BUTUAN CITY (26 February) – “Ngayong panahon ng krisis, bawal ang magkasakit, kaya’t alagaan natin ang ating kalusugan lalo na ang kidney!”
This is what Dr. Remedios de Belen-Uriarte, Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) Program Manager pointed out as an opening salvo of her speech during the “Training on the Prevention of Kidney Disease for Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) Coordinators of Mindanao Area” held recently in Davao City.
Dr. Remedios de Belen-Uriarte discusses the objectives of the activity and emphasized the importance of advocating the prevention of kidney disease during the “REDCOP Training of Trainors and Advocates on the Prevention of Renal Disease” for Mindanao held recently in Davao City. (PIA-Caraga)In her speech, Dr. Uriarte emphasized the importance of advocating kidney disease prevention.
According to Dr. Uriarte, kidney disease is the 10th cause of mortality/morbidity in the country based on the mortality statistics of the Department of Health (DOH). She also said that according to Regional reports, kidney disorder is the sixth or seventh among the ten leading causes of mortality/morbidity.
“It is alarming that as of 2007, 10.644% is the estimated incidence rate of end –stage renal disease (ESRD) in the country… And this is the same number of patient who will undergo renal transplantation”, she said.
Photo shows some of the participants together with the Resource Speakers during the recently-concluded “REDCOP Training of Trainors and Advocates on the Prevention of Renal Disease” for Mindanao held recently in Davao City. Seated from left to right are Staff Director Belinda Capul of PIA-Central Office, Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca, REDCOP Program Manager Dr. Remedios de Belen-Uriarte, and Ms. Minda Quitoriano who are the Resource Persons of the workshop. (PIA-Caraga)Dr. Uriarte also said that from 2002 to 2007, new patients who underwent dialysis increased by ten percent per year.
She also stressed that almost 3,000 patients out of 7,000 have diabetes mellitus. “And diabetes may cause renal/kidney disease”, Uriarte said.
It was learned that in 2007, 1,046 patients underwent kidney transplant where the cost of renal replacement therapy is Php2,500 to 3,000 per session for dialysis while kidney transplant costs Php500,000 to 1 million pesos excluding of expenses for laboratory and medicines.
“Aside of being so expensive considering that the patient has enough money to pay for his hospital and laboratory bills, renal disease must be prevented because there is a shortage of organ donor”, Dr. Uriarte said.
The two-day training-workshop aimed to develop key resource persons such as doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and other personnel on the prevention of kidney disease who will serve as trainers in the succeeding training activities. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-13)
Surigao Norte advocates to launch war vs human trafficking
Surigao del Norte (26 February) - Surigao del Norte advocates are set to sign a covenant on Monday, March 1 declaring an all out-war against human trafficking.
Representatives of various organizations from different sectors including faith-based organizations, multinational companies, marketing organizations, transport industries, communities, law enforcers, government agencies, private organizations, and media are in unison to stop the endless flow of Filipino women and children who are trapped in the hands of criminal traffickers and suffer inhumane treatment as sex slaves and bonded laborers, stripped of their freedom and dignity under the guise of safe migration.
The commitment signing is part of 2009 Women’s Month celebration activities of the province. This year's celebration is anchored on the theme "Babae, Yaman Ka Ng Bayan."
Visayan Forum Foundation Inc. (VFFI), an NGO who works for the protection and justice of the trafficked women and children, said the covenant will put into action the pledges of the different stakeholders to inform the public; report and prevent trafficking activities; and protect and empower victims of human trafficking. (PIA-Surigao del Norte with reports from VFFI)
Cebuano News: Programa ni Gov. Ace Barbers sa maayong panglawas nagpadayon; Lungsod sa Socorro nakapahimulos sa Medical/Dental and Tuli Outreach Program sa PHO
Surigao del Norte (26 February) - Sa kanunayng tinguha ni Gob. Ace Barbers nga mahatagan ang tibuok katawhan sa Surigao del Norte sa ilang mga panginahanglanon tungod sa hilabihang kalisod sa panahon karon, siya hugot nga nagmando nga iyang mga programa kanunay nga magpadayon ug mapatuman sa tanan kalungsuran sa probinsya hilabi na ang mga programa sa maayong panglawas.
Ang buhatan sa Provincial Health Office uban sa pakigtambayayong sa uban pang mga departamento sa Kapitolyo mituyo ug bisita sa Lungsod sa Socorro aron sa paghatag sa ilang medical, dental ug libreng tuli alang sa tanan agig pagselebrar sa Adlaw nan Socorro niadtong adlaw nga Biyernes, Pebrero 20, 2009.
Sa maong kalihukan, adunay halos 781 ka pasyente ang ilang giatiman ug gitambalan diin mikabat sa 224 ka pasyente ang nagpaibot sa ilang mga ngipon, 27 ka tawo ang nagpa dental consultation, 124 ka bata ang gituli ug adunay 76 ka mga kababainhan ang nag pa papsmear.
Dugang pa niini, sa maong kalihukan, ang PHO uban sa pakig-hiusa sa mga empleado sa Caraga Regional Hospital Blood Bank mipahigayon usab sa ilang bloodletting activity diin adunay 44 nga mag residente sa Socorro ang boluntaryong mi donate sa ilang dugo.
