Two Cebu bus drivers tested positive of illegal drug use
as LTO-7 warns other drivers against sanctions
by Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, Apr. 25 (PIA) --- Two Cebu bus drivers initially tested positive of illegal drugs as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) - 7 conducted a random drug test to bus drivers here prior to the Holy Week as part of their road accident prevention measure.
LTO-7 Regional Director Raul Aguilos said the results of the drug test on the two drivers will undergo confirmatory examination while sanctions will be meted out in case the test yielded positive of illegal drug use.
“Drivers are responsible for the safety of their passengers. Road accidents happen because drivers are reckless or negligent or some use drugs to keep them awake because of the long drive which result to accidents and loss of lives,” according to Aguilos.
Lisa Gomez who went home to Pinamungahan town, south of Cebu, lauded the LTO-7’s actions “Maayo ilang gibuhat kay ang ubang drivers abusado grabe mopadagan ug sakyanan. Wala ta kabalo naay ugan diha mogamit diay ug droga.” (What LTO-7 did was good because there are drivers that are abusive speeding at high limit. We do not know that there are drivers out there that use drugs)
During the Lenten Season, passenger buses usually go beyond their number of trips to accommodate the huge influx of passengers who are going home to their respective provinces because of the long holiday break. Because of this, the LTO-7 initiated the move to conduct a random drug test among bus drivers to prevent road accidents.
In case confirmatory test yielded positive of illegal drug use, the licenses of the drivers will be revoked and they would be asked to undergo a six-month rehabilitation period, this is said.
Only after the six-month rehabilitation period will the licenses of the drivers be given back and they could again report back to work, the LTO-7 official declared.
Though there is no data on the number of road mishaps in the country, but a previous news television report claimed the incidence is increasing while the LTO-7 wants to prevent unnecessary loss of lives due to drivers who are drug users. (PIA-Cebu)
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Malnutrition in CV dips by 45 percent in six years
By: Juju S. Manubag
CEBU CITY , Apr. 23 (PIA) --- The prevalence rate of malnourished pre-school children in Central Visayas declined by almost 45 percent in a span of six (6) years from 13.8 percent in 2004 to 6.2 percent in 2010.
This is according to the report on the trends in nutrition status of underweight children of the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-7 provided to Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
From 2006 to 2010, Cebu Province maintained to ranked 2nd among the provinces in Central Visayas even if there was a shift in the International Reference Standard measurement in 2009 to the application of the newly adopted standard of measurement - the Child Growth Standard in 2010,
In the regional summary report on Operation Timbang (OPT) by the Center for Health Department (CHD), Central Visayas has 52,752 underweight and 9,058 severely underweight pre-school children.
Negros Oriental topped province-wide in the highest prevalence rate for pre-school children that are malnourished with 8.71 percent.
Cebu Province followed next with 7.89 percent, Bohol Province came third with 6.74 percent and last, Siquijor Province with 6.45 percent.
Most of the underweight children came from the cities of Bayawan, Canlaon and Bais of Negros Oriental Province.
Data from the Social Weather Report on the national survey on hunger of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said that hunger incidence rates continue to be in double digits as they have ever been in 2004.
The national incidence of hunger has increased to 20.4 percent from the 4th quarter of 2010 figure of 18.1 percent after staying below 20 percent in the last two quarters.
According to the same survey results, the hunger incidence in the Visayas region that covers regions 6, 7 and 8, dropped from 15.3 percent in the 4th quarter of 2010 to 14.7 percent in the 1st quarter this year.
The challenge now for NNC is to bring the incidence rate further down. After all, 14.7 percent is still about 1.1M hungry mouths – either moderately or severely in the Visayas region-including Central Visayas . (PIA-Cebu/JSM w/reports from Dave Bargamento of NNC-7)
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DepEd gears public high schools valedictorians for leadership training
By: Minerva BC Newman
CEBU, April 23 (PIA) --- Secondary public schools valedictorians of the DepEd division of Cebu Province and its component cities of Bogo, Carcar, Danao, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay and Toledo will undergo a two-day leadership training on April 25-27, 2011 at the DepEd Ecotech Center, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.
