DOH kicks off campaign to deworm 700,000 learners in Eastern Visayas

DOH Assistant Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco (left) lead the ceremonial deworming to learners of Dita Elementary School in Julita, Leyte during the National Deworming Day kick off on Thursday. Witnessing the mass drug administration are Julita Mayor Irwin Dy (center), DepEd Nutritionist Elsa Gerona (right), and local government officials. (SQM)

JULITA, Leyte, Jan. 27 (PNA) – The Department of Health (DOH) Eastern Visayas regional office has launched on Wednesday the school-based deworming activity in this town to ensure that 700,097 school children in the region are worm-free.

Officials from the DOH, Department of Education (DepEd), and local government units led the ceremonial deworming to 147 learners of Dita Elementary School.

DOH Assistant Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco said 54 percent of children nationwide have intestinal parasites, which affects their physical and mental activities.

“All children enrolled in public elementary schools will be given candy-flavored, chewable deworming tablets to free them from soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH). We will do this twice a year,” Sydiongco said.

Elsa N. Gerona, head of the DepEd's regional health and nutrition unit, revealed that parasites living and breeding inside the intestines is the second most common health concern of elementary pupils, next to dental carries.

“We are thankful that the DOH launched this school-based deworming because DepEd has very limited resources. Our accomplishment has been very overwhelming.”

Julita, Leyte Mayor Irvin Dy said the deworming activity complements their local sanitation initiatives such as handwashing and construction of toilets in partnership with non-government organizations.

“We will always support health-related programs especially for children because this will have big impacts on their future,” Dy said.

The DOH congratulated its health workers in the region for ranking second in the coverage of National Deworming Day on July 2015 where 665,455 school children have received deworming drugs.

Of the 700,097 Grade 1 to Grade 6 learners targeted for the Jan. 27, 2016 National Deworming Day, 29,614 are in Biliran; 80,157 in Eastern Samar; 279,791 in Leyte; 112,166 in Northern Samar; 138,077 in Samar; and 60,292 in Southern Leyte.

The DOH has been informing teachers and parents on the normal symptoms after taking deworming drugs such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and dizziness. Only 14 children manifested these symptoms during the deworming campaign last year.

School-based deworming is the focus in the campaign, but the health department also integrates in some area their existing health programs for Garantisadong Pambata, STH, filariasis, and schistosomiasis to save government resources. (PNA)
FFC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

State-run maritime training center welcomes more seafarers this year

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 27 (PNA) - The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), a state-run maritime training and research agency located in this city, accommodated as of mid-January a total of 247 maritime trainees who are either aspirants to become seafarers, active seafarers or maritime instructors and assessors.

Out of the total, 204 took the basic courses such as basic training, proficiency in survival craft and rescue boat other than fast rescue boats, basic training refresher, basic training updating and safety training for boat captain and marine diesel mechanic. 

The remaining 43 were enrolled in the ratings forming part of engineering watch, medical emergency first aid and training course for instructors modules.

As of January 15, 165 or 67 percent of the trainees have finished their trainings while the other 82 or 33 percent will finish on 22 January 2016.

This is a well-grounded start for the agency since full-swing in training operations started last July 2015 only. 

It is expected that the number of enrollees will accelerate in the next few months with the opening of more standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers courses.

In the interim, NMP is addressing the observations raised by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in connection with its application for accreditation of additional 5 courses namely: refresher training, refresher training for advanced firefighting, refresher training for personal survival technique and fire prevention and fire fighting, updating training for personal safety and social responsibility and general operator’s course for global maritime distress signal system. 

In its effort to contribute in providing employment to Filipinos especially the seafarers, NMP continues to upgrade its facilities and provide quality maritime trainings required pursuant to the standards of training, certification, and watch keeping for seafarers convention.

The NMP encourages those interested to avail of its maritime training programs to visit the NMP facebook page (facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) and website www.nmp.gov.ph where all related information on NMP trainings are available. (PNA)
FPV/SQM/NMP-PR/EGR

Southern Leyte contractors asked to comply occupational safety, health standards

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 27 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways – Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) has reminded contractors to improve their housekeeping in compliance with the government’s occupational safety standards.

In a recent coordination meeting with contractors, District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia has explained new policies designed to fast track securing approval of Construction Safety and Health Program (CSHP) from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Failure to comply with the guidelines governing Occupational Safety and Health in the Construction Industry are one of the concerns why some contractors could not immediately kick off civil works of some projects in the province.

“This is one of the bottlenecks because contractors have a hard time complying with the standards, but we are happy that many contractors in Southern Leyte have been managed to observe the policy,” Junia said.

On November 2015, the DPWH and DOLE have signed a memorandum of agreement which improves the process cycle time on the approval of the CSHP, a requirement to ensure the safety and health of construction workers.

CSHP refers to a set of detailed rules covering the processes and practices that should be utilized in a specific construction site in conformity with occupational safety and health standards, including the personnel responsible and the penalties for rule violations.

The agreement outlines the responsibilities of the DOLE and the DPWH on the approval of CSHP.

Under the deal, CSHP applications initially approved by the DPWH shall be considered as approved if it was not acted upon on the sixth day following the prescribed process cycle time of five working days from the date of submission of the complete documents.

