Mindoro Fears Deadly Disease

Thirty families in Abra de Ilog in Mindoro Occidental were quarantined after a 63-year-old woman died from a suspected case of meningococcemia last Wednesday (Sept. 5), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported.

NDRRMC identified the fatality as Gloria Sumayang,of Lumangbayan village in Abra de Ilog town, who developed the signs and symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection and suffered fever for about a week and rashes one day prior to admission to hospital.

Initial differential diagnosis to consider was Kawasaki Disease but manifested high index of suspicion showed that the condition is meningococcal in nature.

The NDRRMC said the 30 families are now being observed by the Municipal Health Office.

Local health officials have started chemoprophylaxis, or the administering of medication to prevent infection, and are "continuously monitoring for any arising new cases," the NDRRMC said.

The disaster agency added that Sumayang was brought to the Abra de Ilog Community Hospital on Sept. 4, and was transferred to Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital. She died on Sept. 5.

Catanduanes Embarks Anti-Malaria Campaign

The provincial government of Catanduanes has vowed to strengthen its anti-malaria advocacy by embracing the new form of campaign introduced by the Department of Health (DOH) to totally eliminate the dreaded disease in the country.

The DOH's new campaign being carried out nationwide under the theme "Saving Lives, Preventing Deaths and Sustaining Investment for Malaria" and highlighted by the "Traveling Long-Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN)" is aimed at cutting malaria incidence by 2015 in the country in line with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG).

The campaign wherein the DOH and its partners distribute insecticide-treated mosquito nets in malaria-endemic areas was recently launched in Bicol. The net symbolizes the government's effort and struggle against malaria by travelling to each province until all provinces have eliminated the disease.

Camilo Aquino, the DOH's Regional Mosquito Borne Diseases coordinator based at the regional Center for Health and Development (CHD) for Bicol here over the weekend said the provincial government of Catanduanes through its governor Joseph Cua readily accepted the advocacy campaign during a ceremonial transfer on Friday.

During the ceremonies, Cua led the affixing of the provincial logo at the governor's office on the ceremonial LLIN as a symbol of full adoption of the campaign, Aquino said.

"The LLIN will serve as a reminder to every malaria endemic areas up to malaria-free provinces that the government is serious in its campaign to totally eradicate the occurrence of the fatal disease in the Philippines," according to Aquino.

The campaign in Bicol is a shift from malaria eradication to elimination involving areas that have already been noted as malaria-free based on assessment that reported no incidence of malaria in all parts of the region for at least three years.

Reports of the DOH on the malaria situation in Bicol show that the prevalence and death rate of the disease in the region were zero percent from 2006 to 2010. The latest rate of morbidity registered at 0.7 percent was in 2005 with no mortality since 1990. The rate is computed based on per 100,000 population.

With this development in Bicol, the DOH, along with its partners in anti-malaria advocacy such as the local government units, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global-Fund Malaria through the Filipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. is now embarking on the new advocacy campaign in the region.

The campaign's theme "Saving Lives, Preventing Deaths and Sustaining Investment for Malaria" would be the principle that will support malaria control programs with the objective of totally eliminating the disease in the country.

Under the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP), the target year for total eradication of malaria in the country is 2016 while total elimination target is on year 2025.

The DOH is confident to meet the elimination ahead of the target year saying that in 2020, the entire Philippines could be malaria-free based on positive trends that showed an 80 percent decrease in malaria incidence last year or from 43,441 cases in 2003 down to 9,642 in 2011.

This decrease is the lowest malaria level on record for the country in 42 years which means that Philippines is effectively meeting its MDG of cutting malaria incidence by 2015.

The WHO likewise revealed that death from malaria in the country had been declining by 63 percent since 2005. However, it remains a significant problem, now the eight leading cause of illness affecting up to 10.2 million people worldwide. Ninety percent of malaria cases are found in the poorest provinces.

