China provides medical reinforcement to PH
By Venus L. Garcia
TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) – China has arrived
at the anchorage in Philippine territory on the 24th of November to augment the
medical forces for the Yolanda
operations in this city.
Despite the sporadic tensions plotted between
these countries, the sense of harmony is demonstrated when China government
sent to the Philippines its Ark Peace, the Hospital Ship of Chinese People’s
Liberation Army Navy. It is an indigenous large-displacement maritime platform
for medical treatment.
China’s Hospital Ship was commissioned on
December 2008 with a length of 866.178m, 24m in beam, and 35.5m in height. It
has eight levels and a full load displacement of 14,300t. The 4,000 m.sq.
medical service facility is laid out into five areas, delivering capabilities
of patient transfer, triage, surgery, diagnosis and treatment, and evacuation.
Mission Command Rear Admiral Shen Hao expressed
his gratitude to the Philippine government for the strong support of the Navy.
“We’ve encountered challenges in our mission here since the location of our
ship is far from the coast. There’s an inconvenience in the transfer of
patients, however, with the help of the Philippine Navy, they are facilitating
the transport of patients from Tacloban sea port to our ship through its navy
boats across Cacabato Bay,” he said.
There are three Philippine Navy liaisons who are
presently on-board the ship who take charge in the direct coordination of
operations.
Field hospital was also established to cater the
patients before bringing them to the ship. Near to it is a temporary helipad.
Ship's management is utilizing the use of helicopters to avoid transport delay
of patients and it has critically improved their service by cutting the one and
a half hour to only 20 minutes time of travel, an effective and time saving
strategy.
“The Philippine health officers assisted us in
visting several hospitals in Tacloban City and we got so much support from
them. We’ve also witnessed the psychosocial support of local social workers to
the patients,” remarked Chief of Maritime Hospital Senior Captain Sun Tao.
He added that they are not certain yet about the
duration of their stay in the country and that their present priority is to
provide medical treatments especially to Yolanda victims.
“The demands of victims need serious attention.
It is our fourth day here and we are doing our best to accomodate more of them.
Our intent is to share the spirit of humaniarian peace and friendship. We are
doing this to spread love and care,” emphasized Sun Tao.
As of this time, the hospital ship has already
served 55,000 patients in 17,000 countries around the world. They have extended
their help to eight asian countries during the past four months.
In the country, they have already accomodated
more than 20 inpatients who benefitted from the free medical treatments.
With 399 officers and medical experts on board
the ship, interpreter Lt. Wei Yan is encouraging the press and media outfits to
visit them to see and observe that they are continuously complying the service
standards. She concluded by deeply expressing their thanks to the Philippine
government. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
MinDA, Banana growers extend bananas, food packs
to EV
TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) - The Mindanao
Development Authority (MinDA) and Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters
Association (PBGEA) have donated around 6,000 boxes of bananas and 9,000 food
packs to the typhoon victims in Eastern Visayas.
MinDA Sec. Luwalhati Antonino, in a phone-patch
interview aired over Philippine Information Agency’s (PIA’s) Power FM, said the
distribution is part of the agency’s humanitarian initiative dubbed “One
Mindanao for Visayas,” which aims to augment relief and rehabilitation efforts
for areas ravaged by Typhoon “Yolanda” in the Visayas and intensify assistance
to the victims of one of the strongest typhoons recorded in history.
“This initiative has also provided Mindanawons
the opportunity to extend personal contributions as an expression of gratitude
for the support the entire country and the international communities had
extended when Mindanao was also ravaged not long ago by Typhoons ‘Sendong’ and
‘Pablo,’” Antonino said.
MinDA Caraga Area Manager Cecil Trino, who led
the distribution since Wednesday in Leyte, said they were able to distribute
around 3,000 food packs to the town of Mayorga and 1,300 boxes of bananas to
Palo.
“Each box can benefit at least 10 families.
Practically, at least 60,000 families will benefit from these donations from
Davao-based company, Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. and other
PBGEA members,” said Trino.
Also, Trino said they are set to distribute
today around 700 boxes of bananas to Tacloban City and 800 boxes in Tanauan,
Leyte. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD-Caraga to hold Annual SLP Congress in
Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) – The Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga through its Sustainable Livelihood
Program (SLP) will be holding this year’s SLP Congress on December 9 at the
Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, this city.
“The event is an avenue of showcasing and
exhibiting the products of our Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from their
livelihood projects funded and assisted by the Sustainable Livelihood Program,”
said DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Minda Brigoli.
One of the highlights of the said activity is
the gallery viewing and product selling that is open to public starting 11:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
“This is one way of marketing and promoting our
local products to potential buyers that will eventually help beneficiaries
become profitable and productive in the society,” added Brigoli.
