Shelter Cluster distributes GI Sheets to Typhoon
Yolanda victims
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) – The Shelter
Cluster for Typhoon Yolanda victims in Region 8 composed of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Energy (DOE), and the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in cooperation with
international organizations have distributed Galvanized Iron (GI) sheets to families
in the hardly-hit areas.
According to Ma. Novelita Villarin, Focal Person
for Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of
Social Service (KALAHI-CIDSS) of DSWD-8, as of December 16, the cluster was
able to distribute a total of 20,064 GI sheets to 1,268 families in the eight
barangays in Tanauan, Leyte and 10,470 to 689 families in the six barangays of
Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
This covers a total of 1,957 families that have
availed the total of 30,534 GI sheets from the cluster.
In the municipality of Guiuan, the six barangays
are Bocao (61 families; 945 GI sheets); Alingarog (101 families; 1,725 GI
sheets); Tagpuro (107 families; 1,705 GI sheets); Banahao (143 families; 2,335
GI sheets); Bagua (166 families; 1,895 GI sheets); and Hagna (111 families;
1,865 GI sheets).
Also, for the municipality of Tanauan, Eastern Samar,
the nine barangays are San Isidro (228 families; 3,845 GI sheets); Guingauan
(142 families; 2,280 GI sheets); Cahumayhumayan (202 families; 3,134 GI
sheets); Picas (162 families; 2,475 GI sheets); Ada (69 families; 1,090 GI
sheets); Cabunga-an (65 families; 980 GI sheets); Canbalisara (147 families;
2,715 GI sheets); and San Victor (253 families; 3,545 GI sheets).
The GI sheets are needed to repair the houses
damaged by typhoon Yolanda. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Clusters for typhoon Yolanda victims share
issues & concerns
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) – During the joint
inter-cluster meeting of government agencies and international organizations
held on Tuesday at the conference room of Leyte Sports Complex here,
representatives from various clusters shared several issues and concerns on
their operations.
With the presence of regional director Rey Gozon
of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 8, the food security cluster
stressed that coordination and linkages with other partners are ongoing to
continuously provide high energy foods and safe water to typhoon Yolanda
victims in the region.
The water system is also being monitored since
there are still reported leaks on the distribution pipes.
The camp management cluster is intensifying its
resettlement operations. Security of the evacuees is also tightened.
Some 1,957 families have also availed the total
of 30,534 Galvanized Iron (GI) sheets to repair their houses damaged by
Yolanda, it was learned.
Also, the emergency shelter cluster revealed
that although the Department of Public Works and Highways has already started
the construction of bunk houses, they have observed that there are still
victims in the other affected municipalities that have no proper shelter and
are moving from one place to another.
Meanwhile, the recovery and livelihood cluster
raised that they will be hiring full-time staff to help them in doing the job
that could also focus on its operations and these staff will be working in
shift.
It was also learned that on Thursday, Dec. 19, a
briefing on Humanitarian efforts by the government and the international
organizations will be held in Tacloban City to inform the media and the public
on the progress of its continued operations for Yolanda victims.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
“Doctors Without Borders” distribute essential
relief supplies to Yolanda victims
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) – The Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), an
international, independent medical humanitarian organization is continuously
distributing essential relief supplies to typhoon Yolanda victims, as medical
humanitarian efforts are needed by the Typhoon Yolanda victims in Region 8.
The MSF also known as “Doctors Without Borders”
are distributing tents, plastic sheeting, cooking utensils, hygiene kits,
mosquito nets and blankets, reconstruction kits (to help rebuild the houses of
Yolanda victims), as well as supplies of clean drinking water.
In some areas of the region, the MSF teams are
also distributing food, where needed, and materials to repair damaged boats.
In an interview over Power FM, Philippine
Information Agency’s (PIA) radio station
installed in Tacloban City, Lee Pik Kwan, MSF Regional Communications Manager
based in Hong Kong said they have distributed reconstruction kits to 3,000
families on the islands south of Guiuan in Samar and are preparing to
distribute another 500 reconstruction kits to families in Guiuan, as well as
boat repair kits.
“MFS’s work is a gesture of solidarity from one
civil society to another, from one person to another. Its ultimate aim is to
preserve life, alleviate suffering and maintain or protect human dignity,”
expressed Lee.
Another set of essential relief items were also
distributed to 6,600 families living in isolated communities in the mountainous
area beyond the town of Burauen.
Also, in Talosa and Tanauan, teams have distributed
relief items and hygiene kits to 3,000 families.