High-risk provinces in the country, according to the DOH include Tawi-tawi, Occidental Mindoro, Bulacan and Tarlac that are presently being carefully monitored and provided with free medicines for those diagnosed with the disease and vector control measures including insecticide-treated mosquito nets to affected areas.

Other areas of concern are the provinces of Palawan and Tawi-Tawi which reported more than 1,000 cases a year and Sulu, Maguindanao and Zambales that have more than 100 cases but less than 500 cases a year.

At least 24 provinces on the other hand have been declared malaria- free midway 2012, which translates into having recorded no malaria cases for three years while 34 provinces have reached the free elimination level in 2011 or less than one case of malaria for every 1,000 population.

In spite of Bicol's malaria–free status, Aquino still warned Bicolanos from becoming complacent of the non- existence of the mosquitoes carrying the disease.

"We should exert more effort to ensure that there is no way that this contagious disease will again find its way in our homes and in our community. Let us all continue, with renewed efforts, what we have started to make our neighborhood free from malaria," he said.

LLIN is the government's main defense now against mosquitoes that brings malaria, a disease caused by a parasite transmitted via bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. If can also be transmitted through blood transfusion or from pregnant mother to child.

Gawad Kalinga to help farmers in Bulacan raise productivity

In keeping with the commitment to improve the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), the Department of Agrarian Reform has entered into an agreement with Gawad Kalinga to help farmers in Bulacan raise their productivity and improve their income with the help of the growing legion of social entrepreneurs.

Under the agreement formalized on Sept. 9 at the Enchanted Farm of Gawad Kalinga in Angat, Bulacan, the DAR will focus on the improvement of productivity and enhancement of marketing channels for different commodities in areas covered by the Agricultural Productivity and Marketing Enterprise Development Project, particularly in Bulacan.

Commodities to be given priority are palay, coffee, lowland vegetables, lemongrass, citronella, pandan, camote, coffee and ube. Farm mechanization will be implemented through the DAR budget to increase productivity and raise income.

Target production area for palay is 80 hectares, 75 hectares for vegetables and other rootcrops, and 100 hectares for coffee production. Common service facilities or farm machines, equipment and implements procured under government procurement rules will be provided to ARB organizations to make production efficient and profitable.

Direct beneficiaries are the ARB organizations within the contiguous area.

The projects under this agreement will be implemented in partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK) Community Development Foundation, a non-government organization that has built over 2,000 communities' villages both here and abroad.

Gawad Kalinga, through its increasing number of social entrepreneurs, will act as the marketing arm and will also provide technical, financial and human resources to help the target beneficiaries in Bulacan. GK will provide these valuable services to the ARB organizations without receiving compensation or honorarium from the DAR and the ARB organizations.

According to Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio De Los Reyes, the DAR has decided to tap GK's social entrepreneurs as these young people are the "missing middles," the ones who have the knowledge, skills, passion and heart toward helping agrarian reform beneficiaries and smallholder farmers improve and sustain their farm enterprises.

"Social enterprise is somewhere between the for-profit and the non-profit where new entrepreneurs meet their own income objectives and at the same time lift the people out of poverty. It is about taking a worthwhile risk towards creating wealth for the countryside," De Los Reyes said.

He added that all Filipinos can contribute to making the project a success by patronizing the crops and products that the agrarian reform beneficiaries will be able to develop and sell with the help of Gawad Kalinga's social entrepreneurs.

"Eat, shop, advocate for social justice and create wealth for the countryside," De Los Reyes said.

Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto, for his part, said that bringing the market closer to the producers is Gawad Kalinga's way of helping the farmers in Bulacan improve their lives.

Bulacan covers 262,500 hectares where 38 percent is classified as agricultural land. Average production of rice per hectare in irrigated areas is 3.9 metric tons and 3.56 metric tons in rain-fed areas. Through the DAR-GK partnership, the aim is to increase yield and also improve the farmers' ability to sell to the market.

"The goal is bringing the keys in developing the countryside -- capital, market, social entrepreneurs and technology," Meloto added.

The proposed Agricultural Productivity and Market Enterprise Development Project is part of the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) Project of DAR and the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) of the province of Bulacan.