Gikalipay pag-ayo sa mga residente sa Lungsod sa Socorro ang kinasingkasing nga pagbisita sa medical practitioners pinaagi na sa atong Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Audie Relliquete aron sa pagpanghatag og mga libreng tambal kanila. Dako gayod ang ilang pasalamat sa atong maalagarong gobernador, Robert Ace Barbers tungod sa kayo ug kabuotan niini nga way laing gihuna-huna kung dili ang kaayuhan sa tibuok katawhan. (PGO-Media Bureau/ PIA-Caraga)
Church–Led Farmers’ Pilgrimage for CARPER!
Agusan del Norte (February 26) -- A historic event, initiated by Civil Society of Northern Mindanao, graced and given life by Most Rev. Juan De Dios M. Pueblos, D.D. of Butuan City, staged a rally at Saint Joseph Cathedral Pastoral Center, Butuan City on February 13, 2009.
More than fifty protesting farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon supported by Peoples’ Organization, Youth, Civil Society and Government Sectors staged their historic walk from Bukidnon and arrived in the afternoon in Butuan City. According to the farmers, their enthusiasm and strong desire to reach Manila is inspired by the goal to request Congress and Senate particularly President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to extend Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension Reforms by passing into law House Bill No. 4077.
The farmers were warmly welcomed by Most Rev. Juan De Dios M. Pueblos, D.D. Archbishop of Butuan City, who gave His strong support, prayers, encouragement and heart warming message to the farmers. Other multi-sectoral groups showed in their Christian exchange of welcome and gave their solidarity support to the Sumilao Farmers.
“This is the day when Sumilao Farmers is facing another challenge. Their fight is not for their own cause but it’s all about the fight of all farmers to own a land in Mindanao and not for the foreigners.” Archbishop Juan De Dios M. Pueblos said. “Ang yuta dili ginama sa mga kamut sa tawo, ang yuta gihulma sa Dios isip gasa ngadto sa katawhan. Pagbatok sa kalisud usa ka pamaagi sa pag-panday og kalinaw.”, Land is not the creation of man, it is a gift from God, fighting poverty is a means of building peace,” He added.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II, Andre B. Atega, in Agusan del Norte, also expressed his ardently support to Sumilao Farmers. He quoted the slogan “Land for the farmers, NOT for the foreigners” and “CARP for the farmers, Cha-cha for the Farmers, NOT for Foreigners.”
PARO Atega further said, “Let us support CARPER or House Bill 4077 cause this Bill gives Filipino farmers Social Justice, Peace and Development and enables farmers realized their dreams to own a land and uplift their living conditions and also empowered Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries.”
“Acquiring a land is a great responsibility to cultivate and develop so that we pay its value to the government. Philippine Archipelago are absolutely depleting comprising 90 million Filipinos living in 30 million hectares of land.” as PARO Atega added.
The said forum aimed to give support to the Sumilao Farmers and discussed the importance regarding Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPer) - One of the keys to respond the challenges among farmers who contributed so much effort to realize their dreams. The power of their vision to support CARP program blots in the heart of every farmer to reach out the genuine Agrarian Reform. Their trust and sacrifices can trigger other farmer sectors to join hand-in-hand for their clamors until victory comes in their lives. (Gil E. Miranda, DAR-Agusan del Norte/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Philip Amer Posas Mazo
Report on shooting incident
On February 24, 2009 at 10:40 in the evening at Barangay Carmen, Loreto, Dinagat Islands, a certain Arnel Cortez, 30 years old, married, and resident of Sitio Busay, Barangay Carmen, Loreto, Dinagat Islands was fatally shot on his neck over an undetermined motive by the suspect.
Victim suffered a gunshot wound on his neck and died later. The suspect was identified as Ezekiel Acros, 42 years old, single, also a resident of the same place.
Residents of Barangay Carmen rushed Cortez to Loreto District Hospital where he was pronounced Dead on Arrival (DOA) by the attending physician.
Suspect voluntarily surrendered to Loreto Municipal Police Station including the weapon used a caliber .45 pistol with serial number CJ131461. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Report on robbery incident
On February 24, 2009 at 2:00 in the afternoon at Purok-1 Barangay 4, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, the Beatriz Marketing situated at the above-mentioned place was held-up by two suspects armed with cal .357 revolver.
The suspects divested three units of Nokia cellular phones (model: 2 units of nokia 1208 and 1 unit nokia 1650) with estimated value of Php 10,000.00.
Upon receipt of the report, elements of San Francisco Municipal Police Station led by PI Joel S Mendez, COP rushed to the crime scene and conducted manhunt operation which resulted to the arrest of the suspects identified as Edgar Gomez, 24 years old, single, a resident of Barangay Anibongan, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, and Janelito Dotollo, 30 years old, married and a resident of Barangay San Pedro, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
Both suspects were found out active CAFGU members who also resided at San Francisco town.
Recovered from their possession are one unit cal .357 revolver with serial number 291936 with four (4) live ammo and three (3) cellular phones. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
