixto Brillantes said online election propaganda includes ads posted on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

Escudero said internet regulations have many loopholes, and the Comelec has not yet developed the core competence to provide and define standards for its usage.

“It still leaves more questions than answers. How can Comelec monitor it? For example, how do they count the minutes used by a particular candidate? What if someone uploads an ad without the candidate’s knowledge or permission? Will that be counted against his airtime? What if ill-meaning protagonists will use this free uploading just to discredit a political rival?" he asked.

"These are realities that I hope the Comelec will tread with caution and consideration,” Escudero said. (MAL-PIA5, Albay)

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