Over the past week, the team has distributed
3,000 construction kits in the municipality of Santa Fe and will distribute
another 2,500.
Meanwhile, Lee also bared that MSF is providing
medical and humanitarian assistance in five of the most affected areas in the
Philippines, spanning three islands: around Guiuan in the east of Samar island;
around Tacloban, ormoc, Santa Fe, and Burauen on Leyte island. “The
humanitarian needs seen by MSF teams vary from place to place,” she said.
MSF is a worldwide movement with 19 main
national offices around the world including Hong Kong, and is providing medical
and humanitarian assistance in more than 60 countries. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
MSF offers free medical consultations, surgical
operations to Yolanda victims
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) – The Medicins Sans
Frontieres (MSF), an international, independent medical humanitarian organization
is calling on the Typhoon Yolanda victims in Region 8 to avail of its free
medical consultations and surgical operations at their temporary/tented
hospitals.
Lee Pik Kwan, MSF Regional Communications
Manager from Hong Kong bared that its tented hospitals offering its free
services are situated in the grounds of the Felipe J. Abrigo referral hospital
in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and in Bethany Hospital, Tacloban City.
“The MSF teams have set-up temporary hospitals
to provide interim care including an inflatable hospital in Tacloban, and
tented hospitals in Burauen and Tanauan (on Leyte island) and Guiuan (on Samar
island). We are aiming to provide normal medical services to our Yolanda
victims such as maternal healthcare and inpatient services as quickly as
possible,” said Lee.
It was also learned that the MSF has two mobile
medical teams – one land-based, the other travelling by boat which are running
mobile clinics in outlying areas. Teams are doing 500 consultations per week in
inland areas and 700 on the small islands in the south of Guiuan, and another 700
in and around Tacloban City.
The support also includes repairing of damaged
buildings, providing medical supplies, drugs and staff, and setting-up of
ambulance service.
“The MSF is calling on all Yolanda victims to
avail of the free medical consultations and surgical operations. Our
temporary/tented hospitals are open 24 hours from Monday to Sunday. We are here
to help you,” Lee stressed.
Also, a team of three psychologists is providing
mental healthcare in the Tacloban region. “So for those who have emotional
problems or sleeping disorder can come to us so we can also help you,” she
added.
Some 154 international staff and 300 national
staff are on the ground for this humanitarian activity of the MSF in Samar and
Leyte islands.
The teams will continue its functionality until
the local health facilities of the region and the staff can restore its
operation capabilities.
The MSF, also known as “Doctors Without Borders”
founded in 1971 by doctors and journalists, is delivering emergency aid and
medical care to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, exclusion from
healthcare and natural disaster. It offers assistance to people based on need
and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Typhoon victims in Panay Island avail MSF's
services
By Venus L. Garcia
TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) – Typhoon victims
in Panay, an island in the western part of Visayas have availed the
humanitarian services offered by the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
MSF currently has six mobile clinic teams,
working in Panay island and its nearby northeastern islands. The team has
travelled by boat to distribute relief items.
More than 10,000 families have received hygiene
kits, plastic sheeting, cooking utensils and kits containing materials to be
used in repairing damages of structures.
“MSF is providing assistance to people who are
affected by an oil spill tha occurred in Estancia’s harbor caused by typhoon.
More than 5,000 residents are now temporarily relocated to the safer areas. We
have distributed to them 125 tents and provided them with clean water,” said
MSF regional communications Lee Pik Kwan.
Consultations are also provided to out patients.
So far, the medical team has vaccinated more than 1,000 individuals, aged
between 6 months and 15 years.
The team has conducted trainings to the local
health staff on how to recognize acute emotional reactions of their patients so
that the’ll know how to facilitate and what appropriate support they can apply.
With this, 2,000 persons have already attended the sessions.
According to Lee, MSF is supporting the Balasan
district hospital, which currently has 50 beds.
“Villages that relied on fishing as their
primary source of income and food had many of the boats in their fleets
destroyed. Therefore, MSF has provided emergency nutrition biscuits to around
18,000 children under five years old and to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Last week MSF also conducted a second food distribution comprising rice, beans,
oil, sardines and emergency nutrition biscuits,” added Lee. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
UN Secretary General to visit Tacloban City
By Venus L. Garcia
TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) – The United
Nations (UN) leader Ban Ki-moon will arrive on Saturday in the city to see for
himself and assess the typhoon aftermath.