Some of the projects included in the SDP are Rice/Palay Production, Vegetable Production, Rootcrops Production like ube, ginger, sweet potato and coffee production identified through focus group discussions and consultation meetings with ARBs, different local government units, cooperatives, Peoples Organization/ARBOs and other stakeholders.

The project aims to establish models of viable and sustainable income generating projects by providing ARBs assistance on the utilization of appropriate technology on rice, vegetables, rootcrops, grass and coffee production that will eventually increase their income.

Poverty Funds of the Philippines

Published by Bohol Standard

This early, politicians who are to engage in the 2013 elections are being warned.

Don't take advantage of the Pantawid Pamilya ng Pilipinas Program (4Ps) of the national government during election period.

The warning came even as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has issued a memorandum dubbed "Preparation For The Election Ban of 2013" addressed to all regional directors of Regions I to XII, including the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Autonomous Region, CAraga (CAR) and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), of the agency signed by undersecretary Parisya H. Taradji. Copy of the said "order" was obtained from the provincial office of the DSWD led by Ms. Papiasa Bustrillos.

The "order" said that there shall be no release of capital seed fund of the 4Ps during public gatherings "with the presence of candidates for the 2013 national and local elections." The "order," however, provided that the said release may be done at the community level with "simple forum on how to use the said fund that would benefit the micro enterprises and families the most."

Secondly, No releases of capital seed fund is allowed from March 31, 2013 to May 31, 2013, which is within the election period. The fund releases to beneficiaries "should be done on or before December 31, 2013 to give ample time for monitoring and technical assistance.

"Project implementers should be non-partisan at all times. Selection of beneficiaries should be based on the Pantawid Pamilya list and the national household targeting system (NHTS) for poverty reduction for Non-Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries."

But the order did not provide for punishment for those DSWD directors who may be caught violating the order.

On the same vein, billboards or murals with images and names of a certain politician or officials in infrastructure projects at the road shoulders have resurfaced recently. There's even one billboard of a high ranking official in the province whose images and names are paired with that of President Benigno Aquino III in a road project which may tantamount to violating the President's order and DPWH order No. 37.

In fact, it was President Aquino who initiated to issue a memorandum to cabinet secretaries to refrain from using his name or his photograph on billboards in project sites. To carry out the President's order, DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson has issued department order (DO) 37 dated August 8, 2010, "banning the placement of names and pictures of politicians on government projects."

The said DO 37 provides that project billboards "should only contain the name and location of the project, name of the contractor, the date the project started, contract completion date, contract cost, construction consultant, implementing office of the DPWH, and source of fund."

The DO 37 provides that "name(s) and/or picture(s) of any personages should not appear in the billboard."

It also provides for an standard billboards measuring 4ft.x 8ft. (1200 mm x 2400 mm) using ½ inch (12mm) marine plywood or tarpaulin poster on 3/16 inch (5 mm) marine plywood [see resource attachment below] shall be installed. For each building project, the billboard shall be installed in front of the project site.

And "for each road/bridge/flood control project, two billboards shall be installed i.e., one at the beginning and one at the end of the project and for road projects with length of 10 kilometers or more, billboard(s) shall also be installed at every 5 kilometers interval."

A Senate Bill banning the said billboards with images/faces and names of the officials has been filed by Senator Miriam Santiago Defensor remains pending considering that many politicians like the senators and congressmen are likely to be affected if the bill becomes a law.

Philippine Hybrid Rice Planting

Hybrid Rice in the Philippines

By JUNE S. BLANCO 

Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd District, Bohol) has urged the provincial government to embrace rice hybridization in order to sustain the 113% rice self sufficiency harvest in 2008 when the hybrid variety was earnestly propagated.

The solon made the appeal after receiving the report of the Department of Agriculture Region 7 (DA 7) that Bohol registered a rice self sufficiency of 76.17% only in 2011.