The SLP is a community-based capacity-building
program aimed at improving the socio-economic status of its participants. The
program was derived from the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) crafted by
the Department for International Development (DFID) in the United Kingdom. The
SLP was then created, adopting key principles, structures, and processes from
SLA and tailoring them to fit the setting of communities in the Philippines.
SLP also recognizes the need to converge efforts
with other stakeholders. To achieve the best outcome possible, the DSWD enlists
the help of the public sector through National Government Agencies (NGAs),
Local Government Units (LGUs), and legislators. It also promotes public-private
partnerships with development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs),
People’s Organizations (POs), the academe, and the business sector.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
SSS, LGU-Butuan launch ‘AlkanSSSya’ Program
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) - The Social Security
System (SSS) in cooperation with the city government here thru Mayor Ferdinand
Amante Jr., launched on Wednesday afternoon the SSS 'AlkanSSSya' Program with
the informal sector at the city hall lobby.
Early morning on the same day, the SSS officials
with Mayor Amante visited Langihan Public Market and briefed the tricycle
drivers and vendors on the said program.
Amante expressed his congratulations to the
officials of the SSS in Butuan and Cagayan de Oro City for coming up of the
'AlkanSSSya' Program for the benefit of the informal sector.
"I believe this will work. The sector is
given the chance to save and be able to pay their own SSS premium. And by
saving P10 a day, their monthly due will be ensured," he said.
Also, Atty. Edwin M. Alo, OIC of SSS Northern
Mindanao Division, encouraged the informal sector to be persistent in saving
until its whole-year SSS premiums will be completed.
"Once you completed your one year
contribution, you can now avail of the educational loan to support your
children's schooling," he said.
AlkanSSSya members can also avail of the
agency's salary and housing loans as well as funeral, maternity, disability,
death and retirement benefits. They will likewise be issued a Unified Member
Idenfication card which they can use when transacting to private and public
institutions.
Meanwhile, Mayor Amante with the SSS officials
signed the Memorandum of Agreement that marked the partnership of the parties
for the implementation of the SSS ‘AlkanSSSya’ Program.
The AlkanSSSya program is a micro savings
program that aims to attract informal sector workers seeking access to social
protection. This program will make use
of cabinet-like “piggy banks” to help its members save up on their premiums and
eventually come up with the needed P312 monthly due. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PNP chief to lead relief caravan for
‘Yolanda’-stricken cops
By Insp. Romuel Nacar
CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte, Nov. 28 (PIA) –
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director-General Alan LM. Purisima is set to
arrive here on Friday, Nov. 29 as he leads the relief caravan for police
personnel affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda that battered Eastern Visayas on
Nov. 8.
P/Chief Supt. Henry Losanes, acting regional
director of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) said that the PNP chief will
extend cash assistance to the dependents of the four policemen who were
casualties of the storm.
“The PNP
relief team will also provide relief packs to our men in the devastated areas,
including new police uniforms,” Losanes said.
“This is a big help to our men as hundreds of
them were also victims of the disaster, losing not only their homes but some of
their love ones,” he added.
It was learned that SPO4 Rogelio Alba of
Tacloban City Police Office; SPO1 Edgar Avina, PO2 Adelfo Lopez and PO2 Jaffy
Villegas, all from Leyte Police Provincial Office, perished in the catastrophe.
Three out of the 6,271 police personnel assigned
in the region are still unaccounted, as of this time.
Also, the PNP chief will inspect the devastation
brought by the typhoon to PNP properties, including the regional and Leyte
Police Provincial Office headquarters that were totally damaged, and some
police stations in Leyte and other areas that were either totally or partially
damaged. (FEA/P/Media Relations-PRO8/PIA-Caraga)
Reg’l PopQuiz, On-the-Spot winners bared
By Angie Balen- Antonio
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) – Top students of the 12 schools divisions in
the region showcased their talents in the recently concluded Regional
Population Quiz and On-the-Spot Contests by the Commission on Population
(PopCom) Caraga.
The On-the-Spot Contests include the Essay
Writing, Poster Making and Jingle Writing and Singing dubbed as Festival of
Talents.
The contests are a joint undertaking of the
PopCom and the Department of Education (DepEd) that serve as an avenue where
the students can best showcase their talents.
Participating Schools Division are Agusan del
Sur, Agusan del Norte, Bayugan City, Bislig City, Butuan City, Province of
Dinagat Islands, Siargao, Surigao City, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and
the newly installed Divisions of Cabadbaran City and Tandag City.
The following were adjudged as winners:
Population Quiz : MARIA VIA E. CATUBIG –
Surigao City Division
Essay Writing Contest : MICHAEL IRUH S. FAUNE-Butuan City
Division
Poster Making Contest : KING JOHN C. ROSALES-Butuan City
Division
Jingle Writing & Singing : KENNETH S. MAPA – Agusan del Norte
Division
Each Champion receives cash prize, certificate
of recognition, medal and trophy.