According to Vincent Omuga, UN Office of the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) representative, the visit to
Philipppines will be an opportune time to meet and discuss with government
leaders the concerns on increasing damages brought about by calamities across
nations.
Following his arrival on the same day will be a
press conference in which venue will be announced soonest.
“He will visit the typhoon-stricken areas in
Tacloban and to personally meet the local communities who are affected by the
disaster,” said Omuga.
The UN Sec-Gen will leave the Philippines on
Sunday.
Prior to UN leader’s arrival, a briefing on Humanitarian
efforts by the government with the UN and other international organizations
will also be held on Thursday, Dec. 19, Leyte Sports Complex, this city to
inform media and the public on the progress of its continued operations for
typhoon Yolanda victims. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
UN agencies update implementation of
humanitarian projects in EV
By Venus L. Garcia
TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) – The office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Development Programme
(UNDP), and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)
shared their significant contributions to the Yolanda Operations during the
Joint Inter-Cluster meeting held recently at the Command Center, Leyte Sports
Complex, this city.
One of the UNCHR representatives brought out the
concern on the construction of bunkhouses. In as much as the government would
want to diminish the congestion of refugees in the evacuation centers, they are
suggesting to look into the key description, standard lay-out, and proper
ventilation to ensure safety and security of the ones who will occupy the
erected bunkhouses.
UNHCR emphasized that relocation sites must not
be established near the coastal areas to avoid future hazards and so as not to
create inconvenience for the recipients to move out from one place to another
everytime their lives will be set in danger.
"The UNDP as well is incorporating some
agricultural livelihood projects to help people obtain life’s necessities. They
are working out on things that closely complement the government’s Yolanda
Recovery and Reconstruction Plan which will be launched on December 18,"
said UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines Luiza Carvalho.
In a report produced by by OCHA Philippines in
collaboration with humanitarian partners, it was highlighted that recovery
efforts are expanding, but acute humanitarian needs remain in affected areas,
particularly in isolated and disadvantaged communities.
An estimated 14.1 million people have been
affected, including 4.1 million who remain displaced.
The rainy season will start at the end of
January in some affected areas, meaning that short and medium-term shelter
solutions must be found beforehand. The Shelter Cluster is looking at a variety
of options to address this urgent need said a report from a Shelter Cluster
coordinator.
It was learned that cases of diarrhea have also
increased in several areas of Ormoc and Leyte, emphasizing the need for close
watch of communicable diseases in case of outbreaks.
As military airlift capacity continues to
depart, the Logistics Cluster is focusing on roads and ports. A new cargo
vessel will arrive in Cebu on December 18 to support UN, NGO and government
relief efforts. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
MSF serves typhoon Yolanda victims
By Venus L. Garcia
TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) - The Medecins
Sans Frontieres (MSF), also called
Doctors Without Borders, a medical humanitarian organization has provided
humanitarian assistance and medical services to the victims/survivors of
typhoon Yolanda.
They have served in five of the most affected
areas: Guiuan in the east of Samar island; Tacloban, Ormoc, Sta. Fe and Burauen
on Leyte island; and Estancia on the northeastern part of Panay island.
MSF is prioritizing the provision of mobile
clinics for isolated inland and coastal communities. Also, the team is
advocating on giving primary healthcare and mental healthcare in health centers, evacuaton sites and mobile
clinics in identified villages.
MSF psychologists are carrying out 40 mental
health sessions a week, running psychological activities, and raising awareness
about mental health issues.
Mobie teams have conducted vaccination to
children against polio and measles in parts of Leyte and Panay and targeting
children living in the mountanous area in Liberty, a village in the east of
Ormoc.
In Samar island, the MSF’s tent hospitals
pitched on the grounds of Felipe J. Abrigo referral hospital in Guiuan is fully
functioning, with 50-60 in-patients are admitted per week. Maternity, delivery
and surgery services are also offered.
“The team have finished distributing tents,
hygiene kits, and cooking equipment to people whose houses were destroyed by
the typhoon. We have distributed reconstruction kits to 3,000 families on the
islands south of Guiuan, and now preparing to distribute another 500 kits to
families in Guian City, including boat repair kits to those who are needing
it,” said Lee Pik Kwan, MSF regional communications coordinator.
Meanwhile, MSF’s water and sanitation (WatSan)
specialists are currently providing water for 20,000 people daily. The WatSan
team is also cleaning wells in villages located along the coastal strip whose
water supplies were contaminated by salt water due to flooding and storm surge.