The DOLE is bound to provide the DPWH a checklist of requirements for CSHP applications in compliance with DOLE Department Order No.13 issued in 1998. (PNA)
ZST/SQM/DPWH-PR

Roxas vows to institutionalize 4Ps

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 27 (PNA) -– Liberal Party presidential bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas will push for the institutionalization of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) if elected as Chief Executive in the upcoming elections.

This was the implication of Roxas in his speech at the city gym during his visit on Sunday in this 15-year-old component city, comprising 70 villages.

Roxas was inspired by story of a girl from Limasawa Island that despite her family’s poverty, she was able to complete secondary as valedictorian because of her self-imposed sacrifice and determination.

“I will broaden the scope of 4Ps so that it can continue to help poor Filipino families particularly in education,” he told local officials. 

Governor Roger Mercado interpreted Roxas’ implied statement concerning 4Ps as a move towards its institutionalization.

Roxas vowed to persuade Congress to enact a law so that whoever is the seating President, he will inevitably be obliged to implement the program

“Governor Mercado affirmed that if he will succeed in his congressional bid, he will initiate the enactment of such law to strengthen its desired realization to help the many poor families in the entire country,” he added.

During the open forum, local officials pointed out that the program must formulate rules and regulations to prohibit any parent-recipient to buy cigarettes, alcoholic beverages or use it for gambling. 

Other concerned citizens also stressed that the 4Ps program should extend its monthly financial assistance to lucky beneficiaries-students to take four to five years in college in order for them to easily meet either academic or vocational qualifications and requirements.

Roxas admitted that he is not a perfect candidate, but he claimed that he is not boastful, neither act deception or stealing of public funds.

The grandson of the late President Manuel Roxas further expressed his intention to help Maasin Airport gets additional funding for its completion, which is long overdue. 

Roxas climbed up the bleachers one after the other to shake hands with the throng of supporters and friends composed of local officials and students.

It took him 35 minutes to finish his personal encounter with them before moving towards the stage where local officials led by the governor and congressman were seated. (PNA)

FFC/SQM/QUIRICO M. GORPIDO JR.

Leyte’s 'Buyogan Festival' invited to perform in India

ABUYOG, Leyte, Jan. 27 (PNA) -- This town’s Buyogan Festival has been invited by the International Association for Human Values (IAHA) of Malaysia to participate in the World Culture Festival on March 11-13, 2016 in New Delhi, India.

Mayor Octavio Traya Jr. is enthusiastic with this invitation to perform in an international event. The festival is fresh from its win as best in street dancing -- free interpretation category during the 2016 Sinulog Festival in Cebu City. It also won 3rd place both as best musicality and free interpretation categories. 

The invitation was personally hand-carried by Siaw San Liew to the mayor on Monday. Liew is the project leader of Philippines Empowerment Program of IAHA. 

The World Culture Festival is part of the Art of Living Foundation’s 35th year, which is spearheading the event. The foundation has 35 years of service to humanity, spirituality and human values. 

It is stated in the letter that Leyte province, being one of the critically impacted regions in the country by the climate change, is a voice that needs to be embodied in this massive event. 

“It is a great opportunity to send the best of Leyte to the World Culture Festival to perform in behalf of the Filipinos to say thank you to the world for the help received after super typhoon Yolanda devastated the region,” Traya said.

He and the rest of the local government are enthusiastic about this invitation because this would be the first time the Philippines would send a representative to this global event. 

The challenge now, according to Traya is to raise PHP3.8 million for the local travel expenses, international flights and hotel accommodation for a hundred performers.

Buyogan boasts of its new colorful costumes patterned to the different shapes and colors of a bee and mimicking its bee life to the beat of distinct Buyogan music. 

Legend has it that Abuyog town has a mystical creature popularly known as Opayda. She is a good fairy who helped cure victims of bee stings and guides fishermen safely back to shore through her magical voice. 

Buyogan was the champion in the first Leyte Kasadyaan Festival in October 1996. It was adjudged Hall of Famer after it became a champion five times since that year. 

As Hall of Famer, it was not allowed to compete until it made a comeback in 2007 and won again in the twin-billed Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival held in Tacloban City to celebrate the city fiesta. 

In 2009, the well-loved Buyogan Festival created history when it swept in both Cebu City’s Sinulog Festival -- Champion Free Interpretation Category and Best in Street Dancing. 

The group won the Aliwan Festival on April that year, a competition of the 17 best regional festivals in the country at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila organized by the Manila Broadcasting Company and brought home PHP1 million cash prize. 

After the super typhoon on Nov. 8, 2013, it didn’t compete in any festivals for financial consideration as the costumes and props were destroyed by the disaster. It was a guest performer in the Pintados in 2014. 

It did a smashing comeback in the 2015, winning both the Sinulog and the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals. 

According to Liew, the World Culture Festival will be attended by close to 3.5 million people from diplomatic community, humanitarian organizations, cultural and art aficionados. It would be a chance for the Buyogan to showcase the best of Leyte and an opportunity to show Filipino culture in a world stage. (PNA)

JBP/SQM/VICKY C. ARNAIZ