In a text message to Gov. Edgar Chatto, the legislator said, " Pare, I am sad per DA report during my meeting with the regional directors last week in Cebu, Bohol's rice self sufficiency was 76.17% due we concentrate more on inbred rice seeds instead of hybrid. I wish we can work together to sustain our 113% rice self sufficiency in 2008. I am pushing SL8 AND SL11 in the 2nd district. Please call me when you are in Manila so we can discuss collaborative effort for the good of Bohol."

He followed up with another text message saying: "Do not believe in canard I am running for governor. My interest now is to help the Aquino mantra against corruption, and good governance thru the righteous path and your administration attain rice self sufficiency and success for the good of Bohol."

Chatto was reported to have responded by way of thanking the congressman and that he is validating data with agencies who provided him the 2011 figures earlier of Bohol's rice self sufficiency.

To note, Administrator Antonio Nangel of the National Irrigation Administration is also pushing for the rice hybridization program Aumentado's district through the "plant hybrid rice and fertilize now, pay later and the rice ratooning" program initiated by the solon to boost the country's rice production.

In 2008, the rice self sufficiency in Bohol reached a high of 113%. It dropped to 108% in 2009 due to the El Nino phenomenon.

Since the 2nd district is the main beneficiary of the Bohol Irrigation Project Stages 1 and 2, the Capayas and the Ilaya Small Reservoir Irrigation Facilities, the solon launched the two rice production boosting projects involving the private sector and government agencies in a collaborative effort.

Aumentado started the ratooning program with a subsidy from his Priority Assistance Development Fund (PDAF) in 540 hectares of rice land in 2011 and increased the area to 1,100 of rice land being subsidized with urea fertilizer.

The target in 2013 is about 3,000 hectares of rice land to be ratooned with an outlay of P3 million from his PDAF.

Meanwhile, it was learned that Rep. Arthur Yap (3rd district, Bohol) has also pushed for the hybridization of rice production in his district. In fact, he piloted the high yielding SL8 and SL11 hybrid rice in Lila town where he sponsored a rice festival during the last harvest season.

Prepare 2013 Election in Bohol, Philippines

A three-cornered race for City Hall is almost certain in the May 2013 elections.

Political observers see the race for the city mayorship could turn out more exciting, with each of the three contenders matching each other peso-for-peso to woe the majority of Tagbilaran's 45,000 voters.

The slates are almost complete with two groups confident of getting the official nomination of the country's leading political parties – the Aquino administration's Liberal Party (LP) and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay.

The early favorite in city mayoralty surveys, City Councilor John Geesnell "Baba" Yap, is teaming up with City Councilor Anne Mariquit Oppus, to form the "third force" as the group appear to be the unlikely pick of the LP hierarchy based on recent pronouncements of local party stalwarts who are heavily favoring the tandem of former city councilor and lawyer Agustinus "Dodong" Gonzaga and former vice mayor Jose Antonio Veloso as official bets for mayor and vice mayor.

City Mayor Dan Lim, who is ineligible to seek another term, is endorsing his elder brother Dr. Abraham Lim, which comes with the incumbent mayor's political organization that he has held and fortified since his ascendance to office in 2004.

Lim pairs with reelectionist City Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes whose ticket includes majority of incumbent city councilors who are seeking another term.

The Lim-Montes slate is sure to get the nomination of UNA while the LP will endorse the Gonzaga-Veloso ticket.

With or without the support of any major political party, the Yap-Oppus group seems to be making headway in the grassroots level. Baba Yap has been seen feverishly building his own political base after he was kicked out from the political party led by his own uncle (Mayor Lim).

All three groups however are reputed to be equipped with the needed logistical war chest which will most likely prove decisive in the coming mayoralty derby.

Yap is perceived by many city electors as the most popular among the three contenders and with his financial capability – he is also expected to saddle most of his slate up to the finish line.

The Gonzaga-Veloso ticket said it is in the process of "shortlisting" some 16 aspirants for city councilor. However, the lineup will include incumbent City Councilor Alberta Torralba.