This is an annual activity that the Department of Education (DepEd-7) and the province of Cebu jointly undertake to equip the top students of the province of leadership skills and prepare them for the tough academic challenges they will face in the future.
DepEd regional director Recarido Borgonia said, the 2011 batch of valedictorians come from the public high schools of the province of Cebu and “we are thankful that Cebu governor Gwen Garcia has been our consistent benefactor of the training.”
Borgonia added, the leadership training of these students will prepare them for higher academic challenges in their chosen fields.
“We want to equip them with life-saving skills; career path and challenges in higher education; leadership and nation building as well as citizenship and patriotism,” Borgonia explained.
According to the DepEd-7, the division coordinators for this project have already submitted the complete list of names of the valedictorians that will attend the training.
The valedictorians and their respective coordinators have already been advised to check in at the Ecotech Center on April 25 between 8 a.m.-12 noon. First activity starts at 2 p.m.
DepEd-7 will handled the transportation and incidental expenses of the participants while the province of Cebu pays for the accommodation, meals and other expenses that will be incurred during the training.
The Province will also take care of the expenses during the closing and recognition rites that will be held at the Capitol Social Hall, Provincial Capitol building on April 27 at exactly 2 p.m. (PIA-7/MBCN with reports from DepEd-7)
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DepEd gears public high schools valedictorians for leadership training
By: Minerva BC Newman
CEBU, April 23 (PIA) --- Secondary public schools valedictorians of the DepEd division of Cebu Province and its component cities of Bogo, Carcar, Danao, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay and Toledo will undergo a two-day leadership training on April 25-27, 2011 at the DepEd Ecotech Center, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.
This is an annual activity that the Department of Education (DepEd-7) and the province of Cebu jointly undertake to equip the top students of the province of leadership skills and prepare them for the tough academic challenges they will face in the future.
DepEd regional director Recarido Borgonia said, the 2011 batch of valedictorians come from the public high schools of the province of Cebu and “we are thankful that Cebu governor Gwen Garcia has been our consistent benefactor of the training.”
Borgonia added, the leadership training of these students will prepare them for higher academic challenges in their chosen fields.
“We want to equip them with life-saving skills; career path and challenges in higher education; leadership and nation building as well as citizenship and patriotism,” Borgonia explained.
According to the DepEd-7, the division coordinators for this project have already submitted the complete list of names of the valedictorians that will attend the training.
The valedictorians and their respective coordinators have already been advised to check in at the Ecotech Center on April 25 between 8 a.m.-12 noon. First activity starts at 2 p.m.
DepEd-7 will handled the transportation and incidental expenses of the participants while the province of Cebu pays for the accommodation, meals and other expenses that will be incurred during the training.
The Province will also take care of the expenses during the closing and recognition rites that will be held at the Capitol Social Hall, Provincial Capitol building on April 27 at exactly 2 p.m. (PIA-7/MBCN with reports from DepEd-7)
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DepEd gears public high schools valedictorians for leadership training
By: Minerva BC Newman
CEBU, April 23 (PIA) --- Secondary public schools valedictorians of the DepEd division of Cebu Province and its component cities of Bogo, Carcar, Danao, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay and Toledo will undergo a two-day leadership training on April 25-27, 2011 at the DepEd Ecotech Center, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.
This is an annual activity that the Department of Education (DepEd-7) and the province of Cebu jointly undertake to equip the top students of the province of leadership skills and prepare them for the tough academic challenges they will face in the future.
DepEd regional director Recarido Borgonia said, the 2011 batch of valedictorians come from the public high schools of the province of Cebu and “we are thankful that Cebu governor Gwen Garcia has been our consistent benefactor of the training.”
Borgonia added, the leadership training of these students will prepare them for higher academic challenges in their chosen fields.
“We want to equip them with life-saving skills; career path and challenges in higher education; leadership and nation building as well as citizenship and patriotism,” Borgonia explained.
According to the DepEd-7, the division coordinators for this project have already submitted the complete list of names of the valedictorians that will attend the training.
