Meningococcemia disease in Marikina City

Health authorities have raised fears the fatal meningococcemia disease may spread quickly, after killing a four year-old-boy Monday night.

According to radio reports, a little over six hours after the boy was rushed to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City at 3:30 p.m., he died at 9:36 p.m, the same day.

His name was not specified -- in obvious protection of the boy -- but the report said he was from Rodriguez town in Rizal.

Meanwhile, National Epidemiology Center head, Enrique Tayag, said that after seeing symptoms of the disease, one should visit the hospital immediately.

"It is not so easy for meningococcemia to spread," Tayag said in Filipino in the radio report.

"You need intimate contact, such as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. It will not likely spread via casual contact such as taking the patient's temperature."

He added it is not highly contagious but can spread via direct contact of nose and mouth secretions from another sick person.

It can also spread if a sick person directly sneezes or coughs to another person's face.

About five percent of health persons harbor the bacteria as the disease stems from a bacteria found in the nose, mouth and throat of healthy persons, he said.

On the other hand, Dr. Nancy Nazaire-Bermal, Head of the Clinical Research and Dev't of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, said that a patient with meningococcemia can have almost the same symptoms as one with influenza (flu) like high fever, cough and colds but the difference is a violacious polymorphic (comes in several shapes) rash that spreads rapidly.

As for the treatment, meningococcemia can be cured by antibiotics and can also be treated with penicillin but the timing should be once the symptom is there, said Bermal, who is also a practicing pediatrician.

"Prevention is vaccine and there is also prophylaxis for those close contact so that the disease will not spread to the body," Bermal added, emphasizing antibiotics should be guarded and prescribed by a doctor because it cannot be given to all.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dennis Quiambao, Medical and Gov't Affairs Manager of Sanofi Pasteur, a pharmaceutical company said that a patient with meningococcemia needs to be isolated not only because they can transmit the disease but they can be infected with other organisms that make them more susceptible to other diseases.

"Meningococcemia is fatal," Quiambao said.

"Especially (since) it goes into the bloodstream -- it can quickly take away the life of anyone within 24 hours."

However, Tayag said the death rate of meningococcemia is not that high -- only one in every 20 cases is fatal.

"For every fatality, 19 others survive," he said, but posted on his Twitter account that 10 percent of those who get ill die even with hospital care.

The last outbreak of meningococcemia happened in Baguio last 2005.

According to medical experts, meningococcemia is a bloodstream infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, a contagious bacterium and is spread from person to person via respiratory secretions.

Philippine Economic Growth in 2013

President Benigno Aquino III Tuesday said with the continuing strong economic performance, the country may exceed its growth target this year.

"I think all of us will be impressed (with the country's economic performance), which will be released in a few days' time," the President said in an interview with media at the sidelines of the 40th anniversary celebration of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) at its central office in Pasig City.

Aquino, however, refused to give details on how much will be the increase on the country's growth performance.

"Naka-embargo (pa) 'yung data. Before the official release, I cannot comment on it," he said.

But, the President said, "definitely, we will exceed the six percent target for this year according to the NEDA director general projection."

President Aquino cited NEDA's contribution to the country's strong economic performance in 2012.

"If we want to be sure that our efforts will yield the best results, our next moves must be calculated. The timeliness, accuracy, and relevance of the economic data you (NEDA) provide allows not only the national government, but the wider public, including investors, to make the decisions that will allow us to realize the vision defined in the Philippine Development Plan. We are counting on you," the President said in his speech.

President Aquino also thanked the NEDA for "ensuring that (the) official development assistance is used appropriately for the development of the Philippines," and "providing the national government with the data and analysis necessary for informed decisions."

The agency also provides evaluations and assessments of government's biggest proposed projects.

"Your work is invaluable in our quest to sustain our economic development," he said.

Aquino, however, stressed that much more needs to be done to ensure that sustainable economic growth.