The team assigned in the northern part of Leyte
are also providing 163,290 liters of clean drinking water to more than 33,000
people and have distributed 76,000 tabs for chlorinating water.
“MSF teams are continually doing some repair on
damage health centers in four municipalities in Guiuan. We are set to continue
our activities in the Eastern Visayas region over the coming months until
secondary heathcare services are restored,” bared Lee.
The total MSF international staff on the ground
now is154 and 300 national staff approximately, Lee added. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Red Cross AgSur joins relief distribution, early
recovery activities in typhoon “Yolanda” ravaged areas
By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Dec. 17 (PIA) - Four personnel
from the Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Sur Chapter (PRC-AdS) were ordered by
the Red Cross National Headquarters to extend technical assistance, relief
distribution and early recovery activities in three municipalities in Leyte
after super typhoon “Yolanda” hit the area leaving thousands of deaths and
millions worth of damages.
The four, namely Reynaline Esguerra, Rosalie
Morano, Anthony Mato and Abundio Quino will join the other four delegates from
Southern Leyte and Valenzuela City Chapter, in the Assessment, Relief and
Volunteer Recruitment Team covering the municipalities of Albuera, Isabel and
Merida, all in the province of Leyte.
Abundio Quino, the PRC-AdS driver brought along
with him his assigned service vehicle here in Agusan del Sur in order to
augment the vehicular requirement in the typhoon ravaged areas.
According to the order received by the PRC-AdS
team, their tasks are to ensure all pertinent data were gathered and properly
validated in each given time. They have to ensure also that selection of
beneficiaries is in accordance to the PRC criteria and policy. The team must
submit relief distribution plan and daily relief distribution report for the
affected families, while ensuring that provision of relief is conducted in the
dignified and orderly manner.
Recruitment, orientation and mobilization of
volunteers on the ground is also one of the team’s responsibility, while close
coordination with other sectors in their volunteer needs mus also be addressed.
Their target is to train new 143 voluteers in the area and maintain list of
those volunteers with address, phone numbers and email address.
The four PRC-AdS personnel set foot in Leyte on
December 5, 2013 and will be back here in Agusan del Sur on December 29, 2013.
They will be spending their Christmas with the typhoon victims and the new year
with their very own families. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Surigao Norte launches 'Bayay Paglaum'
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) - The provincial
government of Surigao del Norte launched recently the Bayay Paglaum (Home of
Hope) program during the Peace Forum and Provincial Peace and Order Council
Meeting held at the Provincial Convention Center, this city.
Bayay Paglaum (Home of Hope) is a peace village
composed of cluster of homes for former rebels fully supported by the
government. It will be established to help them assimilate and live normally in
the mainstream of society.
Under this program, the identified project site
shall have enough space for built-up area where houses, cottage industries and
institutional facilities will be located and agricultural area for food
production.
It must be near the more established community
for access to other institutional needs like school, church, health center and
water system. A convergence approach will also be instituted in the
implementation.
Project duration is for 3 years and will start
on January 2014, the 2-bedroom house
total cost is P302,000.00 and project package, amenities and services includes
rain collector system, farmland with agricultural inputs, free
college/techvoc/alternative education thru the provincial scholarship program,
DepEd and TESDA, immediate employment in the provincial government, Philhealth
coverage and other health services, 4Ps membership, skills and livelihood
training with initial capital, six-month rice allowance, value formation and
other capability building activities, and security/protection.
The Bayay Paglaum (Home of Hope) is a proponent
project of the provincial government of Surigao del Norte through the effort of
Governor Sol F. Matugas and with the support from the national government and
the private sector. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Feature: Himbaba-o: odd but tasty and nutritious
veggie
By Czarina Teresita S. Martinez
MANILA, Dec. 17 (PIA) - Himbaba-o is an
indigenous vegetables in the Philippines.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
himbaba-o is widely grown in the Philippines. As proof, the DENR gathered
unique names for himbaba-o in the different provinces of the Philippines.
In Luzon, it is known as alukon in Ilocos, baeg
in Pangasinan, alokon bongon in Mt. Province, himbaba-o in Nueva Ecija, kabag in Mindoro, alitagtag in Camarines.
While in the Visayas, himbaba-o in known as bulbulan in Cebu and Negros, and
talubang in Siquijor. In Mindanao, himbaba-o is known as karud in Misamis, liba
in Davao, and malabingan in Sulu.
Himbaba-o is a small to medium-sized tree.