The valedictorians and their respective coordinators have already been advised to check in at the Ecotech Center on April 25 between 8 a.m.-12 noon. First activity starts at 2 p.m.
DepEd-7 will handled the transportation and incidental expenses of the participants while the province of Cebu pays for the accommodation, meals and other expenses that will be incurred during the training.
The Province will also take care of the expenses during the closing and recognition rites that will be held at the Capitol Social Hall, Provincial Capitol building on April 27 at exactly 2 p.m. (PIA-7/MBCN with reports from DepEd-7)
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NYC supports the RH bill
By: Minerva BC Newman
CEBU, April 23 (PIA) --- The national Youth Commission (NYC) supports the legislation and implementation of a national policy on reproductive health.
In a press release sent to PIA, the NYC said its decision to support the RH Bill is based from the youth development study that acknowledges the need to ensure the acceptability, accessibility, availability and affordability of culturally and gender-sensitive health services and facilities for adolescents and youth.
It was also based from the resolution that the 7th National Youth parliament adopted in 2008. The youth parliament urges the President of the country and the 14th Congress to approve the RH Bill.
The NYC however, clarifies that it does not encourage young pregnancies. It does recognize the duty of the State to provide the youth with proper reproductive health information and life-saving services.
According to the NYC, it is its responsibility to promote and protect the physical, intellectual, and social well-being of the Filipino youth.
The commission also pushes for the improvement of maternal health by reducing maternal mortality and increasing access to reproductive health services in accordance with the objectives of the MDGs in 2015. (PIA-7/MBCN with reports from NYC)
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Dengue disease ranked 1st in Cebu City in 2010
By: Juju S. Manubag
CEBU CITY, 22 April (PIA) ---Dengue disease ranked 1st in Cebu City with 3,172 cases and 22 deaths in 2010 with only two (2) barangays, Mabini and Paril with zero cases of the dengue disease.
This is per hospital surveillance case distribution list and Disease Surveillance Report (DSR) provided by Asst City Epidemiologist Durinda Macasocol from the City Health Department (CHD) to Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
Compared to 2009, the dengue disease has 2,256 cases and 41 deaths. Dengue disease in 2010 is 37.19 percent higher than in 2009.
The records of the City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit (CESSU) showed that the incidence rate of dengue disease is 3:72 or four (4) cases for every population and the case fatality rate is 0.694 or 1 death for every 100 cases.
Most of those of who are affected of dengue are males with 51.7 percent and the age range of dengue patients are from three (3) months to 81 years old, according to the report.
Of the 22 dengue deaths last year, three (3) came from Barangay Basak and two (2) each are from barangays Tejero, Pasil and Ermita.
Tisa, Punta Princesa, Lahug, Mabolo, Quiot, Bulacao, Busay, Pardo, Calamba, Buhisan, Zapatera, Malubog and Babag have one (1) dengue death from each of these barangays.
The report has also listed the top 20 barangays in Cebu City with the highest number of dengue cases which are Guadalupe with 257, Tisa with 174, Labangon with 144, Punta Princesa with 124, Talamban with 123, Lahug with 119, Mambaling with 105.
Barangays with below 100 dengue cases included; Basak San Nicolas with 94, Mabolo with 91, Capitol with 88, Kamputhaw with 86, Apas with 83, Sambag 1 with 80, Sambag 11 with 78, Basak Pardo with 75, Tejero with 66, Duljo with 65, Pasil with 64, Bacayan with 61 and Quiot with 55.
The barangays listed with the lowest dengue cases are Binaliw and Pamutan with one (1) case each while barangays Taptap, Sinsin and Sudlon II has two (2) cases each.
CESSU also made a tabulation of the incidence rates of the dengue disease in the 80 barangays of Cebu City and Barangay Malubog ranked first with an incident rate of 9.85.
The other barangays that are in the top ten (10) lists are: Sto. Nino with 8.70, Kamagayan with 8.26, Pasil with 8.11, Sta Cruz with 7.51, San Antonio with 7.30, Parian with 6.68, Capitol with 6.56, Kasambagan with 6.53 and Cogon Ramos with 6.36.