"The data shows that the Philippine economy is growing. As it reveals the work we have put in and accounts for our successes, the data also reminds us of the need to ensure that this growth is sustainable and broad-based, so that we can sooner achieve our goal of inclusive growth," he noted.

Campaign rules on media coverage

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to conduct a meeting with media organizations on Jan 31 (Thursday) to discuss the contested campaign rules on media coverage for the midterm elections.

"The issues of revised airtime limits and the right to reply will primarily be discussed among others. So I invite all interested parties/groups, candidates and media entities to attend," Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, Jr. said.

The poll body will hear the motion for reconsideration filed by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas and TV network GMA-7 regarding Comelec's resolution on campaign rules such as the limited airtime for candidates, the need to seek for approval from the poll body before guesting a candidate and the right to reply rule.

Earlier, the KBP said the 120-minute airtime limit for television and 180-minute limit for radio is "restrictive" while the right to reply rule is "unconstitutional."

On the other hand, GMA-7 contested the right to reply rule where candidates and political parties who feel slighted by their critics have the right to respond.

The network said it is worried that the provision might result in being swamped with demands for replies from various candidates.

Banning use of mobile phones while driving

The city government of Makati Tuesday reminded motorists that an ordinance banning the use of mobile phones while driving remains in effect.

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said the traffic ordinance that penalizes drivers who text while on the wheel seeks to protect lives and properties, including the life of the driver.

Binay said he has ordered an intensification of the drive against "texting" motorists saying these pose danger on the city's roads.

"We cannot allow unscrupulous drivers who have no regard for public safety to go unpunished for risking not only their lives, but the lives of others as well," he added.

Last year, the traffic enforcers of the Dept. of Public Safety (formerly MAPSA) nabbed a total 203 motorists for texting while driving, Mayor Binay said.

In its 2012 quarterly reports, the DPS said 52 violators were issued traffic violation tickets for violating the ordinance on the year's first quarter, 48 on the second quarter, 47 on the third, and 56 on the last quarter of the year.

The ordinance imposes a penalty of P250 per violation, and must be settled within five working days.

A surcharge of five percent or P12.50 per working day is charged after the allowed redemption period.

It was noted that most violators apprehended were private vehicle owners.

Aside from enforcers of the DPS, also deputized to go after "texting" motorists are personnel of the Makati Parking Authority, the Bantay Bayan and security guards of the Ayala Center Association.

Leading oil player Petron Corporation

Leading oil player Petron Corporation reported that it had terminated the contracts of 21 service station dealers for "dumping" activities.

The company said that it ended its partnerships with these service station dealers over a 12-month period from January 2012 to January 2013.

"Dumping" occurs when service stations obtain their fuel supply from other sources with questionable quality. These fuels are then passed off as Petron products to the detriment of the consuming public who unwittingly load their vehicles with sub-standard products.

"It is our duty to make sure the consuming public only gets Petron's top-of-the-line fuel and lubricant products whenever they go to a Petron station. We do not tolerate these illegal activities and we will continue to go after unscrupulous dealers within our network to ensure the integrity of the Petron brand," Vice-President for National Sales Archie B. Gupalor said.

Petron maintains over 2,000 service stations across the country as of 2012.

The company added that it discovered the dumping activities of these service station dealers after a thorough investigation backed by regular readings of the station's dispensing pumps, which showed that the quantity of products sold at the stations was greater than the quantity purchased by the dealers from Petron. Petron's pumps are equipped with monitoring systems to determine the volume dispensed. This is regularly checked by Petron representatives as part of the company's standard operating procedure.

To underscore the seriousness of its efforts to go after erring dealers, the company recently filed criminal charges against a dealer in Bogo City, Cebu. The Bogo City Prosecutor's Office found probable cause on allegations by Petron that the dealer committed criminal acts of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false designation of origin punished under RA 8293, Petron said in a statement.

Sustainable source of income for poor families

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ties up with Rags2Riches, (R2R) Inc., to train selected beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Caloocan, Tondo and Quezon City on rug weaving as part of its effort to provide sustainable source of income for poor families and uplift their conditions in the society.