Meanwhile, incumbent city lawmakers Nerio Zamora II, Genesyl Balbin, Lucille Lagunay, Doni Piquero and Philipp Besas (ABC) will be running under the Lim-Montes slate.

Team Yap-Oppus, on the other hand, confirmed several of its bets for city councilor which includes, incumbent City Councilor Bebiano Inting, former congressman Adam Relson Jala, Joseph Bompat (son of City Councilor Edgar Bompat), Barangay Cogon Kagawad Jerry Pabe, Poblacion 2 Barangay Kagawad Dr. Allan Ricardo Real, Poblacion 3 Kagawad Salome Vitorillo, former Cogon kagawad Charles Cabalit, Tim Butalid and Eliezer Borja (brother of Councilor Edi Borja).

The Truth About Jesse Robredo

Emotional Testimony from AIKA ROBREDO (daughter of DILG Sec Jesse Robredo): 

Now that I know what the Ramon Magsaysay Award is all about, I feel truly blessed that I happen to be his daughter. I was born exactly six days before he was first elected mayor and I spent the first 10 years of my life with him at City Hall.

If there was one thing that convinced me that he is truly deserving of the award, it is this: He has never made me feel I was different from others just because he is my father. As he goes about serving others, I have never been left wanting for his time and attention. He eats lunch and dinner with us seven days a week, even if it means he has to take two or three more meals because he has to attend a constituent's wedding or birthday reception. No occasion is too trivial for him. He is there for us not only during PTA meetings or piano or ballet recitals, but even when my math homework gets a little too difficult.

Filipino Nation Mourns for Jesse Robredo

By Lilybeth G. Ison

Both Houses of Congress - the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday expressed deep sympathy and prayers to the family of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, whose body was retrieved this morning off the waters of Masbate.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. described the DILG Secretary as "a good man."

"That fact is a great source of pride for you and for those of us in government who worked alongside him," he said.

Beyond Robredo's numerous accomplishments as a government official, Belmonte said, "it weighs more as it recognizes and respects his integrity, sincerity and dedication as a public servant as well as a family man."

He noted that Robredo's work as Mayor of Naga City before he joined the Cabinet of the Aquino administration "not only earned him repute as the first Filipino Mayor to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2000, but earned him the love and admiration of his constituents."

"To his wife Atty. Lenny, and his daughters Aika, Patricia and Jillian Therese, as well as to the pilots' families, we condole with you and sincerely share your loss. To those who untiringly searched for him and his pilots -- Capt. Jessup Bahinting and Capt. Kshitiz Chand -- we offer our gratitude for your priceless efforts. To those who prayed with us our gratitude as well," he said.

"We may not understand the ways of the Almighty but know that it is certain that Jesse is in His care and continues to watch over this nation that he loved dearly," he added.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, for his part, said Robredo was "a rare political breed nowadays... a perfect epitome who faithfully practiced President (Benigno) Aquino III's straight path (Daang Matuwid) type of governance."

"A man of action and conviction, he (Robredo) will truly be missed not only of the Aquino administration but of the entire nation. The momentum for initiating reforms is right in front of us right now, and the untimely passing of Secretary Jesse hopefully further invigorates us working in the government to continue on with his legacy, with his brand of principled leadership," said Angara in a statement.

He said that the best tribute Filipinos can give to a great man like Robredo is to continue the fight.

"Secretary Robredo, as a modern day hero and public servant, should be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani," he noted.

Western Samar Rep, Mel Senen Sarmiento said the passing of the DILG Chief "is such a great loss to the improvement of local governance in the country, a key factor in our nation's growth."

"We will miss him as a colleague in the League of Cities of the Philippines. Secretary Jesse Robredo is truly an icon in local governance," he said.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles also expressed deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and loved ones of Robredo.

"We pray for his (Robredo) eternal rest and we pray that his family remains strong during these times," he said.

"Secretary Robredo was loved by so many. More than his accomplishments, he will forever be remembered for the many lives he has touched and changed for the better. We will miss him dearly," he added.

Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Trenas also described the DILG Secretary as "a model public servant."