The barangays that have a low incidence rate of the dengue disease in the lists are Binaliw with 0.33, Pamutan with 0.66, Sinsin with 0.82 and Kinasang-an with 0.83.
As per data, the months of August and September last year have the highest number of dengue cases in all of the barangays in Cebu City afflicted with the disease. (PIA-Cebu/JSM)
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Free art forum, open exhibit at Museo Sugbo
By: Minerva BC Newman
CEBU, April 22 (PIA) --- Various visual artists, interior designers, cultural workers, fine arts students and art groups in Cebu will participate in a free art and open exhibit called “Cebu and the Arts” Forum on April 28 at the Museo Sugbo Art Gallery.
The forum will engage the various art sectors in Cebu to a dialogue on their thoughts about the state of the arts in the province.
There will be panelists from various art forms that will share insights on the state of the arts in Cebu , the directions they hope the city will take, and the roles of Cebuano artists in the community.
The Cebu and the Arts Forum is also an opportunity to share the various initiatives and projects of art groups in Cebu and from artists who won in the Ateneo Art Gallery 2009 competition.
The forum and exhibit is sponsored by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), the Ateneo Art Gallery , in cooperation with the Cebu Provincial Government and Museo Sugbo.
The initiative aims to bring contemporary artists and winners of the Ateneo Art Gallery competition an opportunity for local young aspiring artists to learn from the works and encourage viewers to appreciate other forms of media and artistic expression.
The forum is one of the series of activities organized through the partnership between RAFI and Ateneo Art Gallery and is open to the public for free.
On the same date, the Casa Gorordo Museum will feature the artworks of the 2009 Ateneo Art Awards winners, Kiri Dalena and Leeroy New in an exhibit entitled “Next Wave” that will open at 5 p.m. at the Contemporary Gallery of the Museum. The Next Wave art exhibit will run from April 28 to July 30.
The Ateneo Art Awards was first presented in 2004 in memory of its founding patron Fernando Zobel de Ayala.
It is given to three outstanding Filipino artists aged 35 and below who have made significant mark on contemporary Philippine art. (PIA-7/MBCN with reports from RAFI/Haidee Emmie Palapar)
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San Francisco town in Cebu wins the 2011 UN Sasakawa Award for disaster reduction
By: Minerva BC Newman
CEBU, April 22 (PIA) --- The municipality of San Francisco in Camotes Island , Cebu won the 2011 United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction.
Senator Loren Legarda, the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific announced the good news recently.
Legarda lauded the municipality of San Francisco in Camotes Island , Cebu , led by Mayor Aly Arquillano and Vice Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr., for winning the 2011 United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction.
“This achievement brings great pride to the Philippines as it conveys that local governments successfully take the lead in building the resilience of communities against disasters and climate change,” said Legarda,
The municipality of San Francisco , is geographically vulnerable to natural hazards as it is located in an open sea. It initiated innovative programs that aimed at reducing disaster risks specifically empowering its people and strengthening its communities.
San Francisco’s Purok System in mobilizing local resources to address the vulnerability of every barangay in the municipality has been cited by both government and non-government organizations as well as the United Nations as “very innovative” in creating local and practical solutions based on the unique needs of every community.
San Francisco in 2009 and 2010 won the Cebu Province ’s Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures (E-GWEN) award because of its proper implementation of solid waste management.
The town with support from PLAN International has also invested in the production of hazard maps, establishment of early warning systems and construction of drainage canals in identified flood-prone areas.
It also conducted massive information dissemination especially to students and earthquake drills at the purok levels in the barangays.
The town established marine protected areas, organized emergency response teams, and came up with the two million trees project for the rehabilitation of its mangrove forests.
Legarda cited the effective leadership and governance of Mayor Aly and Vice Mayor Al Arquillano that will stir local government action, not only in the Philippines , but also in the whole world.
“I am deeply inspired by the municipality of San Francisco ’s pioneering initiatives on environmental protection, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation,” Legarda concluded. (PIA-7/MBCN with reports from the Office of Senator Loren Legarda)