PopCom-Caraga Regional Director Alexander A.
Makinano said that the regional champions will represent Caraga to the national
contest sometime on April 2014.
The event is a yearly activity open to all high
school students both public and private to popularize, increase awareness and
appreciation on population issues and concerns and upgrade the student’s level
of competence and confidence in facing life’s challenges. (PopCom-13/PIA-Caraga)
PhilHealth Tacloban, Ormoc offices now open to
serve; issues policy on fortuitous events
By Kenneth Po
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 28 - In just two weeks after
Typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Health
(PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation announced that its local health insurance
offices in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc are now up and running to serve the
health insurance needs of members and non-members alike.
PhilHealth fulfilled its promise to open the two
leading offices Monday, November 25, after suffering from heavy damage from
strong winds and storm surges.
“We are back in operation in these two major
cities for the benefit of our members and partners, thanks to our resilient and
dedicated team in Region VIII,” PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A.
Padilla said.
PhilHealth earlier assured the public that at
least seven of their local health insurance offices and service desks in
Southern Leyte, Samar and Biliran are still up and running despite the severe
damage and very unusual situation that their employees are in.
“These offices can perform membership
registration and verification concerns (without online inquiry due to power
outage) and receiving of benefit claims and premium contributions, except for
the service desks,” Padilla said, adding that members and partners can contact
their Yolanda Action Center at (02) 441-7425 to 26 for PhilHealth’s disaster
recovery, rehabilitation and support efforts in the area.
The PhilHealth Chief also said that to
institutionalize their response during fortuitous events of such magnitude,
PhilHealth has issued a policy that will serve as their template of response to
ensure continuing health care benefits during such “acts of God”.
In its Circular 34, s-2013 dated November 15,
2013, PhilHealth will pay claims of members and non-members and accredited and
non-accredited hospitals and professionals during such events.
“We will even extend filing period for claims to
120 days from date of discharge, make exemptions to the less than 24-hour
confinement rule, and even reimbursement for destroyed claims,” Padilla
stressed.
The Circular also allows for extension of
deadline of premium payments and/or existing coverage as prescribed by PhilHealth,
among other. (PhilHealth-13/PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano news: 8 ka mga hospitals nag-operate na
sa Tacloban City
Ni Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Nob. 28 (PIA) – Human sa tulo ka
semana nga milabay sa pagkaigo sa bagyong “Yolanda” sa maong syudad, otso na ka
mga hospital ang hingpit ng nag-operate ug andam na nga motambal sa bisan unsa
nga mga sakit.
Sumala ni DOH Asst. Secretary Paulyn
Rosell-Ubial sa otso ka maong hospital, lima ang tertiary level, nga diin
naghatag og operation services, ug tulo ang primary level nga modawat og
outpatients apan dili mohimo og pagpag-opera.
Ang lima
ka tertiary level nga mga hospital mao ang Visayas Medical Center, RTR Medical
Center, St. Paul’s Hospital, Bethany Hospital ug field hospitals sa Gobyernong
Australia nga nahimutang duol sa airport.
Samtang ang tulo ka mga primary-level hospitals
mao ang Mother of Mercy Hospital, Tacloban Doctors Hospital ug Tacloban City
Hospital.
Alang niadtong mga pasyente nga nagkinahanglan
og major operations, ila kining ipangadto sa Chinese hospital ship nga gitawag
og “Peace Ark” nga nahidangat dinhi sa nasod niadtong niaging Domingo ug dili
tungod niini dili na nila kinahanglan pa nga ipasakay sa eroplano ang mga
pasyente aron dal-on didto sa Cebu ug Manila, sumala ni Ubial.
Gibutyag ni Ubial nga aduna nay duha ka kaso nga
namatay sa neonatal tetanus tungod sa unsterile conditions, mao nga ilang
gipaningkamotan nga tanang mga nanay nga mabdos adto gyud sa hospital manganak
aron malikayan ang maong insedente.
Gibutyag usab niya nga usa ka kaso sa
leptospirosis na ang namatay og 13 pa ka mga kaso ang nakitaan niini.
Sumala pa ni Ubial nga luyo sa tetanus, ang DOH
nagamonitor usab sa mga kaso sa dengue tungod kay sukad niadtong Enero ngadto
Agosto adunay 3,000 ka gikatahong mga kaso sa dengue sa Tacloban mao nga ang
DOH adunay andam nga 12 ka mga fogging machines pangpatay sa lamok. Tulo niini
ang gigamit sa Tacloban ug nuybe didto sa Leyte.
Dugang pa niya nga ang DOH milusad usab og mass
vaccination kontra tigdas sa Tacloban ug Leyte. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