"We were together in the League of Cities for nine years. He (Robredo) was someone I always respected. He was one of the most decent secretaries of the President. He is a great loss to the country and to the local governments," he said.

Valenzuela City Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo, for his part, said that the country "has lost a humble, hardworking, and honorable man" with the passing of Secretary Robredo.

"He loved Naga City and made it a better place to live in. He loved his mother tongue and was a firm believer of using it as a language of learning to improve functional literacy," he said.

Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones also described the DILG Secretary as "one of the most hardworking credible members of PNoy's (President Aquino) team."

"He (Robredo) is a big loss to good governance. Let's pray for him and his family in this trying time," he said.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casino said he sends his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Secretary Robredo.

"Secretary Jesse was an outstanding local chief executive and a very competent Department Secretary. He was one of the few Cabinet members who we truly respected and appreciated. We were witness to his compassion for the informal settlers whose violent demolitions we both tried to stop. His death is a big loss to the cause of good governance," he said.

Cebu Rep. Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, on the other hand, said the country has lost "a sincere, honest and hardworking public servant."

Robredo was coming from the groundbreaking of the PNP training School in Consolacion, Cebu when the plane he flew on his way to Naga crashed Saturday afternoon off the coast of Masbate.

In Cebu, pilots Capt. Jessup Bahinting was also hailed as a local hero "for he selflessly lends his services and his planes for charitable activities, relief operations and worthy causes," said Quisumbing.

Most recently, he said, Capt. Bahinting flew in anti-venom medicine to treat a critically ill snake-bite victim in Cebu.

"We will not forget the service Capt. Bahinting rendered for his community, for his fellow Cebuanos and for our country. He left a legacy that his family and fellow Cebuanos will always be proud of," the Cebu solon said.

Camarines Sur Rep. Dato Arroyo, a member of the House minority bloc, said that it was never politics for the DILG Secretary.

"Despite being on different sides politically, he'd (Robredo) always talk to me and help me out when he could," he said.

Sen. Franklin Drilon said the country is grieving for "we have just lost a man who had manifested genuine sincerity to serve his country."

Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero said Robredo "is a tremendous loss for the Philippines."

"He (Robredo) was a stalwart and a pillar of our collective quest for change and good governance. I mourn for his loss. He embodied everything a Filipino leader should be," he noted.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Party (LP), in a statement, said, "We at the Liberal Party mourn the passing of our beloved Executive Vice President, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, who has been an inspiration for all of us, given his steadfast dedication in public service and indisputable track record in good governance."

Is Sec Jesse Robredo Still Alive?

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo is still missing even as parts of the ill-fated  plane that was supposed to bring him to Naga City  have been found,  the head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday.

 

"There has  been no report that he (Robredo) has been found," NDRRMC executive director  Benito Ramos  told Radyo Inquirer 990 AM in  Filipino.

 

This was contrary to reports that  he had  been  rescued   by a fisherman.

 

Ramos also said that the fuel tank of the plane was recovered  Saturday night.

 

When asked whether this meant that the  plane broke into pieces on impact,   Ramos said, "It's possible. Only the fuel tank was found so this means that the plane could have broken into pieces.

 

Robredo and three others were onboard a six-seater Piper Seneca plane when it crashed Saturday  afternoon in the  waters off  Masbate.  His aide, P/Senior Insp. Jun Abrazado, survived while the rest remained missing. - reports from the PDI.

Conspiracy at Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court Tuesday vehemently denied the accusation the SC, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Judicial and Bar Council have conspired to disqualify Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima and excluded her from the shortlist of nominees for the next Chief Justice.

SC Acting Public Information Office Chief and Spokesperson Atty. Maria Victoria Gleoresty Guerra said the SC, the IBP and the JBC are just following the rules.

Guerra added there's no truth to the accusation against them by De Lima.

However, Guerra refused to comment whether the statement of De Lima against the SC can be considered as "contemptuous."

Guerra pointed out she would not want to pre-empt the SC if ever someone files contempt charges against De Lima in connection with her statement.