Horticulturists classify himbaba-o as a dioecious tree. Dioecious trees have male and female flowers in separate
trees. Thus, it is important for the male and female trees to be planted near
each other for pollination to occur.
The DENR reports that himbaba-o is a drought-
tolerant and fast-growing species. In Mindanao, himbaba-o wood is used for
paneling, furniture, and cabinetwork. In the Visayas, the wood is used in
making boats and canoes because it is water resistant.
The Ilocanos use the himbaba-o's tender young
leaves and the flowers as ingredients for vegetable stew.
The Philippine Food Composition Tables (FCT)
published by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of
Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) reports that the himbaba-o flower contains
362 milligrams of calcium and 645 micrograms of beta-carotene while the same
amount of leaves contain 357 micrograms of calcium and 3,035 micrograms of
beta-carotene per 100 grams edible
portion each.
My grandmother, an Ilocana, used to cook stewed
himbaba-o topped with fried fish. The dish is popularly known as dinendeng or
inabrao. Here's how to prepare it:
Ingredients:
2-3 tablespoons bagoong na isda
1 head garlic, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup, patani or young lima beans, peeled
1/2 cup saluyot leaves, clean and trimmed
1/2 cup himbaba-o flowers, clean and trimmed
1 piece fried fish
Procedure:
Dilute bagoong na isda in 2 cups hot water and
strain. Simmer water seasoned with bagoong
for 2 minutes then add garlic and patani. Simmer for 3 minutes or until
patani is tender. Add saluyot and himbaba-o flowers and simmer for 5 minutes or
until himbaba-o and saluyot leaves turn deep green and the broth becomes thick.
Top with fried fish and cook for a minute. Serve hot.
The FNRI-DOST promotes the use of indigenous
vegetables. Recently, FNRI-DOST recently published "Lutong FNRI: Mga
Katutubong Gulay", a collection of indigenous vegetable recipes from soup
to dessert. The collection also contains information on the yield per recipe
and the estimated energy and nutrient content per serving.
"Lutong FNRI: Mga Katutubong Gulay"
and other nutritious recipes are available at the FNRI-DOST Library and soon it
will be uploaded in the FNRI website.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City, E-Mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com,
Telefax: (02) 8372934, (02) 8273164, or call (02) 8372071 local 2296 or visit
our website: http:www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media
Services/PIA-Caraga)
New guide for Pinoy healthy eating out soon
By Divorah V. Aguila
MANILA, Dec. 17 (PIA) - Tremendous increase in
the number of cases of diet- and lifestyle-related diseases worldwide has
become so evident and alarming due to the inevitable lifestyle changes brought
about by the non-stop global and technological advances. This happens not just in
technologically-advanced countries but in developing nations like the
Philippines as well.
Thus, more and more Filipinos, young and old
alike, have become overweight, hypertensive, and physically inactive. In response, the Food and Nutrition Research
Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) is committed
to provide Filipino consumers with healthful visual tools to help Filipinos
adopt healthy eating habits at meal times by delivering effective dietary and
healthy lifestyle messages.
In partnership with the Department of Health
(DOH), the FNRI-DOST will soon unveil a new tool for healthy eating. Dubbed as “Pinggang Pinoy”, the new tool can
be our blueprint for planning a healthy balanced meal.
Pinggang Pinoy should not be mixed up with the
existing Daily Nutritional Guide (DNG) Pyramid for Filipinos developed also by
the FNRI since they have different purposes.
The “Pinggang Pinoy” can be used side by side
with the existing DNG Pyramid for Filipinos.
The latter is a quick and easy guide on how much to eat per mealtime,
while the former shows at a glance the whole day recommendation.
Both the “Pinggang Pinoy” and the DNG Pyramid
for Filipinos are based on the latest science about how our food, drink, and
activity choices affect our health.
Remember: the DNG Pyramid is a simple,
trustworthy guide in choosing a healthy diet.
Its foundation is daily exercise and water, since these two elements
strongly influence our chances of staying healthy. The DNG Pyramid builds from the base, showing
that we should eat more foods from the bottom part of the pyramid like
vegetables, whole grains and less from the top such as red meat, sugar, fats
and oils. When it’s time to eat, most of
us use a plate. So it is just
appropriate to use the “Pinggang Pinoy” as a guide for a typical balanced meal.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue,
Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/Fax Nos.: 837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:
839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071 to 82 local 2296 or 2284; e-mail:
mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website
http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Services/PIA-Caraga)