The DSWD and Rags2Riches has signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) dubbed as "Paghahabi Para sa Pantawid Pamilya Project" which coincides with DSWD's celebration of its 62nd Anniversary.

The agreement was set to run for one year focusing on enhancing the skills of some 25 4Ps beneficiaries in weaving and sewing.

It aims to eventually lead them to be suppliers of Rags2Riches merchandise to make them self-sufficient, productive, and with sustainable growth in income.

"The DSWD is committed to help 4Ps beneficiaries become self-reliant by enhancing their skills in livelihood enterprises," DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said.

Under the project, participants will undergo four-day training on weaving. Then, they will start receiving job orders from R2R and eventually, they will be tapped as regular suppliers of the company.

On the other hand, Secretary Soliman said that beneficiaries who have skills in sewing may be employed by R2R while the products that they created can be purchased by the sewing company and become part of their merchandise.

Secretary Soliman emphasized that the project is part of the DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) which ensures the sustainability of the beneficiaries' income even after they graduate from the 4P's"

The SLP is a community-based capacity building program that seeks to improve the program participants' socio-economic status. It equips program participants to actively contribute to production and labor markets by looking at available resources and accessible markets. It relies on multi-stakeholder partnerships and participatory community planning, implementation and monitoring.

Contributions of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

President Benigno S. Aquino III acknowledged the contributions of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in nation building as the agency celebrated Tuesday its 40th anniversary.

The Philippine economy is growing, the President said in his message during the celebration held at NEDA's head office in Pasig City.

The chief executive said that while the economy grows, NEDA must strive hard to attain sustainable and broad-based growth for the benefit of the Filipinos.

"We have much left to do, and NEDA will become an even more important partner in the years ahead. If we want to be sure that our efforts will yield the best results, our next moves must be calculated," he said.

"We are counting on you. Today, I am asking each one of you to strive for even better performance of your duties,"

To sustain this growth, the government must continue its efforts to level the playing field, weed out corruption, and step up the country's competitiveness in the global market.

The government will also continue to invest in human capital through education, health, and social services, he said adding the administration also identified key sectors for growth and have put in place initiatives that will facilitate growth.

The President said he is glad NEDA is truly dedicated to fulfilling its mandate and serving the people not based on political convenience or self-aggrandizement.

This is the reason why in 2010, NEDA translated the administration's commitments in its Social Contract with the Filipino People into specific strategies and programs.

NEDA formulated the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, which set the administration's goals of achieving inclusive growth, creating employment opportunities, and reducing poverty, as well as the strategies it employs to realize important goals, the President said.

Reproductive Health law advocate Carlos Celdran

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said Tuesday it is respecting the conviction by a Manila City Metropolitan Trial Court on tour guide and Reproductive Health law advocate Carlos Celdran.

"For me the Court has spoken and we respect the Court. On our part, even long before we have forgiven him so whatever the Court decides we respect it," said CBCP President Archbishop Jose Palma in a Church-run forum in Manila Tuesday.

However, the Cebu prelate said he has not read the copy of MCMTC Branch 4 Judge Juan Bermejo decision as they have been preoccupied with the just concluded 106th Plenary Assembly at the Pope Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.

He noted that they have forgiven Celdran even before the decision on the case filed Manila Cathedral rector Monsignor Nestor Cerbo came out.

"We respect the processes of the court and more than anything else love should prevail and we have already learned our lesson in the process. Respect should be given to every religion, respect the place and above all we should pray," Palma added.

He said the incident with the Manila tour guide was also a learning experience about respect.

On Monday, the Manila court found Celdran guilty of offending religious feelings which is covered by the Revised Penal Code Sec. 4 Art. 133.

Economic Success of the Philippines

The Philippines could fully succeed economically in the future if there is national unity and every Filipino makes individual commitments, President Benigno S. Aquino III said during the 40th anniversary celebration of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Tuesday.

The President, who arrived last weekend from attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Switzerland, recounted his experiences while in the European country.

There is a disparity in terms of the number of people between the Philippines and Switzerland, he said, noting that the latter even had to deal with a more hostile environment.

But despite the challenges, he said Switzerland has become a very rich country after striving hard to maximize the effects of its comparative advantage particularly in finance.

"Simple lang ---talagang mapaparating tayo sa paroroonan natin kung lahat tayo kumakayod at humahatak tungo sa isang direksyon, kung ibibigay natin ang kaya natin. Kung lalampasan natin ang akala nating kaya natin ay baka naman mapadali ang parating natin doon," the President said in his speech.

The use of timely and accurate government data is also important so that economic managers can formulate the right strategy and decision for the national good, he said.

"May kasabihan sa mahilig sa computer, 'Garbage in, garbage out.' Kapag mali ang datos, o hindi naaangkop ang lunas, lalong maaantala ang desisyon," he said.

The country also changed a lot since the administration took office more than two years ago, he said. Today, foreign investors are scrambling to put their businesses here. Several years ago, the Philippines wasn't even in their radar, the President said.

World Economic Forum

President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Sunday, fresh from his successful attendance to the World Economic Forum that was held in Davos, Switzerland from January 23 to 26.

The President's chartered Philippine Air Lines flight PR001 touched down at the NAIA tarmac at around 2:20 in the afternoon

Welcoming the President back were Vice President Jejomar Binay and Cabinet members led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.

In his speech, the President expressed gladness at coming back to the warmer climate of the Philippines, saying the last time he had ever experienced below zero temperature was 30 years ago.

"Biruin po ninyo, mahigit tatlumpung taon na mula nang huli akong nakaranas ng winter, at talaga namang halos hindi makilala ang ating buong delegasyon sa sobrang pagkakabalot dahil sa ginaw. Siguro po ay matagal-tagal muling mapapahinga sa loob ng aparador ang guwantes, scarf, at overcoat na binaon natin sa ating pagbiyahe," the President said.

He then mentioned the achievements of his trip such as meeting with WEF founder and chief Professor Klaus Schwab and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, keynoting the anti-corruption forum where he detailed programs to end corruption the country has adapted and inviting international business leaders meeting to invest in the Philippines.

"Dito po, nakita natin na napakarami talagang gustong sumakay sa pag-arangkada ng ating ekonomiya. Saksi po sila—Hindi tayo napako sa mga pangakong hatid ng agenda ng reporma. Ang mga kumpanyang matagal nang narito, ay magpapalawak ng kanilang operasyon, at niyaya ang mga kumpanyang Pilipinong sumali sa joint venture, hindi lang sa Pilipinas, kundi pati na rin sa ibang bansa," the President said.

"Hindi rin po nagkulang ang mga bagong kumpanyang nagpahayag ng interes tumungo sa Pilipinas upang humanap ng angkop na negosyo. Pinuri po nilang lahat ang pangmatagalang istratehiya natin ng pamumuhunan sa ating mamamayan -- sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon, kalusugan, at iba pang serbisyong panlipunan. Mula po sa mga kumpanyang nakatutok sa edukasyon at imprastruktura, hanggang sa retail at information technology, at marami pang iba-- lahat sila, pumipila at nakikipag-ugnayan na sa atin; nakikita nila ang bagong mukha ng Pilipinas, at nagugustuhan nila ito," he added.

The President also mentioned the warm welcome he and his delegation received from the overseas Filipino workers from Switzerland and nearby Lichtenstein whom he said embodied the true spirit of "bayanihan" and selflessness for other Filipinos.

"Ang ikinatutuwa ko nga po, saan mang panig ng mundo man tayo mapadpad, ganoon pa rin ang ipinapakitang mabubuting katangian ng Pilipino: Palaging may handang ngiti, palaging nag-uumapaw sa malasakit ang puso, at palaging handang makipag-bayanihan upang iangat ang kanilang kapwa," the President said.